If you're staring at Arc'teryx jackets and thinking, "These all look elite, which one is actually for me?" this is for you.
In the video linked below, we walked through three of Arc'teryx’s most capable winter shells and ski jackets:
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Arc'teryx Macai Insulated Jacket (the super warm, all-in-one resort piece)
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Arc'teryx Macai Shell Jacket (same ski DNA, no insulation, made for layering)
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Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket (the legendary all rounder with Gore-Tex Pro)
This blog turns that video into a clear, easy breakdown so you can pick the right jacket for how you ride, ski, travel, or just stay dry walking around Toledo, Ohio in January.
Watch the full video here:
Shop the jackets we talked about:
📍 Want to try one on in person? Visit Ridge and River in Toledo, Ohio:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WpXbR1wagFbhsLW19
What We Compared
We broke each jacket down in the video using three buckets:
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Key features
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Technical specs
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Who it’s for
Let’s walk through them in the same order: Macai Insulated, Macai Shell, then Beta AR.
1. Arc'teryx Macai Insulated Jacket
This is the one you buy if you want to stop thinking about layers.
Key Features
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Purpose built for resort skiing and snowboarding
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Insulated with 750 fill power goose down (RDS/RDA style certified in the video) for serious warmth
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Synthetic insulation in high moisture zones (shoulders and neck) so falling snow or light rain doesn’t wet out your insulation
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Gore-Tex Performance 3L shell with the newer ePE-style membrane the speaker mentioned, so it stays waterproof and windproof
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Helmet compatible drop hood so you can wear it over your ski helmet
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Powder skirt to keep snow from blowing up your back
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Ski pass pocket on the arm for resort days
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Fully seam taped, waterproof zips, removable hood
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Everything is premium and dialed
This is a true all-in-one winter resort jacket. You do not need to decide which fleece to wear, which puffy to add, or which shell you need that day. You just put it on and go.
Technical Specs (from the video)
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Insulation: 750 fill goose down plus synthetic in key areas
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Shell: Gore-Tex Performance, eco-friendlier membrane
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Construction: fully taped, waterproof zips
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Weight: about 930 g to 970 g depending on size, so think roughly 950 g
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Use: cold, snowy, resort-focused days
For the warmth to weight to protection ratio, the speaker literally said they don’t think there’s a better jacket on the market right now in this category.
Who It’s For
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Resort skiers and snowboarders
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Someone who wants one premium winter jacket and is done
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Riders who want to be warm on both bluebird and storm days
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People who don’t want to mess with layering
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Someone who wants that "I bought the nicest thing Arc'teryx makes for the resort" energy
If you mostly ride resorts, or you’re heading out west and want something that just works every day you’re on the hill, get this.
2. Arc'teryx Macai Shell Jacket
Think of this as the Macai Insulated’s twin, except this one shows up without the puffy.
You get almost all the ski features of the insulated Macai, but Arc'teryx leaves the warmth decisions to you.
Key Features
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Fully waterproof, fully windproof 3L Gore-Tex Performance shell with ePE-type membrane
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Helmet compatible and removable hood
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Built for skiing and snowboarding with snow skirt and pass pocket
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Same resort-minded cut and features as the insulated version
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Just no down inside
So if you like to build your system from base layer to mid layer to puffy to shell, this is nicer than a generic shell because it’s cut for snowsports.
Technical Specs
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No insulation
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3 layer Gore-Tex Performance
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Lighter and more packable than the insulated version
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Weight: about 750 g
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Still very feature rich
You lose around 200 g compared to the insulated Macai, which makes sense because there’s no down. You’ll probably put some of that weight back on with your midlayer, but the advantage here is control.
Who It’s For
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Skiers and snowboarders who want to control their own warmth
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Riders who ski both resort and some sidecountry or backcountry and want a shell that still has snow features
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Someone who runs hot
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Someone who already owns a nice midlayer or Arc'teryx puffy
Important from the video: this is not really the one for hiking or rock climbing. It’s cut and featured like a snowsports jacket.
3. Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket
This is where we shift out of resort-first and into "do everything" territory.
The speaker called it "probably the most well rounded shell that Arc'teryx makes" and even clarified that AR stands for All Round. So they really meant it.
Key Features
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Gore-Tex Pro 3L instead of Gore-Tex Performance
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Reinforced high wear areas: shoulders, arms, elbows, forearms
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Lighter fabric on the body to cut weight and improve heat transfer
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Helmet compatible hood for ski, snowboard, or climbing helmets
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Pit zips for high output
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Very durable and very protective
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No insulation
So where the Macai jackets are like "I’m a ski jacket," the Beta AR is more like "I’ll go wherever you go."
Technical Details Mentioned
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Reinforced zones are around 100D to 80D face fabric
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Body panels are 30D to 40D to save weight
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Built to take abrasion from rock, ice, and gear
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Uses Gore-Tex Pro, which is stiffer, more durable, and more protective
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Weight around 450 g, so way lighter than both Macai options
The speaker also mentioned that some older Beta ARs still have the PFC/PFAS-style Gore-Tex Pro and that those can sometimes be found at a discount. Newer versions use the newer membrane tech. Either way, it’s the most rugged shell in this comparison.
Who It’s For
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Serious outdoor users
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Alpine climbers, mountaineers, backcountry riders
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People who want the best durability to weight combo
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Someone who wants one shell that can ski, hike in wet spring weather, handle a trip to the Rockies, or just keep you dry walking around downtown Toledo in an icy rain
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Users who like to layer under their shell
Quick Comparison
Warmth
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Warmest: Macai Insulated
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Customizable warmth: Macai Shell
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You bring all the warmth: Beta AR
Waterproofing
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All three are Gore-Tex and fully seam taped
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Most rugged waterproofing: Beta AR (Gore-Tex Pro)
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Resort focused waterproofing: Both Macai versions (Gore-Tex Performance)
Weight
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Beta AR: about 450 g
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Macai Shell: about 750 g
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Macai Insulated: about 950 g
Best For
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Macai Insulated: resort skier who wants zero thinking
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Macai Shell: skier/snowboarder who wants to layer
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Beta AR: all rounder, alpine, rugged use, backcountry, high output
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Macai Insulated if:
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You mostly ski resort
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You get cold easily
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You want one jacket for winter
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You like fully featured ski-specific details
Choose the Macai Shell if:
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You ski a lot but run hot
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You want to wear your own midlayer or down
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You want the same ski features without built-in insulation
Choose the Beta AR if:
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You want maximum durability in a lighter package
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You do more than just resort ski
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You care more about performance than insulation
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You want one shell for Toledo winters, trips out west, and shoulder season adventures
Shop and Visit Ridge and River
You can grab any of these right now on our site:
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Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket: https://ridgeandriver.com/products/beta-ar-jacket-m-black-m?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube-description&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fl-7ifo9qOAk
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Arc'teryx Macai Down (Insulated) Jacket: https://ridgeandriver.com/products/arcteryx-macai-down-jacket-m-black-men-l?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube-description&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fl-7ifo9qOAk
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Arc'teryx Macai Shell Jacket: https://ridgeandriver.com/products/arcteryx-macai-shell-jacket-mens?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube-description&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fl-7ifo9qOAk
Use the code mentioned in the video, YOUTUBE10, for 10% off (exact availability is as said in the video).
📍 Want to see how these fit on you, especially in the shoulders and arms?
Come see us in person at Ridge and River in Toledo, Ohio:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WpXbR1wagFbhsLW19
Follow along for more new Arc'teryx, ski kit, and winter layering ideas:
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridgeandrivergear/
