
Even in mid-summer it gets cold and windy at the summit of Colorado's famed 14ers. Karen chose the Beta AR Jacket for her summit of Mount Columbia.
Arc'teryx Beta: Overview
Update: Arc'teryx has just dropped the fall 2025 version of the Beta AR featuring the all-new Gore-Tex PRO ePE waterproof membrane. This newest Beta AR, along with the brand new Alpha and Alpha SV hard shells, are the very first jackets to feature Gore-Tex PRO ePE, a 100% PFAS-free waterproof, windproof and breathable technology that lives up to the highest performance standards reserved for Gore-Tex PRO gear. We just got our hands on the new Beta AR and provide a first look here.
Arc'teryx groups similar products into what it calls "families," and perhaps no Arc'teryx family is better known than its Beta line of jackets. Versatile, high-performance shells that can be used year-round, the Arc'teryx Beta family has undergone some updates recently. What was once four models of Beta jackets is now just three: the tough, four-season Beta AR, the newly reintroduced Beta SL (formerly the Beta Lightweight), and the minimalist Beta.
The Beta AR (AR stands for "all-round" in Arc'teryx lexicon) is the burliest of the Betas and the only one to feature Gore-Tex PRO. The Beta SL is essentially a revised Beta Lightweight now featuring PFAS-free Gore-Text ePE and nicely fills the void between the fuller-featured Beta AR and the no-frills Beta. Arc'teryx's pricing of the three current models aligns with this hierarchy: Beta AR ($600), Beta SL ($500), and Beta ($400).
Model | Price | Weatherproofing | Weight |
$600 | 3L Gore-Tex Pro | 461g | |
$500 | 3L Gore-Tex ePE | 340g | |
$400 | 3L Gore-Tex ePE | 375g |
So which Arc'teryx Beta shell is right for you? The answer depends on your use cases and must-have features.
Click here to see how Arc'teryx compares the Beta AR, Beta SL and Beta to one another.
Here's our take:
If you expect to wear your new Beta for, say, the next decade or so without any performance capability loss, then without a doubt buy the Arc'teryx Beta AR. Its face fabric (40d main with 80d reinforcements) and rugged Gore-Tex Pro 3L membrane is more durable and breathable than the other Beta models.
If, however, you don't plan to have your shell for that long, or if your typical use cases don't necessitate the burliness of Gore-Tex Pro, then the Beta or Beta SL are great choices for a little less money. Instead of the top-end 3L Gore-Tex Pro, the Beta SL and Beta offer the PFAs-free 3L Gore-Tex ePE fabric. The ePE is lighter weight and "less crunchy" than traditional Gore-Tex waterproof membranes but still offers a waterproof rating of 28,000mm (same as the Gore-Tex Pro).
The Beta is the most minimalist of the three models: It has no pit zips, no collar drawcords, no helmet-compatible hood, and a smaller internal pocket. And for a long time it was the lightest weight and, in my opinion, the most comfortable. Wearing it feels similar to wearing my softshell Gamma (aka LT).
The addition of the Beta SL to the lineup makes for an interesting conundrum. The Beta SL's 40-denier face fabric with 70-denier reinforcements in high-wear areas means it is now the lightest Beta model (340 grams vs 375 grams for the Beta). Impressive, considering the SL also has pit zips for some mechanical ventilation. I think the Beta SL is also the most comfortable to wear due to the combination of its light weight and soft-on-skin C-Knit backer (the Beta also has C-Knit backer, which is generally considered more breathable and comfortable that the Tricot backer on the Beta AR).
Make no mistake - all Beta models are well-constructed, high-performance waterproof shells made for three-season adventuring and even winter use depending on your activities and expectations. If you're looking for an Arc'teryx shell for full-on winter pursuits, we review our favorite ski and snowboard jackets for men and women here.

Any combination that involves an Arc'teryx Beta and a Proton or Atom is killer.
Weather Resistance
The Beta AR performs better than all the others, including the Beta SL. Why? Because when it comes to Gore-Tex Pro vs. Gore-Tex, the answer is simple: the former always bests the latter in weatherproof performance.
That said, I'd argue that superior weather resistance is NOT the primary advantage of Gore-Tex Pro items. To me, the main advantage is that Gore-Tex Pro shells experience almost zero loss in weather resistance, even after many years of use. This is what makes the Beta AR a buy-it-for-life kind of purchase.
For more casual use, the Beta fits the bill perfectly fine in terms of weather resistance. I recently had the chance to try out the Beta in heavy rain. Here's the result:

Zero water penetration. And this is the weakest Beta in terms of Gore-Tex membrane and face fabric performance capabilities.
Pockets
All Beta models offer two handwarmer pockets and an internal zippered pocket.

Internal zippered pockets. Mostly used as a security pocket for electronics.
Hoods
There's not one but two reasons I like the hood of the Beta AR the most.
The first reason is the DropHood. (Just to be clear, the Beta AR also comes in a StormHood version.)
(I surveyed 100+ readers and nearly 60% reported liking StormHood better than DropHood.)
Generally, the DropHood is considered more comfortable when the hood is down. When the hood is up, it's the StormHood that's more comfortable. This is because the collar is separate from the hood with the DropHood (see photos).
Read more about StormHood vs DropHood here: https://outdoorcrunch.com/stormhood-vs-drophood/

DropHood of Beta AR at left and StormHood of Beta is at right. Notice the attachment between hood and collar.
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
Performance data axis of synthetic jackets (table above) and shell jackets (this table) are different. Don't compare them.
But there's another reason I really like the hood of the Beta AR. As you can see in the image, the Beta AR features an additional drawcord at the bottom of the hood, which the other models don't have.
Here's a closer view.

Cords are attached to each other inside.
This additional drawcord allows you to adjust the vertical position and stability of the hood. Nice.
Cuffs
The velcro on the cuffs of the Beta AR are thicker than the other Beta models, which are identical to one another.

Beta AR at right.
Zipper pulls
I don't like the zipper pulls of the Beta LT that much. It may be a minor thing, but it doesn't match the quality, fit and finish of the pulls on the other models.

Zipper pulls of Beta LT differs from the others. Beta AR's zipper pull is the largest.
Collars
Another difference is in the collar. The simplified Beta is the only model that doesn't offer collar drawcords.

Beta (furthest to the right) doesn't offer collar drawcords.
Fit and comfort
To me, the Beta fits the best by far. The others fit similar to one another. The Beta AR is the noisiest because of its tougher (stiffer) outer fabric.
Canberk is 5'11" and 165 pounds, with an athletic build. Size Medium fits him perfectly across almost all brands and product lines.

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![]() | ![]() | |
MSRP | 525 USD | 575 USD |
Breathability Packability Weather Resistance Durability Length Bagginess | ||
Beta LT | Beta AR | |
Weight | 345 grams (12.2 oz) | 455 grams (16 oz) |
Gore-Tex | N40p-X GORE-TEX Pro 3L | N40r-X GORE-TEX Pro 3L N80p-X GORE-TEX Pro 3L |
Cell | #Note: All face fabrics are DWR (durable water repellent) applied. DWR is a coating. It's basically sprayed on to the surface of these jackets as a finish. It stands for Durable Water Repellent - which means that water will be repelled under wet conditions instead of soaking into the fabric. DWR also decreases dry time. It's a good thing these jackets are coated in DWR, but pay attention to the fact that DWR is a coating - meaning that it will wear off over time. Which is why you might want to invest in a DWR spray such as this one for after treatment. |
Check out our other content on jackets:
Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets
Start here:
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