As a travel writer, some years I get exceedingly lucky with the locations I get to jet off to, and in the winter of 2021 to 2022, I got to explore Jackson Hole, Wyoming, three different times in under six months. However, coming from sunny Los Angeles and trying to nail my winter layering strategy in real mountain weather was tricky. After my third snowy sojourn, I vowed to finally invest in a serious winter jacket and nabbed Arc’teryx’s Beta Insulated Coat. So far, I haven’t been disappointed.
Blessedly, I live in Colorado now, which has allowed me to put this jacket through the wringer. We had an unusually rainy spring in 2023, plus a bevy of early snow storms that pushed the Beta Insulated Coat to its limit, warmth-wise. Not only that, but I spent the last two holiday seasons skiing and vacationing with my mom in South Lake Tahoe, which is renowned for its snow.
After everything I’ve thrown at it, from late-night dog walks and shoulder season storms, to high-altitude mountain excursions and daily wintertime use in my hometown of Boulder, I can safely say that this is the one jacket to rule them all. Is it the toastiest or the absolute lightest? No. But it is a highly warm, highly packable insulated parka-style jacket that’s as functional as it is flattering.
Ultra-warm and ultra-waterproof, the Beta Insulated Coat by Arc’teryx is a well-rounded winter jacket for the harshest of conditions. Made with legendary Gore-Tex materials and recycled Coreloft synthetic insulation, this parka-style top coat is loaded with well-sized pockets and can go with you from the windy slopes to the snowy city and everywhere in between.
What we liked about it
As with many Arc’teryx products we’ve tested, there’s a lot to like about the Beta Insulated Coat, which is similar to its sister product, the Beta Coat, but with a key added layer of recycled, synthetic insulation underneath its superior weatherproofing. Here’s what stood out to us the most.
Flattering thigh length
Unlike its sister product, the Beta Insulated Jacket, which is only available in waist length (men’s/women’s), the Beta Insulated Coat features a longer, more flattering thigh length, which is ideal for wearing in serious storms, fresh powder or with an evening “going-out” outfit. The longer hemline means that precipitation is less likely to soak into your waistband and chill your core. Unfortunately, the men’s version of the Beta Insulated series is only available in the shorter jacket length.
Great waterproofing
One of the fun things about gear testing as a profession is that I get to do weird stuff to my beloved outdoor wear that I would never do normally, like stand under a cold shower for two full minutes, twirling around to see if this jacket can withstand a powerful storm. The conclusion? Yes. Yes it can.
As I mentioned earlier, I‘ve had this jacket for over 18 months now, and I’ve washed it a few times in the interim, which is why it’s particularly impressive that, even without re-applying a DWR (durable water repellant) finish to its fabric, the Beta Insulated Coat stayed perfectly dry, even as I spun around trying to get the seams and hood wet. The only drips I noticed in my two-minute shower deluge were small ones around the face opening of the hood, which were, quite frankly, my fault for putting my face into the stream.
Shower aside, I’ve also worn this jacket in several real-world snow storms and have loved that it’s virtually impossible to soak through its superior waterproof fabric. I also love that its longer length sheds any and all precipitation with ease.
It’s ultra warm
Another thing that I noticed during the two-minute shower plunge test was that, even as cold water “rained” down on me, my torso and arms stayed incredibly warm. For reference, I was only wearing a simple, long-sleeved T-shirt underneath the jacket, and my bare feet were freezing against the tub.
Of course, most of us aren’t intending to wear this fabulous winter coat inside the shower, so I completed a series of outdoor tests while wearing it, too. For the last several months, I’ve made sure it’s my primary dog walking jacket, in 20-degree morning strolls and snowy afternoon romps to the dog park. I also spent a day hiking around Lake Tahoe with my partner, and, to be honest, the jacket was too hot for the pleasant 45-degree weather. It’s definitely an outer layer for colder, wetter, snowier weather and trips to mountain towns, as its recycled Coreloft insulation will keep insulating, even if it gets wet (unlike down feathers). This combination of waterproofing and warmth also makes it a great ski jacket, so you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a separate coat for the slopes.
Very packable
Unlike a lot of insulated jackets on the market (which can get a bad rap for being bulkier and heavier than their down counterparts), the Beta Insulated Coat is wonderfully light and slim, compared with its full-coverage profile and superior warmth. When I flew to Reno with it for the holidays, I was impressed with how easily it compressed into the top of my carry-on luggage. Paired with a simple Smartwool base layer, this thing delivered awesome warmth for its ultralight 1-pound, 5-ounce weight. Considering that the Beta is essentially an insulated shell, it’s significantly lighter than most puffy-plus-shell combinations you’ll find that are as waterproof and warm.
What we didn’t like about it
There are always a few small things that bug me, even on my favorite pieces of gear. Here’s what missed the mark for me with the Beta Insulated Coat.
It’s expensive
No surprise here, but, as with most of Arc’teryx’s products, you should expect to pay a premium price ($700) for a premium product. For outdoor lovers and city folks who live in wet, windy, or snowy climates, owning an excellent winter coat that keeps you warm, boasts loads of pockets and sheds extreme weather with ease will be worth the price tag. And with the Arc’teryx brand name come excellent sustainability initiatives and a warranty for the practical product lifespan. For casual outdoor hikers just looking for something to help them stay warm, check out the Decathlon Forclaz Hoody ($100) or the Fjallraven Kiruna Padded Parka ($350).
Bottom zipper can snag
One of the few issues I had when testing the Beta Insulated Coat was that, due to its mid-thigh length, latching the zipper was tricky, and I often struggled to pull it up at first. I never experienced issues with the fabric or taped seams snagging or ripping once the zipper was secured, but other online reviewers also mentioned the zipper being challenging to close, meaning that it might be time for a design redo.
How it compares
As I mentioned earlier, Arc’teryx’s Beta Insulated Coat is pricey at $700. The brand also sells a shorter Beta Insulated Jacket, which might appeal to those who want a shorter hem or are dead set on having pit zips for ventilation. The Jacket also has a tiny bit more insulation than the Coat, hence the $50 price bump. Arc’teryx’s Patera Parka ($800) is spendy, too, but provides a worthy waterproof, down alternative if you love the brand and don’t want synthetic insulation.
While not quite as warm, the Fj?llr?ven Kiruna Padded Parka ($350) is stylish, great for tooling around town and half the price of the Beta Insulated Coat. REI Co-op also makes a well-rated Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka, which appears primed to directly compete with the Beta, at a fraction of the cost ($299). My partner has the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka?($699) and not only does he love its versatility and cut, but the brand is also an industry leader when it comes to sustainability. Want something with a faux fur hood? Reviewers online seem to love The North Face’s Arctic Down Parka, which comes in at just $350.
Bottom line
Yes, it’s expensive, but if you’re seeking a go-anywhere winter jacket that can withstand the wettest storms and the gnarliest wind and still look fabulous over an evening outfit, look no further than the Arc’teryx Beta Insulated Coat. This piece boasts a durable, waterproof outer shell and recycled Coreloft insulation, meaning that you’re essentially getting two jackets in one. With its lightweight profile of just 1 pound, 5 ounces and industry-leading Gore-Tex fabric, it’s a fantastic top coat that you can layer under in extreme conditions or wear on its own in shoulder season and while hiking. TL;DR: It’s my new go-to garment this winter.
