It’s the biggest discount we’ll see until Black Friday.
(Photo: REI/Canva)
Published July 27, 2026 10:37AM
Buying brand-name toilet paper. Hiring the moving company. Some things fall under the category we deem “regrettably worth it.” A recent addition to that list: the Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket, a $500 rain shell that our tester called “versatile, reliable, and protective.”
“It was the perfect choice for a trip [to Japan] where I was planning on sightseeing, multiple transit days, and hiking in variable weather—especially since I only had room in my pack for one rain layer,” wrote Maggie Slepian in her review. “The jacket I packed needed to do it all.”
The $500 price tag is steep, to be sure. But right now, it’s up to 40% off at REI—the biggest discount we’ll see until Black Friday—so if you weren’t ready before, now’s the time to reconsider.
Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket: From $299
If you’re going to splurge on any outdoor gear category, it should be raingear. With raingear, you get what you pay for—and if you’re paying several hundred dollars, you’re paying for premium construction and battle-tested performance. The Beta SL specifically is made with a breathable three-layer construction that includes a skin backer, a waterproof membrane, and a face fabric. You’re also getting the small stuff you don’t notice until you’re in a torrential downpour: a helmet-compatible hood with cinching, pit zips for extra breathability, a drop-tail hem, and a storm flap that boosts your protection against the rain.
The men’s version is up to 40% off depending on size and color, while the women’s is up to 18% off (with a wider range of sizes available on sale). If you don’t need a shell quite as technical as the Beta SL, we’d also recommend the Beta, the daily-driver jacket that’s slightly heavier but built with the same three-layer construction. The men’s Beta jacket can be found for as low as $250, while the women’s Beta jacket is currently on sale for $330.
The Arc’teryx Beta SL is a splurge, definitely. But this deal is as good as it gets until Black Friday, so don’t overthink it too much and risk missing out.
