Overview
UPDATE: Arc'teryx discontinued its Zeta line of jackets several years ago. The Zeta became part of the Beta line, with the popular Zeta LT transitioning into the base Beta jacket. Please click here to read our post where we extensively review and compare all models of the Beta line here.
First thing you should know about these jackets is that Beta Long does NOT come with a two-way zipper.
On Arcteryx.com's Beta Long product page, there's misinformation about this, so I wanted to clear this out of the way ASAP. I'm sure they'll also correct it there soon.
As you can also see in Arc'teryx's Naming Scheme Page here as well.
"Beta" and "Zeta" lines translate to All Round and Hiking/Trekking specific pieces in Arc'teryx terminology.
Now, before I get to the typical buyer profiles, let me tell you that you must have a good reason to get a Zeta SL, and a very good reason to get a Beta Long.
- Arc'teryx Jacket Finder: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/jacket-finder
Because, Zeta SL is an emergency shell, and Beta Long somehow feels misplaced in the entire Arc'teryx line.
Performance data axis of synthetic jackets (table above) and shell jackets (this table) are different. Don't compare them.
Name Activity Temp (F/C) Breathability Weather Res. Durability Bottom line Review Pit zips? Two way zipper? Stuffs into itself? Face Fabric Fit Weight Length Alpha (aka AR) (Men's - Women's) Climbing N/A 8/10 9/10 8/10 4/10 Go-to climbing harshell. Review Yes No No N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 430 g / 15.2 oz 79.5 cm / 31.25 in No Alpha SV (Men's - Women's) Climbing N/A 8/10 10/10 10/10 3/10 Strongest climbing hardshell. Review Yes No No N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 510 g / 1 lb 2 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in No Beta (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 6/10 7/10 7/10 8/10 Streamlined all-doer shell. Review No No No N30p-X 3L Gore-Tex Trim 300 g / 10.6 oz 76 cm / 30 in No Beta AR (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 8/10 9/10 9/10 4/10 Go-to all-round harshell. Review Yes No No N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 460 g / 1 lb 76 cm / 30 in No Beta AR StormHood (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 8/10 9/10 9/10 4/10 Review Yes No No N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 460 g / 1 lb 76 cm / 30 in No Beta Coat (Women's) All Round N/A 6/10 5/10 No data 5/10 No Yes No 3L Gore-Tex Regular 320 g / 11.3 oz 88 cm / 34.5 in No Beta Down Insulated (Men's) All Round 0/-18 9/10 7/10 8/10 No data Yes Yes No 2L 40D Gore-Tex Regular 760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz 79 cm / 31 in No Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) All Round 21/-6 9/10 7/10 8/10 No data Go-to hybrid jacket. Review Yes Yes No N40d 2L Gore-Tex Regular 680 g / 1 lb 8 oz 78.5 cm / 31 in No Beta Insulated Coat (Women's) All Round 16/-9 7/10 No data No data No data No Yes No N40d 2L Gore-Tex Regular 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz 86 cm / 34 in No Beta Lightweight (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 8/10 7/10 7/10 6/10 Review Yes No No N40p 3L Gore-Tex Fitted 380 g / 13.4 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in No Beta LT (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 7/10 7/10 8/10 6/10 Review Yes No No N40d 3L Gore-Tex Fitted 395 g / 13.9 oz 76 cm / 30 in No Gamma (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 7/10 3/10 7/10 3/10 Go-to softshell. Review No No No Wee Burly Double Weave Regular 545 g / 1 lb 3.2 oz 76 cm / 30 in No Gamma MX (Men's) All Round N/A 6/10 4/10 8/10 3/10 Strongest softshell. Review No No No Fortius 2.0 Regular 555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in No Norvan Shell (Men's) Running N/A No data No data No data No data No No No 13D 3L Gore-Tex Trim 190 g / 6.7 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in No Rush (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 9/10 9/10 3/10 Go-to ski jacket. Review Yes No No N80p-X & N100p-X 3L Most Rugged Gore-Tex Pro Regular 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz 79.5 cm / 31.25 in No Rush Insulated (Women's) Skiing 16/-9 3/10 5/10 5/10 9/10 Review No No Yes Hadron 2L Gore-Tex Infinium Regular 515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Sabre (Men's) Skiing N/A 8/10 8/10 7/10 2/10 Review Yes No No N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 705 g / 1 lb 8.9 oz 79 cm / 31 in No Sentinel (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 7/10 7/10 2/10 Go-to ski jacket. Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 640 g / 1 lb 6.6 oz 73.7 cm / 29 in No Sentinel Insulated (Women's) Skiing 21/-6 8/10 No data No data No data Review Yes No No N80p 2L Gore-Tex Regular 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz 79.8 cm / 31.5 in No Sentinel Relaxed (Women's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 655 g / 1 lb 7.1 oz ? No Sidewinder (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 8/10 7/10 2/10 Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 570 g / 1 lb 4.1 oz ? No Solano (Men's - Women's) Around Town N/A No data No data No data No data Review No No No Gore-Tex Infinium Relaxed 355 g / 12.5 oz 72 cm / 28.3 in No Squamish (Men's - Women's) Running N/A 5/10 4/10 7/10 9/10 Go-to running jacket. Review No No Yes 30D Tyono Trim 140 g / 4.9 oz 77.5 cm / 30.5 in No Theriss Down (Women's) Skiing No data 7/10 6/10 7/10 2/10 Review Yes No No N80p 2L Gore-Tex Regular 709 g / 1 lb 9 oz 63 cm / 24.8 in No Alpha FL (Men's - Women's) Climbing N/A 7/10 No data No data 10/10 No No Yes Hadron 3L Gore-Tex Trim 209 g / 7.4 oz 76.5 cm / 30 in Yes Alpha IS (Men's) Climbing 23/-5 7/10 5/10 No data 8/10 No Yes Yes N40p-X 2L Gore-Tex Regular 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in Yes Alpha SL (Men's - Women's) Climbing N/A 5/10 7/10 No data 9/10 No No Yes N40p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 326 g / 11.5 oz 77.5 cm / 30.5 in Yes Beta SV (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 8/10 10/10 10/10 3/10 Strongest all-round harshell. Review Yes No No N80p-X Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 495 g / 1 lb 1.5 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Gamma SL (aka lightweight) (Men's - Women's) All Round N/A 7/10 2/10 6/10 5/10 Review No No No Fortius 1.0 Trim 310 g / 10.9 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in Yes Incendia (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 9/10 9/10 3/10 Review Yes No No NP100d 3L Gore-Tex Trim 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Incendo (Men's) Running N/A 7/10 4/10 5/10 10/10 Review No No Yes Lumin Trim 125 g / 4.4 oz ? Yes Incendo Airshell (Men's Running N/A No data No data No data No data No No Yes ? Trim 105 g / 3.7 oz ? Yes Incendo SL (Men's) Running N/A 7/10 4/10 4/10 10/10 Review No No Yes Permair 20 & Canim Trim 80 g / 2.8 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in Yes Macai (Men's) Skiing 5/-15 7/10 7/10 6/10 1/10 Review Yes No No N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 990 g / 2 lb 2.9 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in Yes Macai Lightweight (aka LT) (Men's) Skiing 8/-13 7/10 7/10 6/10 2/10 Review Yes No No N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz ? Yes Macai Shell (Men's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Review Yes No No N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 775 g / 1 lb 11.3 oz ? Yes Micon (Men's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes Micon Heather Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No NP100-d 3L Gore-Tex Regular 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes Nodin (Men's - Women's) Running N/A 8/10 5/10 5/10 10/10 No No Yes 20D Tyono Trim 130 g / 4.6 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in Yes Norvan LT (Men's - Women's) Running N/A 5/10 5/10 8/10 6/10 No No No N13p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 190 g / 6.7 oz ? Yes Norvan SL (Men's - Women's) Running N/A 7/10 6/10 8/10 8/10 Review No No Yes Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 120 g / 4.2 oz 77 cm / 30.4 in Yes Norvan SL Ins. (Women's) Running 39/4 No data No data No data No data No No Yes Gore-Tex ShakeDry Trim 270 g / 9.5 oz 71.5 cm / 28.1 in Yes Norvan Windshell (Men's Running N/A No data No data No data No data No No Yes Permeair 20 Trim 90 g / 3.2 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in Yes Procline (Men's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No N70p Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes Ravenna (Women's) Skiing N/A 8/10 7/10 8/10 3/10 Review Yes No No N70s-4 3L Gore-Tex Trim 725 g / 1 lb 9.6 oz 69.5 cm / 27.4 in Yes Ravenna LT (Women's) Skiing N/A 6/10 6/10 6/10 5/10 Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz 69 cm / 27.2 in Yes Sabre AR (Men's) Skiing N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 7/10 Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 700 g / 1 lb 8.7 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Sabre Insulated (See related products) Skiing No data 7/10 No data 6/10 No data Review Yes No No N80p 2L Gore-Tex Regular 815 g / 1 lb 12.7 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes Sabre LT (Men's) Skiing N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 Review Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 660 g / 1 lb 7.3 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes Sabre SV (Men's) Skiing N/A 10/10 10/10 10/10 1/10 Strongest ski jacket. Review Yes Yes No N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro Regular 595 g / 1 lb 5 oz 85 cm / 33.5 in No Sentinel AR (Women's) Skiing N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 7/10 Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz 72.5 cm / 28.5 in Yes Sentinel LT (Women's) Skiing N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 Review Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 565 g / 1 lb 3.9 oz 73.5 cm / 29 in Yes Shashka Stretch (Women's) Skiing N/A No data No data No data No data Yes No No N70p Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 670 g / 1 lb 7.6 oz 71 cm / 28 in Yes Trino SL (Men's) Running N/A 8/10 5/10 7/10 6/10 Review No No No Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 340 g / 12 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in Yes Trino SL Anorak (Women's) Running N/A 8/10 7/10 8/10 7/10 Review No No No Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 290 g / 10.2 oz 65 cm / 25.5 in Yes Venda Anorak (Women's) Around Town N/A No data No data No data No data No No No Gore-Tex Relaxed 255 g / 9 oz 75.5 cm / 29.7 in Yes Zeta AR (Men's) Hiking N/A 7/10 8/10 7/10 4/10 Yes No No 3L Gore-Tex Regular 425 g / 15 oz 80 cm / 31.5 in Yes Zeta FL (Men's - Women's) Hiking N/A 4/10 6/10 4/10 6/10 No No No N20r 2L Gore-Tex Trim 221 g / 7.8 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes Zeta LT (Men's - Women's) Hiking N/A 5/10 7/10 8/10 5/10 No No No N40P-X 3L Gore-Tex Trim 335 g / 11.8 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in Yes Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) Hiking N/A 3/10 5/10 4/10 5/10 Review No No No 2L Gore-Tex Trim 310 g / 10.9 oz 77.8 cm / 30.6 in Yes
New member of Beta line Beta Long (Men's) feels weird. Really weird. A combination of N80p face fabric and regular Gore-Tex (not Gore-Tex Pro) is confusing.
It's like they could make it either more breathable or more weather resistant & durable - but they messed up and ended up not achieving either one of these. Beta Long is kind of in purgatory.

Beta Long is only available for men, and Zeta AR only for women (see both of them in this image). It also kind of feels like Arc'teryx tried to make a Zeta AR for men with Beta Long. I don't know. Even if this was what they tried, I think they still failed anyway. Because I wouldn't consider Zeta AR to be an unnecessary piece at all. It's actually a pretty solid one - and I recommend it to my hiker readers in my Best Arc'teryx Jackets post.
To me, the only upside of it is that it's available in XXS and XXXL. We rarely see Arc'teryx offering these sizes.
Speaking of which, no other Beta or Zeta offer either one of them.
Upvote your favorites. Phenom Sprint Black Sapphire Solace Black Forage Wicker Phenom Sprint Black Solace Cloud Jungle Black Sapphire Daze Black/Multi Quick links: Jungle Maze Wicker Sapphire Serene Black Phenom Black Phenom Moonlit Sprint Moonlit Retreat Fika Solasta Black Sapphire Bitters Black Atmos Black Sapphire Black Fika Serene/Solace Wicker/Sprint Quick links: Black Solace Sky Groover Groovie Forage Fika/Bliss Solitude Black Black Sapphire Serene Moonlit Serene Black Bliss Retreat Quick links:Poll results: Best colorways of Beta Series
Other selling point can be seen as the suitability tall folks (owing to its lengthier nature) - but I kind of disagree with this. I'd rather get a slightly shorter jacket than a perfectly fitting Beta Long. The fact that it's lengthier doesn't justify its shortcomings. At least that's the case to me.
In addition to that, length of other jackets in this roundup are more than enough for most of us - even for very tall folks (6'1"+).
