Beta AR Gore-Tex^® PRO ePE Waterproof Hooded Jacket

It’s a great shell from a performance standpoint. Waterproofing is solid, it blocks wind well, and it breathes nicely. The problem is the fit. It’s uncomfortably tight in the shoulders and pit area. I have to keep the pit zips partially open just to wear it, which defeats the purpose. Bought it online without trying it on — lesson learned.

I bought this for half off on a friends and family deal so I’m only upset with spending over 400 and not furious with spending over 900. The cuffs are horrible. Every time it’s raining the cuffs turn into sponges that seep up to both my wrists. Not sure if the rain seeps into and through the Velcro or the stitching at the bottom of the cuffs is the culprit. And the pockets are useless, they are placed way too high. Rant over. I wish I bought something else

Arc’teryx Beta AR (Black Sapphire) Review I’ve had this jacket for a few months now and it’s been spot on. The fit is excellent, mobility is great, and it works just as well as an everyday walking jacket as it does for proper outdoor use. For sizing reference, I’m 5’11” (179cm), around 200 lbs (90kg), and I wear a size Large. I run slightly hotter than most, and during skiing temperatures ranging from about -10°C to +5°C, I wore just a long-sleeve thermal base layer with either a T-shirt or thin fleece underneath and felt perfectly comfortable the whole time. Breathability has been excellent, especially combined with the pit zips, which made it easy to regulate temperature on warmer days or during harder runs. Waterproofing has also been flawless in snow and wet conditions. Being a shell jacket made layering much easier and more freeing, as I could choose my own insulation depending on conditions rather than being locked into built-in warmth. I recently took it on a ski trip to Mayrhofen and it performed brilliantly. The helmet-compatible hood has excellent adjustability with the pull cords, and the drop hood design helped keep my lower face and chin protected from wind chill whether fully zipped with the hood up or down. After plenty of falls on the slopes, the jacket still looks brand new with no noticeable marks or scratches. That’s what really sold me on the Beta AR over the Beta SL. The thicker fabric feels much more durable, so you can rough it up without constantly worrying about damaging it. Overall, this is a solid, versatile shell that feels premium, performs exactly as expected, and is tough enough for skiing, hiking, and everyday wear. I’ll definitely get a lot of wear out of it and it’s well worth the price tag.