Arc'teryx  Beta Insulated Jacket - Women's

This jacket is going to fill a big need in my adventure wardrobe. We are section hiking the 1,200 mile Ice Age Trail, and as such, we do a great deal of hiking in cool, cold, rainy, and snowy weather. Accomplishing our goal requires hiking in all weather, and having the right gear is crucial. What I appreciate the most about this jacket is that it is waterproof, warm, has a hood that adjusts perfectly, is windproof, can be vented, and is red. Normally, if it's raining, I wear layers under my raincoat. Unfortunately, my raincoat doesn't maintain waterproofness for an entire hike. It also doesn't breath, and the hood just flops around. The Beta did an amazing job of warding off rain and keeping me warm. I was easily able to adjust the hood in three different ways to both keep it out of my eyes and also shield my glasses from the rain. It's the only jacket I own that is so easy to cinch around the face! While it wasn't terribly windy on my hike, I love that the hood comes up around my face and that the zippers are "sealed" to keep wind out. This feature will come in handy when I am hiking along the Great Lakes with crazy winds or hanging out at sled dog races with cold winds a-whipping. Another feature I loved was the open-sided vents. I was quite concerned that I would get hot in this coat once the rain stopped, and I definitely did, but I was easily able to grasp the zippers and unzip the large under arm vents, which kept me comfortable the rest of the hike. Finally, the red color is handy in the Wisconsin woods during the various hunting seasons. Please note that the size fits exactly. I am 5' 8" and typically wear a size medium, and this coat fits snuggly around the mid-section. I can put a base layer on, and then the coat functions as a mid-layer and shell. Even though I say it fits snuggly, it's perfectly comfortable and I can move my arms and shoulders freely. It also means that there is no bulk to get in the way of my arms when I am poling during hiking/skiing/snowshoeing. That being said, I might have gone to a large had I known this. Overall, I really love this jacket, and I know I will wear it all the time on my hiking/skiing/snowshoeing adventures.

I received this jacket for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. I give this jacket 4.5 stars out of 5. When I first put on the jacket I could not get it zipped. I tried it 5 times and gave up. The second time I wore it it took me three attempts and then I got it zipped. Its getting better every time I wear it. Perhaps it needs to be broken in? Is it poor design or poor manufacturing? Other than the zipper the jacket is great! Its warm and so comfortable! I like all the pockets and I have no issues with those zippers. It has a large hood that covers my face well. If the zipper was easier this would be an awesome winter all around jacket. Good for hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing or simply communting to work. I don't downhill so I cannot say if its good for that.

I received the Beta Insulated Jacket via REI Research in exchange for an honest review and I am most appreciative for the opportunity. This is a beautiful jacket and the red color shown in the pictures is pretty accurate but certainly does not match its name of Bordeaux which evokes the color of a red burgundy. I tried the jacket out over a period of several days which had temps ranging from the high 30s to mid 40s Fahrenheit. I wore it running errands over a flannel shirt and it kept me warm outside yet comfortable while wearing inside a store so I attribute that to the breathability factor. For my fitness walks in which I am outside and moving at a much faster pace but in sustained temps, I wore the jacket over a 400g heavyweight merino wool top and it kept me sufficiently warm without overheating. If temperatures were in the high 20s to mid 30s, I probably would want to wear a lighter weight merino top under the heavyweight one. Fortunately, there is ample room for multiple layers. One of the days I was out was very windy with strong cold gusts and I was pleased with the jackets ability to stop the wind from penetrating the jacket. The inside of the jacket is very soft and cozy and there are plenty of pockets both inside and out. The jacket is supposed to be waterproof, however, I cannot verify the performance of this feature since it was not raining or snowing during my outings but based on the materials, I am certain it will perform well in rain or snow. The hood has three adjustment areas allowing for a nice, snug fit or you can just keep it loose as seen in one of my photos. Another great feature about the hood is that it is big enough to fit over a hat or helmet. I had hoped the jacket would be nice for cycling on colder days but the shoulder area is not quite big enough to comfortably accommodate the positioning of the shoulders and arms towards the handlebars plus. Cycling specific garments better address all of this. But for an overall, multi-use jacket in cold, wet, and/or windy days, it is perfect and can be used in both urban and wilderness environments. The size medium I received is for a 36” chest which is my measurement. I would not want to size up or down so I would say it is true to the size chart provided by Arc’teryx. While I did not have a chance to get out of the city and on to any mountain trails to get some good pics, I did get some of me wearing it outside of the house so review readers can see the fit. For reference, I am 5’5”, 132 pounds, 36” chest, 28” waist, and 37” hips.

