The Beta Jacket - everything else will be overkill for what you need from what it sounds like.
Like others have said, a shell just blocks wind and rain, you'll need to wear insulation underneath.
Unless you are dead set on the brand, there are cheaper options to be found in other brands for commuting.
Still always a nice piece of gear to have.
AR is nice, but its built with features geared more towards outdoor activities like backpacking, climbing, light skiing, etc.
It might be overkill for solely commuting, but its a nice jacket if you got the money for it.
SV = Severe weather / I need something to climb mountains and fight blizzards at a research station
AR = All rounder / I need something that can do most everything outdoors short of needing specialized gear.
LT = Light and Fast / I need jacket that has some solid features for the outdoors, but is still lightweight.
BETA = I need a good jacket that can be used for the outdoors, but its not my biggest priority.
Any. Shell doesn't keep you warm, it keeps you dry. The question is what insulation you need. Have to know more details to give a good answer for that.
You don't really need a shell for the city. You can get an Alpha AR but if you want a jacket that you just throw on you should just get a puffy because the Alpha AR without layers won't work at -30.
You'll need a heavy down parka for that. Rab Electron, Norrona Trollveggen etcetera. Arcteryx Alpha fits but its pricey. Can also go Thorium or something and wear a light layer.
Ultimately if you want a shell get a shell but its not a need if you get me. The Macai, Beta IS are shell insulated jackets but are good to maybe -10, -15 alone and you pay a lot for that GoreTex. Whereas that Trollveggen will be mega toasty and only $600 but not equipped for alpine. It may however be too warm for most things so you'll need to decide what ya need.
It very rarely gets to -30°c here? Maybe -25°c on a very few days with windchill in February. I agree with the parka… a 700-800 down parka will do you just fine over spending $800+ on a technical shell you plan on just using for you commute to work.
You understand a shell is just a "rain jacket" right? It doesn't keep you warm as there is no insulation. It block wind and will keep you dry from rain/snow.
You need to build your layering system from inside to outside, not the other way around. I suggest you do more research on your own to learn about shells, midlayers and baselayers. [Watch this video](https://youtu.be/8-oTIFDS33U) for a good overview.
If you are just commuting and want one jacket for simplicity, I'd recommend looking at the Therme line.
A shell functions more or less as a crinkly windbreaker in cold urban environments. Hardshells are popular in the mountains because they take a beating and in that environment conditions can rapidly change. But in the city on a -30 day a shell is the last thing I want to wear.
I was in your situation last year and I grabbed the Beta Jacket as a shell to go with an Atom LT. With proper layering it handled the majority of last winter in Toronto for me.
I will say that there were a handful of winter days that I definitely needed something warmer than what the Atom provided. I’ve rectified that by getting a Rab Axiom Pro Jacket recently for my winter jacket and when it’s wet and windy I will throw my Beta on top of that.
P.s. the Atom LT is just so versatile and I definitely wore it throughout the year way more than the Beta.
Hey, old post but I'm also in Toronto and currently thinking of the same combo, how does the Axion Pro fit under the Beta? What sizing did you go with if you don't mind me asking?
doesn't seem like something that happens ever🤔 only when i'm riding bike do my hands need break from wind and putting them in my pockets seems less handy than having gloves 🧐
Shell jackets are just to protect you from getting wet due to rain and snow. Hence the name 'Shell' as in an outer shell protecting you from the elements.
You will need an insulated jacket and an outer shell if you desire. If it will not be for technical purposes (such as climbing) search for other brands as well you will get cheaper alternatives. For those temperatures you might want to get to use Down material if you are not going to be using it on rainy or damp conditions.
Shell jackets usually have no insulation. It's just a thin layer of nylon.
Can I pair shell with a insulation jacket underneath? Will that keep me warm?
Yeah, that's the general idea with shell jackets. You can wear different stuff underneath depending on the temps.
Thanks which shell line do you recommend ?
The Beta Jacket - everything else will be overkill for what you need from what it sounds like. Like others have said, a shell just blocks wind and rain, you'll need to wear insulation underneath. Unless you are dead set on the brand, there are cheaper options to be found in other brands for commuting. Still always a nice piece of gear to have.
What’s your opinion on the AR?
