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Thanks to waterproof breathable Gore-Tex Paclite fabric and a thoughtful design, the Arc'teryx Men's Beta SL Jacket provides total weather protection for only 11oz. Arc'teryx took a minimalist approach to creating this ultralight shell. The Beta SL Jacket includes no features that would add unnecessary weight. Two high hand pockets remain accessible in spite of your backpack or climbing harness, and a trim-fitting hood protects without inhibiting your peripheral vision.
Bottom Line: When you need protection from the elements but don't want too much extra weight, add the Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket to your gear list.
I like the packability of this jacket, but for riding, and paddling you'd be better served by the longer hemmed, and pit-zip version, the Alpha SL. The Paclite is good for it's small size, and total waterproofness. If you really want the ultimate in lightweight weatherproof jackets, the Alpha LT is it. Only slightly heavier than the SL, but way more durable and breathable. Of course, it's way more expensive, too.
I haven't used Paclite fabric, so I can't speak to its waterproofness other than to say that Gore says its waterproof. As far as the jacket - it'll be a waist length jacket and from what I can see it does not have pit-zips. I'd venture to say that for highly aerobic activities, this wouldn't be my first choice unless it's going to be on the colder side.
I'm a big Arcteryx fan, but after using an eVent jacket this summer, I don't think the eVent fabric can be beat for warm weather waterproofness - the breathability is just far better than GoreTex. You might look at offerings from Westcomb and Rab and see if they have anything that would work for you. In particular the Westcomb Spectre LT jacket, the Rab Drillium or the Rab Momentum jackets might be a good option.
I used to carry the marmot but I wanted something that breathes a little better. I have worn this in hours long total downpours, winds at 50 mph and with a wool layer underneath down to 0F. If it ever wears out I'll buy another. My picture is attached wearing this jacket during a winter camping trip on Rainier.
My girlfriend gave this to me for my birthday this year. I got a size large (I'm 6' 200lbs) in Amazon and I have been so pleased with this jacket! I like the fact that it's somewhat fitted, is made of Goretex Paclite, and weighs so little! I just don't know how they could have possible made this better. It has everything you need and nothing you don't.
Im 6'1 and 150lbs, racey frame....should i get the medium? I'm worried about sleeve length, but I don't want a ton of extra jacket around my torso always catching stuff/ acting like a parachute when I'm running.
I bought this jacket after a long search. I have the Arc'teryx Fission AR jacket and I loved it! The fit is slimmer than most jackets. I have layered a capeline, and heavy fleece under and it works well. I am 5'10 and 210lbs so room is important and this jacket mixes a slim fit with the right amount of room. I took it white water rafting in early June in Colorado and it repelled everything the river threw at me. It also has a regular hood which isn't bad, but the hood fit well over my helmet. I bought this jacket because I wanted a lightweight jacket for spring and late fall. I couldn't be more happy. I also have the Outdoor Research Mentor jacket that has the Gore-tex pro shell and I don't really even use it because of this jacket. The only complaint I would have is that there are only two pockets. Adding a chest pocket would make this jacket a step better. Overall, it kept me dry when I needed it too. Good ventilation even without the pit zips.
I'm looking for a lightweight, no frills Paclite rain jacket. Tossed up between the Marmot Nano and the Arcteyrx Beta SL. Any thoughts from owners of these jackets would be greatly appreciated.
I actually have both the Nano and Beta SL in medium. Even though they are both made with Gore-tex paclite, the Nano's fabric is definitely more thin and delicate. Also, the Nano's back-to-wasit length (inseam?) is definitely shorter than the Beta SL. It is almost too short.
on the surface, these two jackets look very similar. The Arc'teryx Beta SL has a drop hood, which leaves the collar in place, and the hood out of the way, when it's not on your head. I'd say the main differences would be the super high quality of Arc'teryx construction, and a more durable face fabric. Plus, and this is just personal preference, the Beta SL has more interesting colors.
