Arc’teryx just released the brand new Arc’teryx Beta SL rain jacket – their lightest Beta rain jacket to date. This summer I’ve been testing it while hiking in heavy thundershowers, and it’s performed beautifully. It’s kept me bone dry, is comfortable to wear, and has all of the features that I look for in a solid rain jacket.
Arc’teryx is also making environmental strides with the Beta SL by eliminating the use of forever chemicals (PFCs) that are almost always present in rain gear.
But the Arc’teryx Beta SL isn’t cheap. At $500, it’s one of the most expensive rain shells on the market. That leads to the question – is it worth the price?
In this Arc’teryx Beta SL review, I’ll share what I love, what could be improved, and whether this might be a good choice for your adventures.
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REI Co-op is my favorite outdoor gear retailer and a long-time supporter of my work here at Bearfoot Theory. Their 1-year return policy for Members is hands-down the best in the industry, and Members also get 10% back on their purchases every year.
Technical Features
The Arc’teryx Beta SL has all of the technical features I consider to be critical in a rain jacket. Here are some of my favorite things about this rain jacket.
Construction
On the REI website, the materials for the Arc’teryx Beta SL are listed as this:
3L 40-denier x70-denier GORE-TEX ePE with C-KNIT backer technology, FC0 durable water repellent (DWR)
If that sounds like a foreign language (ummmm yes), I’m going to break all of this jargon down so you understand exactly what this rain jacket is made of before I get into my full review.
3-layer GORE-TEX consists of three separate pieces of fabric – the outer fabric, a membrane, and a backer (the layer next to your skin) that are adhered together.
The outer layer is made of 40-denier x 70-denier GORE-TEX. The denier rating refers to the thickness of the fabric. A lower denier is lighter and more flexible, while a higher denier is thicker, stiffer, and more durable. 40-denier is pretty standard for a rain jacket. To increase longevity, the Arc’teryx Beta SL is reinforced with 70-denier in areas that are most likely to experience friction, like the shoulders that rub against your backpack straps.
The middle membrane layer is made of GORE-TEX ePE (expanded polyethylene). ePE is a new material that was created to phase out the use of fluorocarbons (PFCs/PFAS) – otherwise known as forever chemicals – that are very common in waterproof apparel. The new PFC-free ePE membrane is a more eco-friendly alternative that provides the same waterproofing properties.
In the Arc’teryx Beta SL, the backer is made of C-Knit. I’ve found this lightweight nylon fabric to be flexible and soft against the skin. Studies show that it has greater wicking ability than other fabrics commonly used as backers, contributing to the breathability of the jacket.
Finally, the jacket has a FC0 durable water repellent (DWR) finish. You may wonder why you need a DWR finish when the fabric itself is waterproof. The DWR finish helps water bead up on the outside of the jacket so the outer layer of GORE-TEX doesn’t get saturated, commonly referred to as “wetting out”. Without a DWR finish, you’d still stay dry underneath, but the GORE-TEX would wet out, compromising the breathability of the jacket.
Like the ePE membrane, the FC0 DWR finish is also PFC-free, making this jacket more environmentally friendly than most other rain gear on the market.
My Experience with the Arc’teryx Beta SL
The Arc’teryx Beta SL is a high-performing rain jacket designed for the harshest weather. In my review below, I share some things that have stood out as I’ve been testing this jacket.
Waterproof Performance
It’s been a wet summer here in Park City, so I’ve had a chance to test the Arc’teryx Beta SL on several rainy day hikes. I also took it to a music festival on the east coast where we got caught out in a torrential thunderstorm.
It’s no surprise that this jacket performed exceptionally well even after being out in a heavy downpour for several hours. I didn’t experience any seepage through the 3 layered GORE-TEX, zippers, or the fully taped seams.
I immediately noticed the water beading up due to the PFC-free FC0 DWR finish. It’s important to note that DWR finishes do wear off with time and need to be reapplied. Other reviews of FC0 DWR, specifically, suggest that it needs to be reapplied more frequently than DWR finishes containing harmful PFCs. As someone who is concerned about the environment, this seems to be a worthy trade-off.
The high collar and structured brim on the front hood also did a great job of keeping the water off of my face and out of my eyes. The hood is fully adjustable with a set of drawstrings at the neck and also on the back of the hood. I tightened these drawstrings and got the perfect fit, and the hood didn’t block any of my peripheral vision.
Packability
In the name Arc’teryx Beta SL, “SL” stands for super light, and it’s one of the major selling points of this jacket. Not only is the lightest rain jacket in the Arc’teryx Beta lineup, but it’s also several ounces lighter than the competition.
The women’s version weighs a mere 10.6 ounces. To compare with other 3-layer rain jackets, the Outdoor Research Aspire weighs 13.93 oz, and the Mountain Hardwear Trailverse, which doesn’t have any pit zips, weighs 16 oz.
Another feature I love is you can turn the hand pocket inside out and stuff the entire jacket in the pocket. You can’t zip the pocket closed, but it’s an easy way to keep the jacket contained in a nice, small package inside your pack so it doesn’t take up too much room.
On a short day hike, this might not make that much of a difference, but if you are backpacking or traveling with your hiking gear, all of those ounces add up. The performance, combined with the packability of the Arc’teryx Beta SL, I will most certainly be grabbing this over my other rain jackets anytime weight matters.
Breathability
I have yet to try a rain jacket that I consider truly breathable. No matter what rain jacket I’m wearing, once it stops raining and the sun comes out, I tend to get sweaty quickly.
With that said, 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 can be.
When it was raining and 60 degrees, I felt great and never got swampy inside the jacket. I’ve found the Arc’teryx Beta SL jacket to be more breathable than my Outdoor Research and North Face rain jackets.
When it stopped raining, I opened the huge pit zips that helped me air out. However, once the sun came out and the temps rose to the upper 70s, I quickly overheated and had to take the jacket off.
In reality, this jacket isn’t designed to be worn on warm, sunny days. So as long as you stick to its intended purpose, the breathability shouldn’t be a major issue.
Durability
I’ve only had the Arc’teryx Beta SL for a short time, so I can’t yet speak to long-term durability, but if my experience with my other Arc’teryx pieces is any indication, I think this jacket is going to last a very long time.
I own Arc’teryx ski pants, a fleece mid-layer, hiking pants, and an insulated jacket, and the quality and durability of these pieces seems far above what is standard in the outdoor industry.
The 40 denier x 70 denier fabric of the Arc’teryx Beta SL is designed to withstand a lot of abuse while hiking, camping, and everyday outdoor activities. I’ve also held my dog in this jacket and her sharp little claws haven’t caused any damage.
Now, if you’re backcountry skiing and you clip a tree, I can’t make any promises. If that sounds like something you might do, then the Arc’teryx Beta AR might be a better option.
The main zipper is lined to prevent snagging, and the zippers are all metal and easily glide along their paths.
This jacket is very easy to wash since it can be thrown in the washing machine. I’d recommend using Nikwax Tech Wash which is designed specifically for GORE-TEX products. Just make sure to follow the directions on the Arc’teryx website – no bleach, no fabric softener, do not dry clean, etc. Not following instructions can damage the waterproofing.
Comfort
I find the Arc’teryx Beta SL to be very comfortable. With some rain jackets, I don’t like to wear short-sleeved shirts underneath because the material can be scratchy, but with this jacket, the C-Knit backer is soft against my skin.
Right where the jacket hits your chin, there is also strip of soft fabric along the inside of the zipper that prevents the zipper from rubbing against your skin.
The jacket isn’t too stiff, and I have full range of motion when I’m hiking. I don’t feel restricted in any way.
The two hand pockets are big enough to easily and comfortably fit my entire hand, along with any other essentials I need quick access to.
I’m docking half a star because the jacket is a bit noisy. It’s not as bad as some of my other jackets, including my old Arc’teryx Beta AR, but I would like it if I couldn’t hear it at all.
Fit
Arc’teryx is known for making apparel with an athletic, slimmer cut. This holds true with this jacket.
I’m 5’5″ and 140 pounds. The women’s medium was a bit too tight, so I decided to get a large. The large is a bit baggier than I prefer, but I wanted to be able to layer underneath if I decide to wear it in winter.
There are two cinch cords along the bottom hem that you can pull to tighten the bottom of the jacket, so that does help compensate for it being a bit big. This also allows you to adjust the airflow that comes in from the bottom of the jacket.
The sleeves are the perfect length. They are long enough to cover part of my hands and have a velcro strap to tighten the hand cuffs.
I’ve talked about the hood already, but I love how the hood is spacious enough to fit a helmet or a winter hat with a pom, but it can be cinched down to the size of my head too. The hood is one of my favorite parts of this jacket.
Finally, I love the length. The back measures 28″ and is plenty long to cover the top of my pants.
Verdict: Is the Arc’teryx Beta SL worth the price?
If you frequently hike and backpack in the rain and need a stormproof jacket that can stand up to the worst kinds of conditions, then I do think the Arc’teryx Beta SL is worth the price. Yes, $500 is crazy expensive, but this should be the last rain jacket you have to buy for a very long time.
It’s lighter than the competition, allowing you to shave a few ounces from your load, and this rain jacket is about as eco-friendly as they come. The adjustable hood with it’s stiff brim is significantly better than your average rain jacket. Finally, the built in RECCO® reflector could end up saving your life if you get lost or have an accident in the backcountry.
If you are a fair weather hiker and only day hike in the rain once or twice a year, then I’d suggest looking at one of the cheaper alternatives I link to below.
Where to Buy
The Arc’teryx Beta SL is available now at REI as an REI Member exclusive through 9/30/24. After that, you don’t have to be a REI Member to purchase. Learn about all of the REI Member benefits here.
The benefit of buying at REI is you’ll get 10% back in the form of Member rewards. That means you’ll get $50 in REI credit to apply towards some other gear purchase. REI also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 1-year return policy. That means if the jacket just isn’t working out, you can return it and get your money back.
Arc’teryx Beta SL Alternatives
If the Arc’teryx Beta SL isn’t a good fit for you, here are a few other lightweight rain jackets to consider.
More Outdoor Apparel Recommendations
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Do you own any Arc’teryx clothing? Do you have questions about the Beta SL? Let me know in the comments below.
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