Arc’teryx simply launched the model new Arc’teryx Beta SL rain jacket – their lightest Beta rain jacket so far. This summer time I’ve been testing it whereas mountain climbing in heavy thundershowers, and it’s carried out superbly. It’s stored me bone dry, is comfy to put on, and has the entire options that I search for in a strong rain jacket.
Arc’teryx can also be making environmental strides with the Beta SL by eliminating the usage of ceaselessly chemical substances (PFCs) which might be nearly all the time current in rain gear.
However the Arc’teryx Beta SL isn’t low-cost. At $500, it’s one of the vital costly rain shells in the marketplace. That results in the query – is it well worth the worth?
On this Arc’teryx Beta SL assessment, I’ll share what I really like, what may very well be improved, and whether or not this may be a sensible choice in your adventures.
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Arc’teryx Beta SL Overview
Specs
The place to purchase
Execs
Cons
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Technical Options
The Arc’teryx Beta SL has the entire technical options I think about to be essential in a rain jacket. Listed here are a few of my favourite issues about this rain jacket.
Building
On the REI web site, the supplies for the Arc’teryx Beta SL are listed as this:
3L 40-denier x70-denier GORE-TEX ePE with C-KNIT backer know-how, FC0 sturdy water repellent (DWR)
If that seems like a international language (ummmm sure), I’m going to interrupt all of this jargon down so that you perceive precisely what this rain jacket is product of earlier than I get into my full assessment.
3-layer GORE-TEX consists of three separate items of material – the outer cloth, a membrane, and a backer (the layer subsequent to your pores and skin) which might be adhered collectively.
The outer layer is product of 40-denier x 70-denier GORE-TEX. The denier score refers back to the thickness of the material. A decrease denier is lighter and extra versatile, whereas the next denier is thicker, stiffer, and extra sturdy. 40-denier is fairly customary for a rain jacket. To extend longevity, the Arc’teryx Beta SL is bolstered with 70-denier in areas which might be most definitely to expertise friction, just like the shoulders that rub towards your backpack straps.
The center membrane layer is product of GORE-TEX ePE (expanded polyethylene). ePE is a brand new materials that was created to part out the usage of fluorocarbons (PFCs/PFAS) – in any other case often known as ceaselessly chemical substances – which might be quite common in waterproof attire. The brand new PFC-free ePE membrane is a extra eco-friendly different that gives the identical waterproofing properties.
Within the Arc’teryx Beta SL, the backer is product of C-Knit. I’ve discovered this light-weight nylon cloth to be versatile and smooth towards the pores and skin. Research present that it has higher wicking means than different materials generally used as backers, contributing to the breathability of the jacket.
Lastly, the jacket has a FC0 sturdy water repellent (DWR) end. You could surprise why you want a DWR end when the material itself is waterproof. The DWR end helps water bead up on the skin of the jacket so the outer layer of GORE-TEX doesn’t get saturated, generally known as “wetting out”. With out a DWR end, you’d nonetheless keep dry beneath, however the GORE-TEX would moist out, compromising the breathability of the jacket.
Just like the ePE membrane, the FC0 DWR end can also be PFC-free, making this jacket extra environmentally pleasant than most different rain gear in the marketplace.
My Expertise with the Arc’teryx Beta SL
The Arc’teryx Beta SL is a high-performing rain jacket designed for the harshest climate. In my assessment under, I share some issues which have stood out as I’ve been testing this jacket.
Waterproof Efficiency
It’s been a moist summer time right here in Park Metropolis, so I’ve had an opportunity to check the Arc’teryx Beta SL on a number of wet day hikes. I additionally took it to a music competition on the east coast the place we received caught out in a torrential thunderstorm.
It’s no shock that this jacket carried out exceptionally nicely even after being out in a heavy downpour for a number of hours. I didn’t expertise any seepage via the three layered GORE-TEX, zippers, or the totally taped seams.
I instantly observed the water beading up as a result of PFC-free FC0 DWR end. It’s necessary to notice that DWR finishes do put on off with time and should be reapplied. Different evaluations of FC0 DWR, particularly, recommend that it must be reapplied extra continuously than DWR finishes containing dangerous PFCs. As somebody who is anxious concerning the atmosphere, this appears to be a worthy trade-off.
The excessive collar and structured brim on the entrance hood additionally did an amazing job of retaining the water off of my face and out of my eyes. The hood is totally adjustable with a set of drawstrings on the neck and in addition on the again of the hood. I tightened these drawstrings and received the right match, and the hood didn’t block any of my peripheral imaginative and prescient.
Packability
Within the title Arc’teryx Beta SL, “SL” stands for tremendous mild, and it’s one of many main promoting factors of this jacket. Not solely is the lightest rain jacket within the Arc’teryx Beta lineup, but it surely’s additionally a number of ounces lighter than the competitors.
The ladies’s model weighs a mere 10.6 ounces. To check with different 3-layer rain jackets, the Out of doors Analysis Aspire weighs 13.93 oz, and the Mountain Hardwear Trailverse, which doesn’t have any pit zips, weighs 16 oz.
One other function I really like is you may flip the hand pocket inside out and stuff your complete jacket within the pocket. You may’t zip the pocket closed, but it surely’s a straightforward approach to preserve the jacket contained in a pleasant, small bundle inside your pack so it doesn’t take up an excessive amount of room.
On a brief day hike, this may not make that a lot of a distinction, however in case you are backpacking or touring together with your mountain climbing gear, all of these ounces add up. The efficiency, mixed with the packability of the Arc’teryx Beta SL, I’ll most definitely be grabbing this over my different rain jackets anytime weight issues.
