As most of you already know, I've been sharing helpful guides to all kinds of Arc'teryx jackets for the last couple of years now (find full post list at the bottom). Recently I keep getting asked to make an Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid Review, so here you go.
Caution: Since you're here reading this post, going forward, I'll assume you're looking for an emergency shell jacket. If this isn't what you're primarily after, then stop reading this post and go see my Best Arc'teryx Jackets post instead!
Summary
Beta SL Hybrid is Arc'teryx's one of very few products I don't recommend. Leaks like a busted house roof. Let's hope Arc'teryx is on the case and planning to revise its design & materials all together, to improve the waterproofing.
I'd strongly discourage you from getting a Beta SL Hybrid and would instead recommend you its (cheaper AND better) alternatives: Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) or Zeta FL (Men's - Women's).
Name Activity Breathability Weather Res. Durability Temp (F/C) Bottom line Review Pit zips? Two way zipper? Stuffs into itself? Hood? Face Fabric Fit Weight Length Alpha FL (Men's - Women's) Climbing 7/10 No data No data 10/10 N/A No No Yes Hadron 3L Gore-Tex Trim 209 g / 7.4 oz 76.5 cm / 30 in Yes Alpha SL (Men's - Women's) Climbing 5/10 7/10 No data 9/10 N/A No No Yes N40p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 326 g / 11.5 oz 77.5 cm / 30.5 in Yes Alpha (aka AR) (Men's - Women's) Climbing 8/10 9/10 8/10 4/10 N/A 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 8/10 10/10 10/10 3/10 N/A 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 Alpha IS (Men's) Climbing 7/10 5/10 No data 8/10 23/-5 No Yes Yes N40p-X 2L Gore-Tex Regular 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in Yes Beta (Men's - Women's) All Round 6/10 7/10 7/10 8/10 N/A 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 Lightweight (Men's - Women's) All Round 8/10 7/10 7/10 6/10 N/A 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 7/10 7/10 8/10 6/10 N/A Review Yes No No N40d 3L Gore-Tex Fitted 395 g / 13.9 oz 76 cm / 30 in No Beta AR (Men's - Women's) All Round 8/10 9/10 9/10 4/10 N/A 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 8/10 9/10 9/10 4/10 N/A 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 6/10 5/10 No data 5/10 N/A No Yes No 3L Gore-Tex Regular 320 g / 11.3 oz 88 cm / 34.5 in No Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) All Round 9/10 7/10 8/10 No data 21/-6 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 7/10 No data No data No data 16/-9 No Yes No N40d 2L Gore-Tex Regular 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz 86 cm / 34 in No Beta Down Insulated (Men's) All Round 9/10 7/10 8/10 No data 0/-18 Yes Yes No 2L 40D Gore-Tex Regular 760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz 79 cm / 31 in No Beta Long All Round 4/10 9/10 No data 3/10 N/A Review No No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 441 g / 15.6 oz 85 cm / 33.5 in Yes Beta LT Hadron All Round 7/10 6/10 4/10 5/10 N/A No No No Hadron 3L Gore-Tex Fitted 255 g / 9 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes Beta SV (Men's - Women's) All Round 8/10 10/10 10/10 3/10 N/A 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 Lw. (aka SL) (Men's - Women's) All Round 7/10 2/10 6/10 5/10 N/A Review No No No Fortius 1.0 Trim 310 g / 10.9 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in No Gamma (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) All Round 7/10 3/10 7/10 3/10 N/A 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 - Women's) All Round 6/10 4/10 8/10 3/10 N/A Strongest softshell. Review No No No Fortius 2.0 Regular 555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in No Sabre SV (Men's) Skiing 10/10 10/10 10/10 1/10 N/A 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 Sabre (Men's) Skiing 8/10 8/10 7/10 2/10 N/A Review Yes No No N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 705 g / 1 lb 8.9 oz 79 cm / 31 in No Sabre Insulated (Men's) Skiing 7/10 No data 6/10 No data No data Review Yes No No N80p 2L Gore-Tex Regular 815 g / 1 lb 12.7 oz 76 cm / 30 in No Rush (Men's) Skiing 8/10 9/10 9/10 3/10 N/A 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 (Men's - Women's) Skiing 3/10 5/10 5/10 9/10 16/-9 Review No No Yes Hadron 2L Gore-Tex Infinium Regular 515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz 79 cm / 31 in No Macai Shell (Men's) Skiing No data No data No data No data N/A Review Yes No No N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 775 g / 1 lb 11.3 oz ? No Macai (Men's) Skiing 7/10 7/10 6/10 1/10 5/-15 Review Yes No No N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 990 g / 2 lb 2.9 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in No Macai Lightweight (aka LT) (Men's) Skiing 7/10 7/10 6/10 2/10 8/-13 Review Yes No No N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex Regular 855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz ? No Theriss Down (Women's) Skiing 7/10 6/10 7/10 2/10 No data Review Yes No No N80p 2L Gore-Tex Regular 709 g / 1 lb 9 oz 63 cm / 24.8 in No Sentinel (Women's) Skiing 8/10 7/10 7/10 2/10 N/A 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 8/10 No data No data No data 21/-6 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 No