General Observations I have the Bordeaux in Large. I love the color and the zipper and logo accents are fun. I'm 5'5" and pear shaped, so I made sure to check the size chart on the website and ordered a large. As expected, to fit my hips, the chest and shoulders are roomy, but this isn't unusual for me in sizing garments, especially longer items. The sleeves are also a bit long because of ordering up, but I usually turn up my sleeves once or twice anyway, and it worked great on this coat. The coat is very lightweight and comfortable. I find a double zipper trickier to get going, but that is simply my preference, and I am getting used to it. Experience I went out walking at 23 degrees (F), with only a tshirt under the coat, no hat or mittens. The hood is fantastic. The insulation is comfortable, the coverage of my face is good, without sacrificing visibility, and it is so warm. I cinched everything up and even my hands were comfortable in the pockets without gloves. My first thought was that it was as cozy as wearing your sleeping bag. After walking for a half hour, and as the sun was coming up, I did start to feel toasty. I was able to adjust how I had the hood cinched and utilize the pit zips to stay perfectly comfortable. By the end of the hour it was still only 26 degrees but the coat was perfect. I went out for the same walk (1 hour, about 3.25 miles), again in slightly different conditions, this time 24 degrees (F), foggy and damp, a bit of a breeze as time went on. My experience was very similar even in the humid conditions. The coat is so easy to adjust, the pit zips are essential. I don't get sweaty, but stay comfortable and dry. I also tried it while hiking up a bit of elevation. I assumed the coat was ill-suited for the conditions because the temperature was around 30 and sunny on the way up, but again, with the pit zips and how light the coat is, I could open it up and still be comfortable when I had expected to overheat a bit. As the sun went down, I could zip and cinch everything back up and stay comfortable. This versatility was a very pleasant surprise. Our weather has been mild since receiving the coat, so I haven't been able to push its limits. But for my daily life and standard outdoor adventures I was able to try it a few ways and I love it. I really think it has enabled me to be outside (and actually comfortable!) for more of the season. And, I can sit in the bleachers for two hours of hockey practice and stay warm. Amazing. Care Curious to see how it would hold up when I washed it, I looked up and followed the care instructions on the website. Since I have an old top loading washer, I put the coat in a mesh bag as instructed, and it has washed and dried nicely.

I loved this jacket so much I bought it in 2 different colors. I've only used it for skiing so far but it keeps me warm and dry— a huge improvement from the Sentinel imo. The only thing missing for me is a pass pocket. Someone else mentioned they'd like a powder skirt but I actually like that it doesn't have one because it's a more versatile jacket, one that I'll use for any cooler temp activities. Sadly the sizing between colors is really inconsistent. My usual Arc size is XS and this fits perfectly in black but is noticeably too large in the body in techno. I would size down to a XXS but I'm afraid the shoulders would be too tight. Sigh.

All I asked for Christmas was this jacket and THANK GOODNESS. Its been so perfect for all my adventures so far! Through wind and rain in cold and shaded canyons , I’ve been as warm as can be. This is the first coat I’ve had where the pockets actually keep my hands warm. The insulation is just perfect. The neck zips up to just the right height for snuggling in to keep your face and neck warm as well as the sinch strings to add a little more! This is a forever jacket for sure. Perfect fit, perfect look, the best color, and perfect durability !

I'm really glad they brought this jacket back into the lineup. I live in Vancouver and with the periodic weather changes, I typically would wear an insulation layer and then a shell on top in case it rained. With the Beta insulated jacket, you've got both so it has been my easy and confident choice for all weather conditions. I have the black jacket and it looks great for city wear and for outdoor adventures. Also, love the number of pockets inside and outside - I love having extra options for keys, wallets, receipts, airpods, etc.

I hold very mixed feelings about this jacket. While I held high hopes for it, it failed on many points. Initial Impressions: (1) Bordeaux is a beautiful color and stands out brilliantly in mountain terrain. (2) It is surprisingly light weight, and I received comments that it "does not look bulky". (3) The zipper is awful. When first trying it on, multiple attempts were needed to zip the coat. While that is fine in a temperature controlled environment, fiddling with a stubborn zipper in single degree temperatures is unacceptable. (Please see included picture for malalignment of the zipper.) (4) Ample internal and external pockets. Pros: (1) When participating in stationary (ie travel) or low effort activities (ie being outdoors to look at Christmas lights), the jacket is a little furnace. It is VERY warm. (2) When in outdoor environments, the jackets does provide wind resistance. Cons: (1) If you are participating in an activity requiring effort, you will quickly overheat - even with pit zips. I utilized the jacket for snowshoeing (done at 10,000' elevation, gained 2,000' elevation, and traveled 7 miles) in 10 degree F weather, with a 15+ mph wind. I was extremely hot. If you choose to use this jacket for such activities, you need to pack a separate layer system, as this is an all-in-one jacket. Once I removed the coat, I then needed to add a vest & a windproof layer. (2) The coat is not packable. While it is not bulky while wearing, it is incredibly bulky when trying to pack down into a backpack. Bottom Line: Know your winter jacket needs before you purchase this coat. I do not recommend it for moderate to high level activities, as it does not offer the versatility needed with layering - especially in cold temperatures when trying to change layers quickly. If you are seeking a warm winter jacket for running errands or very low level (ie a walk with the dog) activities, this coat is a fine option.

I bought this jacket in a medium a month ago (I’m 5’4” and weigh 145) and absolutely love it. The color is the just perfect: cheerful on the soft side of red. With Gortex and insulation this jacket will get me through winters in the Boise, ID area. If I could only own one jacket, this would be it.

I wanted to love this coat as I typically really like Arctyrex products. However it was absolutely impossible to zip it up without stopping, focusing and trying like 10 times to get the zipper aligned and pulled up. I can't imagine trying to do this on the ski slopes or outside in bad weather. This issue was the same on both the small and medium sizes that I ordered. I also had my daughter try on the coat and not tell her what the issue was to see if she had difficultly. After about 5 tries she said that she couldn't zip the coat! I looked on other reviews and this issue was a consistent gripe. I couldn't justify spending that much money on a coat to have it not zip! Arctyrex fix this issue. It is unacceptable!