The Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket is a rain jacket or hardshell with a Gore-Tex Pro membrane that makes is breathable, waterproof and rugged. Enjoy the review!
The Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket is a hardshell jacket that is made of a 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro shell construction. The 3-layer makes is suitable for wearing the jacket with a heavy backpack on trekkings. Also Alpine and climbing use is the intended use of this waterproof and breathable jacket. If you want to know more about how a hardshell can be waterproof and breathable at the same time, read the Expert Advice article I wrote about waterproof and breathable rainwear.
Details
The Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket has 2 pockets with a waterproof zipper on the chest / abdomen , 1 inner pocket on the left side, cuffs with Velcro closure, pitzips with two-way zippers, hood with flap and, a one-way zipper for closure. I measured 439.0 gr for the reviewed size S. 455 gr is specified for size male M and for ladies 380 gr in size M.
Fit
The Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket has a medium fit. Under the jacket there is still enough space for an intermediate layer or fleece or maybe both when it is really cold. The arms of the Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket are long so you do not get bare wrists with outstretched arms. The front of the jacket is shorter than the back. This is nice because you do not get too much material when bending forward and your back is also protected. The jacket has a pre-shaped fit.
Pockets
The pockets are placed halfway your chest and belly. As a result, they are well usable with a backpack: shoulder straps and waist belt are not in the way. The pockets have water-resistant zippers (not guaranteed by Arc’teryx ) with a good pull tab: great with cold hands and gloves. The pockets have a pleat that is not visible from the outside, but on the inside. This gives the pocket more volume. They are large enough to safely store a topographic map and a pair of thermal gloves. You can open the zippers with one hand, but you need two for closing; unless you have the hip belt tight around the jacket. A large smartphone fits in the inner pocket.
Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket Practice
The Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket belongs to the lighter hardshells and it is noticeable: it wears hardly noticeable in that respect. Noticeable, on the other hand, is the material it is made of. The vast majority is N40r-X Gore-Tex Pro, but on the shoulders – where the backpack heavily loads the jacket – and the forearms Arc’terys used heavier N80r-X Gore-Tex Pro. Great combination! What you should be aware of is that the material makes quite a bit of noise when moving. The inside of the N40 / 80r-X Gore-Tex Pro combination feels soft and is comfortable to a bare skin.
The famous logo of the Archaeopteryx: the link between dinosaurs and birds. 
The vast majority of the Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket is N40r-X Gore-Tex Pro.
No zipper garage
Putting on the jacket is easy thanks to the coarse and smooth-running front zipper with large pull tab . I do miss a zipper garage for the front zipper. That Arc’teryx opts for a one-way zipper with the Beta AR Jacket and not for a two-way zipper, is no problem with this jacket. The front is short enough not to get in the way when you have to go to the toilet. The use of a climbing harness does not cause any problems either. At the bottom of the jacket is a pull cord with which I can pull the jacket firmly to my hips. The cuffs are nicely designed: the thumb side is slightly shorter than the pinky side, so that the cuff presses less into the thumb and the outside of your hand is better protected. The hooks of the Velcro do not damage the fabric.
Collar & Hood
A special feature of the Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket is that the jacket does not extend into the hood. The latter is actually attached to a separate collar. This has the advantage that I don’t have too much extra material around the neck, when I don’t use the hood. The collar itself is high and closes properly. However, the disadvantage of this construction is evident when I put the hood on; it turns less easily when turning the head than I am used to. With a cap under the hood it turns well. I also think that there should be more soft material on the inside near the chin.
The hood excels in adjustment options. Left and rightI have drawstrings to pull the flap and collar together and on the back is a cord to pull the hood tightly around my head and finally there is another string to adjust the flap in height. The flap is also reinforced and does an excellent job. The hood offers plenty of space for a climbing helmet, but the helmet also fits over the hood.
Sustainability
Usually durability is sustainable production with sustainable materials. Arc’teryx sees this differently. On the website Arc’teryx is very open about their production method and you will find a direct link to the factory in Myanmar. Nice to read! Arc’teryx wants to make things that do what they need to do and last for a long time. There are no recycled materials used. The DWR coating is not PFC free, but it is free from the significantly more damaging C8 PFC chain. Arc’teryx is not a member of the Fair Wear Foundation and not Bluesign certified. Member of the EOCA though.
Waterproof & breathable
The jacket is 100% waterproof and even in the non-waterproof guaranteed outer pockets we have not had a drop. In heavy rain the hood proved to be excellent. The breathability appears to be fine in practice. If you still have to ventilate more, you can do that thanks to two long zippers under the armpits. This pitzips have two-way zippers with a good drawstring. You can also use this zipper for pockets in a fleece that you wear under the jacket in colder weather. The DWR coating is extremely sturdy: almost new after three washes and extensive wear.
The Beta AR after the first spraytest. 
The second spraytest after three washings.
Care instructions
Wash the Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket at 40 °C on a normal program with normal detergent. Tumble dry at medium temperature.
Verdict
The Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket is a lightweight rain jacket with an average fit. The sleeves are nice and long, the back longer than the front, which protects the lower back. I found that the collar / hood construction works well in practice, although the hood moves less easily with the head than I am used to. The hood is easy to adjust, offers a lot of protection and can be used with a climbing helmet. The jacket is waterproof, breathable and the non-PFC-free water-repellent DWR layer belongs to the top. I don’t like the fact that the fabric makes a lot of noise and I think that the inside of the collar should have a bit more soft material. I rate the Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket at 7.7/10 points
Information
- Price: € 550,00
- Weight: Men (S) measured 439.0 gr (455 gr specified size M), ladies specified 380 gr (M)
- Sizes: Men XS-XXL, ladies XS-XL
- Material: Gore-Tex Pro 100 % nylon
- Membrane: Gore-Tex, PTFE
- Construction: 3-layer laminate
- Country of origin: Myanmar
Mens: www.arcteryx.com
Ladies: www.arcteryx.com
