When you are adventuring in extreme environments you need protection from everything mother nature can throw at you. The Arc’teryx Berta AR is the solution to dry clothing in a downpour. Arc’teryx offers waterproof pants and jackets in various trims and price points. We field tested the women’s Beta AR in Patagonia for two months and it handled all the curveballs thrown at it. While it needed a good washing and DWR rejuvenation it held up well over the coarse of the trip. The Beta AR is manufactured with a Gore-Tex pro shell which is a step up from the regular Gore-Tex fabric offered with the Beta SL. We happened to find this particular jacket heavily discounted on an REI mannequin but it is well worth the full purchase price. Hiking in torrential rains in Patagonia our base layers stayed dry and proper ventilation allowed body heat to dissipate. One bonus of the Gore-Tex Arc’teryx is the ability to take the bite out of ferocious winds. When summiting a peak in extreme winds and 40 degree temperatures , the jacket needed little more than a light base layer to maintain a comfortable body temperature. We would highly recommend the Beta AR to anyone looking for a waterproof shell for any adventure.
Amazon Womens: $424.88