Arc'teryx Beta LT vs Patagonia Houdini

So this size large fits me beautifully to keep the weight down. Our Tech's have kept the features down. So don't expect a lot of bells and whistles wi...

I prefer the snug fit which makes it an excellent companion piece to a shell or insulated jacket. For reference I am a tweener sized human, size S Nanopuff and size M Houdini both purchased in 2011. Excellent breathability, cut, comfort.

Arcteryx make the best jackets. This is my second Beta LT after giving my first one to a good friend. Excellent product, kept me warm and safe during several mountain ultra marathons.

This is the Patagonia Men's Houdini jacket for the full, specs and latest price click. The link in the description subscribe to stay tuned and follow ...

In all honesty, I’m the type of user who isn’t hard enough on their gear to require the robustness of the Beta AR, I’m currently only doing weekend hikes so being super UL isn’t my religion, I only have hooded midlayers so I was concerned about the Beta AR hood (though I admit it’s cool), I don’t deal with a lot of snow so having something as bomber as an SV would be overkill, I don’t climb so I don’t gravitate to the Alpha line, I like pit zips so I didn’t go with the Beta LT/FL (though I almost did), I really like the quieter/softer C-Knit even if it means I have to wash it more (helps with using this more casually), and it’s actually pretty packable as I compared it to the Zeta SL and found it folds down nearly as much in my pack.

The Patagonia Houdini, I love this shell. I would highly recommend it because it's so light and versatile, I always pack it in my vest for my hundred-...

However, if you care about every ounce and packability, go for something with down. I like the Uniqlo packable down hoody. It's a few ounces lighter than the Arc'teryx and packs down smaller.

4 oz) + Walmart Poncho (1 oz). Pro: I already carry my wind layer and umbrella, so the additional weight penalty is very low. Cons: Emergency Poncho is plastic/disposable, only lasts 5-10 uses before it gets ripped, needs to be replaced frequently. Umbrella does not work well when it is very windy

I’m a size 36 waist, which sometimes suggests a size L, and I sometimes find myself between Arc sizes with broader cut pieces like the Fission SV or LEAF Cold WX LT fitting me better in a L. Certain fleeces like the Delta LT and Kyanite LT also fit me best in a L, so I had some concerns the Acto FL might be a bit too baggy, but it is a very trim cut piece and ultimately fits exactly how I wanted it to.

You don't want to carry it or whatever, but it's the size of a pair of socks and if you squish it down it's the size of a baseball, it's really really...

Like nearly every 3-layer Arc’teryx shell we’ve tested, the Beta LT is quite formidable in rowdy conditions: its 40-denier face fabric and proven Gore-Tex waterproofing have effectively blocked everything from wet and slushy snowfall to strong gusts blowing off of alpine lakes. Further, the drop hem keeps the shell in place under a pack and offers just enough coverage for uses like winter and shoulder-season hiking and on shorter and less intensive ski touring days. It did feel lighter, more delicate, and less bombproof when worn back to back with Arc’teryx’s upgraded Beta AR (which uses 40 and 80D Gore-Tex Pro), but I haven’t had any failures to date. To help seal out the elements, the Beta LT comes with a nice array of thoughtful and protective features

And on our trip to Patagonia, I found myself keeping the Houdini close and wearing it daily. It cut the wind nicely when we stopped for lunch while backpacking, and I hiked in it if the weather was cool or the wind was particularly rough. Considering its weight, Patagonia nailed all the right features. You can cinch the hem to block out wind at the waist, the half-elastic cuffs seal nicely around the wrists, and a single adjustment at the hood allows you to tighten it down effectively