The Arc'teryx Beta SV Jacket sat out of production for three years. Arc'teryx quietly pulled it from the lineup in 2023, and the internet noticed. Forum threads asking "what happened to the Beta SV?" popped up regularly. On February 6, 2026, it came back with a complete rebuild: GORE-TEX PRO ePE fabric, a jump from 80D to 100D face fabric, and a two-way front zipper that fans had been requesting for years. Model X000010283. 480 grams. $800.
What Changed from the Old Arc'teryx Beta SV Jacket?
The previous Arc'teryx Beta SV Jacket used N80p-X 3L GORE-TEX Pro with an 80-denier nylon face. The 2026 version switches to GORE-TEX PRO ePE with a 100D face fabric and a MICRO-GRID backer. That's the same denier as the Alpha SV, which has always carried the heaviest face fabric in the hardshell lineup. The old Beta SV weighed around 490 grams. This one comes in at 480 grams, so the lighter ePE membrane (about half the thickness of old ePTFE) offset the heavier 100D face fabric.
The MICRO-GRID backer replaces the previous tricot interior. It reduces internal abrasion and should feel less scratchy against bare skin than the older GORE-TEX Pro shells. If you've worn a Beta SL with its C-KNIT backer, the MICRO-GRID won't feel quite as soft, but it's built to take more punishment over time.
GORE-TEX PRO ePE: The PFAS-Free Upgrade
Every component of this jacket is free of PFAS. The membrane, face fabric, and FC0 DWR coating all skip the "forever chemicals" that defined waterproof outerwear for decades. Arc'teryx rolled out GORE-TEX PRO ePE across the Alpha, Alpha SV, and Beta AR in Fall 2025. The Beta SV is the fourth shell to get it. Materials meet Bluesign criteria, and the dope-dyed backer with recycled content pushes sustainability further. Mensa Industries in Vietnam handles manufacturing.
GORE-TEX PRO ePE passes Gore's Storm Test, which simulates hurricane-force rain. The waterproof rating remains at 28,000 mm+, identical to legacy GORE-TEX PRO. Where PFAS-free DWR gets tricky is longevity. FC0 finishes pick up oils faster than fluorocarbon-based coatings. You'll need to wash the jacket more often to maintain water beading on the face fabric. The membrane itself stays waterproof so that you won't get wet, but a saturated outer layer adds weight and reduces breathability.
The Two-Way Zipper Is Overdue
Arc'teryx finally added a two-way front zip. This sounds minor until you're wearing a climbing harness or hip belt and need to vent without unzipping from the neck. The bottom zip opens upward for harness access and airflow at the waist. Combined with pit zips, you get two separate ventilation zones. The Sphene Jacket had angled pit zips years ago in the Whiteline collection, and they made a real difference during high-output skiing. The Beta SV's pit zips are set to a standard vertical orientation.
Velcro cuff closures seal around gloves or bare wrists. Dual hem cinches tighten the bottom independently on each side. The helmet-compatible StormHood covers without killing peripheral vision, which matters more than people think when you're navigating technical terrain. The pocket layout includes a chest pocket with a zip, two hand pockets with zippers, an internal chest pocket with a zip, and an internal dump pocket.
How Does It Compare to the Beta AR?
Both the Arc'teryx Beta SV Jacket ($800) and Beta AR ($650) now use GORE-TEX PRO ePE. The Beta AR runs 80D body fabric with 100D reinforcements at the shoulders and arms. The Beta SV uses 100D throughout the entire jacket. That $150 price gap buys you uniform, heavy-duty protection across every panel, not just the high-wear zones.
The Beta AR weighs 460 grams. The Beta SV weighs 480 grams, so you're adding just 20 grams for full 100D coverage. That's almost nothing. For three-season hiking and general mountain use, the AR handles everything most people throw at it. The SV targets extended alpine exposure, cold-weather climbing, and conditions where you can't afford a weak spot in your shell. If your typical outings don't involve sustained severe weather, save the $150 and go AR. Norrona's Trollveggen GORE-TEX Pro Light is another option in this price range worth considering.
Sizing and Fit at 6 Feet, 165 Pounds
Arc'teryx lists the centre back length at 31 inches (78cm) for a men's M, and their model (6'1") wears a medium on the product page. At just over 6 feet and 165 pounds, I'd go medium based on how other Beta jackets fit. The regular fit leaves room for midlayers underneath without excess bulk. Sizes run XS through XXXL, and the XXXL is new to the Beta SV. Activity designation is Alpine/Hike.
The Sabre LT runs longer for skiing, but the Beta SV's 31-inch back length should comfortably clear a harness and hip belt. I haven't put this one on yet, so I can't confirm sleeve length or shoulder articulation firsthand. That's coming.
Who Actually Needs an $800 Hardshell?
People who stay out in bad weather on purpose. Not hikers who duck under trees when it rains, but climbers, mountaineers, and backcountry travelers who need a shell that performs identically on day one and day five hundred. The 100D GORE-TEX PRO ePE construction targets that use case specifically.
The counterfeit market will absolutely produce fakes of this jacket within months. At $800, it's the kind of piece that attracts knockoffs fast. Buy from Arc'teryx directly or authorized retailers. I don't own this jacket yet. I plan to, and I'll update this review with hands-on fit details and field testing once I do. For now, the specs and construction tell a clear story: it's the most capable Beta ever built.
