Arcteryx rain gear

brocksw

WKR
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
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Just got a fairly good deal on a dead bird beta AR jacket and some beta LT pants. Since I like solids I figured I could relegate my 4 year old verde chugach to back up/fishing rain gear. Not to mention I love the dead bird fleeces I have and have heard nothing but great things about their other gear.

Just got the jacket today and tried it on, It's a more athletic fit than the chugach... And I have to say it is LOUD. I understand no good lightweight rain gear is quiet but when I crinkle up the beta AR next to the chugach it sounds like I'm crinkling hard brittle packaging paper.

It's top notch gear, just hold it in your hand and look at it and you can tell that. However, I'm seriously considering returning it because of how loud it is.

Any body out there have this jacket? Does it get a bit quieter after washing?
I can't remember, maybe the chugach was a lot louder too when it was new.
 
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It quiets down a bit, but it really isn't meant to be a quiet jacket. When I wear mine mountaineering it flaps like crazy in the wind and drives me insane. You won't find a better rain jacket though.


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It quiets down a bit, but it really isn't meant to be a quiet jacket. When I wear mine mountaineering it flaps like crazy in the wind and drives me insane. You won't find a better rain jacket though.


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I think there is something to that goretex pro. The eptfe in the goretex pro is similar to event in design and materials from what I understand... Supposed to be more durable and Breathe better, as well as not break down over time like the original PU coated goretex products.

It sure is expensive, I'll tell ya that.

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My LEAF Alpha Gen I and Gen II don't seem loud enough to affect my hunts:

Aoaw9U7.jpg
 
My LEAF Alpha Gen I and Gen II don't seem loud enough to affect my hunts:

Aoaw9U7.jpg
Interesting.... Just called dead bird (awesome customer service by the way) to ask them for a comparison of the two different fabrics in the Beta AR and Alpha gen II and they said they should be about the same and if anything the Alpha might be louder because it is bit thicker.

Must just be my perception is a bit sensitive to the noises when CO paring the two.

Looks like I got my new rain gear then!

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The goretex pro will be louder than the alpha gen i, have had both. The pro is more breathable but the alpha jackets are really tough. The new alpha gen ii material is very similar to the pro in noise. Awesome jackets and you will not be disappointed over time it will win you over. The best shells on the planet imho. If these jackets are being used you likely wont be so concerned with the noise but staying dry and warm and they will do that in spades.
 
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If it is raining hard enough to wear a heavy shell, the wind and rainfall are making a fair bit of noise in my experience.


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I'd like to hear more experiences on the noise levels of Arc'teryx (especially Beta AR from the last two years with the GORE PRO) compared directly against Kuiu (especially Yukon and newer Chugach NX). Little bit of an older thread, but I still don't feel like other threads address this question as fully for those of us who can't handle either in person right now.

Take a look at this video; hard to tell if it's their mic setup, or if it's really that noisy. Small body movements in the Beta AR sound like someone is pitching a crinkly old tent:


I live in an area where the ground, brush, grass, etc is wet almost all the time, rain or not, so the plan of only wearing rain gear when it's raining and thus covering up the noise of the gear doesn't work out.

OP, three years since your thread started; did the Beta AR quiet down at all to the level of the hunting brands?
 
I would also be interested from the Beta AR wearers to hear about:

1. How does the oversized hood work out for you? It's sewn to accommodate being fit over a helmet for climbers, even though it's built with 3-way cinch to tighten up for when a helmet isn't being worn.

2. How do the longer sleeves, and the extra material in the armpits, affect your use? It's apparently sewn that way to allow the cuff to still cover the area where wrist meets hand for climbers reaching over their heads all the time.
 
I'd like to hear more experiences on the noise levels of Arc'teryx (especially Beta AR from the last two years with the GORE PRO) compared directly against Kuiu (especially Yukon and newer Chugach NX). Little bit of an older thread, but I still don't feel like other threads address this question as fully for those of us who can't handle either in person right now.

