Arcteryx Beta AR Rain Jacket review

[@magpiecollingwood9116]

Hi your videos are very entertaining and informative. You really should have thousands of views for the walks you do. I have the Theta AR which I think has been discontinued. It's the longer version of the Beta. Mine's an XL and weighs 540g. It's a great jacket but I still sweat too much in it. It's definitely more weather resistant to the Zpacks Vertice which is very breathable and fairly wind resistant but is OK up to a couple of hours of heavy rain before it wets out. If I see the weather being poor I take the Arctreyx. For summer rain it's the Zpacks but that jacket would be destroyed bush bashing. Keep up the videos please.

[@mowsertas]

Thanks for the feedback! Yes I often take a lighter Mont Bell on short summer trips. Planning to keep the videos coming! Early days yet. Glad you are enjoying!

[@rodrev_hiking6757]

I love the new Beta Lightweight. It has PitZips , drop hem , all Features but the Collar in the AR ( that i dislike ) . The AR is now also available with a Stormhood :)

[@SM-qk9dy]

Freaking awesome production quality mate, really love the time and effort you put into all of it! Subscribed :)

[@mowsertas]

Thanks so much. Comments like that make it all worthwhile! 🙏

[@SM-qk9dy]

@@mowsertas Actually, follow up question if you've got a second :) Do you ever find hood stacking with your mid layers annoying at all with the AR's drop hood? Also, any opinions on drop hood vs storm hood? Thanks mowser!

[@mowsertas]

​@@SM-qk9dy sorry, only just saw this! I haven't found hood stacking too annoying. Normally if I am wearing other layers with hoods, it is while i am stationary at camp etc so I don't find it too bad. After thinking a bit I think I prefer the drop hood over a storm hood. Its really nice been able to have hood off but still have the jacket fully zipped up and feel comfortable. If that makes sense!

[@SM-qk9dy]

@@mowsertas No wokkas! Ended up getting it after watching your video, and have loved using it the past 10 months :) 100% right with the drop hood, it's actually quite nice to shrug your shoudlers and turtle up in the collar. Thanks for the reccy!

[@YetiYeff]

Looking forward to how you weather treat your jackets.

[@markparsons3128]

Great video. Just ordered one.

[@mowsertas]

Awesome. Enjoy!!

[@arch-verse]

The Mountain Hardwear Routefinder is an alt with more pockets which I appreciate

[@mowsertas]

Looks like a great alternative! Thanks for sharing!

[@rich7447]

There is a big difference between the Beta AR and the Alpha SV. The Alpha SV ($800 US) is the top of the line, followed by Beta SV ($675 US), and then the Alpha AR ($599 US) and Beta AR ($599 US) are at the same level. The Beta AR is the only one that defaults to the drop hood, but is offered in one color with the storm hood.

[@The-Warrior-Optimist]

There really isn’t.. especially after the latest revision. The new SV also costs well over 800 usd. Both gore pro- both have pit zips- both expedition fit… the only difference is the alpha sv is it has alpine style chest pockets and a storm hood and it’s made in Canada and you pay up the ass for it. That’s literally it. And with the addition of a storm hood version of the beta ar the only difference now is the chest pockets. The new sv is made out of super thin material compared to the super thick material of past versions. The manufacturer standard is the same.

[@rich7447]

@@The-Warrior-Optimist Beta AR is only 40 denier with reinforced sections of 80. Alpha SV is all 100.

[@KCMDWannabe]

Call me crazy, but I have a Mont Odyssey jacket. Weighs 750g but they have now an alpine version that I haven’t tested that’s 500g. The thing is completely bomb proof but man, 750g is a heck of a weight investment. Would love to upgrade to something lighter without a significant drop in durability.

[@mowsertas]

Not crazy. Looks like a great jacket and I walked with one as heavy if not heavier for 20 years! The Beta AR us a great alternative if you can get used to a waist length jacket.

[@michaelbutler1557]

I love Mont gear. Their jackets are great.

[@danielparsons2859]

I've got the red one. I wore it on the South Coast track in nasty weather and the Mt Anne Circuit. It took everything those tracks could throw at it. Very expensive but no regrets.

[@mowsertas]

So good!

[@rydmerlin]

Is that the new style? I had one from earlier but it delaminated so now I have the new model. Mine was in Nighthawk. The latest one feels more fragile to me. I miss those red ties in the newer one. My suggesting is keep them when you upgrade. Again those seem more fragile in the newer model to me. If I was you I’d be looking for new old stock replacement. The newer one is slightly longer too. Your next jacket won’t be an AR it will likely be a Beta SV.

[@mowsertas]

Mine is the older style. Will have to check out newer model for comparison. Definitely love the red ties! Have also looked into Alpha SV but next time around I may go for a Norrona jacket…. Have spent a lot of time in Norrona stores in Norway checking out their gear. Of a high quality… Watch this space. Current Beta AR still going strong for now though!

[@johnnyhonda4404]

Would the newer version of this jacket be too hot to wear on an 85°F day when it's raining?

[@mowsertas]

You would definately get pretty hot in that type of heat, especially if humid. Not many jackets you wouldn't get hot in though. I have worn it in these types of temperatures (not too humid) and I coped with open pit zips and front zip.

[@johnnyhonda4404]

@@mowsertas thank you for the reply.

[@Lochlanaty_tt]

Should i buy the beta AR or alpha SV?

[@mowsertas]

I really would like an SV. Looking at newer models coming out now it would probably be the SV for me!

[@mowsertas]

I really would like an SV. Looking at newer models coming out now it would probably be the SV for me!

[@ThePhiloctopus]

The Arc-Teryx sure looks bombproof; with a bomb sized price tag! I wonder if you have any thoughts about the Macpac Prophet. I've seen it reccommended and it's currently on sale, but I have no experience with it.

[@mowsertas]

While I haven’t used the Prophet I had a look at one in Macpac yesterday. It’s made out of pertex quantum and does look like a good jacket. I’m not sure if it would be as durable as goretex pro though. Doesn’t feel quite as strong but probably good middle ground if the beta ar is a stretch too far. As a general rule I do rate Macpac gear. The Arc’teryx stuff does command a large price!

[@ThePhiloctopus]

@@mowsertas Thanks for your thoughts!

[@tiagostorck6121]

love it mate

[@GabobStrulli]

great video! i think about investing in a beta ar too.

[@mowsertas]

Thanks! It’s a great jacket!

[@user-kw5tb7ff7o]

Hey bud, I’m actually looking for a jacket which is good for backpacking abit, hiking tiny bit and daily use. Would you recommend here the LT instead? Or the AR? Are they totally different at all?

[@mowsertas]

If it's mainly daily use around town etc then the LT would be great. Depends on the type of backpacking - if on clear formed trails it would be fine. If there's scrub/bushwhacking involved then the AR is my go to.

[@HDBnB1]

have you ever used this for skiing or snowboarding? If so how was it?

[@mowsertas]

No I can’t say I have. It has great freedom of movement though and the hood has heaps of room for a helmet.

[@mchoch4576]

HI, great detailed video, only question I have is how warm is the jacket? I don't hike, but I still live in New York City and that is a jungle in its self lololol I am looking for like weight and warmth with all the functions this jacket has, if you have a suggestion please share, Thank you for the video and good luck with your channel.

[@mowsertas]

Hi, Thanks for the comment! This jacket is in no way insulated. It is a pure hard shell jacket that offers great protection from the elements but you need separate insulation layers for warmth. You can certainly layer up underneath this jacket in order to control your body temperature. If you are looking for an all in one solution then the Arc'Teryx down insulated Parkas are great however they are not super lightweight (about 1kg) and don't pack down very small. I have one very similar to the Arc'Teryx Therme Parka. It has a gore tex outer layer (making it waterproof) and is lined with down. Super toasty parker that I wear around the city all winter here! I can wear just a t-shirt underneath on cold days: geni.us/d9jNs For a lighter weight option that offers water proofing, then Arc'Teryx offer a few backcountry/ski jackets that may fit the bill although I haven't tried them. Some include the Proton Hybrid hoody and Macai Jacket. Hope that helps!

[@mchoch4576]

@@mowsertas Appreciate your suggestion, Northface isn't the jacket that I grew up with anymore, and as many Carhartt I own, I'm a retired guy now, they are the best work clothing line, Arc'Teryx just seemed to be the brand that would last and easy to transition from cold to car, back to cold in the store etc. Thanks again for your opinion.

[@Neazzy]

Which one would you recommend for for simple daily use? Beta AR or Beta LT?

[@mowsertas]

For simple day to day use then the LT should be perfect. The AR is for when you need a very tough jacket that is going to cop a beating. Day to day I just use a very light weight goretex like the LT.

[@frankfurter7260]

Foe $50 more than the Beta LT check out the Beta Lightweight. 🧐

[@saggot420son]

So is this a softshell, or more of a Hardshell? The website made me believe it was somewhere in between

[@mowsertas]

This is definitely a pure hard shell jacket. Designed to withstand the toughest conditions.

[@frankfurter7260]

There is nothing on the Arc site suggesting the Beta AR is a softshell. 🙄 Waterproof = hardshell

[@The-Warrior-Optimist]

How exactly did the website make you believe that when it’s clearly listed as a hard shell rain jacket? I think you may not truly understand the difference.

[@Vjekoslav-vf3hr]

Chin looks very low, does not cover u up to the nose

[@The-Warrior-Optimist]

Too bad they ruined it with the “revised “ version like most of their products.. less durable. No more nice rip stop grid backed pro… new pro backer is super ugly and they made the entire jacket paper thing now..

[@mowsertas]

Yes their new releases don’t seem to be as good. I am thinking of moving to a Norrona jacket next time.