Online: www.REI.com
URL for this product:

From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
International — Call 1-253-891-2500
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.

$Arc\'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men\'s$

Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's

This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

Or, may we suggest shopping for similar items:

Shop more Men's Rain Jackets Shop more Arc'teryx

This page is provided for reference to historical product information.

Show me:
Product Description,
Product Specs,
Reviews

The Arc'Teryx Beta SL is a great all-around jacket ideal for hikers, bikers and those who require lightweight , packable storm protection.

With a trim-fitting Drop Hood™ and low handwarmer pockets, the Beta SL is a great choice if you're not intending to use a helmet or harness
2.5-layer Gore-Tex® PacLite® is engineered specifically to be light, packable and more breathable than other 2- or 3-layer Gore-Tex fabrics
A waterproof membrane is laminated to the shell fabric and then covered by a thin, durable protective coating made of an oleophobic (oil-hating) substance
Lack of need for a separate liner allows fabric to be light and compact; combines durable wind- and waterproofness with exceptional breathability
Micro seam allowances increase breathability and suppleness, and save weight; all seams are sealed for complete protection
Laminated, watertight front zipper features an inner laminated draft flap; chin guard protects skin
Features watertight laminated pocket zippers, laminated hem drawcord tunnel and laminated, die-cut rip-and-stick wrist closures
Gusseted underarms ensure unhindered movement and let jacket remain in place when arms are raised
Droptail hemline is higher in front for mobility and a bit longer in back for extra coverage and protection
Beta SL is waist length and features an athletic fit

Imported.

Item 795666

REI Membership

REI Membership $20.00

Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's

3.8

(based on 6 reviews)

80%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 6 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-6

Aug

2010

(6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Spring, Fall, Winter in my mind

By Ephraim

from NYC

See all my reviews

Comments about Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's:

I have quite a few shells, I'm a bit of a jacket junky. Firstly I like this jacket - however I would not use it for hiking or any other outdoor sports. Its my urban rain jacket. There's no point wearing the beta sl in temps above 70 since you will end up getting soaked in sweat.The beta SL in my opinion is a fall, winter, spring shell. This is my first paclite jacket - and honestly for outdoor exertion paclite really needs pit zips - because it doesn't breath all that great. I have a MH Quark which breaths like a dream - and it has pit zips. Problem is the Quark is really delicate - I already have two small tears from thorns and stuff. I also have the theta ar - but that is relatively heavy.Long story short - the beta sl is a very nice around town jacket - but it would be a mistake to get it for hiking. I got the Dusk color and it was made in Canada - so that was sweet. Also I paid about 185, and I don't think its worth full price.Last word I like my jacket and chicks seem to dig it - but if you want it for hiking get something w pit zips - or you'll end up kicking yourself.
Nice for Around town and travel - also I wish they used elastic instead of Velcro at the wrists.

May

2010

(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Excellent

By MG19

from MD

See all my reviews

Pros

Easily packed
Light
Waterproof
Well Made
Windproof

Cons

Bare-bones
Expensive

Best Uses

Outer shell

Comments about Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's:

I bought last years model - I compared it to every similar jacket at REI - and I'd buy it again, no questions asked.

This is an excellent outer shell for general wear - hiking, biking, or as a general raincoat. I've known some mountain climbers who thought it was fragile - and by their standards it is - but most of us don't need super-tough, $500 shells do we? Its durability is good enough for most uses. I wore it all winter and with the right midlayers it was perfectly warm. (note that it provides almost no insulation on its own, though its wind-proofness is nice when they put on the AC too high).

It's made of Paclite Goretex, meaning it has Goretex's excellent water and wind-proofness, while being optimized for compression so it takes up as little volume as necessary. I can fit it into the large knee pocket of military pants (BDUs, Utilities, etc. for you military types) with no problem. It's very wrinkled once you take it out, but the wrinkles disappear after a little while and you'd never be able to tell. If you wear it right the jacket is very tight and won't allow the wind or the rain to get in. In fact, with the hood deployed I can walk in the rain and not get my glasses wet, even without a hat.

It only has two large pockets with large vertical zippers at about 11 and 1 o'clock. They are awesome if you're wearing a pack and want to stow outdoor things (esp. maps) in them. They're not good for putting your hands in, or as general pockets. It doesn't have a chest pocket or all the other internal and external pockets its competitors have to store MP3 players, cell phones, water bottles, and other random stuff. It's pretty bare, because the extra pockets would take up space and make the jacket less stow-able.

Finally, Arcteryx is known for a slim fit, and justifiably so. My Beta SL is size large, and it's much trimmer then even some other makes' mediums. I'd highly recommend trying it on at your local REI before you buy to get your sizing right.

Again, this is a great coat for the person who wants a highly portable and stowable water and windproof jacket. If I lost mine I'd get it again, no questions asked. However, unless that's really what you need, I'd consider one of REI's cheaper alternatives with more pockets. The alternatives will be more convenient for most people, be "good enough" for water/windproofness (especially if you have another winter coat), and cost less.

Feb

2011

(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Beware

By HikeJoe

from southwest missouri

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Doesn't Breathe

Best Uses

Comments about Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's:

I bought the Beta SL for normal, three-season backpacking situations. I love ARC'TERYX so I just figured this would be a great lightweight option. My first time to really wear it was a mildly wet morning on trail and I was immediately chilled (and soaked) - much more so than had I not had on the jacket. I have experienced this over and over with this jacket. I called ARC-TERYX to see if it was a problem with me or with the jacket and they told me that the PacLite Gore-Tex should only be used for emergencies and ultralight hiking -- not for normal backpacking.

The jacket probably does what it was designed to do, but I am giving it two starts because they don't communicate these limitations on the descriptions. So you might want to be sure that you want a "real" minimalist jacket before you purchase this. I want to count ounces as much as anyone and I don't want all the climbing bells and whistles of other jackets, but I also want to feel comfortably protected by a serious parka. I am returning this to get the Beta AR, which looks to be the right fit for my needs.

Aug

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Spend the extra $$$.

By gosmun

from Asheville NC

See all my reviews

Pros

Light Weight
Very packable

Cons

Best Uses

rain
Wet conditions

Comments about Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's:

I did a lot of research when looking for a rain jacket. I narrowed the field down to this and the Mountain Hardware 'Typhoon'. I was primarily driven by price and the MH jacket, was considerably less. Both offered Gortex Paclite and were relatively close in weight. After asking several people their personal opinion, all said go with the Arc'Teryx. Within a couple days of my purchase I had the opportunity to put it to use. A 5-hour hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains, all of which was in heavy rain. This jacket kept me COMPLETELY dry. I was wearing a smartwool T-shirt underneath and not once did I ever feel cold or clammy. Breathability with this jacket is superb and wind resistance is better than I would have thought for being as thin as it is. It feels very delicate and you'll be inclined to 'protect' it from contact with rough surfaces and sharp objects but it's extremely tough despite the fragile look and feel. Mobility was excellent and the drawstrings on the hood were great for adjusting to just the right fit. I easily packed this into a Osprey Manta 25 Hydration pack and it took up very little room. Overall, I'm very happy I went with the Beta SL. Arc'Teryx is not the cheapest stuff but, without a doubt, you get what you pay for and I'm glad I spent the extra money.

Feb

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Nice

By IdleBlizzard

from Minneapolis

See all my reviews

Pros

All Weather
Lightweight
packable
Waterproof

Cons

Best Uses

Biking
Casual
rain

Comments about Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's:

I use this jacket all winter for winter bike commuting. Performs very well. Not insulated but keeps wind from getting to your core (use wool baselayers and other midlayers for warmth). In the summer it sees use as well for riding through rain. Makes a good fall and spring jacket. My girlfriend liked mine so much she bought her own.

Sep

2010

4.0

awesome

By bobby

from Carbondale, IL

See all my reviews

Comments about Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's:

i've been very happy with this jacket. paclite compresses extremely well. i almost always have it in the bottom on my backpack in case it rains or gets chilly and i usually don't even notice it's in there - it packs down that well. also makes it great for traveling.

i'm 6'0 and around 215 lbs. the large fits me perfect. i can fit anything up to a lightweight down coat under it without it getting too tight. anything heavier than that and you'd be pushing it.

i've had thorns/brambles brush up against it and expected to look down and see a tear or puncture - not even a scratch. extremely durable for how thin it is.

the drop-hood is great. i like it much better than the helmet compatible hood on the theta ar or any of their other pro shell coats.

i've been caught in some pretty crazy rain storms and have had hardly any rain actually touch my face. the hood extends just enough to block the elements and not restrict your vision.

i've used mine quite a bit in the 5 months i've had it and haven't had to wash it yet for breatheability reasons.

if this coat came with pit zips it would be amazing, but i guess nothing's perfect.