Arc’teryx simply launched the model new Arc’teryx Beta SL rain jacket – their lightest Beta rain jacket so far. This summer time I’ve been testing it whereas mountain climbing in heavy thundershowers, and it’s carried out superbly. It’s saved me bone dry, is snug to put on, and has the entire options that I search for in a stable rain jacket.
Arc’teryx can be making environmental strides with the Beta SL by eliminating the usage of without end chemical substances (PFCs) which can be nearly all the time current in rain gear.
However the Arc’teryx Beta SL isn’t low cost. At $500, it’s some of the costly rain shells available on the market. That results in the query – is it definitely worth the worth?
On this Arc’teryx Beta SL evaluation, I’ll share what I really like, what might be improved, and whether or not this is perhaps a sensible choice to your adventures.
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Arc’teryx Beta SL Overview
Specs
The place to purchase
Professionals
Cons
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Technical Options
The Arc’teryx Beta SL has the entire technical options I take into account to be essential in a rain jacket. Listed here are a few of my favourite issues about this rain jacket.
Development
On the REI web site, the supplies for the Arc’teryx Beta SL are listed as this:
3L 40-denier x70-denier GORE-TEX ePE with C-KNIT backer expertise, FC0 sturdy water repellent (DWR)
If that seems like a overseas language (ummmm sure), I’m going to interrupt all of this jargon down so that you perceive precisely what this rain jacket is product of earlier than I get into my full evaluation.
3-layer GORE-TEX consists of three separate items of cloth – the outer material, a membrane, and a backer (the layer subsequent to your pores and skin) which can be adhered collectively.
The outer layer is product of 40-denier x 70-denier GORE-TEX. The denier score refers back to the thickness of the material. A decrease denier is lighter and extra versatile, whereas a better denier is thicker, stiffer, and extra sturdy. 40-denier is fairly customary for a rain jacket. To extend longevity, the Arc’teryx Beta SL is strengthened with 70-denier in areas which can be almost certainly to expertise friction, just like the shoulders that rub towards your backpack straps.
The center membrane layer is product of GORE-TEX ePE (expanded polyethylene). ePE is a brand new materials that was created to part out the usage of fluorocarbons (PFCs/PFAS) – in any other case generally known as without end chemical substances – which can be quite common in waterproof attire. The brand new PFC-free ePE membrane is a extra eco-friendly different that gives the identical waterproofing properties.
Within the Arc’teryx Beta SL, the backer is product of C-Knit. I’ve discovered this light-weight nylon material to be versatile and tender towards the pores and skin. Research present that it has higher wicking capacity than different materials generally used as backers, contributing to the breathability of the jacket.
Lastly, the jacket has a FC0 sturdy water repellent (DWR) end. It’s possible you’ll surprise why you want a DWR end when the material itself is waterproof. The DWR end helps water bead up on the skin of the jacket so the outer layer of GORE-TEX doesn’t get saturated, generally known as “wetting out”. With no DWR end, you’d nonetheless keep dry beneath, however the GORE-TEX would moist out, compromising the breathability of the jacket.
Just like the ePE membrane, the FC0 DWR end can be PFC-free, making this jacket extra environmentally pleasant than most different rain gear available on the market.
My Expertise with the Arc’teryx Beta SL
The Arc’teryx Beta SL is a high-performing rain jacket designed for the harshest climate. In my evaluation beneath, I share some issues which have stood out as I’ve been testing this jacket.
Waterproof Efficiency
It’s been a moist summer time right here in Park Metropolis, so I’ve had an opportunity to check the Arc’teryx Beta SL on a number of wet day hikes. I additionally took it to a music competition on the east coast the place we obtained caught out in a torrential thunderstorm.
It’s no shock that this jacket carried out exceptionally effectively even after being out in a heavy downpour for a number of hours. I didn’t expertise any seepage by way of the three layered GORE-TEX, zippers, or the absolutely taped seams.
I instantly observed the water beading up as a result of PFC-free FC0 DWR end. It’s essential to notice that DWR finishes do put on off with time and must be reapplied. Different opinions of FC0 DWR, particularly, counsel that it must be reapplied extra ceaselessly than DWR finishes containing dangerous PFCs. As somebody who is worried concerning the atmosphere, this appears to be a worthy trade-off.
The excessive collar and structured brim on the entrance hood additionally did an important job of maintaining the water off of my face and out of my eyes. The hood is absolutely adjustable with a set of drawstrings on the neck and likewise on the again of the hood. I tightened these drawstrings and obtained the proper match, and the hood didn’t block any of my peripheral imaginative and prescient.
Packability
Within the title Arc’teryx Beta SL, “SL” stands for tremendous mild, and it’s one of many main promoting factors of this jacket. Not solely is the lightest rain jacket within the Arc’teryx Beta lineup, nevertheless it’s additionally a number of ounces lighter than the competitors.
The ladies’s model weighs a mere 10.6 ounces. To check with different 3-layer rain jackets, the Out of doors Analysis Aspire weighs 13.93 oz, and the Mountain Hardwear Trailverse, which doesn’t have any pit zips, weighs 16 oz.
One other function I really like is you’ll be able to flip the hand pocket inside out and stuff all the jacket within the pocket. You may’t zip the pocket closed, nevertheless it’s a simple strategy to preserve the jacket contained in a pleasant, small bundle inside your pack so it doesn’t take up an excessive amount of room.
On a brief day hike, this may not make that a lot of a distinction, however if you’re backpacking or touring along with your mountain climbing gear, all of these ounces add up. The efficiency, mixed with the packability of the Arc’teryx Beta SL, I’ll most actually be grabbing this over my different rain jackets anytime weight issues.
