{"id":45451,"date":"2019-04-05T15:27:03","date_gmt":"2019-04-05T22:27:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=45451"},"modified":"2020-05-22T12:44:00","modified_gmt":"2020-05-22T19:44:00","slug":"comparing-arcteryx-beta-zeta-jackets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/comparing-arcteryx-beta-zeta-jackets","title":{"rendered":"Comparing the Arc\u2019teryx Beta and Zeta Jackets"},"content":{"rendered":"

My first hike after moving to the Pacific Northwest took me on a 7-mile haul to one of the best views of Seattle, if the day is clear. Unfortunately for me, it rained the entire time, and my three-year-old rain jacket that I previously considered \u201cgood enough\u201d just didn\u2019t hold up. By the time I reached the top, I was soaked, cold and cursing my supposedly rain-proof layer. I was still grumbling about the weather when a woman in a high-quality rain jacket strolled past, smiling, waving and looking dry from the comfort of her gear. I was reminded, begrudgingly, of the adage: \u201cThere\u2019s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Although it might seem hard to justify investing in gear that you\u2019ll only use in inclement weather, a good shell jacket can last you years\u2014and Arc\u2019teryx <\/span>GORE-TEX\u00ae<\/span> shell jackets are meant to excel on bad weather days. Even if you\u2019re already sold on giving the brand a try, choosing the right Arc\u2019teryx<\/a> jacket can be daunting. To help, we\u2019re going to break down the difference between their multisport and hiking lines: the Beta and Zeta jackets.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Beta series consists of <\/span>versatile multisport shells, built to excel in a wide variety of conditions.<\/span> Helmet-compatible hoods and durable GORE-TEX laminates are some of the key features in the Beta line, making them ideal for alpine hiking, mountaineering and skiing. The Zeta series, designed specifically with hikers in mind, keeps some of the same technical specs but cuts down on heavier features deemed unnecessary for trekking. These jackets are comfortable, packable and a great choice for tossing into your bag when the weather is unpredictable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before we dive in, here\u2019s a quick breakdown of how Arc\u2019teryx names its apparel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0|series| \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span> |style|<\/span><\/p>\n

BETA\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 AR<\/span><\/p>\n

Beta Series: <\/b>Mountain Multi-Use<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeta Series: <\/b>Hiking and Trekking <\/span><\/p>\n

AR: All Round. <\/b>High-performance weather protection and materials, emphasizing versatility for multiple activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

SL: Superlight. <\/b>Superlight materials and design, emphasizing light weight and packability over durability.<\/span><\/p>\n

FL: Fast and Light. <\/b>Minimalist, high performance and lightweight for rapid travel in variable conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are <\/span>many other series and styles<\/span><\/a> of Arc\u2019teryx jackets and apparel, but we\u2019re going to stick to these four for now: <\/span><\/p>\n