Arc’teryx Beta AR review – hiking in the Highlands in the ultimate mountain jacket

DRIPPING with sweat and breathing hard I put my hand on the next boulder and look to the heavens as the first drops of rain gently start to fall.

Normally this would be an unwelcome sign. But not today.

The Arc'teryx Beta AR is the ultimate mountain jacket — The Arc’teryx Beta AR is the ultimate mountain jacket

“Looks like it’s time to try the new gear”, I practically cackle to my friends – who are already growing tired of the word “Arc’teryx”.

We are in the Northwest Highlands about half-way up Liathach, the greatest of the magnificent mountains in the heart of Torridon.

The rain sweeps in and we whip on our waterproofs.

My jacket is a tour de force. The Arc’teryx Beta AR is a Gore-Tex shell that packs small in your bag, weighs an astonishing 1lb, and is built to withstand the most extreme alpine conditions.

I smile as the rain simply bounces off the jacket. It quickly becomes clear that I could wear this in the shower for hours and still stay dry.

The jacket has an inbuilt collar that is separate from the hood and will block out wind, rain and snow. Skiers, snowboarders and mountain climbers can comfortably fit a helmet under the adjustable drophood.

This is an extremely versatile piece of kit – the AR part of the name stands for ‘All Round’, after all.

It’s tough too and despite plenty of scrapes along the jagged rocks it shows no sign of scratches or tearing. I suspect it is all but bulletproof.

Hikers tackling the Liathach ridge traverse - one of the finest in Britain — Hikers tackling the Liathach ridge traverse – one of the finest in BritainCredit: Alamy

The Beta AR excels in that it is so incredibly light and breathable (pit zips help to cool you off during extreme exertion) but is simultaneously the ultimate heavy duty outer shell.

If you, like me, tend to plunge your hands deep into your pockets while hiking, then you might find the main side pockets a smidge on the high side. But it is a tiny price to pay for a jacket that I know will see me through the roughest of storms.

The sizing feels a tad on the large side as these jackets are often worn over 3 or 4 layers. So if you are only ever going to wear it over a fleece then consider a size smaller than you would normally go for.

It is definitely on the expensive side but if you are a multi-sport adventurer or just want one incredible piece of gear that will be the envy of your mates then they don’t come any better than the Beta AR.

In short, I absolutely love it.

We press on and by the time we have shlepped up the first Munro (a Scottish hill over 3,000ft), Spidean a’ Choire Leith (3,461ft), the rain has ceased.

Now for the imposing 3km ridge traverse – one of the finest in Britain – packed full of exposure and boasting terrifying drops on either side.

The Arc'teryx Gamma SL hoody looks great on the trails and in the pub — The Arc’teryx Gamma SL hoody looks great on the trails and in the pub

The ridge is a grade 2 scramble with some mild rock climbing so I de-layer and swap my ‘big’ outer shell and pull on the Arc’teryx Gamma SL hoody.

This superlight hoody (that’s what the ‘SL’ stands for) has already become a firm favourite.

It has accompanied me on several runs in the city as well as numerous trips to the pub, and is just as comfortable on a trail run as it is on the morning commute.

The Gama SL is stretchy, windproof and water resistant – but not waterproof – so will keep me dry in a quick shower but I definitely need my Beta AR in a downpour.

At 290g it is perfect for hiking and if I lost it today I would go back out and get the exact same model tomorrow.

I’m also wearing Arc’teryx Zeta SL waterproof trousers with an elastic waist and side zips to the knees allowing me to get them over my boots quickly when I need to. They weigh a minuscule 245g, are a trim fit that don’t billow in the wind, but hug my legs without restricting movement.