Canberk is 5'11" and 165 pounds, with an athletic build. Size Medium fits him perfectly across almost all brands and product lines.
Tech specs
Find their spec comparison below.
Name Activity Review Face Fabric Weight Length
Alpha (aka AR) (Men's - Women's) Climbing Review N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro 430 g / 15.2 oz 79.5 cm / 31.25 in alpha No
Alpha SV (Men's - Women's) Climbing Review N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro 510 g / 1 lb 2 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in alpha No
Beta (Men's - Women's) All Round Review N30p-X 3L Gore-Tex 300 g / 10.6 oz 76 cm / 30 in betazeta No
Beta AR (Men's - Women's) All Round Review N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro 460 g / 1 lb 76 cm / 30 in betazeta No
Beta AR StormHood (Men's - Women's) All Round Review N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro 460 g / 1 lb 76 cm / 30 in betazeta No
Beta Coat (Women's) All Round 3L Gore-Tex 320 g / 11.3 oz 88 cm / 34.5 in betazeta No
Beta Down Insulated (Men's) All Round 2L 40D Gore-Tex 760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz 79 cm / 31 in betazeta No
Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) All Round Review N40d 2L Gore-Tex 680 g / 1 lb 8 oz 78.5 cm / 31 in betazeta No
Beta Insulated Coat (Women's) All Round N40d 2L Gore-Tex 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz 86 cm / 34 in betazeta No
Beta Lightweight (Men's - Women's) All Round Review N40p 3L Gore-Tex 380 g / 13.4 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in betazeta No
Beta LT (Men's - Women's) All Round Review N40d 3L Gore-Tex 395 g / 13.9 oz 76 cm / 30 in betazeta No
Gamma (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) All Round Review Wee Burly Double Weave 545 g / 1 lb 3.2 oz 76 cm / 30 in gamma No
Gamma MX (Men's) All Round Review Fortius 2.0 555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in gamma No
Norvan Shell (Men's) Running 13D 3L Gore-Tex 190 g / 6.7 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in No
Rush (Women's) Skiing Review N80p-X & N100p-X 3L Most Rugged Gore-Tex Pro 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz 79.5 cm / 31.25 in No
Rush Insulated (Women's) Skiing Review Hadron 2L Gore-Tex Infinium 515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes
Sabre (Men's) Skiing Review N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex 705 g / 1 lb 8.9 oz 79 cm / 31 in No
Sentinel (Women's) Skiing Review N70p 3L Gore-Tex 640 g / 1 lb 6.6 oz 73.7 cm / 29 in No
Sentinel Insulated (Women's) Skiing Review N80p 2L Gore-Tex 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz 79.8 cm / 31.5 in No
Sentinel Relaxed (Women's) Skiing N80p 3L Gore-Tex 655 g / 1 lb 7.1 oz ? No
Sidewinder (Women's) Skiing N80p 3L Gore-Tex 570 g / 1 lb 4.1 oz ? No
Solano (Men's - Women's) Around Town Review Gore-Tex Infinium 355 g / 12.5 oz 72 cm / 28.3 in No
Squamish (Men's - Women's) Running Review 30D Tyono 140 g / 4.9 oz 77.5 cm / 30.5 in No
Theriss Down (Women's) Skiing Review N80p 2L Gore-Tex 709 g / 1 lb 9 oz 63 cm / 24.8 in No
Alpha FL (Men's - Women's) Climbing Hadron 3L Gore-Tex 209 g / 7.4 oz 76.5 cm / 30 in alpha Yes
Alpha IS (Men's) Climbing N40p-X 2L Gore-Tex 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in alpha Yes
Alpha SL (Men's - Women's) Climbing N40p 3L Gore-Tex 326 g / 11.5 oz 77.5 cm / 30.5 in alpha Yes
Beta SV (Men's - Women's) All Round Review N80p-X Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro 495 g / 1 lb 1.5 oz 79 cm / 31 in betazeta Yes
Gamma SL (aka lightweight) (Men's - Women's) All Round Review Fortius 1.0 310 g / 10.9 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in gamma Yes
Incendia (Women's) Skiing Review NP100d 3L Gore-Tex 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes
Incendo (Men's) Running Review Lumin 125 g / 4.4 oz ? Yes
Incendo Airshell (Men's Running ? 105 g / 3.7 oz ? Yes
Incendo SL (Men's) Running Review Permair 20 & Canim 80 g / 2.8 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in Yes