This jacket is fantastic. Its much more affordable than the Arcteryx Theta jacket and the weather protection is just as good. It is lightwieght and packs away very small in your pack. It is fully waterproof. The tension cords around the waist secure the jacket below the hips which is good to keep the weather out. Even though the hood doesnt detach, it rolls up very tight. I have had this coat in the crater of Broken Top in the Central Oregon cascades when the wind and snow coming up the slope was 35 mph easily. This jacket took it all. Yes, the Theta is the Bentley of jackets, but the Beta is much more affordable with fantastic durability and performance. I rated it four and not five because of the zippers. The zipper handles are terribley small to handle with gloves on and tough to pull without opposite tension. Other than that, sweet jacket.
The jacket that I have is older and only has on little chest pocket but I donât mind to busy to put my hands in my pockets. If you want a good, light waterproof jacket this is the way to go. No frills no thrills just a waterproof jacket that will go anywhere. Its to light not to throw in. Get it cause you want to have your raingear with you and not leave it in the car cause its just a little to much weight. Gore tex for those of you who dont know is the only way to go!
Hi, I live in Florida and I cant seem to find a jacket that I can keep dry with, and not sweat to death in at the same time. Would this jacket be the best one suited for the job? I like the Arcteryx brand...maybe the Alpha?
The Alpha LT has better breathability than the SL version because it's got a wicking, woven backer that is against the skin. As Ben mentioned, totally waterproof jackets tend to be "swampy" in warm, humid environs. Take a look at the Venta LT for a softshell- more breathable and nearly waterproof. It has taped seams and highly breathable panels under arm, but laminate Windstopper on the main torso and shoulders.
This jacket rocks for a superlight packable jacket for rain or backpacking. I keep it in my truck for those unexpected downpours in the summer. You really can't go wrong with this jacket. Perfect for throwing in the backpack.
Ben, I have another opinion for you. I am 5'9" and 165#. My picture is shown wearing the jacket on this page as a review. My guess is at 5'9" and 165# you have a bit of a chest. For a 5'11 at the same weight he would be very slim. This is a slim cut jacket as are most ArcX items. If you wear it alone the Medium would probably be ok but if you wear a base layer or two under or you do activities that require you to reach you should get the large. This has been my go-to jacket for a couple of years, I really don't take my pack out of the house without in being in there. My picture above was at Rainier and the one here is climbing in the Tetons last month and we got a downpour in the middle of the climb. The large gives me room to reach and wear a base layer or 2. I say go with the large.
I have had the jacket for only a few months now, it was very expensive and am still considering if it was worth it. There isnt much to the jacket which makes me question its durability, Ill have to wear it on a few more trips before I decide. Other wise the fit is true and the color scheme is very appealing. The waist is short as mentioned below, im 6'2" and the jacket length is at its max shortness for me.
I have the older version of this shell with GTX XCR in the shoulders and I love it. The paclite fabric is more durable than I expected though and it is tough enough for skiing abuse yet light enough for backpacking. Like most Arcteryx products, the quality and fit is fantastic (trim with enough room for layering). The cut is a bit short at the waist.
Write your question here...I have a 44 inch chest and 36 inch waist. I am considering this coat/jacket for winter bicycle commuting. My commute is an hour each way. I would most likely have a base layer, jersey and maybe a fleece vest under. What size would you suggest? Thanks, AD
I would say am XL im not going to bust out the ruler but im 6 3 and 225 and i have an XL and i can layer a fleece under it. It is a little short so maybe check out the Alpha SL but I would think that you would be fine with an XL.
The DWR will wear off overtime, but as Cyrus said, this jacket has a waterproof membrane, so no water should get in. DWR can always be re-applied so thats nothing to worry about either.
Gore-Tex isnt just a coating, its a waterproof membrane...it doesnt wear out or loose its waterproofing ever, and if by some freak occurancce water gets thru, then Gore-Tex will fix it, or refund you, or replace whatever it is.
