Men’s Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid Shell Jacket Review
The jacket was purchased in November 2019 and has been my go to shell/rain jacket since that time. My goal was to get something that was a good all year jacket for everything from backpacking to skiing and ice climbing. It had to be relatively lightweight, have pit zips, at least two pockets and a helmet compatible hood. It had to be actual Gore-Tex as well, vs. one of the imitators, because for winter weather and true solid rain all the other types I’ve tried have failed.
XC Skiing around Fayette Historic Park in the UP of Michigan. It was a super cold wind!
This jacket is an interesting mix of colors, materials, design, cost and fit. Basically it seems rather unique, as were my requirements and my sizing. Long story short I’m very pleased. It has done everything I’ve asked it to do very well. The only thing it can’t do is shed 6 or so ounces in the summer months haha!
Also, this jacket is no longer part of the lineup. Probably because it was too fancy for anyone other than a weirdo—errr, I mean unique person such as myself.
The jacket weights ~12.7 ounces and I purchased it in the two tone orange color called Beacon Orange. I thought that it just looked nice, even though it was a loud color. Also, when one is wearing a rain jacket, it’s usually low visibility so why not orange. It also means I’m already covered in orange for hiking during hunting season (bonus!). Here’s a link to all the specs: https://www.moontrail.com/arcteryx-beta-sl-hybrid-jacket-23705-f19.php
The material is essentially a mix of Pac-Lite (around the body - the darker orange) and 3 layer CKnit everywhere else. My experience with Pac Lite has been that it tears easily. I have not had any tears since I’ve owned this jacket though with either material. It’s a little bit crunchy feeling overall, but not too bad. It just feel quite ridiculously thin, but it works. I was on a sailboat deck in a rain storm for about 4 hours and was kept mostly dry. This is not of course the intended use for the jacket, which made it all the more impressive, especially given the wide face opening.
Now there are much lighter options if you’re backpacking, but those won’t work for ice climbing and snowboarding. I wanted to get the helium but it gives me a “unaboob” because it is sized for having a belly which I don’t have. I also own a Mountain Hardwear Plasma Stretch ozonic (or some silly name like that) but it is only an ounce lighter and not completely waterproof for hardcore rain storms. It is however very comfy…but I digress…Jackets!
It was a winter storm…in the UP. I have an Arc’teryx Thorium AR on over my shell while climbing! (You can see the orange jacket poking out top and bottom of the Thorium)
For ice climbing this jacket performs flawlessly, even if I don’t perform that well! The arm length and articulation mean no snagging/bunching/restrictions. The fit is svelte (meaning it isn’t made for a pot belly) and the hood works well with a hat or a helmet, better with a helmet than without. The hood adjusts from the back to “suck” itself around your noggin. The two front adjusters are on the outside of the jacket and easy to pull to bring the height down. They don’t flop around and they stay well out of the way too. It looks awkward without a helmet on under it, but it works. The face opening is a little big, but not too bad. What’s great is that it works with a bike helmet too, so when biking at night, in the rain I can be seen, dry and warm!
Backcountry Adventure course during Michigan Ice Fest 2020
The zippers are easy to use. The hem is easy to adjust. The hem has one drawcord and it works well. The pockets - just two on the chest work well with a pack, are very water resistant and have a nice slightly contrasting color. The pockets aren’t real huge like the jackets of the 90’s but that just means I find ways to be more streamlined or efficient with the stuff that I would normally “stuff” in there.
Most of the time in the summer I roll the jacket up into it’s own hood and it gets stuffed in a backpack. I’ve tech washed it and redone the dwr a few times a year, but have not seen any wetting out of the face fabric. A great combination is the Nano Air Hoody worn underneath. They fit together well and I never seem to overheat for winter hiking or biking in really cold weather. Also a good combo for just around town. Another great combo with this jacket is the Micro Puff Patagucci jacket (which I just had tailored to fit my skinny ass). The combo with proper base layer and thin second layer is very warm down to about 20F for just around town use or winter walking.
Sunrise on a frozen lake
What I love about this jacket is that it really is a jack of all trades and master of some. I’ve worn it ice climbing, hiking, biking, backpacking, sailing (in the rain!), motorcycling and snowmobiling and it has never let me down.
Pros: Fun Color, very lightweight for a 4 season shell, helmet/head compatible hood, simplicity in it’s design, long arms, fit that doesn’t cater to pot bellies, two pockets and good for just about anything you can throw at it.
Cons: For summer backpacking it’s about 2x heavy compared to ultralight options, the hood opening is a little big and hood fit is a little funny without a thick beanie or a helmet underneath. (Perhaps I’ll just start backpacking with a helmet and then I won’t need another rain shell!). Limited pockets that aren’t cavernous like a dedicated 4 season shell.
So as you can see you could do worse. I would love the same jacket but in ultralight for the summer months with a more “head only” style of hood and mesh lined pockets. Barring that this has been perfect for all my adventures. Nice going Arc’teryx!
