Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket

I bought the beta ar shell two years ago and it's the most used outer wear item in my collection. So versatile I carry it with me all the time.

Just bought this after months of research...Have owned Columbia and North face jackets to name a few...Also compared to other skiing and winter jackets, but I am looking for a product that is long lasting and can do what I need it to do...Looks like I made the right choice so far. Pending long term review.

This was my second major purchase frlm Arcteryx, the first being the Atom AR Jacket. Both jackets were size 'S' (5'7"; 157lbs; 38"chest; 31waist) and i was hoping that my BetaAR would fit overtop of the Atom...fit beautifully with the hood up...a little cumbersome with the hood off but doable. so far ive used this in the Western Pa weather, late summer and Autumn, and this jacket kept me warm during a complete downpour with 25-35mph gust. Felt invincible. While there are other jackets in the lineup that may be superior, this was the best fit all around for camping, hiking, and outdoor work. Additionally the fit overtop of my revised ATOM AR, was a success. Spend the money and be happy.

I have had my beta ar for about a year now I've used for about all of my fall winter activities from every day walks in the rain to snowboarding every time it has kept me nice and dry no signs or wear works like new still

Fits great, very durable. Will last a long time. Great jacket!

Incredibly versatile shell that I've owned for about 4 years. Great for layering, or for taking out for a run or bike ride in the wet. A must-have jacket for anybody who lives an active lifestyle, or for somebody who leaves the house on occasion in a climate like Vancouver.

Great Jacket for wind and rain. I have bought two of these jackets now one for work and one for weekends. Very happy with the quality and materials of this jacket

I have had a previous version of this jacket since 3 years and it is as good now as the day I bought it. Expensive but these jackets are the best and will last years.

I tried on the Beta AR on in the local Arc'teryx store and was surprised at the big improvement in the manufacturing and design of Arc'teryx shells. I was going to keep my 7 year old Veilance shell for life, but the design of the Beta AR hood and hem adjustment buttons are a major, major improvement. My use of the Beta AR is urban, BUT,...this is PROFESSIONAL use clothing. This is the equipment snow boarders, mountain hikers, mountaineers, and pro outdoor enthusiasts use. When you are waiting at a bus stop or a train station and it is raining, snowing, cold or hot, having the right clothing makes the commute more enjoyable & tolerable!

I'm a short fit guy (5'6"), I can't speak on the ruggedness since I just got the jacket. But as far as the sizing I think it fits well, a little loose but it fills out well with a puff jacket without being too tight or restricting at all. The only thing is that it has really long arm sleeves. I tried on my roommates medfium and it seems to have the same length of sleeve, so just be prepared to have giant puffy arms if you're a shorter guy.

Beta AR is My latest Arcteryx jacket . What I like most is the athletic fit of this jacket. I am 1.80 cm - 78 kg. I got M size. I can easly wear 3- 4 layers under it. Pockets are just right , I think this jacket is the most elemantery Arcteryx shell you need to own. I love this jacket.

Love this jacket in every way except the length isn't long enough. But that was my own fault, I went against reviews and advice. If you are over 6 feet tall strongly consider buying the theta, otherwise this is a great jacket. I've had it for 3 years and it functions and looks brand new.

Have had this jacket more than two years now and haven't had a single issue yet. Seams and zippers have held up amazingly after wearing on several hiking and backpacking trips. Along with everyday use around town. Holds up to the high expectations I have for all Arcteryx and goretex products.

Yeah, the above might not be the most important thing to consider when buying a shell jacket, but the Beta AR does look darned good! Compared to most Northern European manufacturers, this one is not made for 6'7 130lbs apes, with arms long enough to be able to scratch the underside of their feet whilst standing straight... This is my first foray into the world of Arc'teryx shell jackets, and I am definitely staying. I have only had it for a few months (winter time), but I have come to the conclusion that this is an awesome jacket! The fit is true to size, albeit on the large side (as most Arc'teryx gear is). I'm 5'8 and 165lbs (with a not-so-athletically-shaped upper body), and could probably get away with using a size S, but the M is great for those -40 days when I need to cram lots of layers underneath. All in all, I am really happy with it, and I am hoping it will last!

I bought my first Beta AR ~5 years ago. Since then the jacket has been dragged across the mountains of BC hunting sheep, exposed to the African sun hunting kudu, and scrapped through the Northern QC forests for Moose. It has survived it all and insured I did as well. It has been worn all year round to protect from sun, rain, snow, and wind. I can't recommended this jacket enough- It can take some serious abuse and not only keep going, but be comfortable along the way. I've now just bought my second as I wouldn't consider another. The Beta AR has become a second skin. My only complaint about the jacket: My first one was made in Canada. My newest is made in China. I wish Arc'Teryx would hire and pay Canadians to make such great gear.