I have the older version of the Beta SL which has a chest pocket and two giant pit zips. Don't know why they changes to 2 pockets. Anyways I have used this jacket on many a downpour in Scotland and Japan and it has kept at least my top half completely dry. It breaths well so doesn't make u sweaty inside feeling like you are getting wet. The hood is key. Not many hoods with this much adjustability to fit your head just right. This is important if your biking or in the wind a lot with rain. A well thought out jacket. Also I wear a backpack with it a lot and absolutely no pilling. Colors are also a plus. Very vibrant even in low light conditions
I don't go hiking without it any more. The jackets folds into nothing and can fit into a cargo pocket in the pant. If it gets really cold outside, less than 20F (with wind), then I need to layer properly. The pac-lite isn't as breathable as the gore tex pro-shell.
Styling wise ARc'Teryx is hard to beat. The extra cost comes in for the water proof pockets/zips, which is soooo worth it. I can walk around with my phone, wallet, electronic keys on my pocket in the rain. Have used it for snow tubing and it worked wonderfully.
The jacket is bare bones, no liner faric or pockets other than the two front ones, i kinda wish that it had an inside pocket or something, but then that would defeat the point of its low weight. the membrane on the inside is a little funny feeling on bare skin, but it breaths great and the construction quality is very good. It is completly waterproof and even the pockets are water tight to the inside so, you could take a shower with it on and not get wet. It is one of the made in china Arc'Teryx coats though, but at the same time its still better then many products that are american made. fit is very good, i got a medium and im 5'9" 185, i can still wear a fleece or softshell underneath.
What color is Sahel exactly? Is it white or some sort of off-white? I am asking because I notice that in general arcteryx products look darker in real life than in photos. Thanks.
I've been rockin' this jacket for a year and a half and it has seen all seasons. It blocks wind, snow, rain (to an extent), and breathes relatively well.
The hood is alright if you are wearing a helmet. But if you are bare-headed with the hood up, even when you cinch the cords tight, the hood likes to creep down your forehead and over your eyes.
Strangers have come up to me in public and said, "Nice jacket!" People impressed by the Arc'teryx name think, "nice jacket"... Personally seeing what it can do, I think, "alright jacket".
It is a bare-bones jacket.
Two pockets: Nice to access with pack on. ***Not Completely Waterproof***--Lost an ipod while out in heavy rain.
It breathes well. Best when layered. If you are bare skinned and sweating, you will feel wet. You may find yourself rubbing your [head] lamp hoping a genie will come to grant you pit zips in those warm wet days.
Concluding, I have pointed out some cons to the jacket, but I will not be getting rid of mine anytime soon.
On sizing and price: I'm 6'2" 215lbs = XL (Large too short) XL has plenty of space for layering and has never felt snug or too baggy. I only paid $170 for this jacket at REI. I really like this jacket, but I would never recommend it to anyone if they were going to pay more than what I paid.
no it does not.Check out the Alpha SL for pit-zips, or the Beta LT (instead of SL) for full feature set, better performance and almost the same weight.
I constantly walk outside with this jacket in combination with a sweater in 10 - 30 degree weather and i still feel fine. Often, i feel like I'm wearing too little though. The knob for the main zipper came off so it looks a bit weird without it. I look forward to purchasing more from arcteryx.
I would be looking to pair this with the Arc'Teryx Maverick AR for some early spring skiing. I am 6'0 170 and am wondering what size. Can I get away with a medium or is it going to be too snug or will it be perfect?
I think with your size, getting a medium would be a pretty tight fit. The Beta SL is a trim fit since its a lightweight rain shell, so stuffing a Maverick AR could be too much for a medium to handle. I would suggest looking into a Delta AR zip to wear under if you do want to get a medium.
