Chaqueta Beta AR Hombre

I've had my Beta AR for a year and was beyond happy with it for the first 6 months, withstood days of endless torrential rain in the summer and digging snow caves in the winter while keeping me totally dry which to anyone who has ever dug a snow cave: is a rarity. I washed the jacket at regular intervals to keep oils from building up. However after about 8 months the jacket started to wet out and was leaving me damp under after only an hours rain and soaked after a days downpour. Following Arc'teryxs instruction videos I reproofed the jacket and it beaded water again.... for about a week before proceeding to wet out completely and leave me soaked. Assuming I had done the process wrong I redid it from step one, again, started to wet out within a week. I contacted Arc'teryx and they said I could send it in for reapplication of DWR and it would cost 500DKK (about 80USD) If you're going to be spending nearly 600 dollars on a jacket, buy from a company with better customer service and garuntees than arcteryx, if you have moderate to heavy use like me in climates where getting wet is not an option because there is no wood and no shelter other than your tent, having to spend 15% of that jackets value every year for waterproofing means after 5 you're not buying a 600 dollar jacket, you've bought a 1000 dollar jacket. Maybe thats not a problem for some people but I expect more than a year of life out of a premium price product before needing to be sent back to the factory. Unfortunately I now own it and will have to continue to shell out this money on a yearly basis, going to stick to Outdoor Research and Patagonia in the future.

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.

This is a great jacket but you have to wash it and clean it every 2 weeks to really be waterproof and for the Gor-Tex to actually work. The neck, when tightened down all the way is still way too big and sticks out from under the hood and lets a lot of rain and cold air in. Overall a good looking jacket but requires a lot of care and maintenance.

I've had this shell for a couple years now and it's still like new. Great for the cold Canadian winters, on top of whatever down layer you prefer. The only con for me is the hood, which seems like it's meant for wearing over a helmet of some kind? But, it's not a big issue, 5 stars for this one.

I would give 3 1/2 stars. I had this jacket for 2 years and used it a lot since it was my only rain and wind coat--at that price, I wouldn't buy two! I used it with and without a backpack, and with and without a harness and it performed well in all situations. Neither the outer fabric nor the backer wore out (like, not at all!) due to the the rubbing with pack or harness. On that front, the only flaw for me was the length of the front panel while wearing a harness (to much material at the bottom ; but it's normal, it's long on purpose, the Alpha line seems to cover that.) The fit and layering possibilities with this jacket are great. If worn on it's own it's baggy, yes, but not awkward. It's specifically giving around the shoulders, which allows for a lot of layers. That's a big plus. Weather resistance is also excellent. Gore-Tex Pro... It's made its proofs. Not much more to say than that. Pit zips compensate for the lack of breathability of the fabric. For the downsides... As I wrote in the title, much of them are subjective. They depend on your usage of this jacket. First of all, the pockets are annoying to use with a pack on, on the wall, on a bike... Basically, you feel like you have to contort yourself to access it when not using them simply standing and free of other gear. The Drop hood was good for me in the city, because I used this jacket as a windproof jacket and didn't need the hood then. It's more confortable like that compared to the Storm Hood, since the collar is separate. BUT in all other occasions, basically, when using the jacket for what it was intended for (in the mountains, in the pouring rain, snow, wind...), the Drop Hood lacks weather and elements protection. More precisely, the junction where the hood meets the collar leaves a hole for face wind to enter your micro climate! And finally, the goddam classic of Gore-Tex membrane delamination is what makes all Arc'teryx jacket "not perfect", imo. Mine delaminated after two years (and was replaced by Arc'teryx. Thanks guys, you own your stuff). But, as I said, I used it a lot more than one usually uses a shell jacket. So it was a busy 2 years. I have chosen to go for the Alpha AR instead, since that design accounts for almost all I didn't like about the Beta AR. This review might sound a little on the bad side, but I just didn't want to repeat everything that was said before. Arc'teryx makes insanely good jackets and I'll continue rooting for them as long as they do.

May 14 2020: I am aware that you discontinued Conifer (Dark Pine Green) and Caribou (Light Chocolate) back in April 2019 or around. Please produce darker Browns and darker Greens/Olive colors for your Gore-Tex Shell Jacket lines and Gore-Tex/ GTX Shoes lines. I am not really a fan of your "Bushwhack” and “Arbour” Greens. Almost all of your competitors produce those light/flashy Greens. I think you should go above them. Thank you. CONS: "Cohaesive" hood adjustments is fiddly. When you want to loosen the collar string, it doesn’t retract and one side is always more pulled out.