Breathability
I’ve but to strive a rain jacket that I take into account really breathable. It doesn’t matter what rain jacket I’m sporting, as soon as it stops raining and the solar comes out, I are likely to get sweaty shortly.
With that mentioned, the ePE membrane and the C-KNIT backer in Arc’teryx Beta SL have been designed to make the jacket as breathable as a rain jacket may be.
When it was raining and 60 levels, I felt nice and by no means obtained swampy contained in the jacket. I’ve discovered the Arc’teryx Beta SL jacket to be extra breathable than my Out of doors Analysis and North Face rain jackets.
When it stopped raining, I opened the large pit zips that helped me air out. Nevertheless, as soon as the solar got here out and the temps rose to the higher 70s, I shortly overheated and needed to take the jacket off.
In actuality, this jacket isn’t designed to be worn on heat, sunny days. So so long as you keep on with its meant goal, the breathability shouldn’t be a serious concern.
Sturdiness
I’ve solely had the Arc’teryx Beta SL for a short while, so I can’t but converse to long-term sturdiness, but when my expertise with my different Arc’teryx items is any indication, I feel this jacket goes to final a really very long time.
I personal Arc’teryx ski pants, a fleece mid-layer, mountain climbing pants, and an insulated jacket, and the standard and sturdiness of those items appears far above what’s customary within the out of doors business.
The 40 denier x 70 denier material of the Arc’teryx Beta SL is designed to face up to numerous abuse whereas mountain climbing, tenting, and on a regular basis out of doors actions. I’ve additionally held my canine on this jacket and her sharp little claws haven’t brought about any harm.
Now, when you’re backcountry snowboarding and also you clip a tree, I can’t make any guarantees. If that seems like one thing you would possibly do, then the Arc’teryx Beta AR is perhaps a greater possibility.
The principle zipper is lined to stop snagging, and the zippers are all metallic and simply glide alongside their paths.
This jacket could be very simple to scrub since it may be thrown within the washer. I’d suggest utilizing Nikwax Tech Wash which is designed particularly for GORE-TEX merchandise. Simply be sure to comply with the instructions on the Arc’teryx web site – no bleach, no material softener, don’t dry clear, and many others. Not following directions can harm the waterproofing.
Consolation
I discover the Arc’teryx Beta SL to be very snug. With some rain jackets, I don’t wish to put on short-sleeved shirts beneath as a result of the fabric may be scratchy, however with this jacket, the C-Knit backer is tender towards my pores and skin.
Proper the place the jacket hits your chin, there may be additionally strip of soppy material alongside the within of the zipper that forestalls the zipper from rubbing towards your pores and skin.
The jacket isn’t too stiff, and I’ve full vary of movement once I’m mountain climbing. I don’t really feel restricted in any manner.
The 2 hand pockets are large enough to simply and comfortably match my total hand, together with another necessities I want fast entry to.
I’m docking half a star as a result of the jacket is a bit noisy. It’s not as dangerous as a few of my different jackets, together with my outdated Arc’teryx Beta AR, however I would love it if I couldn’t hear it in any respect.
Match
Arc’teryx is understood for making attire with an athletic, slimmer lower. This holds true with this jacket.
I’m 5’5″ and 140 kilos. The ladies’s medium was a bit too tight, so I made a decision to get a big. The big is a bit baggier than I desire, however I needed to have the ability to layer beneath if I resolve to put on it in winter.
There are two cinch cords alongside the underside hem that you could pull to tighten the underside of the jacket, in order that does assist compensate for it being a bit massive. This additionally means that you can regulate the airflow that is available in from the underside of the jacket.
The sleeves are the proper size. They’re lengthy sufficient to cowl a part of my arms and have a velcro strap to tighten the hand cuffs.
I’ve talked concerning the hood already, however I really like how the hood is spacious sufficient to suit a helmet or a winter hat with a pom, however it may be cinched all the way down to the scale of my head too. The hood is one among my favourite components of this jacket.
Lastly, I really like the size. The again measures 28″ and is loads lengthy to cowl the highest of my pants.
Verdict: Is the Arc’teryx Beta SL definitely worth the worth?
If you happen to ceaselessly hike and backpack within the rain and wish a stormproof jacket that may stand as much as the worst sorts of situations, then I do suppose the Arc’teryx Beta SL is definitely worth the worth. Sure, $500 is loopy costly, however this must be the final rain jacket you need to purchase for a really very long time.
It’s lighter than the competitors, permitting you to shave a couple of ounces out of your load, and this rain jacket is about as eco-friendly as they arrive. The adjustable hood with it’s stiff brim is considerably higher than your common rain jacket. Lastly, the in-built RECCO® reflector may find yourself saving your life when you get misplaced or have an accident within the backcountry.
If you’re a good climate hiker and solely day hike within the rain a few times a 12 months, then I’d counsel taking a look at one of many cheaper alternate options I hyperlink to beneath.
The place to Purchase
The Arc’teryx Beta SL is offered now at REI as an REI Member unique by way of 9/30/24. After that, you don’t should be a REI Member to buy. Find out about the entire REI Member advantages right here.
The advantage of shopping for at REI is you’ll get 10% again within the type of Member rewards. Meaning you’ll get $50 in REI credit score to use in the direction of another gear buy. REI additionally provides a 100% satisfaction assure and a 1-year return coverage. Meaning if the jacket simply isn’t understanding, you’ll be able to return it and get your a reimbursement.
Arc’teryx Beta SL Options
If the Arc’teryx Beta SL isn’t a great match for you, listed below are a couple of different light-weight rain jackets to contemplate.
Extra Out of doors Attire Suggestions
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