Super light, but didn't handle a pacific northwest rainstorm very well. After prolonged exposure to light rain, the jacket started weeping a bit inside. But for its weight it was more than acceptable. It blocked wind extremely well and kept me very warm over a base layer in the snow when active. A small ember blew out from a campfire and burned a hole in my jacket though, so I think I'm getting a little more resistant shell from arcteryx for climbing and using this around town. Cobes approved. I'm 5'10", 165, and a medium fit me perfectly.
Gary,The sleeves and length of the M would fit you ok. The main thing is making sure you have enough room around your torso and chest. With that in mind I would go with the L. It will give you a little room to layer underneath it.Mahalo, SumoI would get a Large at least. I'm 5'9" 170lbs and I got a Large Sigma SV that fits me well. You might even want an XL.
Extremely light! The fit is perfect but that's subjective. The hood fits very well, helmet or not. It's cut perfectly for a harness. I don't miss the pit zips as it's very breathable. The merlot color is nice. I do not regret the purchase.
In Japan, I have seen many Arc'teryx Jackets made in Chaina.Two days ago, I bought the Arc'teryx SL and Beta AR Jackets in your store. DO Arc'teryx's products in your shop contain theJackets made in Chaina ?
I live in the UK, where it rains as much as shines, so have had ample opportunity to test out this jacket. It works incredibly well in keeping me dry. It's extremely lightweight and packable, which definitely comes in handy when layering and you want to stash the jacket. Hood is easy to tighten, but isn't quite snug enough when in use (a problem when dashing across the street or trying to take in views). Lack of pit zip doesn't bother me too much. What is kind of annoying though is the length of the jacket. I'm 5'9" and about 160 and the bottom barely runs past my waist. I have a medium-weight Marmot fleece that sticks out slightly from the bottom, so it gets wet when I wear it with the jacket. Overall a really nice jacket but not sure if I'd buy it again or try another brand.
I have had this jacket about 2-3 months and I couldn't be more satisfied. It repels water so well I forget it's raining. The Goretex is super durable as expected too; I snagged my sleeve on a sharp piece of chain link fence and was expecting to see a gaping hole in my brand new jacket but the material held up perfectly. I am about 6 ft 160lbs and a medium fits great. I have already become a satisfied advocate of Arc'teryx. Buy this jacket and you will not regret it.
hay i can´t understend why for you jacket is not short enough.I have xl size and it´s graet,long enough...there isn´t a thing on jacket that would be wrong.I RECCOMEND IT!Peter VIDIC-professional whitewater kayak instructor http://bledkayak.tripod.com/
Is this pretty much the same fit as the Arc'terix Alpha SL? From appearances it looks like this is the same just with more pockets. I'm asking because I was impressed with the reviews of the Alpha, but I like the pockets on this one. And I can sacrifice the extra ounce!
I think the major difference is that the Alpha SL has pit zits(core venting) and the Beta SL doesn't. Also the Alpha's hood is a lot bigger because it is made for a helmet. This is more of a backpacking jacket whereas the Alpha is designed for climbing.
That would add extra weight and this is a complete minimalist's jacket. Waterproof zippers would add at least two ounces to this jacket and some people believe that it is not worth it. Also paclite is an incredibly breathable material. I love it.
Is this a waterproof jacket that can be worn during downpours in the spring/summer in humid conditions such as Houston, TX.? How does it compare with the Marmot Oracle?
When Arc'teryx is combined with Gore-Tex PacLite, you are going to get a better product. Gore-Tex is a guaranteed to keep you dry, so if anything goes wrong, it will be fixed. In a downpour, the exterior nylon might get wet through the DWR finish, but since Gore-Tex is a laminate, it will keep the water out. Marmot Precip Plus isn't bad, but i would suggest you spend a bit extra and get the Gore-Tex. Also, Arc'teryx makes awesome jackets. I have the Alpha SV and its absolutely awesome. Arc'teryx all the way.Yes.
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