I bought this jacket from the Arcteryx store in Piccadilly, London just before Xmas 2019. We had a very wet and windy winter in London and I was hoping the Beta would stand up to my old Berghaus Pack lite 3, which had seen better days. I found the team at the Piccadilly store to be extremely helpful, knowledgeable and friendly and as this was my first piece of Arcteryx kit I found that very reassuring. The jacket has since seen me through the winter in London, come with me on the 3 peaks challenge, the West Highland Way and a number of winter wild camps in the Cairngorns of Scotland. The jacket performed perfectly and I found myself almost wishing for the weather to turn so that I could put the Beta to work. My only niggle with the jacket is that the sleeves fit about an inch to long. This may seem insignificant but when you are scrambling, climbing or wearing for general city use I found that the edge of the cuffs gets dirty very quickly. This in turn also effects the breath ability of the Gore on the arm segments as they get bunched up around the elbows because you have strapped the wrist adjusters tight to allow access to your hands and keep them free. This seemed to be a recurring problem on all sizes of the Beta AR and I eventually settled on the medium as it enabled the best amount of room for layering without being to oversized. For comparison I am 5'11 and have a 40inch chest. Would highly recommend but I wish the sleeves didn't come longer than necessary as you end up worrying that the oil and dirt build up will deteriorate the fabric around the wrists. Something that you don't want on your nearly 500 quid jacket! Overall I am very happy with the Beta AR and it has become my got to shell and I expect it will be for many years to come. Worth every penny!

Very nice all around shell. The fit in medium fits me perfect, while my zeta lt and a few other Arc products i have in the large size fit like this ar line in medium. The hardware is great. High quality main zipper and the sealing pocket zips work flawlessly. I like these new sealed zips, but still like the pull garage which has been eliminated. There was a tactile feel when pushing the zipper closed into it which is now missing. The Cknit backer is the same as the one on other lines and just as nice against the skin. The Gore Tex pro makes alot more crinkly sound than any other jacket I've owned. It's not as bad with a fleece underneath, but it is noisy. Personally, it doesn't bother me, as I read others were annoyed. The drop hood is a really nice feature to have. Pit zips are nice and smooth while wearing from both directions. I almost got the Alpha LT, but in the end, side by side, the ar was clearly better for me.

This is my 1st arcteryx hard shell. I've had similar jackets before and I've honestly never used the helmet hood. I don't do really extreme stuff like multi day cold weather backcounty ski trips and ice climbs. I'll use helmets on rock scrambles but i don't do those in the rain or snow. I love the shell in the rain and the snow and as a layer against wind and as part of the whole temperature regulation system. I will use the hood, but rarely at the same time as a helmet. If you (or anyone) would make a full featured tech jacket with a regular hood (including gortex proshell or better) i I'd be buying that. Thanks. Ps i had a gortex paclite jacket but it disintegrated after a year.

Not bad, this kind of product is very useful when you are going to climb mountain or in the city.

I have been wearing Arcteryx for years because everything fits in action, works as intended, keeps me comfortable, and lasts forever. If purchased large, layering provides comfort below zero. Pit-zips allow adjusting your warmth when the temperature rises. Plenty of pockets placed where they are useful. An excellent shell.

so the beta ar, expensive that will have you there for weeks trying to justify spending this kind of money on just a waterproof jacket right? i mean how much?? so in the past i'd used army grade jackets which seemed tough and very water proof but taping ect would come apart after time and was super hot and sweaty even with pit zips ect so enter the beta ar.!!! "AND WOW.!" from the packing for be forgiven for thinking its made from cardboard and your be thinking omg i spent all this to feel like i'm in cardboard armour, the hood is super stiff and won't relax, its noisy, boxy and really do feel like its a box you've put on.! this will just show its totally new lol i would say after 2wks of wearing it every day, the hood starts to relax and well does the rest of the coat and before you know it its like a second skin of armour and comfy to wear, this is when that sense of feeling you want the weather to throw everything it can at you because you feel invincible in this jacket i have to say, and your do this to, looking at how this is constructed close up your see exactly where all that money has gone and the quality is a masterpiece its beautiful bit of must have kit wind protection is awesome on this as well, with just a couple of lightweight layers underneath in winter this has been great in all weather, you feel totally protected , i mean whose nuts enough wanting to actually look for bad weather? i certainly do now i have no doubt reading other reviews of people saying they have lasted 10yrs and still look like new but want the latest model, i honestly think this will last way beyond 10yrs its super breathable and i hardly run up a sweat hiking in this, this was my one big concern having worn other rain jackets in the past , but it really does breath well indeed so does this jacket justify the price tag? if you can afford to get it i would say your going to get the best jacket you have ever owned and never be afraid of the rain/wind again, just don't be shocked how stiff it is at 1st, it will get better i promise and will become supple

Beforehand, my go-to shell was the Zeta AR, however, in August 2019 I saw a black Beta AR pop up on sale for £280, so I sold the Zeta and replaced it, hoping the higher price tag would make for a more premium product. I wasn't disappointed, as this jacket does everything and more. I've worn this practically daily for the last 7 months, and it still looks as though I've taken it out of the package. No rain whatsoever seeps through the Gore-Tex Pro technology and allows you to remain dry at all times, even in torrential rain. The fit of this is great - I'm 6'1 and 155lbs, medium fits me perfectly with enough room to layer a hoodie or mid-layer underneath. Aside from this, unlike some taped seam jackets, the inside of the jacket feels fine against skin, so you can easily wear this with short sleeves too. This jacket hasn't let me down once, although now it is beginning to heat up, I will need to temporarily retire it, as it can get clammy quite easily due to the density and weight of it, so I'm going to opt for a Zeta FL for the warmer months. Overall, this is the perfect hard-shell jacket. The price tag may seem a little bit daunting, but you can find these on sale most of the time, and they really are worth what you're paying.

I have owned this jacket for a few months now, and it is great for everything. I'm in Edmonton, so the cold weather is a killer. In -30C i wore this over my down puffy and was warm as can be. Having it out on the trails is great too. Took it snowshoeing in a heavy snowfall and didn't notice at all. Walking the dog, shoveling the sidewalk, going to and from work, it handles it all like a champ. As far as fit goes, I'm not sure where some of the complaints come from. I am 6'1, and an athletic 200-205, with big shoulders and long arms, and a medium fits like a dream. There is enough to throw one mid layer underneath it at that size, which suits my needs great. The arms are a great length for me as well. The drop hood might be my favourite part of the jacket. I find with most full zip hoods where the zip comes above your chin, the hood will be too tight around the chin/neck, but with the drop hood built in collar its very comfortable, and makes layering up for the cold that much easier. The pit zips also allow you to use this jacket for running, which I did a few times on top of my baselayer in -15 to -20 weather with no issues. While I wouldn't recommend it for running all the time, it does work great in a pinch for those cold days.

I have this jacket as primary winter jacket with a good down is amazing, resist until -15 degrees, just is loo long of the sleeves

First off I could not get my jacket in the color I wanted. Found comparable rain jackets made equally well by other vendors considerably cheaper. Expected a life time warranty for a rain jacket at that price and a stuff sack to go with it. For real

I was skeptical to spend so much on a rain jacket. After wearing this jacket in a storm in Patagonia I am happy I did. As the others in the groups rain jackets soaked through the Beta AR kept my dry all day. The jacket feels durable and strong. My only complaint is it could be taller in height.

I live in a coastal rainforest next to the ocean that can see well over 100mm of rainfall in a month. I’ve had shells from other brands and they’ve either had the goretex wear out or layers delaminate and flake away over time. I’ve had this as my full time, all season, everyday main jacket for about 2 years now. And I’ve never had a single issue with it. It repels all water that hits it and can dry in less than a half hour. I really like the durability of it and not having to think about going easy when pulling the zippers. The draw strings on the hood allow it to be custom fit to whatever type of headwear I happen to be wearing. Which is impressive for a hood that’s sized for a helmet. I also do a fair bit of surf photography and this does great when standing against onshore winds for hours. I always thought Arc jackets were too pricey but stumbled across a 50% off sale and couldn’t say no. Not only was it worth what I paid, but I’d consider it worth every penny of it’s regular price now that I’ve put it through its paces. I normally wear a size L in most clothing. I got a size L as the M felt a tad too snug for my preference. (Although M wasn’t actually too small). The size L easily allows room for a hoody or fleece underneath and feels totally non-restrictive and doesn’t feel bulky at all. Can’t recommend this jacket enough.

