Beta Sl Hybrid Jacket Review

The sl in the beta sl hybrid s name is short for superlight and we think that s an appropriate designation.

Beta sl hybrid jacket review.

Greenland was experiencing an unusually cold winter and it hit its peak as we arrived minus 42 c. Whether you re trekking across the high sierras climbing in the wind river range or making a long approach to the alpine in the north cascades arc teryx s beta sl men s hybrid jacket is the ideal shell to repel wind water and snow during all of your remote mountain endeavors. We recommend pairing the beta sl hybrid overtop a baselayer or in colder climates a baselayer and an insulating midlayer like the atom lt. It falls to about hip length with a rear drop hem for added protection.

Replacing the venerable beta lt hybrid the beta sl hybrid jacket boasts a lighter design and more packable nature. Beta sl hybrid jacket highly packable the beta sl hybrid jacket is strategically constructed from two different gore tex fabrics to maximize performance and minimize weight. However it is a specific use jacket arc teryx describes it as an emergency use jacket due to the decreased durability and versatility largely a result of the ultralight fabrics. Ultralight n40r gore tex fabric with paclite product technology is used in the body reinforced with supple gore tex fabric with gore c knit backer technology in high.

At 10 9 ounces for my women s small arc teryx lists it at 10 6 oz it s the lightest jacket in the beta lineup by a good margin the beta sv is 15 5 ounces the ar is 13 4 ounces and the lt is 11 1 ounces. I ve had this jacket for several months now and feel like i can finally offer a review of it. The beta sl hybrid rain jacket is newly released lightweight weather protection from arc teryx comprised of the paclite plus membrane by gore tex an updated material from the well used paclite a favorite for breathability. The men s arc teryx beta sl hybrid jacket starts with 2 layer breathable waterproof protection then throws on a third layer in key areas for good measure.

Last year we loved the beta sl for its impressive lightweight and also for the breathable and supple fabric. The biggest test of all for the arc teryx beta sl hybrid jacket was during a 2 day dog sled expedition from ilulissat in north western greenland to atartup illuara nunatarsuaq. First i have both jackets in size medium. As a rain jacket the beta sl hybrid is built slim trim and athletic.

Man it was cold. Rainy days meet targeted protection. Arc teryx constructed the main body of the jacket from gore tex paclite plus which is more compact than standard gore tex. I own this and the alpha sl hybrid which i believe has been discontinued but i ll compare it anyways.

The beta sl hybrid combines two types of gore tex to create a jacket that cuts down on weight without sacrificing waterproofing.