Overview | Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket

Weight: 13.9 oz
Price: $450
Fabric: 3L Gore-Tex Membrane

Pros: 3-Layer. Gore-Tex. Pit Zips. Fully-featured. Durable.
Cons: Relatively heavy. Expensive.

If you’re looking for the best hiking rain protection money can buy, the Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket is for you. This what we would wear for hiking into a torrential downpour, and we would feel safe and confident in doing so. Everything about the design in premium.

For starters, Gore-Tex is still the gold stand for waterproofness, and we love a 3-layer construction for the superior interior feel, and extending the lifespan of the laminate by protecting against oils and abrasion. The 40D nylon exterior is exceptional durable and water resistant. The Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket is a no-holds-barred design when it comes to features, including pit zips, hood/hem/cuff cinching, microsuede chin guard, helmet compatible hood, tall collar, taped micro-seaming, and hip-belt compatible pockets.

Designed for rigorous alpine conditions, this is a multisport jacket that performs amazing well for climbing, ski touring, and pretty much anything else you can throw its way. The only drawback aside from price is that all of the amazing features and benefits come at the cost of weight. At 13.9 oz it’s on the heavier end of what we would consider to be a lightweight hiking jacket. All that to say, this is a truly incredible piece of rain gear that will reliably keep you dry for years, and an obvious pick for most protective jacket.

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I’ll be honest, I have said (more than once) that Arc’teryx is over-hyped. Why stomach an insane price tag when you can get a very similar jacket for way cheaper? Well, testing this jacket during spring in Utah has started to convert me into a budding Arc’teryx fan. Its protection in a variety of conditions, from snowstorms to strong winds, makes it my jacket of choice whenever I see the clouds start to roll in.

Lighter Than the Beta AR

The “LT” on this version of their Beta jacket stands for “lightweight.” This version is almost 4 ounces less than their Beta AR (all-around) hardshell, and is also $200 cheaper. These weight and cost savings come from the decision to use 40-denier fabric in high wear areas as opposed to the 80D used in the Beta AR. The 80D on their Beta AR is used in high wear areas like the shoulders, back, forearms, and top of the hood. However, it made these areas incredibly stiff and less packable. Though the 40D fabric in theory decreases the durability of the Beta LT, it is still an extremely well constructed hardshell and it can handle rough wear and tear.

Field Testing

I’ve been testing the Arc’teryx Beta LT jacket in Salt Lake City’s “spring,” which is actually winter with a couple of 70 degree days here and there, and more rain than snow. So far, I’ve taken it running and hiking through windy rainstorms and snow showers, and backcountry skiing as my outer wind layer on warmer days. It’s performed exceptionally well in every condition, and though it’s heavier than my ultralight 2-layer jacket I find myself choosing this one because it keeps me 100% dry.