Bottom Line
The Arc’teryx Beta SL (men’s / women’s) is the jacket to bring when heavy rain and strong winds hit your next hike. We were warm and well-protected in this stellar shell while out in some of the heaviest conditions the Chugach Range of Alaska could throw at us. With its superior weather resistance, excellent comfort and mobility, and standout breathability, the Beta SL is one of our best rain jackets.
With waterproof zippers, tight cinches at the hood and waist, and exceptional durability, we use this jacket for many trips when the weather takes a turn. We love this option for its high-quality weather resistance and extreme durability. This has been our go-to jacket for heavy backcountry trips like remote Alaskan packrafting, wet hikes above treeline, and even the occasional winter trip. Equipped with pit zips, the Beta SL provides excellent breathability on long uphill slogs.
The biggest deterrent is its high price point—there’s no getting around the fact that this is a spendy jacket. However, it’s an investment in protection on the harshest weather days and a layer that is guaranteed to keep you dry and warm no matter what the storm throws at you.
How We Tested
We’ve tested many generations of this jacket. This year, we swapped the Beta for the Beta SL (stands for superlight) to see how it compares in this year’s round of weather in Alaska. It proved to be worthy of summer rains, soggy snow/sleet/”snain”, and spring and fall mudseasons.
Quick Specs
Arc’teryx Beta SL
Most Protective Rain Jacket for Wet Conditions
CleverHiker Rating: 4.8/5.0
Price: $500
Listed Weight: 12 oz. / 10 oz.(men’s / women’s)
# of Vents: 2
Pros
- Durable materials
- Highest quality build
- Effective hood design
- Hipbelt compatible pockets
Cons
- Price
- Crinkly fabric
- Slightly boxy fit
Comfort & Mobility
The sizing and fit of the Beta SL are a little tricky. It is labeled as a “fitted” jacket, meaning that it fits closer to the body. In reality, we found this to be more roomy than others that claim to be fitted. The chest and torso are slightly larger than the usual medium tested in other jackets and slightly longer, extending just past the waist. While it is slightly baggier than other jackets we wear, it allows it to be layered easily underneath in colder temperatures.
We often had to cinch down the cuffs to keep the arms from going over our hands. That being said, extending the arms in all directions felt unencumbered, and the jacket never lifted or rode up while wearing a pack or stretching. The two front pockets are set just slightly high on the torso, which we appreciate for ease of access while wearing a pack and for preventing zippers from bunching under the hip belt.
Weather Resistance
The Arc’teryx Beta is one of our highest scorers for weather resistance, and we have yet to find the outermost limits of this jacket. Even in cold fall rain and some wet sleet, the Beta SL keeps us warm, dry, and protected. This jacket is one of our top picks for heavy precipitation, and we will keep reaching for it again and again on the wettest and coldest days.
The Beta SL’s superior weather resistance comes from its 3-layer GORE-TEX construction. With both 40- and 70-denier fabric, it is thick, durable, and highly rain-resistant. While refreshing the durable water repellent finish may be necessary with wear as the jacket ages and becomes dirtier, it still has some of the best weather resistance of any jacket on the market.
The hood and collar of the coat fit seamlessly together, creating a snug, weatherproof system that helps retain body warmth on cold days. The structured brim of the hood sheds water away from the body and keeps the head dry.
The hem of the jacket extends just beyond the waist to provide superior coverage and quickly sheds water from the torso. We love this jacket for summer monsoons, fall rains, and even early winter sleet. It is one of the most weather-resistant heavy-duty jackets to bring for inclement weather.
Ventilation
Those familiar with the Beta SL’s older sister, the Beta, may be familiar with that jacket’s lack of pit vents. The SL addresses this issue by adding large, easy-to-use vents. This is an excellent addition for shedding excess heat and managing moisture while on the move.
We hiked with the Beta SL fully zipped and hood up, with varying levels of the front zipper unzipped, and even experimented with how the front pockets contribute to shedding heat. Throughout these iterations of ventilation testing, we were pleasantly surprised that the Gore-Tex in this jacket breathed well, even without opening the pit zips.
The Beta SL felt less clammy and wet than other shells during high exertion. While this jacket does run on the warmer side, it is right at home in cool and wet environments where we tested it in coastal Alaska.
Durability
The Beta SL’s superior weather resistance is supported by reliable durability. It is holding after many miles of heavy rain. Plus, it takes longer to wet out than almost any other model. When we have to hike through the brush in the Alaskan backcountry, this jacket gets us to the other side without any snags, scrapes, or scratches.
The sleek, refined design leaves fewer options for wear and tear and breakdowns. The 40 and 70-denier fabric is one of the burliest of any jacket tested and held up excellently over the course of our testing.
While we may need to refresh the durable water repellent after years of use, so far, it’s doing better than most. We look forward to continuing to use this jacket on many more trips.
Weight
For a jacket this weather-resistant and durable, some concessions do have to be made for weight. While SL stands for “super light,” this is by no means an ultralight jacket, but it is the lightest in the Beta lineup. Those prioritizing space and weight above everything else may not choose the Beta SL.
Still, its superior weather resistance more than makes up for any weight and packability sacrifices compared to other ultralight layers. We will continue making room for this jacket in our pack if it means keeping us warm and dry in the worst weather.
Should You Buy the Arc’teryx Beta SL?
If you are one to go out in the harshest conditions regularly, then the Arc’teryx Beta SL is the jacket for you. The high price tag may be hard to swallow, but this jacket is an investment in one of the most weather-resistant and durable options on the market.
While not as packable or lightweight as other jackets in our lineup, these are worthwhile trade-offs for a burly jacket that performs best in cool, wet conditions. We used it on days when the weather was guaranteed to be wet and windy, and we were warm and dry through every test. We will trust this jacket in the harshest conditions for many more trips to come.
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
Sometimes the pretty penny of Arc’teryx gear pays off, like in the case of the Beta SL. Still other worthy contenders are on our guide to the best rain jackets of the year.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Review: Similarly bombproof with a three-layer construction, we use the Torrentshell in similarly heavy conditions.
REI Rainier Review: If you’re looking to spend a fraction of the cost of the Beta, the REI Rainier is a perfect low-cost and high-quality jacket.
Outdoor Research Foray 3L / Aspire 3L Review: While the Beta may lack zips, the Foray II provides some of the largest and most ventilated zips of any jacket we tested.
