Arc'teryx Beta Sl Hardshell Review.........

The Ar'teryx Beta Sl Hardshell is made with GORE-TEX® PacLite®  material, the lightest of the GORE-TEX® product line.  Weighing in at a mere 11.1 oz (Mens Medium) this hardshell is a weight saving hikers dream.   The high collar and Drop Hood, are perfect for backpacking, not big enough to fit a helmet under but roomy enough that your not claustrophobic.  The die cut cuff closure, waterproof zippers, and elastic hem keep cool breezes and rain out. But without any ventilation, besides the main zipper, this jacket can cause quite a bit  of condensation and heat problems, but for emergency rain gear, and less humid environs this jacket is superb. Working throughout a rather pathetic monsoon season in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of New Mexico this jacket was perfect.  Keeping me dry and warm when the weather turned sour and the temperatures dropped.  Even when hiking through extreme deluge, i was dry and comfortable. And as a multipurpose jacket when peak bagging Wheeler Peak, and Mount Baldy, it worked great to keep me warm on the exposed upper faces. As a lightweight, gram counting hiker this is exactly the jacket you'll want, there are many other options out there that may be better, but if you want the durability and quality of  an Arc'teryx jacket this is what you want.  A little on the pricy side but it will outlast much of the competition and still be able to take quite a bit of abuse.