I get to try many, many outdoor clothes but my firm favourite from the moment I put them on are my Arc’Teryx jacket and Gamma walking trousers. And while everyone is raving about the new Gore-Tex Pro fabric I am still finding that the Arc’teryx Beta Prolite Shell is doing the job of keeping out the rain and wind. If it ain’t broke I don’t need to replace it, unless Arc’Teryx want to send me the newer version for testing?!
What I love about the Arc’teryx women’s Beta waterproof jacket
It fits so well. I have the medium (this gives me room underneath for a few baselayers) yet the shape and design is still feminine flattering. It’s long, slim and nicely shaped. The arm length is superb, even for someone like me with very long arms. The cuffs come over my hands so that when it rains the wet doesn’t seep into the top of my gloves.
The design is simple with just a couple of hand pockets but I like this. I carry a rucksack so I don’t need lots of pockets in my jacket for losing things. And the less pockets, the more lightweight and slim-line the style is. The pockets are also positioned at the right height so that I can still access them when wearing a rucksack with a waist-strap. (So many brands forget to move the pockets up a bit but not Arc’Teryx.)
The hood is a good size and fit with a peak and elastic adjustors. Even in high winds the hood stays in place. I have tested the jacket many times on Scottish mountains in rain and high winds and been impressed by the hood.
The Gore-Tex Prolite Shell also keeps out the rain and lets my sweat evaporate out. It works very, very well.
And the colour! It is a bright pink. Many people have commented on how much they like the colour. I know that if I ever needed to be rescued in the hills this jacket would be the first thing that is spotted.
If you can find the Arc’Teryx beta Prolite Shell on sale somewhere, do snap it up. Or invest in the same great design but with the new Gore-Tex Pro fabric from Arc’Teryx.
The brand as a whole is often said to be expensive but I would pay for the great quality and good designs.