Hi Smith sorry to hear about your issues, luckily I've not experienced that myself. My Alpha SV has been going strong for 7 years now. One velcro tab on the cuff of my Beta LT delaminated a few years ago and Arcteryx repaired the jacket for free and paid postage both ways. Best of luck with your new jacket. Thanks, Tom
I had the same experience. The repair cost was almost as much the jacket costed. I ended up binning the jacket because their spray on gor-tex tore. Even though we followed all the washing instructions it still barely lasted a year.
There’s been a definite change since the Chinese holding company (Anta Sports Products) took a controlling stake in Amer (the previous holding company) in 2019 I think. Quality has slipped, the range has become more fashion-orientated (urghh!), the sizing has changed (🙄), the pricing has gone even higher (😳) compared to other brands. It’s still good kit, but to my mind Arcteryx has gone from the undisputed tech leader to an expensive fashion brand who also do some good (but not always great) kit
I was going to comment that I am FINALLY having to replace my Theta AR, bought in 2009, which Arcteryx repaired for me for free in mid-2016. But from the previous comment it seems quality may have changed in the 14 year life of my jacket.
Beta LT -- lightweight version. Except the plain Beta is much lighter so the naming makes no sense. Then there is the new Beta Lightweight a confusing name if LT is supposed to mean light. Anyway, I returned mine because the stormhood is ridiculous large and I'm never wearing a helmet.
Hi Frank, There is a wide range of jackets but luckily Arcteryx have a video on their site explaining the hierarchy. Beta, Hadron etc. Also, I regularly wear my Beta for the approach and walk off from climbs and find that the three way adjustment on their hoods works fine with and without a helmet inside, even for my (unbelievably) small head. Hope you found something that worked for you! Thanks, Tom
so your 6 foot wearing a medium. Does the jacket run larger than a regular size medium ? I'm 6 foot but weigh 230 lbs ( muscular ) , and wear a size XL in Helly Hanson shell jackets. Thank you for the great review
it does run large for my person experience. I'm 5'10 and bought a Beta AR size M and it was just too big for me (while my Burton AK size M fit perfectly). I had to get a small instead. For 6', medium is probably going to be okay
I'm 6'3", 225lbs and athletic/muscular/broad build - so similar to you. I have an XXL Beta AR. The fit is fairly loose with just a t-shirt or base layer on - but not wildly so. It also fit looser than the Beta FL. The looser fit is what I was after as it allows me to fit a base layer and a mid layer jacket (e.g. my Arc'terx Nuclei FL or my Rab VR Summit) under it, or a base layer and a heavy down jacket (My Rab Neutrino Pro) with ease without having excess flappy material on the jacket or tightness across the back, shoulders and upper arms. I did try the XL in both the Beta AR and Beta FL in store and whilst the Beta AR in XL looked great, there was no way I could get an insulating layer on underneath it (I brought my Nuclei FL with me on the day to try on for fit). The Beta FL in XL was simply too small for me in the upper body. You're possibly a bit broader than me though by the sounds of it so I'd suggest getting yourself to a store if you can to try something on. Good luck with the search!
As some other commenters have said, it's US sizing. I'm 6'1 and 230lb. My torso is pretty long so I usually wear an XL backpack. XL in Helly Hansen is snug on me but still comfortable, whereas XL in Arcteryx is noticeably looser. L is just a bit too tight. What tends to fit me perfectly is Haglofs so I own a Haglofs Spitz Pro jacket. Arcteryx is great but only if it fits well. Helly stuff is pretty good too.
Arcteryx have been going down hill for years… Their design just isn’t what it used to be. I’ve had about 30 different products over 15 years. They still haven’t made the perfect garment. There’s always an Achilles heel to each design They know it as well
Absolutely fantastic review, thanks
Arc'teryx has been very lax about repairing / replacing jackets that fail. This is what steered me toward a jacket by another manufacturer.
What did you end up buying?
Hi Smith sorry to hear about your issues, luckily I've not experienced that myself. My Alpha SV has been going strong for 7 years now. One velcro tab on the cuff of my Beta LT delaminated a few years ago and Arcteryx repaired the jacket for free and paid postage both ways. Best of luck with your new jacket. Thanks, Tom
I had the same experience. The repair cost was almost as much the jacket costed. I ended up binning the jacket because their spray on gor-tex tore. Even though we followed all the washing instructions it still barely lasted a year.
There’s been a definite change since the Chinese holding company (Anta Sports Products) took a controlling stake in Amer (the previous holding company) in 2019 I think. Quality has slipped, the range has become more fashion-orientated (urghh!), the sizing has changed (🙄), the pricing has gone even higher (😳) compared to other brands.