Macai (Men's) Skiing Review N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex 990 g / 2 lb 2.9 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in Yes
Macai Lightweight (aka LT) (Men's) Skiing Review N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex 855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz ? Yes
Macai Shell (Men's) Skiing Review N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex 775 g / 1 lb 11.3 oz ? Yes
Micon (Men's) Skiing N80p 3L Gore-Tex 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes
Micon Heather Skiing NP100-d 3L Gore-Tex 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes
Nodin (Men's - Women's) Running 20D Tyono 130 g / 4.6 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in Yes
Norvan LT (Men's - Women's) Running N13p 3L Gore-Tex 190 g / 6.7 oz ? Yes
Norvan SL (Men's - Women's) Running Review Gore-Tex Infinium 120 g / 4.2 oz 77 cm / 30.4 in Yes
Norvan SL Ins. (Women's) Running Gore-Tex ShakeDry 270 g / 9.5 oz 71.5 cm / 28.1 in Yes
Norvan Windshell (Men's Running Permeair 20 90 g / 3.2 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in Yes
Procline (Men's) Skiing N70p Gore-Tex Infinium 720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes
Ravenna (Women's) Skiing Review N70s-4 3L Gore-Tex 725 g / 1 lb 9.6 oz 69.5 cm / 27.4 in Yes
Ravenna LT (Women's) Skiing Review N70p 3L Gore-Tex 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz 69 cm / 27.2 in Yes
Sabre AR (Men's) Skiing Review N70p 3L Gore-Tex 700 g / 1 lb 8.7 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes
Sabre Insulated (See related products) Skiing Review N80p 2L Gore-Tex 815 g / 1 lb 12.7 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes
Sabre LT (Men's) Skiing Review N80p 3L Gore-Tex 660 g / 1 lb 7.3 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes
Sabre SV (Men's) Skiing Review N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro 595 g / 1 lb 5 oz 85 cm / 33.5 in No
Sentinel AR (Women's) Skiing Review N70p 3L Gore-Tex 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz 72.5 cm / 28.5 in Yes
Sentinel LT (Women's) Skiing Review N80p 3L Gore-Tex 565 g / 1 lb 3.9 oz 73.5 cm / 29 in Yes
Shashka Stretch (Women's) Skiing N70p Gore-Tex Infinium 670 g / 1 lb 7.6 oz 71 cm / 28 in Yes
Trino SL (Men's) Running Review Gore-Tex Infinium 340 g / 12 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in Yes
Trino SL Anorak (Women's) Running Review Gore-Tex Infinium 290 g / 10.2 oz 65 cm / 25.5 in Yes
Venda Anorak (Women's) Around Town Gore-Tex 255 g / 9 oz 75.5 cm / 29.7 in Yes
Zeta AR (Men's) Hiking 3L Gore-Tex 425 g / 15 oz 80 cm / 31.5 in betazeta Yes
Zeta FL (Men's - Women's) Hiking N20r 2L Gore-Tex 221 g / 7.8 oz 76 cm / 30 in betazeta Yes
Zeta LT (Men's - Women's) Hiking N40P-X 3L Gore-Tex 335 g / 11.8 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in betazeta Yes
Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) Hiking Review 2L Gore-Tex 310 g / 10.9 oz 77.8 cm / 30.6 in betazeta Yes
Anyways, without further ado, let's move on to typical buyer profiles because it's highly likely that you're one of these guys.
Typical buyer profiles
- "I really don't need any really specific features. I want to stay active during the quite cold winters in my town: A lot of fat biking, outdoor climbing, hiking, skiing, snowboarding etc. I'm looking for a jacket I can easily use during all these."
Now if this is you...
Then I'd recommend the Beta AR (Men's - Women's) to most of you my eyes closed.
It's one of my two favorite Arc'teryx pieces (along with Proton LT), and I think it's one of the most versatile hardshells out there (along with Beta LT).
If you need a lighter, more packable alternative to the Beta AR, then I'd recommend the Beta SL (Men's - Women's). It's literally a light Beta AR with minimal sacrifices.
- "I want to stay active during the quite cold winters in my town, will be doing various activities with my jacket, but at least 80% of the time during these activities I'll be hiking/trekking."