Like every Arcteryx product, it works in the beginning then as it's out of warranty it starts to have problems with the zipper, the heat-sealing and small holes in the fabric. Considered the high-price paid you would expect a definitely longer duration of the product. It doesn't happen with Arcteryx at all. Strongly NOT recommended. Writing this review after 5 years of ownership and test in outdoor, city life mostly. So didn't go extreme weathers and product was always stored with maximum care. SHAME!

Just took my new beta AR jacket out for it’s first adventure snowboarding at Jay Peak in Vermont and loved it! Great range of movement, very effective weather protection in high winds/cold temps. Color is beautiful. Great shell. Thanks Arc’terx :)

Great design and functions for this jacket, but some very problems with it 2nd Beta AR jacket (replacement) with the exact same problems as my first. the seal for the seams peels the goretex has debonded from the shell material waterproofing on the zips seem to be cracking (but not leaking yet)

I'm 6'0 185 lbs 33" waist. For me this All-Round jacket fits perfect. It's not trim, but also not a bag around your body. I own slimmer jackets that I just in the late Spring, Summer and early Fall. Being an AR jacket I wanted a jacket that I wear without layering or with. In the Bend Oregon area the only real time this jacket is not required is July-August. Obviously it's great a rain jacket as well as ski jacket layered the trim down jacket of vest. It's well "sized" for the perfect all-around jacket. In terms of moisture and wind protection, 2nd to known

I am 6'2" and wear a 18 1/2 / 37 tailored fit dress shirt. I'm wider at the top than at my waist(Think upside down triangle). The sleeve length in a XXL is perfect, but the rest of the jacket is a bit bulky. I wish there was an XL Tall option, but the XXL does the trick. The fit allows me to layer up underneath without motion being constricted. Five stars b/c jacket keeps me dry and comfy when weather gets rough.

I live in Squamish BC; temperature at sea level average out around -5c to 5c in winter. Not terribly windy in winter but it rain almost everyday. Spring and fall average around 0c to 10c and very windy. I walk 5 miles everyday after work and hike on the weekend. I purchased the Beta AR early this fall and been using it ever since. It rains all the time where I live and it is fairly warm at sea level. What is the one thing most wives or girlfriends ask you? "Honey... Do you want to go for a walk?" I never liked walking aimlessly in the past and discovered the reason why not long ago: Because I never been properly dressed for it. I have had the pleasure of discovering liking going for a walk now that I can stay dry and warm. This hard shell is amazing for a few reasons: It actually got my off my butt and made me want to go play outside would probably the best part of it all. It also give me a chance to reminisce about when I was a kid fishing on the lake while wearing this god aweful rain jacket that made me sweat like crazy. It also reminded me of some of the most wonderful days spent in camp with a tin roof listening to the rain and feeling warm and protected in my sleeping bag. this is the feeling I get when I wear the Beta AR. I feel protected and it inspires me to be a better person, corny isn't it? well it's the truth. Some people have bought this shell to stay dry and save their lives while in dangerous weather environment. On my side it's been more about a psychological improvement about the way I think about myself and the environment I am in. It opened my eyes to the beauty of the nature where I live in Squamish, BC. It also gave me a chance to go and scout mountain bike trails when it is too wet and greasy to bike. Whether you want physical or emotional protection, this shell has a funny way of opening your eyes to the environment you live in.

When I started looking for jackets I was used to a dept store 3 in 1. Went to the Arc’teryx store here in town they explained me the differences in the products and jacket types. So very happy with this jacket got the Midnight Sun based on what my good friend said was best and have nothing but compliments on the jacket. Would definitely recommend anything Arc’teryx they well worth it.

I love my Beta AR coat! I had a previous version of this jacket for 10 years and just got a new one! This jacket has amazing durability with a bit of care. I love the cut of the jacket as it is a bit longer with good room to layer underneath. I usually wear an XL in most of Arc'teryx's clothing, but this one I did size down a bit to a L, as it still fits my layers underneath well. Arc'teryx gear is well worth the investment!