data No data No data No data N/A Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 655 g / 1 lb 7.1 oz ? No Sidewinder (Women's) Skiing 8/10 8/10 7/10 2/10 N/A Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 570 g / 1 lb 4.1 oz ? No Andessa (Women's) Skiing 10/10 No data No data 1/10 8/-13 Yes No No N40d 3L Gore-Tex Trim 869 g / 1 lb 14.7 oz 67 cm / 26.4 in Yes Andessa Shell (Women's) Skiing 5/10 No data No data 3/10 N/A No No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 560 g / 1 lb 3.8 oz ? Yes Micon Heather Skiing No data No data No data No data N/A Yes No No NP100-d 3L Gore-Tex Regular 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes Micon (Men's) Skiing No data No data No data No data N/A Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes Cassiar (Men's) Skiing 8/10 7/10 8/10 3/10 N/A Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 820 g / 1 lb 12.9 oz 74.5 cm / 29.3 in Yes Cassiar LT (Men's) Skiing 6/10 6/10 6/10 5/10 N/A Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 605 g / 1 lb 5.3 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in Yes Ravenna (Women's) Skiing 8/10 7/10 8/10 3/10 N/A 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 6/10 6/10 6/10 5/10 N/A Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz 69 cm / 27.2 in Yes Procline (Men's) Skiing No data No data No data No data N/A Yes No No N70p Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes Shashka Stretch (Women's) Skiing No data No data No data No data N/A Yes No No N70p Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 670 g / 1 lb 7.6 oz 71 cm / 28 in Yes Sabre AR (Men's) Skiing 7/10 8/10 7/10 7/10 N/A Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 700 g / 1 lb 8.7 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Sentinel AR (Women's) Skiing 7/10 8/10 7/10 7/10 N/A Review Yes No No N70p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz 72.5 cm / 28.5 in Yes Sabre LT (Men's) Skiing 7/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 N/A Review Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 660 g / 1 lb 7.3 oz 83 cm / 32.5 in Yes Sentinel LT (Women's) Skiing 7/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 N/A Review Yes No No N80p 3L Gore-Tex Regular 565 g / 1 lb 3.9 oz 73.5 cm / 29 in Yes Incendia (Women's) Skiing 8/10 9/10 9/10 3/10 N/A Review Yes No No NP100d 3L Gore-Tex Trim 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz 79 cm / 31 in Yes Indencia IS Skiing No data No data No data No data No data Yes No No N80p 2L Gore-Tex Regular ? 78 cm / 30.75 in Yes Squamish (Men's - Women's) Running 5/10 4/10 7/10 9/10 N/A Go-to running jacket. Review No No Yes 30D Tyono Trim 140 g / 4.9 oz 77.5 cm / 30.5 in No Norvan Windshell (Men's - Women's) Running No data No data No data No data N/A No No Yes Permeair 20 Trim 90 g / 3.2 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in No Norvan Shell (Men's - Women's) Running No data No data No data No data N/A No No No 13D 3L Gore-Tex Trim 190 g / 6.7 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in No Nodin (Women's) Running 8/10 5/10 5/10 10/10 N/A No No Yes 20D Tyono Trim 130 g / 4.6 oz 75 cm / 29.5 in No Incendo Airshell (Women's) Running No data No data No data No data N/A No No Yes ? Trim 105 g / 3.7 oz ? No Incendo (Men's) Running 7/10 4/10 5/10 10/10 N/A Review No No Yes Lumin Trim 125 g / 4.4 oz ? Yes Norvan LT (Men's - Women's) Running 5/10 5/10 8/10 6/10 N/A No No No N13p 3L Gore-Tex Trim 190 g / 6.7 oz ? Yes Norvan SL Ins. (Women's) Running No data No data No data No data 39/4 No No Yes Gore-Tex ShakeDry Trim 270 g / 9.5 oz 71.5 cm / 28.1 in Yes Cita (Women's) Running 7/10 4/10 5/10 10/10 N/A Review No No Yes Lumin Trim 120 g / 4.2 oz 67.5 cm / 26.5 in Yes Cita SL (Women's) Running 7/10 4/10 4/10 10/10 N/A Review Yes No Yes Permeair 20 Trim 65 g / 2.3 oz 61.5 cm / 24.2 in Yes Incendo SL (Men's) Running 7/10 4/10 4/10 10/10 N/A Review No No Yes Permair 20 & Canim Trim 80 g / 2.8 oz 73 cm / 28.75 in Yes Norvan SL (Men's - Women's) Running 7/10 6/10 8/10 8/10 N/A Review No No Yes Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 120 g / 4.2 oz 77 cm / 30.4 in Yes Trino SL (Men's) Running 8/10 5/10 7/10 6/10 N/A Review No No No Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 340 g / 12 oz 74 cm / 29.1 in Yes Trino SL Anorak (Women's) Running 8/10 7/10 8/10 7/10 N/A Review No No No Gore-Tex Infinium Trim 290 g / 10.2 oz 65 cm / 25.5 in Yes Solano (Women's) Around Town No data No data No data No data N/A Review No No No Gore-Tex Infinium Relaxed 355 g / 12.5 oz 72 cm / 28.3 in No Venda Anorak (Women's) Around Town No data No data No data No data N/A No No No Gore-Tex Relaxed 255 g / 9 oz 75.5 cm / 29.7 in Yes Zeta FL (Men's - Women's) Hiking 4/10 6/10 4/10 6/10 N/A No No No N20r 2L Gore-Tex Trim 221 g / 7.8 oz 76 cm / 30 in Yes Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) Hiking 3/10 5/10 4/10 5/10 N/A Review No No No 2L Gore-Tex Trim 310 g / 10.9 oz 77.8 cm / 30.6 in Yes Zeta LT (Men's - Women's) Hiking 5/10 7/10 8/10 5/10 N/A No No No N40P-X 3L Gore-Tex Trim 335 g / 11.8 oz 78 cm / 30.75 in Yes Zeta AR (Men's) Hiking 7/10 8/10 7/10 4/10 N/A Yes No No 3L Gore-Tex Regular 425 g / 15 oz 80 cm / 31.5 in Yes
Performance data axis of synthetic jackets (table above) and shell jackets (this table) are different. Don't compare them.