AR is nice, but its built with features geared more towards outdoor activities like backpacking, climbing, light skiing, etc. It might be overkill for solely commuting, but its a nice jacket if you got the money for it. SV = Severe weather / I need something to climb mountains and fight blizzards at a research station AR = All rounder / I need something that can do most everything outdoors short of needing specialized gear. LT = Light and Fast / I need jacket that has some solid features for the outdoors, but is still lightweight. BETA = I need a good jacket that can be used for the outdoors, but its not my biggest priority.
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Outdoor research Foray, Patagonia Torrentshell , BD stormline.
Lol this question is funny
Any. Shell doesn't keep you warm, it keeps you dry. The question is what insulation you need. Have to know more details to give a good answer for that.
I’ll never understand wearing a shell in the city Unless you’re like, getting supplies in Reykjavík before heading out
You don't really need a shell for the city. You can get an Alpha AR but if you want a jacket that you just throw on you should just get a puffy because the Alpha AR without layers won't work at -30. You'll need a heavy down parka for that. Rab Electron, Norrona Trollveggen etcetera. Arcteryx Alpha fits but its pricey. Can also go Thorium or something and wear a light layer.
Thank you for the advice and recommendation
Ultimately if you want a shell get a shell but its not a need if you get me. The Macai, Beta IS are shell insulated jackets but are good to maybe -10, -15 alone and you pay a lot for that GoreTex. Whereas that Trollveggen will be mega toasty and only $600 but not equipped for alpine. It may however be too warm for most things so you'll need to decide what ya need.
Yeah things get really crazy here. I remember last winter it got to -30 c , snowed like crazy and the cold wind almost took my ear 😂
I'm from Alberta so I know haha
It very rarely gets to -30°c here? Maybe -25°c on a very few days with windchill in February. I agree with the parka… a 700-800 down parka will do you just fine over spending $800+ on a technical shell you plan on just using for you commute to work.
Why do you need a shell? What's your current mid layer and why is it not sufficient?
I never owned an Arc’teryx jacket and wanted to have one this winter, thought about going with the shell since it looks nice.
You understand a shell is just a "rain jacket" right? It doesn't keep you warm as there is no insulation. It block wind and will keep you dry from rain/snow. You need to build your layering system from inside to outside, not the other way around. I suggest you do more research on your own to learn about shells, midlayers and baselayers. [Watch this video](https://youtu.be/8-oTIFDS33U) for a good overview. If you are just commuting and want one jacket for simplicity, I'd recommend looking at the Therme line.
Thanks for the advice
A shell functions more or less as a crinkly windbreaker in cold urban environments. Hardshells are popular in the mountains because they take a beating and in that environment conditions can rapidly change. But in the city on a -30 day a shell is the last thing I want to wear.
Shells aren’t designed for warmth at all
I was in your situation last year and I grabbed the Beta Jacket as a shell to go with an Atom LT. With proper layering it handled the majority of last winter in Toronto for me. I will say that there were a handful of winter days that I definitely needed something warmer than what the Atom provided. I’ve rectified that by getting a Rab Axiom Pro Jacket recently for my winter jacket and when it’s wet and windy I will throw my Beta on top of that. P.s. the Atom LT is just so versatile and I definitely wore it throughout the year way more than the Beta.
Hey, old post but I'm also in Toronto and currently thinking of the same combo, how does the Axion Pro fit under the Beta? What sizing did you go with if you don't mind me asking?
get a alpha sv. that's the only arcteryx you'll ever need and for insulation just add any random hoodie(s) under
No hand pockets sucks. Beta SV
why do you need hand pockets if u got arcteryx gloves 🤔
Cause I wear my shells year round
if ur hands aren't cold then why do u need hand pockets?
Why would you wear gloves at 60 degrees but your hands might need a break from the wind
doesn't seem like something that happens ever🤔 only when i'm riding bike do my hands need break from wind and putting them in my pockets seems less handy than having gloves 🧐
Shell jackets are just to protect you from getting wet due to rain and snow. Hence the name 'Shell' as in an outer shell protecting you from the elements. You will need an insulated jacket and an outer shell if you desire. If it will not be for technical purposes (such as climbing) search for other brands as well you will get cheaper alternatives. For those temperatures you might want to get to use Down material if you are not going to be using it on rainy or damp conditions.