If this is you...
Then I would have recommended the Zeta AR (Women's) to most of you, but as I said earlier (and as you can see here), after Fall 2021 update, it's only available for women and not for men.
You might still be able to find it on other stores such as REI and Backcountry, though.
If you couldn't, then I'd recommend you the Beta AR (Men's - Women's).
- "I'm looking for an emergency shell I can pack and put on easily during in case of downpours. My main (or only) expectation from this shell is superior waterproofing."
If this is you...
Then I'd recommend you the plain Beta (Men's - Women's). Arc'teryx discontinued Zeta FL (read my review), Beta FL (read my review) and Beta SL Hybrid (read my review) all together.
One last point I'd like to make before we move on to cross price checking, if you'll be using your jacket mainly for climbing, then I'd recommend you to stop reading this post and go visit my Arc'teryx Alpha vs Beta post.
Live price checking for Beta and Zeta lines:
Name | Review | ||
---|---|---|---|
Alpha (aka AR) (Men's - Women's) | Review | alpha | No |
Alpha SV (Men's - Women's) | Review | alpha | No |
Beta (Men's - Women's) | Review | betazeta | No |
Beta AR (Men's - Women's) | Review | betazeta | No |
Beta AR StormHood (Men's - Women's) | Review | betazeta | No |
Beta Coat (Women's) | betazeta | No | |
Beta Down Insulated (Men's) | betazeta | No | |
Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) | Review | betazeta | No |
Beta Insulated Coat (Women's) | betazeta | No | |
Beta Lightweight (Men's - Women's) | Review | betazeta | No |
Beta LT (Men's - Women's) | Review | betazeta | No |
Gamma (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) | Review | gamma | No |
Gamma MX (Men's) | Review | gamma | No |
Norvan Shell (Men's) | No | ||
Rush (Women's) | Review | No | |
Rush Insulated (Women's) | Review | Yes | |
Sabre (Men's) | Review | No | |
Sentinel (Women's) | Review | No | |
Sentinel Insulated (Women's) | Review | No | |
Sentinel Relaxed (Women's) | No | ||
Sidewinder (Women's) | No | ||
Solano (Men's - Women's) | Review | No | |
Squamish (Men's - Women's) | Review | No | |
Theriss Down (Women's) | Review | No | |
Alpha FL (Men's - Women's) | alpha | Yes | |
Alpha IS (Men's) | alpha | Yes | |
Alpha SL (Men's - Women's) | alpha | Yes | |
Beta SV (Men's - Women's) | Review | betazeta | Yes |
Gamma SL (aka lightweight) (Men's - Women's) | Review | gamma | Yes |
Incendia (Women's) | Review | Yes | |
Incendo (Men's) | Review | Yes | |
Incendo Airshell (Men's | Yes | ||
Incendo SL (Men's) | Review | Yes | |
Macai (Men's) | Review | Yes | |
Macai Lightweight (aka LT) (Men's) | Review | Yes | |
Macai Shell (Men's) | Review | Yes | |
Micon (Men's) | Yes | ||
Micon Heather | Yes | ||
Nodin (Men's - Women's) | Yes | ||
Norvan LT (Men's - Women's) | Yes | ||
Norvan SL (Men's - Women's) | Review | Yes | |
Norvan SL Ins. (Women's) | Yes | ||
Norvan Windshell (Men's | Yes | ||
Procline (Men's) | Yes | ||
Ravenna (Women's) | Review | Yes | |
Ravenna LT (Women's) | Review | Yes | |
Sabre AR (Men's) | Review | Yes | |
Sabre Insulated (See related products) | Review | Yes | |
Sabre LT (Men's) | Review | Yes | |
Sabre SV (Men's) | Review | No | |
Sentinel AR (Women's) | Review | Yes | |
Sentinel LT (Women's) | Review | Yes | |
Shashka Stretch (Women's) | Yes | ||
Trino SL (Men's) | Review | Yes | |
Trino SL Anorak (Women's) | Review | Yes | |
Venda Anorak (Women's) | Yes | ||
Zeta AR (Men's) | betazeta | Yes | |
Zeta FL (Men's - Women's) | betazeta | Yes | |
Zeta LT (Men's - Women's) | betazeta | Yes | |
Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) | Review | betazeta | Yes |
Check out our other content on jackets:
Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets
Start here:
Also see: