PickedOutdoors
Comparison

Outdoor Research Helium UL vs Arc’teryx Beta SL (2026)

Two official men’s waterproof shells. The documented trade is a much lighter, less expensive 2.75-layer Helium UL versus a heavier, more featured 3-layer GORE-TEX Beta SL, not Torrentshell versus Foray, and not a women’s comparison.

By the PickedOutdoors Editorial TeamLast updated Prices & specs checked Nov 2026

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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec and pricing pages and the findings of the reviewers we name and link. We haven’t field-tested these products ourselves, and we don’t give scores. How we pick.

Quick answer

Choose Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket ($225) if you want official 5.7 oz and official $225, and will accept no official pit zips. Choose Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket ($500.00) if you want official 3-layer GORE-TEX ePE, pit zips, and official $500.00 / 12 oz or you will check official Fitted sizing rather than treating 12 oz as a fit measurement.

Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026

Check Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket price (opens in a new tab)Check Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket price (opens in a new tab)

Key facts at a glance

Key facts (prices checked Nov 2026)
Outdoor Research Helium UL JacketArc'teryx Beta SL Jacket
Official price (fetched Nov 10, 2026)$225; sold out on the official page that day. OutdoorGearLab, dated May 1, 2026, also listed $225. CleverHiker, last updated October 15, 2026, listed $170, which disagrees with the official $225$500.00. CleverHiker, last updated October 15, 2026, and OutdoorGearLab, dated March 5, 2025, also listed $500
Official weightOfficial 5.7 oz / 162 g. OutdoorGearLab measured 5.6 ounces in a men’s medium. CleverHiker listed 5.7 oz and measured 5.6 ozOfficial 12 oz / 340 g. CleverHiker listed 12 oz / 10 oz (men’s / women’s) and measured 10.7 oz; we do not resolve whether that measurement is a men’s or women’s jacket. OutdoorGearLab, dated March 5, 2025, listed both 11.15 oz and 11.1 oz in the same review
Official fabric / featuresOfficial Toray Dermizax 2.75-layer 15D nylon ripstop; fully seam taped; YKK Aquaguard front zipper and chest pocket; wire-brim adjustable hood; chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack; shaped bonded cuffs with partial elastic; no pit zips on the official feature list we fetchedOfficial 3-layer PFC-free GORE-TEX ePE with C-KNIT backer; official body and contrast fabrics listed as 40D × 70D; pit zippers; two zippered hand pockets and an internal chest pocket; helmet-compatible StormHood; adjustable Velcro cuffs; RECCO reflector. Official copy says this product was previously the Beta Lightweight Jacket. OutdoorGearLab, dated March 5, 2025, said it was previously labeled the LT model
Official length / fit notesOfficial center-back length 29.0 in / 73.7 cm. Official size chart is body measurements from XS through XXXL. Official ounces do not replace a chest or sleeve measurementOfficial size M center-back length 30 in / 75 cm, and official copy says that length varies by size. Official fit is listed as Fitted. Official ounces do not replace a size check. CleverHiker, last updated October 15, 2026, said the jacket felt roomier through the chest than its fitted label suggested

We compared these shells using Outdoor Research’s official men’s Helium UL Jacket page and Arc’teryx’s official U.S. men’s Beta SL Jacket page, both fetched November 10, 2026, plus CleverHiker’s Helium and Beta SL reviews, both last updated October 15, 2026, OutdoorGearLab’s Helium UL review dated May 1, 2026, and OutdoorGearLab’s Beta SL review dated March 5, 2025. Official prices were $225 and $500.00. This is distinct from our Torrentshell 3L versus Foray comparison. We have not worn either jacket. We do not republish numeric scores.