Breathability
I’ve but to strive a rain jacket that I think about really breathable. It doesn’t matter what rain jacket I’m carrying, as soon as it stops raining and the solar comes out, I are likely to get sweaty shortly.
With that mentioned, the ePE membrane and the C-KNIT backer in Arc’teryx Beta SL have been designed to make the jacket as breathable as a rain jacket may be.
When it was raining and 60 levels, I felt nice and by no means received swampy contained in the jacket. I’ve discovered the Arc’teryx Beta SL jacket to be extra breathable than my Out of doors Analysis and North Face rain jackets.
When it stopped raining, I opened the large pit zips that helped me air out. Nonetheless, as soon as the solar got here out and the temps rose to the higher 70s, I shortly overheated and needed to take the jacket off.
In actuality, this jacket isn’t designed to be worn on heat, sunny days. So so long as you persist with its supposed objective, the breathability shouldn’t be a serious problem.
Sturdiness
I’ve solely had the Arc’teryx Beta SL for a short while, so I can’t but communicate to long-term sturdiness, but when my expertise with my different Arc’teryx items is any indication, I believe this jacket goes to final a really very long time.
I personal Arc’teryx ski pants, a fleece mid-layer, mountain climbing pants, and an insulated jacket, and the standard and sturdiness of those items appears far above what’s customary within the out of doors trade.
The 40 denier x 70 denier cloth of the Arc’teryx Beta SL is designed to resist quite a lot of abuse whereas mountain climbing, tenting, and on a regular basis out of doors actions. I’ve additionally held my canine on this jacket and her sharp little claws haven’t prompted any injury.
Now, when you’re backcountry snowboarding and also you clip a tree, I can’t make any guarantees. If that seems like one thing you may do, then the Arc’teryx Beta AR may be a greater possibility.
The primary zipper is lined to stop snagging, and the zippers are all metallic and simply glide alongside their paths.
This jacket may be very simple to clean since it may be thrown within the washer. I’d suggest utilizing Nikwax Tech Wash which is designed particularly for GORE-TEX merchandise. Simply be certain that to observe the instructions on the Arc’teryx web site – no bleach, no cloth softener, don’t dry clear, and so forth. Not following directions can injury the waterproofing.
Consolation
I discover the Arc’teryx Beta SL to be very comfy. With some rain jackets, I don’t prefer to put on short-sleeved shirts beneath as a result of the fabric may be scratchy, however with this jacket, the C-Knit backer is smooth towards my pores and skin.
Proper the place the jacket hits your chin, there’s additionally strip of soppy cloth alongside the within of the zipper that stops the zipper from rubbing towards your pores and skin.
The jacket isn’t too stiff, and I’ve full vary of movement once I’m mountain climbing. I don’t really feel restricted in any approach.
The 2 hand pockets are large enough to simply and comfortably match my complete hand, together with some other necessities I want fast entry to.
I’m docking half a star as a result of the jacket is a bit noisy. It’s not as dangerous as a few of my different jackets, together with my outdated Arc’teryx Beta AR, however I would love it if I couldn’t hear it in any respect.
Match
Arc’teryx is thought for making attire with an athletic, slimmer lower. This holds true with this jacket.
I’m 5’5″ and 140 kilos. The ladies’s medium was a bit too tight, so I made a decision to get a big. The massive is a bit baggier than I choose, however I needed to have the ability to layer beneath if I determine to put on it in winter.
There are two cinch cords alongside the underside hem which you could pull to tighten the underside of the jacket, in order that does assist compensate for it being a bit massive. This additionally permits you to modify the airflow that is available in from the underside of the jacket.
The sleeves are the right size. They’re lengthy sufficient to cowl a part of my arms and have a velcro strap to tighten the hand cuffs.
I’ve talked concerning the hood already, however I really like how the hood is spacious sufficient to suit a helmet or a winter hat with a pom, however it may be cinched all the way down to the scale of my head too. The hood is certainly one of my favourite components of this jacket.
Lastly, I really like the size. The again measures 28″ and is loads lengthy to cowl the highest of my pants.
Verdict: Is the Arc’teryx Beta SL well worth the worth?
If you happen to continuously hike and backpack within the rain and want a stormproof jacket that may stand as much as the worst sorts of circumstances, then I do assume the Arc’teryx Beta SL is well worth the worth. Sure, $500 is loopy costly, however this ought to be the final rain jacket it’s a must to purchase for a really very long time.
It’s lighter than the competitors, permitting you to shave a number of ounces out of your load, and this rain jacket is about as eco-friendly as they arrive. The adjustable hood with it’s stiff brim is considerably higher than your common rain jacket. Lastly, the in-built RECCO® reflector might find yourself saving your life when you get misplaced or have an accident within the backcountry.
In case you are a good climate hiker and solely day hike within the rain a couple of times a 12 months, then I’d recommend one of many cheaper alternate options I hyperlink to under.
The place to Purchase
The Arc’teryx Beta SL is out there now at REI as an REI Member unique via 9/30/24. After that, you don’t should be a REI Member to buy. Study the entire REI Member advantages right here.
The advantage of shopping for at REI is you’ll get 10% again within the type of Member rewards. Which means you’ll get $50 in REI credit score to use in direction of another gear buy. REI additionally affords a 100% satisfaction assure and a 1-year return coverage. Which means if the jacket simply isn’t understanding, you may return it and get your a reimbursement.
Arc’teryx Beta SL Alternate options
If the Arc’teryx Beta SL isn’t a great match for you, listed here are a number of different light-weight rain jackets to contemplate.
Extra Out of doors Attire Suggestions
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Do you personal any Arc’teryx clothes? Do you have got questions concerning the Beta SL? Let me know within the feedback under.