So... why the hell do I roast this jacket that much?
- Poll results: Giant Arc'teryx & Patagoina survey (Gore-Tex, pockets, hoods, fit, & more) [1000+ participated]
- Pics from outrageous discounts I ran into at Arc'teryx Parndorf Outlet
- I bought Gamma Lightweight (aka SL), Gamma (aka LT) and Gamma MX
- Patera Parka (one year update): Ain't worth the price...
- Alpha vs Beta: I bought all 4 Beta's and both Alpha's. Settling this for good
- I visited Iceland again, this time with a Nuclei (aka FL)
- Proton Hybrid: A "hidden" way to stuff it in itself!?
- Best Insulated Jackets: A hands-on Arc'teryx & Patagonia face-off
- 2024 Nano Air is in! Bought it immediately...
- I bought all 7 of Winter '24 Atom and Proton jackets
- Best Arc'teryx Ski Jackets: Rush is ideal, Sabre SV is overkill
- Arc’teryx colors: Most and least liked (poll results)
- Took my Nuclei SV to the Alps near Pfander, Austria
- Arc'teryx Alpha Parka Review: The most impressive jacket of all time
- Arc'teryx ReGEAR: OutdoorCrunch exclusive promo code!
- Beta Insulated Jacket is in: Pit zips AND two way zipper
- DropHood vs StormHood: Pros/cons and best uses
- 7 things all Arc'teryx newbies should know
Like hauntingly dark yet brilliantly brilliant electronic music? Check out my Hidden Electronic Gems playlist at Spotify.
- Macai Shell: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/macai-shell-jacket
- Nita: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/nita-down-jacket
- Epsilon: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/epsilon-insulated-hoody
- Cerium Pants (yes, seriously): https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/cerium-pant
- Liatris: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/liatris-down-jacket
- Thorium SV: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/thorium-sv-hoody
- Proton Heavyweight: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/proton-heavyweight-hoody
- Atom Shacket: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/atom-shacket
- New Nano Air: https://patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-air-insulated-hoody/84367.html
Waterproofing
Look. I don't mind the poor breathability and durability the emergency pop-up shells like the Beta SL offer. After all, it's all a trade-off for superior packability.
Jackets I recommend instead of the Beta SL Hybrid, the Zeta SL and FL; aren't really much different in this manner either.
Poll results: Best colorways of Beta Series
Upvote your favorites.
Quick links:
Quick links:
Quick links:
Check out my Arc'teryx Beta vs Zeta post to see how the Zeta SL and FL compare to the Beta SL Hybrid in terms of breathability and durability. It's not much different.
Having said that...
What really grinds my gears is the fact that the Beta SL Hybrid can't even mildly accomplish the only thing it's intended to do: Waterproofing.
Not only the pockets get soaked completely (I mean a degree like several inches of water! Good night sweet wallets), but the material also leaks.
You had one job, Beta SL Hybrid...
This is why I gave you a 2 out of 10 in weather resistance department.
Zeta SL and FL, on the other hand, work just as expected. The waterproofing capability they offer are higher than the industry standards. Being Arc'teryx pieces, this isn't surprising.
Combine this with the fact that they're also cheaper than the Beta SL Hybrid... and it should be an easy decision for most of you - assuming your type of use won't be much different than everyone else.
I'm 5'11", 165 lbs, athletic build. Size M fits me perfectly.
My size is always the same. Arc'teryx, Patagonia, TNF, Salomon, Columbia, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Zara... Doesn't matter.
Lastly, here's another good review of Beta SL Hybrid: