I've owned an Arc'Teryx Beta LT men's jacket for 2.5 years. Here's my detailed review on how it's performed, what I like, what I don't like. Includes many photos.
Since Arc’Teryx’s corporate headquarters is located 5 minutes from my house in North Vancouver, it only makes sense that I own one of their jackets.
In fact, I’m lucky because they have a discount warehouse nearby where they offer some incredible sales so I was able to get my Arc’Teryx Beta LT jacket at a huge discount.
I’ve owned my Beta LT jacket for 2 years now and wear it for much of the year (October through April). Sometimes I wear it on its own, other times I wear it as a waterproof shell over my Canada Goose puffer jacket (I do this when skiing).
While not technically a cycling shell, I wear it when cycling to my office. It doesn’t have the extended back, but I wear shell pants so I stay dry anyway.
Overall, my Arc’Teryx Beta LT jacket is an excellent piece of outdoor gear in our wet and cold climate whether I’m running errands, cycling, hiking or skiing.
Contents
Overview
Is it waterproof?
It’s close to perfectly waterproof. I’ve been out in the rain for hours and it will start seeping a bit of wetness inside after several hours. Most notably is when I spend a day taking down Christmas lights and it’s pouring. I get drenched scrounging around in bushes, under gutters, etc.
However, I’ve worn it in downpours cycling for 50 minutes and arrive home dry.
Is it good for skiing?
Yes, it’s a great shell for skiing. If it’s really cold, I wear it as a shell for my Canada Goose puffer jacket. If it’s not so cold, I wear the Arc’Teryx on it’s own over a hoodie.
Features I particularly like:
Hood adjustments
There are several hood adjustments so that it sits just right on my head. The front visor can be angled downward for more protection or flipped up for more visibility.
The rear adjustment permits it to be pulled back or let if fall more forward, whatever your preference.
The side hood adjustments enable you to fit the hood more snuggly to the side of your head or fit looser.
Waterproof pockets
The zippers for the side pockets have a sealing rubber feature that makes pockets waterproof which is great for keeping items dry and preventing wetness from seeping inside the jacket.
Long arms
I’m 6ft 3in tall so I like the long arms relative to the length of the body. I opted for an extra-large size. The body isn’t too long nor is it too baggy while the arms are plenty long enough.
Velcro cuff adjustment
You can tighten or loosen the arm cuffs quickly and easily with the velcro adjustment. I usually leave them fairly loose because I don’t like it too restrictive.
Bottom adjustment
The bottom of the jacket body also offers an adjustment to tighten the bottom hem of the coat around your waist. The toggle adjustment is designed so that it won’t slip, but is easy to adjust when necessary. There are adjustments on both sides of the bottom of the jacket.
Durable
I’ve now had this jacket for 2.5 winters and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. All seams are fully intact. It’s as waterproof now as the day I bought it. I’ve worn hundreds of hours in pouring rain and snow and it’s still perfectly functional and protective.
Roomy enough to be worn as a shell over puffer coat
It fits well, but it’s roomy enough without being too big to fit over my Canada Goose puffer coat. This is important because my puffer coat isn’t waterproof, but it’s wicked warm so being able to put the Arc’Teryx over it results in the perfect warm and waterproof combination.
Breathes
I could have spent $50 on a pure rubber raincoat, but those are sweatboxes. In fact, I’ve had those types of shells before and they become very uncomfortable because they don’t breathe. I’ve never had a sweating problem in the Arc’Teryx jacket because it breathes sufficiently to keep my dry from both the outer elements and my own perspiration.
Great neck protection
I like how when zipped up it offers a complete neck and some chin protection. The hood extends up protecting the sides of your head as well.
What I don’t like
My main beef is the body is a tad short. I bought the extra large which is plenty big (any bigger would be too big), yet the body extends down to my pant waist. I suspect that’s how it’s supposed to fit (it definitely looks best in this design), but sometimes it would be nice if it were an extra inch longer.
Another complaint is it only offers one small pocket on the inside. I like coats with at least two sizeable inside pockets for storing things. When I’m skiing, I have all kinds of stuff with me including keys, phone and when with kids, a whole other pile of stuff.
Worth the money?
All-in-all, after 2.5 winters, I’d say it’s worth the money. It’s waterproof, looks great, durable, breathes nicely and does what it purports to do. I’ve bought cheaper shells in the past only for them to not be waterproof, or lose their waterproof capability very quickly or do not breathe making them uncomfortable.
While Arc’Teryx jackets aren’t cheap, you get what you pay for and when you’re in extreme weather, be it rain or snow, it’s nice to have a jacket that performs.
More Photos
