Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

I have been using the Beta LT as my hard shell for cross country skiing since I received it. Unlike some cross country skiers I prefer a hardshell jacket that i can also use for other outdoor activities year round. The first thing I noticed when I received it was the typical attention to detail that Arc'teryx is known for. The stitching was perfect, the assembly of the fabric sections was perfect and all in all they did a great job making it. I then looked at the inside collar and was happy to see it was made in Canada. I have other Arc'teryx pieces (including a Sidewinder AR and Covert Cardigan) that were made in China and they also are of the exact same qaulity as the Canadian made ones, but it is nice to see that they are still making some products there. The jacket feels very durable and I find that Pro Shell does a great job keeping me dry (I also own an REI jacket with eVent that works as well as Pro Shell, but no better in my opinion). The large hood stows in the collar and when rolled up inside it is not at all uncomfortable on the back of my neck. This jacket will also go with me this spring and summer on some long hikes in the Sierra Nevada mountains and I am sure it will perform very well. The jacket is cut a little full so it is easy to layer underneath it. I am also happy with how the zippers work and where they are placed. I have found that some waterproof zippers can be pretty tough to work, but these are fine. The pit zips are very long and it is very easy to adjust them to your specific comfort level. The only drawback with this jacket and all of Arc'teryx's jackets is the initial sticker shock. But when I am still wearing it many years from now the price will be long forgotten.

I have not had the Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket long enough to do extensive field testing, however yesterday I took it out for an hour and a half in snowy and windy blizzardy conditions -- you know the kind where it comes down frozen, but then melts on you because the air is not quite freezing. From my limited experience, I am very happy with this shell, and I think I made the right decision to go with one of Arc'teryx's lightest models. My only grip is that there is no way to tighten up the collar and in it extends a bit farther forward than I would like in such conditions, providing a way for some blowing snow to enter and stick to underlying clothing in the sternum area. I was wearing a midweight fleece sweater and smartwool midweight thermal underneath. I was impressed with how dry the shell kept me in those conditions, however I did notice a slight dampness in the sternum area due to the collar. The hood is excellent and provides a couple of cinches on each side to tighten it around the face, which is a necessity in wind. I do wish there was a similar mechanism of adjustment for the collar as well. It would be nice to really be able to tighten it up around the neck to seal out the elements a bit better. It's not that it's bad, it's just that it could be better. In terms of fit, I am 190 lbs and 5'10" tall (with a bit longer torso and bit shorter legs than most people my height). I ordered the XL, which provides just the right ammount of internal volume and mobility to wear a fleece sweater or reasonably puffy down jacket underneath. For me, the length of the shell is perfect, not too short and not too long so it doesn't catch on my rear. I was considering another model of Arc'teryx shell which is basically the same thing, except this one has arm pit vents. I am definitely glad I got this model. Even in the storm I found I was sweating and it was feeling bit humid in there with them initially closed. Unzipping them made a noticeable difference, yet I was still sufficiently protected from the driving snow.

I am 5 ft. 10 inches and about 155, and a small fits me just right. I do not have a ton of room to layer, but that is how I like it.

One of the lightest three-layer pro shell jackets on the market. While it isn't as durable as the stuff in their SV line, as a piece to be used in alpinism, it is perfect.

What can I say...this jacket is everything I have been looking for. Purchased it with next day delivery and it arrived by lunch as promised. The jacket fits perfectly in an XL ( I'm 6ft 205ish ). It is waist length as I wanted, so if you are looking for something longer go with one of the theta jackets. This jacket is extremely lightweight, packable, and displays unbelievable quality ( as I expected). Already been in snow and torrential rain without issue in this one. This will accompany me globally from now on as it easily fits anywhere. I have this paired with an atom LT as my base and I am warm and dry. Quality product and I expect years of service from this one.

just got this, and it is still made in Canada, definitely nice to see when I got it out of the box... took the jacket on a lightweight speed climb up around Mount Cook in New Zealand. It worked as advertised with no issues. Was totally waterproof, and very good in pretty high winds. I only had to layer very lightly (long sleeve mid-weight shirt and an icebreaker 260) to stay warm.Only negative was the pit zips were not easy to operate one handed.

Pros: Steepandcheap, ~$250. Hooray for manufacture in Canada. I'm 5'11" 175 with broad shoulders and the large fits just right. Arc'teryx-grade construction as expected, and it's incredibly light weight. Cons: I had thought GORE-TEX® Pro Shell material was all essentially the same, and the 320N 3-Layer material in this jacket is durable I'm sure, but it feels very thin to me. I guess that's the trade-off if you want the lightest of shells. I was expecting a thick bomb-proof coat that I could use through all the seasons here in Alaska. I decided to return it and instead grabbed the Outdoor Research Mentor, which uses 40D and 70D Pro shell fabrics and feels indestructible (as I'm sure some other Arc'teryx jackets probably do).

This jacket fits great! I am 5'10" 210 lbs; athletic. It may be on the shorter side if you are taller, but fits me good and not to tight. I normally like an XL, but this fits nice for warmer weather. I had the Pack-lite jacket, but found the pro shell gore-tex to be much more sturdy and packs just as small.