This is my third season with the Beta AR jacket and it has never let me down yet. I'm a geologist and I used to work in the Northern BC coastal mountains year round. I bought this jacket originally for field work. I've worn it in conditions ranging from a blizzard in -20C to pouring rain in the high alpine. Paired with a good base layer and an Atom LT jacket or Corvert Fleece, I've been comfortable in -20C as long as I kept moving. I've used this jacket on a 4 day trek over the Inca Trail in Peru and it kept me dry in the rain and cold. The jacket stands up well to abuse. Doing field work, I wear a heavy vest over top of the jacket and it shows no signs of wear on those contact points. I've carried small rock samples in the pockets without damaging anything. I've also got the jacket very dirty and put it through several wash cycles and it has held up very well through the washes and always comes out looking new.

I purchased my first Beta AR over ten years ago, maybe as much as 13 years ago but I don't recall exactly. In that time it has been worn hard year round. While it's by no means the lightest jacket around, it's tough. I've snowboarded in mine, done chores in it and miles and miles of canoe trips and backpacking. I even fell while skateboarding in it. A wrench put three holes in it, but a Gore certified repair shop got it almost as good as new. I bought a 2014 version because in that time I've lost a fair bit of weight and found the XL to be too big for my 6'1", 175 lb frame. I passed the old one to a friend and I expect it will be used for many more years. Comparing the old and new versions, it appears the new Gore Tex is lighter than the XCR that was in my last piece, and it shows in the way the fabric crinkles a bit more in the cold. The sleeve stash pocket has been moved to inside the chest which seems to be a nod to more electronic devices being used. The Beta AR is still minimalist in design, with no powder skirt, but the new cuff design supports gauntlet style gloves and under the cuff style equally well. The hood is ample for a helmet, and the length is reasonable. I find in sizing down the jacket is best supported by lighter weight base layers and mid layers than some of my older items. A heavy fleece plus an insulating layer makes this a bit constrictive. I will stick to lighter layers and active use for this jacket and keep something more ample for the deep deep cold.

Was in search for a rain coat that could handle both Portland, OR fall/winter every day wear and also serve as a shell for back country skiing. The Beta is like a suit of armor against rain and has the best breathability I have ever experience with Goretex. In my experience so far, the new material is lighter and breathes better while keeping its bombproof water proofing. Great stuff Arc'teryx! I am delighted with this purchase.

This is the best all around goretex jacket around, in my opinion. The fit is great for just about everything except skiing/snowboarding (you'd want a longer jacket with a powder skirt). The pit zips are very generous so feel free to sweat away. The harder wearing fabric on the high traffic areas are well appreciated too, especially if you're wearing heavy backpacks!

I just returned from a deep sea fishing trip in Panama. On the water for three days and it rained almost all the time, heavily much of the time. My new Beta AR jacket did not leak at all. I especially liked the draw string around the head as it made the hood comfortable. It felt like wearing a baseball cap.

I tried Beta LT but I didn't like it, this one is the right one!

After a winter of cycling in rainy London weather, I can attest to the waterproofing of the beta AR. It's kept me dry, even when opening the pit zips to prevent overheating. And it leaves room for layering underneath.

I bought the Beta AR primarily to protect me while Bass Fishing during rain events. I have tried other suits which are very heavy and hot, but not the Arc'teryx Beta AR. It is very light and comfortable and the rain beads right off. Such a nice Jacket. Lots of complements. rm

This jacket fits well, zippers seems strong and will be able to handel years of use.

Disclaimer: Neither Arc'teryx or Gore-Tex will vouch for this jacket's ability to protect against gunfire...but I seems impervious to almost everything else. I've taken the Beta AR on a number of adventures: skiing, climbing, bicycle commuting in the rain...but mostly just as an extra layer/windbreaker around town in the cold season. I bought the shell three years ago, right before a trip to the Wichita Mountains in Oklahoma in winter, where it came in handy and proved its mettle almost immediately. I got lost and ended up embarking on a three hour bushwhack/boulder crawl through dense, gnarled post oak in between savagely rough granite boulders in a near-freezing downpour. Despite elbowing my way through unrelenting, rough-hewn oak and squeezing through unpolished rock, the fabric never showed the hint of a scratch. Needless to say it never let any water in, nor did it scratch, tear, or leak over the next three years of abuse it endured. It still looked brand new by the time I lost it. Arc'teryx is the gold standard of professional outdoor gear. It carries the cachet of a luxury brand, but the impeccable styling is merely an afterthought compared to the attention to detail and quality that sets this company above the competition. I own the insulated Fission SV, and I'm buying the Theta AR soon to replace the lost Beta AR, and I suspect I won't have to spend money on any more shells for quite a long time (so sorry, Arc'teryx, but I do plan on buying harnesses and backpacks in the future). Yes, I'm an idiot for losing mine, but after my experience with the product I could never purchase anything from another company.