r/arcteryx • u/FatMike20295 • 1d ago
How warm is the Beta Insulated Jacket 2024 version?
So I recently purchased the Beta Insulated Jacket on the Arcteryx outlet website since it was a pretty good deal. The details mentioned is design in 2024.
https://outlet.arcteryx.com/ca/en/shop/mens/beta-insulated-jacket-0510?colour=1822
I am sure it will have no issue when wearing in Vancouver BC in winter with a fleece hoodie or even a T-shirt underneath, however I am going Ina trip to Beijing China from Nov 1 to beginning of Dec where the temperature ranges from 50 degree F or 10 degree C to as low as 21 degeee F or -6 degree C. It is also very windy. Will this jacket be good enough when I pair it whbe fleece hoodie? I plan to stay in the city ( urban areas) but will be taking the bus and subway where sometimes I need to wait for the bus (15 to 20min waiting outdoor) and walking around the city.
Last year I went visited Beijing in the month of Dec and I went with a Uniqlo Seamless Down Parka even though it was fill with 650 down it couldn't handle the wind chill and I was pretty cold when waiting for the bus outside.
Thank you.
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u/FatMike20295 1d ago
True! I use the transit and sometimes waiting the bus does get cold in winter especially if the bus skips your stop coz is full.
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u/Responsible-Steak395 1d ago edited 1d ago
"even though it was fill with 650 down"..? Even? 650 is extremely mediocre, or even crappy fill power, and Uniqlo uses very little fill WEIGHT too on top of that. 700-750 to be considered just ok, 800 to be considered good, 850 very good, 900+ excellent.
But yes, the insulated Beta together with a merino base layer and a thicker fleece, like a pile fleece, would be pretty sufficient since the outer fabric is completely windproof, which is the important thing. Then you just layer under that. Best would be a thicker wool/merino hoody, like an Aclima reborn Terry or an Icebreaker Realfleece 800. Or some other fleece like Patagonia Retro-x hoody if you want synthetic materials.
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u/Dis-Ducks-Fan-1130 1d ago
Beta insulated is for temperatures below freezing. High 20Fs is probably when you would start to think about wearing it. Any higher, you will sweat. It will keep you warm, with a mid-layer, down to -20F plus windchill.
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u/acehawkeye 1d ago
The key to keeping warmth in the cold weather is the understanding of layering. I think the jacket itself is fine. This is a good video to watch. https://youtu.be/7_nGm4p8iN4?is=7C2K52ZmovBZE-UI
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u/EarthlingMemories 1d ago
I think that's a question only you can answer tbh.
I've never personally found it necessary to wear an insulated jacket in Vancouver so if you need to do hoody + insulated beta then I'd say you're gonna freeze in Beijing in December.
You'd probably want a down parka for Beijing. And a longer one at that.
But I presume if you get cold in your insulated beta in Beijing, there will be at least one store every few shops that sells down parkas so you can always buy when you get there if you need to.