Arc’teryx Alpha vs Beta: I own ALL six models of Winter ’24

I own all four Betas (Beta AR, Beta, Beta LT, Beta Lightweight) and both Alphas (Alpha SV, Alpha) that were released for Fall/Winter 2023. 

I love hiking, skiing, cycling and running with my Beta AR. It's probably my all-time favorite Arc'teryx hardshell. It layers perfectly with my Atom Heavyweight (aka AR) and Proton (aka LT) as well. I also like the DropHood better than the StormHood, mostly because I don't use a hood that often. I find the collar to be extremely comfortable. I also love the Beta AR's pocket placements and pocket sizes. 

When I'm skiing with lots of items inside the pockets of my Proton or Atom Heavyweight, though, I do tend to wear my Alpha (aka AR) or Alpha SV more than my Beta AR. I think it's because the Alpha line offers chest pockets instead of hand pockets. I just don't like all my pocketed items bunching up around my waist. 

I also tend to ski for long times (six-plus hours) once I'm in the mountains. When I'm riding chairlifts, I find chest pockets more convenient with easier access to their contents. They also feel safer to me for smaller items because it's easy to drop something from your hand pockets (although I've yet to drop and lose anything off a chairlift). 

One super nerdy detail to note: When wearing goggles it's more difficult to see chest pockets. But because I only need to operate with them when I'm sitting or standing still, I take off my goggles. 

I believe all Beta AR, Alpha (aka AR) and Alpha SV are great for these reasons. They're also the only Gore-Tex Pro items in here, so they have the edge over the others in terms of wind and water resistance. Gore-Tex Pro means zero wind penetration even when I'm moving fast while cycling or skiing. 

I wear my Beta LT and Beta Lightweight the least. Truth be told, I almost always reach for my Beta AR instead. I suspect it's because of the premium Gore-Tex Pro membrane on the Beta AR. I also find the collar and zippers on the Beta LT and Beta Lightweight to be less convenient. If I didn't own the other 3 superior models, they's suffice just fine.

The base Beta is a strange item but I do wear it pretty often. It doesn't offer pit-zips and it fits very trim. When it's not that cold but I need wind or water resistance it's feels like the perfect choice. I should note that I also own a Rho LT Zip Neck in Edziza (https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/rho-lt-zip-neck) so the color match also makes for a nice pairing. 

Overview

• There is also the women's-only Beta Coat. I don't have much information about it. 
  • https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/beta-coat
• The primary insulated option is the Beta Insulated. The warmer option for men is the Beta Down Insulated (offers 126 g of 850 FP down in addition to the same 80 gsm synthetic fill in Beta Insulated). For women it's the below-hip length Beta Insulated Coat, which offers 120 gsm reinforcements in addition to 80 gsm synthetic fill. 
  • https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/beta-insulated-jacket
  • https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/beta-insulated-jacket
  • https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/beta-down-insulated-jacket
  • https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/beta-insulated-coat

Sleeves of all are too long, but that's intentional. They're meant to cover your entire arms when they're up. So don't size down. 

Nobody dislikes too long sleeves more than I do. In this case, however, I love them because all offer velcro cuffs for easy adjustment, unlike the softshell Gamma line. 

More on Gore-Tex: 

• https://www.gore.com/news-events/press-release/fabrics-press-release-gore-tex-fabric-c-knit-backer-technology-2014-us
• https://outdoorcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/eng_arc%C2%B4teryx_specs_clothes.pdf 

Keep in mind that Alpha line is centered around climbing and alpine activities whereas the Beta line around versatility. 

Verify the source to this on Arc'teryx's own Naming Scheme Page here, for both Alpha and Beta, as well as suffixes such as LT, AR and SV. 

• Fit

Canberk is 5'11" and 165 pounds, with an athletic build. Size Medium fits him perfectly across almost all brands and product lines. 

• Arc'teryx's 2024 men's fit revision

Here's what Arc'teryx says about its most recent fit revision: 

Source: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/help/sizing/mens/tops/new

Not all jackets come with the revised fit - only the ones with following statement: 

Arc'teryx Alpha vs Beta: Typical buyer profiles

"I want to stay active throughout the winter. A lot of winter hikes, outdoor hockey, skiing, cycling, climbing and more; as well as everyday use. I don't expect wearing my new jacket for 10+ years. To me comfort is more important than durability." 

Beta, Beta Lightweight or Beta LT is your jacket. 

I'd base my decision just as much on the looks and color as on the performance. 

Here's how Arc'teryx compares these three: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/compare/X000007725/X000007726/X000007301.

All of these are 3L Gore-Tex but Beta offers the least thickness of 30d in comparison to 40d thickness of the other two. 

Beta LT is the only one of these three that offers a tricot backer instead of a C-Knit, which is more durable but also less breathable, less stretchy and less comfy. 

Lastly, if you have no plans using these jackets with the helmet, then take a long look at the Beta. It's the only one that doesn't offer a helmet compatible hood. 

This is an advantage because otherwise the hood is huge when you put it on. On top of that when the hood is down it just looks too big and funny. 

"Our winters are very cold in my city. But I want to stay active throughout the winter. A lot of winter hikes, outdoor hockey, skiing, cycling, climbing and more; as well as everyday use. Lifespan and weather resistance of my new jacket is crucial for me."

Absolutely go for the Beta AR.