It’s still good kit, but to my mind Arcteryx has gone from the undisputed tech leader to an expensive fashion brand who also do some good (but not always great) kit
I was going to comment that I am FINALLY having to replace my Theta AR, bought in 2009, which Arcteryx repaired for me for free in mid-2016. But from the previous comment it seems quality may have changed in the 14 year life of my jacket.
I don’t know if anyone could ever understand how much I NEED this jacket
Excellent review. Thank you.
is it good in the cold, like when skiing or just in winter
Would you recommend the beta lt for skiing?
Mine has been wetting out and leaking during a 30 min bike ride throught mild rain, after just a couple of times wearing the jacket
Beta LT -- lightweight version. Except the plain Beta is much lighter so the naming makes no sense. Then there is the new Beta Lightweight a confusing name if LT is supposed to mean light. Anyway, I returned mine because the stormhood is ridiculous large and I'm never wearing a helmet.
Hi Frank, There is a wide range of jackets but luckily Arcteryx have a video on their site explaining the hierarchy. Beta, Hadron etc. Also, I regularly wear my Beta for the approach and walk off from climbs and find that the three way adjustment on their hoods works fine with and without a helmet inside, even for my (unbelievably) small head. Hope you found something that worked for you! Thanks, Tom
@@CotswoldOutdoor I subsequently picked up a Beta Lightweight. I love it. Yeh, the hood is very adjustable.
Sold out everywhere
Can I use it for skiing? New to skiing
so your 6 foot wearing a medium. Does the jacket run larger than a regular size medium ? I'm 6 foot but weigh 230 lbs ( muscular ) , and wear a size XL in Helly Hanson shell jackets. Thank you for the great review
it does run large for my person experience. I'm 5'10 and bought a Beta AR size M and it was just too big for me (while my Burton AK size M fit perfectly). I had to get a small instead. For 6', medium is probably going to be okay
I'm 6'3", 225lbs and athletic/muscular/broad build - so similar to you. I have an XXL Beta AR. The fit is fairly loose with just a t-shirt or base layer on - but not wildly so. It also fit looser than the Beta FL. The looser fit is what I was after as it allows me to fit a base layer and a mid layer jacket (e.g. my Arc'terx Nuclei FL or my Rab VR Summit) under it, or a base layer and a heavy down jacket (My Rab Neutrino Pro) with ease without having excess flappy material on the jacket or tightness across the back, shoulders and upper arms. I did try the XL in both the Beta AR and Beta FL in store and whilst the Beta AR in XL looked great, there was no way I could get an insulating layer on underneath it (I brought my Nuclei FL with me on the day to try on for fit). The Beta FL in XL was simply too small for me in the upper body. You're possibly a bit broader than me though by the sounds of it so I'd suggest getting yourself to a store if you can to try something on. Good luck with the search!
Arcteryx runs about right for North American sizing. I'm 5'10" 190 lbs and wear L NA sizes (extra large if heavy layering) and XL Euro sizes.
As some other commenters have said, it's US sizing. I'm 6'1 and 230lb. My torso is pretty long so I usually wear an XL backpack.
XL in Helly Hansen is snug on me but still comfortable, whereas XL in Arcteryx is noticeably looser. L is just a bit too tight. What tends to fit me perfectly is Haglofs so I own a Haglofs Spitz Pro jacket. Arcteryx is great but only if it fits well. Helly stuff is pretty good too.
Will you be restocking? Thanks.
If paying the extra for Arcteryx Beta go all the way to the Beta SV.
@@wavesonswim8128 If you want close to body the Alpha is a tighter cut.
Hello,
Are you going to have any of these in stock soon ?
Great snowboarding jacket.
I look like Kenny from South Park 😂😂
Is it packable?
I wish reviewers would use some scrutiny instead of just repeating the companies marketing
How tall are you
what size are you wearing
he said medium
"I don't care what anybody says, it is overrated"
Claiming the DWR is superior doesn't mean much when it is worn out and you need to apply new one
I have never been a fan of DWR fabrics. If paying this much for a jacket why not upgrade to a pro-shell (Beta AR or SV)?
Get a jacket by Keela or Hilltrek instead
Kenny indeed
Nice review. ps- Looks like they changed the angle of the pockets.
Arcteryx have been going down hill for years…
Their design just isn’t what it used to be.
I’ve had about 30 different products over 15 years. They still haven’t made the perfect garment. There’s always an Achilles heel to each design
They know it as well
My UNICLO'S Down jacket bought in boxing day sales beats this hands down, hands down with 1/20th the price.
Sure it does, just say you can’t afford it.
Followed the link - Not available. Searched your website, not available. Went to Arc’teryx, only one size available XXL. Waste of time.
They're sold out almost worldwide - What do you want Cotswold Outdoor to do about it? You're a waste of time, how about that?
Well said that man lol.@@DabbaDont
If only you sold these