After my Arcteryx Beta AR has started delaminating around the shoulders and several other bits (and their customer service deemed it unrepairable), I am looking for a new hardshell jacket for general hiking, long-distance trekking (Scotland, Scandinavia, possibly other parts of the world) and hopefully some alpine stuff in the future.
The Beta AR has lasted me close to seven years and I was extremely happy with the level of protection it offered, from trying ice climbing once to hiking through the most atrocious weather on the Cairngorm plateau. Of course, I could just go and drop €450 on a new Beta AR (last year’s model in red, this year’s have terrible, subdued colours), the question is what else is out there – I am open to explore other options, especially some more affordable ones.
My requirements are:- durable 3-layer (no Paclite nonsense), must stand up to backpacks of various weights
- should last several years
- helmet compatible hood (the one on the Beta AR is overkill though, you could fit three helmets in there)
- additional venting zips
- available in bright red, orange or green
It does not have to be super technical (I don’t do technical mountaineering or climbing) or expedition level, but I am looking for something reasonably rugged with very good all-around protection against the elements. Something I can zip up and then trudge through a torrential downpour, or a blizzard for hours with no issues.
Jackets I have looked at and liked the looks of include:Arcteryx Beta AR (€450) - obviously
Norrøna Falketind GTX (€480) – love the looks, but recent reviews talk of a change to thinner, less durable fabric on the latest model?
Alpkit Definition (€280) – getting good reviews, like the affordability
Haglöfs Roc GTX (€300)
Haglöfs Roc Spire GTX (€450)
Mammut Masao HS (€360)
Rab Firewall (€290)
I'm particularly interested in the Alpkit. I am based in Bavaria now, by the way, so UK sales and vendors come with customs and import tax