Take a look at this video; hard to tell if it's their mic setup, or if it's really that noisy. Small body movements in the Beta AR sound like someone is pitching a crinkly old tent:


I live in an area where the ground, brush, grass, etc is wet almost all the time, rain or not, so the plan of only wearing rain gear when it's raining and thus covering up the noise of the gear doesn't work out.

OP, three years since your thread started; did the Beta AR quiet down at all to the level of the hunting brands?

I have the Beta SV and the Chugach. I also live in PAC NW WA, it’s wet. The SV is the next level up from the AR. Saying that IMO the Beta is louder than the Chugach. If I have the hood up I not going to hear anything with either jacket but the Beta is louder. The Beta does a better job with blocking heavy winds over the Chugach in my experience. The Beta is more durable. When pushing through brush the Beta again sounds louder to me vs the Chugach. Both jackets breath very well. Water will eventually push through the Chugach if your pushing through lots of brush, I have yet to have that happen with the Beta. For hunting purposes the Chugach has a better field of view when the hood is up, this has to do with the fact the Beta hood is designed to be worn with a helmet. The Beta hood does tighten down. There is extra material in the arms on the Beta, so if you’re going to use it during archery season it could be an issue. The Beta SV does NOT have front hand pockets, but the AR does. I find myself wishing the SV had those pockets. If it’s early season or a chance of lite rain I’ll take the Chugach. If there is going to be a chance for constant rain/snow or wind I’ll take the Beta, and in those type of conditions the noise doesn’t matter imo. Hope that helps.


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Arcteryx stuff is great! In general I consider ‘hunting’ brands (Kuiu, Sitka, First Lite, etc.) to be mid-tier in regards to technical performance fabrics and design features. Dedicated mountaineering brands (Arcteryx, Rab, etc) are top tier, from my perspective, lacking only in availability of earth toned colors across their entire product lines.
 
Arcteryx stuff is great! In general I consider ‘hunting’ brands (Kuiu, Sitka, First Lite, etc.) to be mid-tier in regards to technical performance fabrics and design features. Dedicated mountaineering brands (Arcteryx, Rab, etc) are top tier, from my perspective, lacking only in availability of earth toned colors across their entire product lines.
Arc'teryx has earth tones in their LEAF line.

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I am on my second Beta AR jacket... first one lasted for 19 years - it was a made in Canada version. New one seems to be similar build quality. I have gone through two sets of Chugach gear in 4 years - just does not stack up to Arc Teryx in durability and keeping water out. Great gear and lightweight but I can typically only get a season or two before it starts going downhill fast. Yes, the Beta jacket is louder than the Chugach, but it has never been a problem because it is usually windy and raining or snowing when I am wearing it. It is a lot quieter when it is wet vs when you pick it up and put it on in a quiet house.

Was sure glad I opted for the Beta AR last fall in the Brook Range:
IMG_2081 2.JPG
 
Arcteryx used to have an awesome lifetime warranty. Not so much any more. I returned a jacket to them that was coming apart at the seams. The fabric itself was in good shape and still very serviceable, but all of the seam glue had completely disintegrated. Arcteryx told me the jacket was past its “lifetime” and out of warranty.

I won’t be buying any more Arcteryx gear. At that price point, they should stand behind their product. I hear that Outdoor Research still backs their gear, so I’ll be going that route from now on.
 
I am on my second Beta AR jacket... first one lasted for 19 years - it was a made in Canada version. New one seems to be similar build quality. I have gone through two sets of Chugach gear in 4 years - just does not stack up to Arc Teryx in durability and keeping water out. Great gear and lightweight but I can typically only get a season or two before it starts going downhill fast. Yes, the Beta jacket is louder than the Chugach, but it has never been a problem because it is usually windy and raining or snowing when I am wearing it. It is a lot quieter when it is wet vs when you pick it up and put it on in a quiet house.

