The Beta SL is Arc'teryx's lightweight, high-end rain jacket offering top-tier weatherproofing with a minimal weight and compact packability. It excels in wet conditions and can double as a ski shell, but it comes at a premium price and has a fit that may require careful size selection; maintenance to preserve the DWR is also a consideration.
The Arc'teryx Beta SL is a high-end 3-layer Gore-Tex hardshell rain jacket designed for backcountry use in wet conditions. It delivers superb weather protection and durability with a relatively light weight and packable profile, but it's stiff and pricey, making it best suited for serious backcountry hikers rather than casual day hikers.
Premium, waterproof three-layer Gore-Tex rain shell that prioritizes weather protection and mobility for demanding wet-weather adventures. Helmet-compatible hood, sealed zippers, and a tailored fit deliver full range of motion, but breathability is limited and price is high.
Premium 3-layer rain jacket designed for frontcountry and light backcountry use, featuring a PFAS-free Gore-Tex ePE membrane and a durable 80-denier nylon shell. It excels in weather protection and durability with a lightweight, articulating fit, but lacks pit zips and a helmet-compatible hood, and its price is hard to justify for a simple rain shell.
The Beta Jacket from Arc'teryx is a function-focused rain shell that balances storm protection, mobility, and everyday versatility. It excels in wet conditions with a top-tier hood design and a durable DWR finish, making it a strong choice for backpacking, climbing, and ski touring, though it carries a premium price and lacks ventilation options.
The Beta AR is a burly, all-around hardshell built for wet, windy mountain conditions, delivering excellent weather protection and solid mobility. It features Gore-Tex Pro fabric, a helmet-compatible hood, and harness-accessible pockets, making it a versatile workhorse for climbing and mountaineering, though it comes with a boxy fit and lacks a two-way front zipper.
The Arc'teryx Beta AR is a durable Gore-Tex Pro hardshell offering excellent weather protection and a standout collar, but its bulky, baggy fit and high price limit its appeal for some users. It's best suited for backcountry use and daily wear for larger frames, while less ideal for technical climbing or aggressive skiing due to mobility and breathability.
The Patagonia M10 is the lightest hardshell jacket GearLab tested and excels for backpacking thanks to its ultralight weight and tiny pack size. It sacrifices weather protection and breathability for minimalism, has a very small hood and limited features, and Patagonia has discontinued the model. Best as an emergency or dryer-climate shell for backpackers and climbers who prioritize weight over all-weather versatility.
The M10 Storm Women's hardshell is ultralight and packable for fast alpine missions, using a three-layer H2No waterproof/breathable shell with a long cut for mobility. It delivers strong weather protection for its weight and remains comfortable during movement, but the thinner fabric trades durability and warmth in extreme conditions and it lacks underarm vents for heat management.
The Patagonia Storm10 is a very lightweight 3-layer hardshell designed for milder climates and high-output aerobic activities. It’s exceptionally breathable, lightweight, and packable, making it ideal for rain and warm-weather use, though it offers limited wind and cold protection and durability. The hood fits a helmet but is a bit snug, and there are no pit zips with a chest pocket that’s tight to stuff into.
A featherweight hardshell designed for alpine climbs, prioritizes mobility and packability with a lean feature set. It delivers waterproof protection and a helmet-compatible hood, but its ultralight design sacrifices wind protection, pockets, and vents for weight savings, making it less ideal as an everyday rain shell but a strong choice when weight is at a premium for alpine objectives.
Patagonia's M10 Storm Jacket is a lightweight, packable 3-layer hardshell designed for fast-and-light alpine climbing. It provides excellent rain and wind protection for its thin fabric, with surprising stretch and comfort, and packs down to a small volume. The trade-offs are no armpit zips and no hand pockets, which limit ventilation and casual versatility.
The Storm Racer is Patagonia's ultralight rain shell geared toward trail running and ultramarathons, with versatility extending to day hiking and light climbing. It’s the lightest jacket in GearLab’s test, with exceptional packability and breathability for its weight, though its durability and high price are drawbacks.
Storm Racer is a lightweight, fully waterproof shell designed for mountain and trail running in wet weather. It packs into its chest pocket for easy carry and offers reliable rain protection, but it runs hot and has limited visibility features.
The Storm Racer is a race-day rain shell designed to be worn over a running pack, delivering bombproof weather protection for race conditions. It sacrifices breathability and comfort for water-tight protection, lacks pockets and reflectivity, and comes at a premium price. Best for runners who frequently endure heavy rain during races, but not an everyday training jacket.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L delivers solid waterproof protection at a value price, using the 3-layer H2No fabric and handy features like a two-way adjustable hood and Velcro cuffs. It’s a reliable rain shell for hiking, climbing, and skiing in wet weather, though it’s a bit stiff and less breathable than some rivals. With stowable packability and PFAS-free construction, it’s a versatile, budget-friendly option for wet conditions.
The Torrentshell 3L is a standout women's rain jacket, delivering top-tier water resistance at a very good value. It performs well in heavy rain and wet conditions, with good breathability and durable construction, though the fabric is stiff and the zippers aren't watertight. It is a bit heavier and less packable than some rivals, but its waterproof performance and build quality make it a reliable long-haul rain jacket for hikers, runners, snowboarders, and cyclists.
A durable, affordable rain shell built with Patagonia’s 3-layer H2No system. It delivers strong waterproof protection and long-lasting construction for daily wear and light day hikes, but its stiff, crinkly fabric and limited pockets reduce comfort and versatility for high-output or backcountry use.
