Review: Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket

A jacket that is lightweight AND waterproof!

Feature type Review

Read time 4 min read

Published Jan 28, 2025

Author Sam Firth

Sam Firth Sam is an outdoor, sports and lifestyle photographer based in Devon. He feels most at home outdoors whether that’s on a bike, on foot or on a rock face.

Our Verdict

A lightweight, highly waterproof jacket that’s as at home in the mountains as it is in the city. 

RRP £450
Weight 340g
Features Gore-tex ePE Waterproof membrane; Built in RECCO reflector for aid in search & rescue situations; Highly adjustable helmet compatible StormHood; Pit zips for added ventilation; Internal chest pocket

Pros

  • Highly waterproof
  • Sleek, well-thought out design
  • Nice big, adjustable hood
  • Some sustainable credentials including an Gore-tex ePE membrane and PFC free DWR coating

Cons

  • On the more expensive side

WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR

With a waterproof jacket obviously the main thing you want is something to keep you dry, so making sure it can handle heavy rain is the first priority. Additionally as someone who tends to get warm quickly, something that’s relatively breathable is a must and even better if it has pit zips to help airflow. 

Besides that though, I look for something that’s got a good balance between durability and weight, is a good fit that works well with or without layers underneath and something that can be packed down relatively small. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Arc’teryx Beta SL (SL standing for Superlight) is the lightweight hardshell from the Arc’teryx Beta line. First impressions it feels like it has a really nice balance between being lightweight and packable but still being durable.
As you expect from Arc’teryx, the Beta SL jacket looks great with its sleek zipper pulls, tapered wrist adjustments and clean branding on the hood/chest. I went for the Sequoia/Solaris colourway which I personally love. It’s sort of a muted dark red for the most part with the logos and zips being slightly lighter.
When it comes to sizing, I went for my normal size (medium) and while it’s definitely on the large side, I was happy with this as it allowed me to comfortably fit a good amount of layers underneath.

THE TEST

Throughout all my testing the Beta SL proved to be highly waterproof and kept me dry during some wet and windy days in the hills. I really appreciated the big adjustable StormHood which helped keep the rain and wind off my face. Arc’teryx markets the hood as helmet compatible and while I didn’t get a chance to test it while out climbing, I did try a helmet on in the house and can confirm it fits well.

I can see myself using the Beta SL a lot due to it being highly waterproof but also being lightweight with the ability to pack down small. A technique I use for a lot of my waterproofs is to roll them up into their hood and use the hood adjustments to cinch it down into a nice compact package. When this is done with the Beta SL, the jacket becomes a really compact package that doesn’t take up much space in your bag, which is a big pro for me.

While waterproof jackets are not really known for their breathability the Beta SL did a decent job due to its lighter construction and pit zips which really help with airflow. Despite this jacket being on the lighter side, it does still feel durable and I would have confidence in its resistance to abrasion.

While RECCO isn’t something I’d pick a jacket specifically for, it’s a nice thing to have. If I get lost in the mountains it’s nice to know it could help me be found.

WHO IS THIS ITEM FOR?

The Beta SL jacket is ideal for someone looking for a highly waterproof, lightweight and stylish jacket who is also happy to spend £450. To me this jacket has a really nice balance between durability and weight. However if durability is a priority for you, you may want to look at the Beta AR jacket from Arc’teryx which has a heavier and more durable construction.

WHAT STANDS OUT?

HIGHLY WATERPROOF – The Gore-tex ePE membrane does a great job of keep you dry.

DESIGN – In typical Arc’teryx fashion this is a well-designed, great looking product.

ECO CREDENTIALS – Great to see the latest version of this jacket using more eco-friendly materials such as Gore-Tex ePE and a PFC-free DWR-coating.

PACKABLE – The Beta SL is lightweight and packs down pretty small.

VALUE FOR MONEY

At £450 this jacket is definitely on the expensive side especially compared to its competitors. However with all Arc’teryx products you are buying into the brand as well, so if that’s something you’re into then this jacket is for you. That’s not to say it doesn’t perform, because it definitely does. It’s well-designed, highly waterproof and is definitely a jacket I can see myself using a lot. So I guess what I’m trying to say is, if you are looking for a well-designed, sleek and really capable waterproof jacket and are willing to spend £450, then this could be the jacket for you.

BASE BOTTOM LINE

Overall I’ve been a fan of the Beta SL, it ticks the majority of boxes for me for features I look for in a waterproof jacket. While definitely on the more expensive side, it does perform really well. It’s lightweight, packable, highly waterproof and looks great. So if the price doesn’t bother you, this could be a great option for your next waterproof jacket.

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