Was sure glad I opted for the Beta AR last fall in the Brook Range:
View attachment 176206

Nice feedback-- and awesome pic! Your Chugach comments make sense, especially since the Chugach and Beta AR are within one ounce of each other.
Are you using Yukon pants and gaiters? I'm sure that, given how you are dressed, you considered the Yukon jacket since you had issues with the build/longevity of the Chugach, but opted for the Arc'teryx top over the Yukon anyway. Was weight part of the factor in that decision, or the superior waterproofing/breathability on the Beta AR, along with feeling the Beta AR is rugged enough that the Yukon wasn't enough improvement in ruggedness to justify purchase? Or do you use both, with Yukon top for some applications and Beta AR for others?

I'm looking at upgrading, and thinking I'll eventually land on Yukon pants and either Beta AR top or Yukon top. Understanding there is a small weight penalty for the Yukon, small noise penalty for the Beta AR, and some different features that seem to come down to personal preference (e.g. hood style, camo option, etc). Still trying to figure out durability; I'm not particularly hard on gear personally, but live around very thick brush, regularly going through alder regrowth and devil's club, climbing over/under logs and rock outcroppings, etc for lower-elevation hunts and/or on the way to alpine.
 
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Arcteryx used to have an awesome lifetime warranty. Not so much any more. I returned a jacket to them that was coming apart at the seams. The fabric itself was in good shape and still very serviceable, but all of the seam glue had completely disintegrated. Arcteryx told me the jacket was past its “lifetime” and out of warranty.

I won’t be buying any more Arcteryx gear. At that price point, they should stand behind their product. I hear that Outdoor Research still backs their gear, so I’ll be going that route from now on.

That sucks to hear. I sent a jacket back in 2018 that had a deteriorating zipper and they replaced the zipper and retaped all the seams for free no questions asked. Was like a brand new jacket.
 
Arcteryx used to have an awesome lifetime warranty. Not so much any more. I returned a jacket to them that was coming apart at the seams. The fabric itself was in good shape and still very serviceable, but all of the seam glue had completely disintegrated. Arcteryx told me the jacket was past its “lifetime” and out of warranty.

I won’t be buying any more Arcteryx gear. At that price point, they should stand behind their product. I hear that Outdoor Research still backs their gear, so I’ll be going that route from now on.

Did you send it to their North Vancouver office? Or was it some regional store closer to you? If you can, get it to their head office. It's very different experience there. Arcteryx is now owned by an investment company, so the directions that are being sent down to some of the regional stores are BS. But the guys at the North Van head office are still mostly the original crew and treat customers like they used to.
 
Nice feedback-- and awesome pic! Your Chugach comments make sense, especially since the Chugach and Beta AR are within one ounce of each other.
Are you using Yukon pants and gaiters? I'm sure that, given how you are dressed, you considered the Yukon jacket since you had issues with the build/longevity of the Chugach, but opted for the Arc'teryx top over the Yukon anyway. Was weight part of the factor in that decision, or the superior waterproofing/breathability on the Beta AR, along with feeling the Beta AR is rugged enough that the Yukon wasn't enough improvement in ruggedness to justify purchase? Or do you use both, with Yukon top for some applications and Beta AR for others?

I'm looking at upgrading, and thinking I'll eventually land on Yukon pants and either Beta AR top or Yukon top. Understanding there is a small weight penalty for the Yukon, small noise penalty for the Beta AR, and some different features that seem to come down to personal preference (e.g. hood style, camo option, etc). Still trying to figure out durability; I'm not particularly hard on gear personally, but live around very thick brush, regularly going through alder regrowth and devil's club, climbing over/under logs and rock outcroppings, etc for lower-elevation hunts and/or on the way to alpine.

My original Arcteryx lasted more then 15 years. None of my new stuff, including Alpha, Beta and Leaf products has lasted more then 4 years. I have 6 year old Yukon gear that is still going strong. I also felt it was more breathable, more water resistant and a heck of a lot quieter then the Arcteryx gear. I regularly use the Yukon pants as my only pants. I bought and returned the Chugach pants, but kept the jacket, it'll compliment the Yukon pants if rain is less likely and the jacket is likely to live in the pack. I'm also trying the Kutana pant, I'm happy with them so far, I hope they'll work better as a lightweight option for me.
 
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