Source
r/arcteryx•
ThreeOne

[Beta SL] what can I actually expect from the Waterproofing?

Question

I recently bought a Beta SL, I've recently experienced my first real (medium) downpour wearing it. It was an exposure of about 25 minutes on bike.

When I took the jacket off I noticed the inside of the pockets were wet along the seam (especially the bottom seam and the corner towards the zipper).

I was expecting it to be completely dry, am I expecting too much?

Or is my product faulty?

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edit: added details

Posted Feb 3, 2020, 7:55 PM UTC · edited

312
PilateDeGuerre-Rabble-Rouser•

Water inside is most likely your insensible perspiration condensing on the inside of the shell because the shell is cold and the humidity will condense on the first cold surface it hits. I personally wouldn't expect to be dry on the inside if I was biking in 25 minutes of rain. Maybe in a ShakeDry jacket, but nothing else will breath well enough.

8
ThreeOneOP•

Interesting, though I doubt its perspiration (I was wearing 5 layers underneath incl. another waterproof down jacket (yeah I know)).

I hoped to upgrade from my dryvent jackets but I guess it's kinda the same (in none extreme conditions at least).

1
PilateDeGuerre-Rabble-Rouser•

I was wearing 5 layers underneath

Perspiration confirmed. No way you weren't sweating like a pig and all that vapor ended up condensing in your outer layer.

6
ThreeOneOP•

I guess so, it's just hard to believe, it was really cold and I was leasurely biking in the city. How would perspiration explain that only the inside corners of the pockets got wet though?

However, thanks for this insight, I will experiment and find out soon!! Would have never figured it could be this myself.

1
PilateDeGuerre-Rabble-Rouser•

How would perspiration explain that only the inside corners of the pockets got wet though?

Perhaps for some reason that was the coldest part of your shell?

Go shower with it on and see what happens.

2
bbrown3979•

It is a well known issue with the Beta SL and why Id never recommend it. Look at the 1 star reviews. Its all people having their pockets fill with water. Its their worst rated active shell.

Reviews mention Arc will send a new one as a replacement and theyve has the replacement do the same. It seems like a design flaw

2
ThreeOneOP•

damn that sucks, but would explain everything. Can you link me one? Or tell me what I can google? Because I'm not finding a lot.

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edit: added question

2
bbrown3979•

Just sort reviews by lowest https://www.arcteryx.com/ca/en/shop/mens/beta-sl-hybrid-jacket

2
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
camhabib•

If the membrane is intact and undamaged, it shouldn't let water in. Ditto for the seams if they're taped. A lot of times, water on the interior is either perspiration or came in through zippers, around the bottom of the hem, in through the side of the hood, etc.

If you're worried, I'd test it out for yourself. Put it on and stand in the shower, or better yet, fill a bowl of water and submerge the part of the jacket you think is leaking, looking for any water getting in. It's possible there's something wrong, but in my experience, 9 times out of 10, the jacket is fine and it's just something else.

2
ThreeOneOP•

shower

I finally got around to it and after about a minute the inside definitely got wet (or rather, moist), I had some papers inside the pockets which also got moist, I guess I should RMA (???)

1
TitaniumX2•

If you’re biking or doing high exertion activities, I’d get a hard shell made of AscentShell since it’s also air-permeable.

2
ThreeOneOP•

I considered this as well, but I don't transpire that much, I'm often just standing or walking in the rain (and heavy wind). I bike everyday but it's not for sport, I commute to work and I just dont want my dress shirt to get wet (which I experienced with basic TNF dryvent jackets (especially because they dont waterproof the zippers at all)).

1