Arcteryx shell recommendations

[UK Basketball]

I've wanted an Arcteryx goretex shell for awhile now and am getting ready to purchase one. I would like it for just general wear and have a down jacket already to wear underneath it for winter. I was told to stay away from the paclite stuff cause it’s not as durable. Will wear it at my local matches and range time as well so didn’t want one that wear holes in elbows easy. Any recommendations?
thanks,
Josh

 

[tomcfc11]

You can go to their website and run the shell selector. I bet the Beta AR would be perfect for you...if you wanted the top shell it would be the alpha sv

 

[PDXGS]

Arcteryx LEAF Alpha or Alpha LT shells are the way to go
I posted this in another thread:The Arcteryx Outlet Store in Castle Rock,CO sells the LEAF product from time to time and at a significant discount. I picked up some Alpha pants in Multicam for about $325 today. That's half of the stupidly expensive price at retail-which I'd never pay. They have some Alpha LT pants for about $250 in a few different colors. They also have Alpha LT jackets.
I've tested this and a few other dozen brands in the worst of Western Oregon winters and have been impressed with their performance and durability.
https://leaf.arcteryx.com/ProductFind.aspx?country=us&language=en&category=Hardshell

 

[YO_Doc]

I also love my Alpha LT

 

[spife7980]

 

[PDXGS]

Vandelay industries make the best Jerry, the best!

 

[TheOE800]

Alpha LT.

 

[mwinter501]

I have the beta AR shell and really like it. I picked that particular jacket because of the hood design. unlike most of their other jackets, the hood is more of a separate piece from the collar. this allows you to wear the hood and keep water or cold air from blowing down into the jacket like you can get with a more traditional snorkel like hood. it's really a great jacket. with the pit zips, I can wear it out in the rain during hot days and still be very comfortable. It's also great whe I go fishing up in Ontario every May. there's typically a few days of rain and the temps can vary from the upper 30s to the low 80s. it keeps me comfy and dry in all of them. I'll be taking it with me on a climb up my Rainer this summer for some colder temps.

I used to use my bass pro 100mph jacket in those scenarios and just found it has too much insulation for warm temps. it's a well designed jacket, but just too bulky and lacks those pit zips that I find really helpful.

I found mine on a decent sale on Amazon

 

[UK Basketball]

Thanks for the recommendations! I’m going the check out the alpha lt and beta ar.

 

[mwinter501]

Thanks for the recommendations! I’m going the check out the alpha lt and beta ar.

Sounds good. Just know that LT designator means that the focus for that jacket was to make it lightweight. this often leads to compromises in features (pockets, pit zips, draw strings, etc) and sometimes compromises in materials performance (durability, breathability, etc) in order to lower the weight a few oz. for me, the extra features in an AR (all around) jacket were a no brainer. if I'm dropping that kind of money on a jacket, I want to be able to use it as much as possible. I honestly don' see myself trekking up a mountain with a 50+lb pack thinking it was totally worth spending all of that extra money for the extra 4oz I'm not carrying.

 

[SuckitTrebek]

Why not buy a brand with an unconditional lifetime guarantee for any reason?

600 bucks for a gore tex jacket?

 

[TheOE800]

Sounds good. Just know that LT designator means that the focus for that jacket was to make it lightweight. this often leads to compromises in features (pockets, pit zips, draw strings, etc) and sometimes compromises in materials performance (durability, breathability, etc) in order to lower the weight a few oz. for me, the extra features in an AR (all around) jacket were a no brainer. if I'm dropping that kind of money on a jacket, I want to be able to use it as much as possible. I honestly don' see myself trekking up a mountain with a 50+lb pack thinking it was totally worth spending all of that extra money for the extra 4oz I'm not carrying.

If one purchases the 2017+ LEAF Alpha LT then that person is getting a more full featured jacket than the Beta AR. Lighter, more advanced, more durable fabric from the Gore Military line (not present in Commercial Beta AR), pit zips (present in Commercial Beta AR), along with hemlocks (not present in Commercial Beta AR) and other LEAF specific features - as well as made in Canada, not China like the Beta.

 

[davere]

I have a Beta AR in black. It's a pretty sturdy shell, it seems - the Alphas are built a little heavier. It's a little stiff and swishy for my tastes - but it's my go-to for days where I'm definitely going to be standing around in downpours. I also have a Mammut shell that I bought at REI - doesn't seem to be made any longer. It's one of the less expensive fabrics, but it actually gives and stretches a bit, and the jacket is less "swishy" sounding to walk around. I prefer that shell for days when I have the shell on mostly for wind protection, or when it's likely only to be light rain. I can layer under either jacket, although the Arcteryx has more layering room in the fit of the shell than the Mammut. I bought the Beta on clearance at REI for $240... the Mammut new for $150. They both block rain and wind just fine.

Neither one does it all perfectly well, though. They're both bulkier than I'd like for a "just in case" rain option. I might pick up an OR Helium ultralight shell at some point to fill that need - small and light enough to stuff in the bag at any point in time. Even though I'm a Dead Bird fanboy, I have to say that I prefer the Mammut shell for most of the usage I get out of my shells, though (especially at the price).

 

[TheOE800]

OR Helium is cool and all, but I hope you don't like pockets or pit zips. I'm not into that superlight featureless stuff, be it Dead Bird, OR, or other brands.

 

[davere]

OR Helium is cool and all, but I hope you don't like pockets or pit zips. I'm not into that superlight featureless stuff, be it Dead Bird, OR, or other brands.

I think you missed my purpose - small "emergency" shell as a no brainer fit in the bag for "just in case" purposes, not a "stand out in the rain all day on purpose" shell. I wouldn't own a Helium as my only - or as a go-to - shell. But, like I said, I already have two very capable general purpose shells.

 

[mwinter501]

If one purchases the 2017+ LEAF Alpha LT then that person is getting a more full featured jacket than the Beta AR. Lighter, more advanced, more durable fabric from the Gore Military line (not present in Commercial Beta AR), pit zips (present in Commercial Beta AR), along with hemlocks (not present in Commercial Beta AR) and other LEAF specific features - as well as made in Canada, not China like the Beta.

I have no reason to not believe what you'e saying is true. I just don' know much about the LEAF line. I thought the comparison was for their standard line. my mistake

 

[PDXGS]

The LEAF fit is different too. It's more generous/roomy and fits a broader segment of the population per mil/gov spec

 

[TheOE800]

I have no reason to not believe what you'e saying is true. I just don' know much about the LEAF line. I thought the comparison was for their standard line. my mistake

LT still means Lightweight in all of their sub-brands. Compared to the LEAF Alpha, the Alpha LT is quite a bit de-contented and lighter, but compared to many commercially available jackets it's still full featured. That's all I meant to say.

 

[wind gypsy]

Alpha is more designed towards climbers, has a longer hem to avoid pulling above pack belt/harness when reaching overhead. Beta is more their all purpose line. You will want the AR (all around) or SV (severe weather) version. I have the Alpha LT and miss the pit zips and pockets. The AR and SV versions also have heavier and more durable face fabric.