Arc’teryx’s Beta series is a collection of ‘all-round’ outdoor apparel, best known for its ‘do it all’ waterproof jackets that work well for technical hiking and trekking. The Beta is the cheapest option in the current line-up, though still priced at a hefty £350.
However, what you get in return is an extremely lightweight and packable three-layer Gore-Tex shell designed to provide high-grade weather protection at minimum weight. It’s had a few tweaks over time, with previous versions earning ‘Best in Test’ awards in our magazine's lightweight waterproof jackets tests.
We've been giving the Arc'teryx Beta Jacket a workout on the Pennine Way to see if it's worth that hefty sum.
LFTOarcteryx.com
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Very packable
- Comfortable
- Well built for such as lightweight construction
Cons
- Crinkly fabric
- No pit zips
- Overpriced
Features
As you’d expect from a lightweight shell, the features are pared back to the essentials, though you still get more than some rivals, and those features that are present are well-designed.
This includes two well-placed, fully lined hand pockets plus a zipped inner chest pocket to accommodate a phone.
The laminated main zip only has a single zipper, but it runs smoothly and has a small inner storm flap, with a soft chin guard. All the zips have chunky, easy-to-grab pullers too.
There are dual hem drawcords, Velcro-adjustable cuffs with laser-cut tabs and an adjustable hood with a stiffened peak. Admittedly, the hood has just the single rear volume adjustment, so it doesn’t pull in very tightly around the face. But we’re nit-picking – for a lightweight shell, it does the job capably enough.
Fit
The fit of this jacket has been revised for 2024. Arc’teryx describes it as a ‘trimmer fit… patterned to stay close to the body through the chest, waist, hip, and thigh. Its low profile eliminates bulk, moves with the body, and fits comfortably over first layers’.
We’d agree with all of that. Our test sample was true to size. However, we would also say that, like a lot of North American brands (Arc’teryx is Canadian), the overall cut is slightly roomier than most British or European mountain brands.
However, we loved the longer hemline and sleeves, which provide excellent all-round coverage. Anatomical 3D patterning also ensures ample freedom of movement, with minimal hem lift even when bending over or reaching upwards.
Fabric
The Beta is made from three-layer Gore-Tex C-Knit fabric with a 30-denier ripstop nylon face. C-knit is made from an extremely thin circular knit to form a less bulky backer. It’s soft and smooth, so we found it slides easily over other layers.
As well as offering top-level waterproof and breathable performance (a waterproof hydrostatic head rating of 28,000mm and a breathability rating of <6 RET), it makes for improved durability and high levels of comfort. Though, like almost all Gore-Tex membranes it is slightly crinkly.
All in all, it’s a quality waterproof fabric that definitely outperforms typical 2 or 2.5-layer rivals like Gore-Tex Paclite, whilst being just as lightweight and packable.
Sustainability
The Gore-Tex fabric is Bluesign-approved, though instead of using new Gore-Tex ePE, it still uses an ePTFE membrane that contains PFCs, as does the DWR treatment applied to the face fabric. Arc’teryx has some Fair Trade Certified products, but the Beta Jacket isn't one of them (at the time of writing).
The jacket itself is made in Indonesia, in a factory that is certified on environmental management (ISO14001), quality management (ISO9001), health and safety (OHSAS18001) and social compliance (SA8000). In addition, they hold a gender equality certification (EDGE) and have won accolades in Indonesia for their work in this area. Arc’teryx has been working with the facility since 2014 and they’ve been training on Arc’teryx Gore-Tex methods since 2019.
Arc’teryx was an early signatory to the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action (UN Fashion Charter), a member of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps, a co-founder alongside the Pembina Institute of the Catalyst Business Coalition and one of the first 400 companies to set a verified Science Based Target. The brand gets a 3/5 rating for overall sustainability on sustainablereview.com.
Price and performance
Let’s be clear – nothing with the Arc’teryx ‘dead bird’ on it comes cheap. It’s always been top-quality outdoor kit, but over the last few years, it’s become a desirable brand too, and there’s no getting away from the fact that you’re paying a premium here for the name and logo.
Having said that, there aren’t too many other brands that can turn out three-layer Gore-Tex jackets that tip the scales at just 300g. It’s an impressive feat.
At £350 for a lightweight shell, it’s hard to argue that the Beta is a good value buy (the three layer Keela Cairn weighs just 50g more and costs about half as much), but ultimately this is one of the most well-balanced waterproofs around in terms of combining low weight and excellent packability with decent weather protection, breathability and comfort. It has the essential features needed in a hillwalking shell too, as well as great build quality.
Of course, if you tend to be out in consistently poor weather, you might want a more robust jacket, like the Paramo Velez or the Rab Kangri GTX. But for big hill days, wild camping overnighters or even extended backpacking trips, the light and packable Arc’teryx Beta is a superlative choice.
Verdict
Much more than an emergency layer, this is a superb three-season shell that packs down small and weighs just 300g, ideal for lightweight backpacking trips or big hill days alike.
Update March 2024:
Since testing this Arc’teryx Beta Waterproof Jacket over winter 2023/24, we have tested the revised version of the Beta, specifically the Beta Lightweight Waterproof Jacket, which now uses Gore-Tex ePE and is Fair Trade Certified. The revised versions still perform as impressively as the model we tested in this review, now with much improved ethical credentials.
How we tested
Our tester Matt Jones took this on the Pennine Way back in September, a three-week, 268-mile backpacking trip that starts in the Peak District and finishes in the Scottish Borders. It was a good test for this shell, and it came through with flying colours, despite seeing plenty of punishment over Cross Fell and in the Cheviot Hills.