Arc’teryx Women’s Beta LT Jacket Review

Getting compliments always feels rad and the number of “wows” I got when wearing the Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket was unparalleled (Color is “Mesmer”). I’d hop out of my car on Teton Pass to do a backcountry ski lap and not only did I look cool in my bright trendy Arc’teryx shell but I also knew the jacket would keep me fresh, wind protected, and dry on my boot pack up.

The Women’s Beta LT Jacket is the ultimate ski touring and resort shredding ski shell with versatile technical features, breathability, GORE-TEX technology, and overall elegance.

Fit and Feel

Arc’teryx is known for having a feminine, sporty, fitted look; not too baggy and not too slim. This jacket fit right into that niche with a sporty free cut that didn’t compromise the flattering feminine lines of the design. At 5’3” and 108lbs, I typically wear size XS, however, for ski jackets I tend to size up to allow layering underneath my top shell. I am wearing a size S in these photos, which worked perfectly for early season ski touring and resort skiing as I was able to layer up to two jackets underneath without compromising range of motion.

The jacket also has an easily adjustable elastic waistband that cinches on the bottom to prevent snow from going up when I skied powder at Grand Targhee Resort. Sometimes shell materials feel stiff or crinkled, however, this jacket material was soft to the touch and fell comfortably around the body without any noticeable crinkle or texture. The jacket allowed freedom of movement when making pow turns as well as stretch when making long strides uphill.

Technical Features

GORE-TEX waterproofing was critical in my early season tours with this jacket. The temperature was unpredictable, the falling snow was wet, and the wind was blistering, but the N30p 3L Gore-Tex with GORE C-KNIT backer technology of this jacket performed beautifully, keeping me warm and dry. When the snow melted on my jacket, I noticed the water drops flowed effortlessly off the cuffs and didn’t soak into the material at all.

Also, skiers know a technical hood is critical for warmth and comfort on and off the resort. This jacket had a standup collar that allowed zipping to my chin to keep my neck warm as well as a helmet-compatible hood that had adjustable cinches for a range of sizes.

Pockets and vents are critical for stashing snacks and preventing sweat from freezing after a long tour! Since the Arc’teryx Women’s Beta LT Jacket is a single layer material there are only two external side pockets, however, they are spacious and fit my GoPro, phone, and pocket gummy worms (the essentials).

There are also armpit vents on both sides which I unzipped when I got too warm touring!

Who’d wear this?

Whether you’re lapping the pass in fresh pow, racking up tram laps at the village, or skinning up the King after work, this is the perfect shell for any and all skiing or snowboarding. The jacket does not have insulation so I do recommend layering underneath especially when skiing inbounds, however, the wind proofing technology kept me protected from the wind even when I didn’t layer underneath.

Honestly I would layer with this shell in a blizzard/windstorm and would feel confident I’d keep dry and warm. The jacket color also shoots spectacularly in snow so if you’re trying to get a bright Instagram picture or want to go viral on Tiktok, this is the color for you!

Arc’teryx Women’s Beta LT Jacket Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Unparalleled ‘wows’ for stylish appearance
• Wind protection keeps you fresh and dry
• Technical features for skiing and snowboarding needs

Cons:

• Single layer material with limited pockets
• Higher price point compared to competitors

Overall Impression

Hear me out, I know Arc’teryx typically sits at a higher price point than its competitors, however, the Beta LT Jacket truly gets you the bang for your buck. The jacket is lightweight, sexy, feminine cut, breathable, weatherproof and honestly stunning. I felt like a purple warrior princess in my Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket ($450.00) and it shot beautifully in front the contrast of the white storm. I’m now really craving matching purple pants to complete my look!

Related Women’s Jackets We Tested

1. REI Women’s Powderbound Jacket
2. Norrona Lyngen Jacket
3. Outdoor Research Snowcrew Jacket