Beta Insulated Gore-Tex^® Waterproof Hooded Jacket

I'm 6'1" at 171 lbs. The Medium was a perfect fit on my frame. This jacket packs a lot of warmth in a fairly thin package. I live in the Boston Metro area and I have worn this jacket all winter. It's a great jacket. Blocks the wind and it keeps me dry. I have also had the Beta shell for years and also love it...so I figured I might give the insulated jacket a try this year. Big fan of it without having to rotate layers under it like my shell. Happy with the purchase. My wife constantly steals it to walk the dog as well. Even though it is too big for her, she always raves about how awesome it is compared to her jackets with how warm it is without all the bulk.

I am satisfied with this jacket. I have been using it from -15 C with just a t-shirt underneath, up to +10 C. It keeps me dry and warm in both snow and rain. The fit is comfortable and on the larger end, I use 2XL. External pocket setup is good, together with the internal dump pocket. It has been used for resort skiing and everyday use. Would recommend this jacket. This was a replacement for my 2008 Fission SV.

I’ve been using the jacket daily for 3 months in the stormy Pacific Northwest.. I’ve used the jacket in the mountains both skiing and working, i also spent a few hours in the November cyclone working. The jacket keeps you both warm and dry. Initially the jacket was noisy, but that lasted for only a couple weeks of wear. The sizing is a bit large, but that’s what I am looking for in an insulated jacket.

I was so excited about this jacket and wanted to like it so badly, but two things really turned me off: 1) it ran a bit large and looked baggy on me for the normal size Large I always buy in Arc'teryx; 2) the sound was so "crinkly" I felt like I was wearing a plastic trash bag. I had seen so many good reviews of this jacket, but I couldn't get past the noise it made every time you moved in it. Unfortunately, while it may perform well, I had to return it

The star rating is kind of questionable due to the short time I have had the product. Longevity and usage will probably change my mind, one way or another. So far I’ve only worn the Revised Beta insulated jacket in 28 degree weather. Initial feel on unpacking it is that it is rather thin and the fabric feels and sounds papery and easy to rip. It makes a papery noise all the time when putting on and off and hanging. My older North Fave Gore-Tex is thick and substantial. This one I am nervous about doing any work in it because it feels like it may tear or puncture easily. I could be wrong and maybe all the Gore-Tex is thin like this now. My older Army Gore Tex (30 years old) is thick and substantial like you would expect it. The North Face Gore-Tex (5 years old) is also thick like the military one. This one IS much lighter but in the cold that I wore it in, it was warm, comfortable and very light. Durability is my concern. I have high hopes for this jacket.

I'm 6'1" and 195 lbs and about a 39 chest. The large fits perfectly for layering with a down puffer. I could have gone with a medium but layering would have been tougher. I haven't put the Beta Insulated through all the paces yet, but I was able to take it out in 5F weather. This jacket is more useful and versatile because it, with the right layering, kept me comfortable while inactive (waiting for the train, sitting) and be used in more activities. I'll compare with my previous jacket the Camosun, which was down insulated. I could wear the Camosun in -10F with a t-shirt sitting at a football game and still be comfortable, but even in my quick 8 minute walk to my train, I'd be overheating in it. It was overkill for a lot of situations, but I bought it out of fear of Chicago winters. On just a few winter hikes with the Beta Insulated, I haven't got to the point of overheating. It's a good looking jacket too, so wearing it in the city won't be out of place. Other likes and dislikes are below. -Cuff is a velcro cinch. I miss the internal gasket from Camosun. -Double zipper is annoying to start, but it's also useful. If you haven't used one before, especially with sealed zipper, you should practice. -Hood and waist cinch toggles are very well executed, my favorite of any jacket so far. -Fabric noise is crinkly, but not scratchy. Walking with the Camosun was like rubbing two pieces of sandpaper together.