Is it definitely worth the worth? – Bearfoot Principle

Arc’teryx simply launched the model new Arc’teryx Beta SL rain jacket – their lightest Beta rain jacket thus far. This summer season I’ve been testing it whereas climbing in heavy thundershowers, and it’s carried out fantastically. 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 using perpetually chemical compounds (PFCs) which are 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 costly rain shells in the marketplace. That results in the query – is it definitely worth the worth?

On this Arc’teryx Beta SL evaluate, I’ll share what I like, what might be improved, and whether or not this is likely to be a good selection to your adventures.

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Technical Options

The Arc’teryx Beta SL has the entire technical options I contemplate to be crucial in a rain jacket. Listed below 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 feels 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 manufactured from earlier than I get into my full evaluate.

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 are adhered collectively.

The outer layer is manufactured from 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 a better 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 strengthened with 70-denier in areas which are most certainly to expertise friction, just like the shoulders that rub in opposition to your backpack straps.

The center membrane layer is manufactured from GORE-TEX ePE (expanded polyethylene). ePE is a brand new materials that was created to section out using fluorocarbons (PFCs/PFAS) – in any other case generally known as perpetually chemical compounds – which are quite common in waterproof attire. The brand new PFC-free ePE membrane is a extra eco-friendly various that gives the identical waterproofing properties.

Within the Arc’teryx Beta SL, the backer is manufactured from C-Knit. I’ve discovered this light-weight nylon cloth to be versatile and mushy in opposition to the pores and skin. Research present that it has larger 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. Chances are you’ll 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 no 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 evaluate beneath, I share some issues which have stood out as I’ve been testing this jacket.

Waterproof Efficiency

It’s been a moist summer season 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 bought caught out in a torrential thunderstorm.

It’s no shock that this jacket carried out exceptionally properly even after being out in a heavy downpour for a number of hours. I didn’t expertise any seepage by the three layered GORE-TEX, zippers, or the absolutely taped seams.

I instantly seen the water beading up as a result of PFC-free FC0 DWR end. It’s vital to notice that DWR finishes do put on off with time and must be reapplied. Different evaluations of FC0 DWR, particularly, counsel that it must be reapplied extra steadily than DWR finishes containing dangerous PFCs. As somebody who is worried concerning the setting, this appears to be a worthy trade-off.

The excessive collar and structured brim on the entrance hood additionally did an incredible job of maintaining the water off of my face and out of my eyes. The hood is absolutely adjustable with a set of drawstrings on the neck and likewise on the again of the hood. I tightened these drawstrings and bought the proper match, and the hood didn’t block any of my peripheral imaginative and prescient.

Packability

Within the identify Arc’teryx Beta SL, “SL” stands for tremendous gentle, 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 Outside Analysis Aspire weighs 13.93 oz, and the Mountain Hardwear Trailverse, which doesn’t have any pit zips, weighs 16 oz.

One other characteristic I like is you’ll be able to flip the hand pocket inside out and stuff your entire jacket within the pocket. You possibly can’t zip the pocket closed, but it surely’s a straightforward option to hold the jacket contained in a pleasant, small package deal inside your pack so it doesn’t take up an excessive amount of room.

On a brief day hike, this won’t make that a lot of a distinction, however if you’re backpacking or touring together with your climbing gear, all of these ounces add up. The efficiency, mixed with the packability of the Arc’teryx Beta SL, I’ll most actually be grabbing this over my different rain jackets anytime weight issues.

Breathability

I’ve but to strive a rain jacket that I contemplate actually breathable. It doesn’t matter what rain jacket I’m sporting, as soon as it stops raining and the solar comes out, I are inclined to get sweaty rapidly.

With that stated, 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 will be.

When it was raining and 60 levels, I felt nice and by no means bought swampy contained in the jacket. I’ve discovered the Arc’teryx Beta SL jacket to be extra breathable than my Outside Analysis and North Face rain jackets.

When it stopped raining, I opened the massive 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 rapidly 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 follow its meant objective, the breathability shouldn’t be a significant subject.

Sturdiness

I’ve solely had the Arc’teryx Beta SL for a short while, so I can’t but converse to long-term sturdiness, but when my expertise with my different Arc’teryx items is any indication, I feel this jacket goes to final a really very long time.

I personal Arc’teryx ski pants, a fleece mid-layer, 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 business.

The 40 denier x 70 denier cloth of the Arc’teryx Beta SL is designed to face up to numerous abuse whereas 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 induced any injury.

Now, for those who’re backcountry snowboarding and also you clip a tree, I can’t make any guarantees. If that feels like one thing you would possibly do, then the Arc’teryx Beta AR is likely to be a greater choice.

The principle zipper is lined to stop snagging, and the zippers are all steel and simply glide alongside their paths.

This jacket may be very straightforward to clean since it may be thrown within the washer. I’d advocate utilizing Nikwax Tech Wash which is designed particularly for GORE-TEX merchandise. Simply ensure that to comply with 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 will be scratchy, however with this jacket, the C-Knit backer is mushy in opposition to my pores and skin.

Proper the place the jacket hits your chin, there may be additionally strip of soppy cloth alongside the within of the zipper that stops the zipper from rubbing in opposition to your pores and skin.

The jacket isn’t too stiff, and I’ve full vary of movement once I’m climbing. I don’t really feel restricted in any method.

The 2 hand pockets are sufficiently big to simply and comfortably match my total hand, together with every other necessities I would like 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 really like it if I couldn’t hear it in any respect.

Match

Arc’teryx is understood for making attire with an athletic, slimmer minimize. 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 favor, however I wished 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 that you may pull to tighten the underside of the jacket, in order that does assist compensate for it being a bit large. This additionally lets you modify the airflow that is available in from the underside of the jacket.

The sleeves are the proper size. They’re lengthy sufficient to cowl a part of my palms and have a velcro strap to tighten the hand cuffs.

I’ve talked concerning the hood already, however I like how the hood is spacious sufficient to suit a helmet or a winter hat with a pom, however it may be cinched right down to the dimensions of my head too. The hood is considered one of my favourite components of this jacket.

Lastly, I like the size. The again measures 28″ and is a lot lengthy to cowl the highest of my pants.

Verdict: Is the Arc’teryx Beta SL definitely worth the worth?

In case you steadily 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 suppose the Arc’teryx Beta SL is definitely worth the worth. Sure, $500 is loopy costly, however this must 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 couple 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 inbuilt RECCO® reflector might find yourself saving your life for those who 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 few times a 12 months, then I’d counsel taking a look at one of many cheaper options I hyperlink to beneath.

The place to Purchase

The Arc’teryx Beta SL is accessible now at REI as an REI Member unique by 9/30/24. After that, you don’t must be a REI Member to buy. Find out about the entire REI Member advantages right here.

The good thing about 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 provides a 100% satisfaction assure and a 1-year return coverage. Which means if the jacket simply isn’t understanding, you’ll be able to return it and get your a refund.

Arc’teryx Beta SL Options  

If the Arc’teryx Beta SL isn’t match for you, listed here are a couple of different light-weight rain jackets to think about.

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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 beneath.