The mountain weather is ever changing and unpredictable so having a tried and tested waterproof jacket is a must! The Arc’teryx Beta AR is a high performance, lightweight and packable hard-shell waterproof. It has a Gore-Tex Pro construction to deliver ultimate weather resistance and durability with many innovative features. In my opinion, it’s the perfect companion for mountain adventures and high-output activities.
Arc’teryx Beta AR Stats
Sizes: XS to XXXL (Small for me)
Weight: 423g
Materials: N40d Most Rugged 3L GORE-TEX PRO and N80d Most Rugged 3L GORE-TEX PRO
Fit: Regular
Activities: Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering, Climbing
Prices (RRP): £550
Introducing the Arc’teryx Beta AR
Beta Range
Arc’teryx has exploded in popularity over the last decade! The Canadian company produces high performance outdoor gear and matching high price tag. Products such as the Alpha SV jacket, the Atom Hoody or Proton LT, Gamma LT trousers and the Beta AR Jacket are essentials for the cult like following. The Beta range was designed for Mountain performance in diverse conditions. If you are looking for ultimate protection then check out the Alpha range with the best durability-to-weight ratio. Key aspects for high-end waterproof jackets are complete weather protection, robustness and versatility. And the Arc’teryx Beta AR Stormhood has built up a reputation for being one of the best on the market for that. The Beta AR (All-Round) is an All-in-One jacket designed to maximise your movement and protection for technical alpine challenges.
The Beta AR is available in Men’s and Women’s versions with the ladies Beta AR offering sizes from XXS to XXL. The Men’s and Women’s colour schemes vary but give a nice range from Dark Blues to vibrant Reds and natural colours. The version I brought is the Stormhood Jacket which is helmet compatible to give full coverage within impacting vision. The colours available for Stormhood are Heritage (Red in this review), Phantasm / Int, Black and Black Sapphire. The Stormhood version is identical as the standard AR apart from the hood. The difference between the Beta AR and Beta are the body construction ( GORE-TEX Pro with Most Rugged Technology vs GORE‑TEX ePE membrane with GORE C-KNIT™ backer) so more durability vs more comfort. The Beta SL is the lightweight jacket of the family and offers the same construction as the Beta Jacket but lighter (340g vs 375g).
My Experience
I chose the Arc’teryx over the competition due to the highly rated reviews, weather protection and durability. I tried the Mountain Equipment Makalu jacket but it did not give the movement across shoulders for scrambling. The GORE-TEX PRO materials developed with Gore give impressive waterproofness and is hard wearing so should last for years of adventures. Since buying in summer 2024, I have tested the jacket in the Lake District, Zermatt Switzerland and a vigorous test while trekking in Patagonia. The jacket feels high quality as soon as you touch it with the small attention to detail on zips and adjustments. The Heritage red really stands out and would be hard to miss on a mountain side in case of an emergency. It has replaced my well worn North Face Apex Flex Gore-Tex Jacket and become the main waterproof in my Hiking and Trekking Kit Lists.
Arc’teryx Beta AR: Selling Points
- Weather performance – A main selling point is the incredible weather protection thanks to the Gore-Tex Pro membrane. I’ve tested this jacket in snow blizzards and gale force winds in Patagonia and torrential water in the Alps. The Beta AR passed with flying colours and left my body bone dry! The collar and chin guard is a brilliant barrier along with the Hood adjustment to keep the elements out. The outer layer has a DWR coating to help wick moisture away and the zips have taped seams to increase waterproofness. Overall, the weather resistance is very impressive from my experience.
- Packed with Features – The Stormhood feature is designed for helmet compatibility which is worth having over the standard AR if you are using your jacket for climbing or mountaineering. There is an embedded RECCO® reflector which helps for search and rescue in an emergency. The Beta AR is cosy and comfortable all day thanks to the fleece lined Storm Collar which keeps the elements away. The jacket has 2 hand-warmer pockets on the sides which are higher up to avoid a backpack hip belt or climbing harness. And while there is no external chest pocket, there is an internal pocket big enough for a large phone.
- Durability & Weight– Arc’teryx and Gore collaborated on the GORE-TEX PRO with Most Rugged Technology to maximise longevity. The combination of 80D and 40D fabrics with the waterproof membrane enables you to scale rugged terrain with no worries. And the Pro membrane helps reduce the weight to 423g so is easier to pack away.
- Versatility – The Beta range is designed for almost anyone from Mountain explorers to winter Skiers to Sunday walkers and trendy city folk. The jacket can really do a diverse range of activities in nearly any weather! There are multiple adjustment points around the bottom to ensure a good fit depending on your activity and the Stormhood has 4 adjustment points to tweak the hood fit.
Arc’teryx Beta AR: Worth Knowing
- Price – The most glaring thing about the Beta AR is the price tag. Arc’teryx’s popularity means you’re paying a premium for the brand. It is very difficult to justify spending over £500 on a jacket but there are deals (I paid £475). There are cheaper jackets I considered like the Mountain Equipment Makalu (£300), the Rab Firewall (£255) and Montane Solution (£250). However the fit or performance were not comparable to the Beta AR personally.
- Warmth – The Beta AR is a hard-shell outer jacket instead of an insulated waterproof. So there is no additional lining or option to zip in a fleece. It works best when layering with a mid-layer such as the Arc’teryx Proton LT or over a Down Jacket. As a stand-alone layer, it’s best for high-output activities (hiking and skiing) but is not designed for cold weather conditions independently.
- Fit – Compared to other jackets, I feel great when wearing the Beta AR but it’s not an athletic or trimmed fit. It’s length adds coverage and is spacious to add layers but some would consider it bulky. I found spending all day in this jacket was comfortable but it’s worth trying on before spending that much money. A more athletic cut jacket would be better for very technical climbing or skiing for reference.
Kit Ratings
| Category | Weighting | Scoring |
| Warmth | 20% | 5 |
| Ventilation | 20% | 8 |
| Comfort | 20% | 9 |
| Water Resistance | 20% | 10 |
| Durability | 10% | 9 |
| Value & versatility | 10% | 6 |
| Overall Score (/10) | 8 | Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Final Thoughts
The real question to consider…. Is the Arc’teryx Beta AR worth it?
Since buying the Arc’teryx Beta AR, it has proven to be a valuable addition to the kit room. When battling the elements, I am thankful to have invested in the Beta AR Stormhood as my companion. And there is a reason this Jacket has been refined over 20 years and is as popular as ever. The Gore-Tex materials and construction give the jacket maximum weather protection and durability which should last years of use. The combination of quality craftsmanship, well designed features and peak performance equals an AR winner. Overall, it’s a fantastic hard-shell waterproof jacket and I would recommend it if it’s within your budget.
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