Meet the tester
Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket: first impressions
Arc'teryx has updated its hugely popular Beta LTE (lightweight) jacket for 2024, addressing our main concern with the previous model: sustainability. The new version uses the next-gen Gore-Tex ePE membrane. The new membrane is thinner and lighter than ePTFE, and free of PFCs that have have been identified as potentially hazardous the environment.
• List price: $450 / £400
• Gender specification: Men’s and women’s sizing available
• Sizes: Men’s XS - XXL, Women’s XXS - XXL
• Materials: Gore-Tex ePE
• Weight: 11.6 oz / 330 g (women’s small)
• Colors: Black, Black Sapphire, Alpine Rose, Velocity, Amaranthus and more
• Best use: Hiking, mountaineering, winter sports
In all other respects, the new Beta LTE is very similar to the version we tested in July 2023 (and which earned a full five stars from our reviewer Julia Clarke). It has the same slim fit that makes it comfortable to wear under a backpack and eliminates bulk, and is smooth enough to slip easily over a base or mid-layer
It's long in both the sleeves and body, providing good coverage even for taller wearers, and the hemline dips at the back for added coverage. Unlike Julia I didn't find it long enough to sit on, but it's still a nice touch that prevents your backside getting wet when water runs off your backpack's rain cover. Toggles on the bottom hem allow you to tighten it to fit.
The sleeves can be tightened at the wrist using slim Velcro straps to keep out drafts and provide a snug fit around your hiking gloves.
There are two hand pockets fitted with waterproof YKK coil zippers, and one internal chest pocket that's just the right size for a phone, credit cards, and keys. Under the arms you'll find extra long pit vents with double-pull zippers, so you can adjust the ventilation to your exact preference. The Beta LT also has a built-in RECCO reflector to help rescuers find you if you're unlucky enough to be trapped in an avalanche.
There's a roomy hood that's easily large enough to fit over a hat or climbing helmet, and which cam be tightened using a toggle at the back that's simple to grab and use even with wet or cold hands. The hood can be adjusted around your face using an elasticated drawstring at the neck, and its stiffened rain peak keeps water well out of your eyes, even during downpours.
There's no avoiding the fact that this jacket is expensive, priced at $450/£400, but that's $50/£50 less than the previous iteration. It's also worth remembering that Arc'teryx offers a good warranty, and will repair or replace apparel that becomes damaged "for the practical product lifespan". See full details on the company website.
Its versatility also helps justify the price tag; despite being a seriously technical jacket, the Beta LT's branding and design are understated, and you could easily make it your everyday outwear for wearing around town.
Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket: on the trails
The balance between weather-resistance and breathability is a difficult one to strike, and one that the previous edition of the Beta LTE achieved with ease. Thankfully the jacket's performance doesn't appear to have suffered for the change in material, and the 2024 version is equally good at keeping you dry and comfortable, despite the switch to a greener Gore-Tex.
The jacket's three layers are bonded together, with taped seams and welded zips that create an excellent barrier against rain and wind. I tested the Beta LTE during an exceptionally wet British spring, and water basically sheets off. I noticed little, if any wetting out at all.
The Beta LTE's updated three-layer is extremely thin, and the whole jacket packs down small enough to stuff into a backpack pocket (even if doing so with a garment costing $450 feels wrong on some level). I found the material a little on the noisy side when doing so, but the outside is as soft to the touch as ever, with a premium feel.
The slim fit means there's no unnecessary bulk, which is particularly helpful in windy conditions and when shrugging your backpack on and off, and the cut doesn't restrict freedom of movement. It's an ideal jacket for hikes that involve scrambling, and although thin, the fabric resisted scuffs and tears on rocks. I was concerned that it might prove delicate, but that definitely wasn't the case.
I also appreciated the fact that Arc'teryx hasn't skimped on length to cut down on weight. I'm 5'10" and sometimes find women's waterproof jackets too short in the sleeves, but the Beta LT was excellent, providing full coverage even without gloves. Nor did it ride up at the back when worn with a pack.
Overall, the new Beta LT is hard to fault, and if you're looking for a lightweight layer to protect you in even heavy downpours, it comes highly recommended – provided your wallet can take the hit.