Choose the official men’s Helium UL Jacket if you want the lighter, less expensive emergency shell. Official figures fetched November 10, 2026, were $225 (sold out on the official page that day), official weight 5.7 oz / 162 g, official Toray Dermizax 2.75-layer 15D nylon, official center-back length 29.0 in / 73.7 cm, a wire-brim hood, a chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, and no pit zips on the official feature list. Choose the official men’s Beta SL Jacket if you want the heavier, more expensive, more featured 3-layer shell: official $500.00, official weight 12 oz / 340 g, official PFC-free GORE-TEX ePE with a C-KNIT backer, official 40D × 70D face fabric, official size M center-back length 30 in / 75 cm, official pit zippers, two zippered hand pockets plus an internal chest pocket, a helmet-compatible StormHood, and a RECCO reflector. Official copy says this product was previously the Beta Lightweight Jacket. This page is men’s Helium UL versus men’s Beta SL, not the older 30-denier Helium, not Beta AR or the non-SL Beta, and not women’s jackets. OutdoorGearLab’s Helium UL review, dated May 1, 2026, listed $225 and measured 5.6 ounces in a men’s medium. CleverHiker reviews of both jackets, last updated October 15, 2026, listed the Helium at $170 and 5.7 oz (CleverHiker measured 5.6 oz) and the Beta SL at $500 and 12 oz / 10 oz (men’s / women’s), with a measured 10.7 oz Beta SL. Official men’s Beta SL is 12 oz; we report those weight disagreements and do not pick a number. OutdoorGearLab’s Beta SL review, dated March 5, 2025 and clearly not a 2026 retest, listed $500 and 11.15 ounces in one line and 11.1 ounces in another. We have not worn either jacket, and we don’t give scores.

Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket
Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket

Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket vs Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket: side-by-side

Official men’s figures fetched November 10, 2026, unless noted. CleverHiker reviews last updated October 15, 2026. OutdoorGearLab Helium UL review dated May 1, 2026. OutdoorGearLab Beta SL review dated March 5, 2025, and clearly not treated as a 2026 retest. This page is not women’s Helium UL, not the older 30-denier Helium, and not Beta AR.
Helium UL Jacket (men’s)Beta SL Jacket (men’s)
Official price (fetched Nov 10, 2026)$225; sold out on the official page that day. OutdoorGearLab, dated May 1, 2026, also listed $225. CleverHiker, last updated October 15, 2026, listed $170, which disagrees with the official $225$500.00. CleverHiker, last updated October 15, 2026, and OutdoorGearLab, dated March 5, 2025, also listed $500
Official weightOfficial 5.7 oz / 162 g. OutdoorGearLab measured 5.6 ounces in a men’s medium. CleverHiker listed 5.7 oz and measured 5.6 ozOfficial 12 oz / 340 g. CleverHiker listed 12 oz / 10 oz (men’s / women’s) and measured 10.7 oz; we do not resolve whether that measurement is a men’s or women’s jacket. OutdoorGearLab, dated March 5, 2025, listed both 11.15 oz and 11.1 oz in the same review
Official fabric / featuresOfficial Toray Dermizax 2.75-layer 15D nylon ripstop; fully seam taped; YKK Aquaguard front zipper and chest pocket; wire-brim adjustable hood; chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack; shaped bonded cuffs with partial elastic; no pit zips on the official feature list we fetchedOfficial 3-layer PFC-free GORE-TEX ePE with C-KNIT backer; official body and contrast fabrics listed as 40D × 70D; pit zippers; two zippered hand pockets and an internal chest pocket; helmet-compatible StormHood; adjustable Velcro cuffs; RECCO reflector. Official copy says this product was previously the Beta Lightweight Jacket. OutdoorGearLab, dated March 5, 2025, said it was previously labeled the LT model
Official length / fit notesOfficial center-back length 29.0 in / 73.7 cm. Official size chart is body measurements from XS through XXXL. Official ounces do not replace a chest or sleeve measurementOfficial size M center-back length 30 in / 75 cm, and official copy says that length varies by size. Official fit is listed as Fitted. Official ounces do not replace a size check. CleverHiker, last updated October 15, 2026, said the jacket felt roomier through the chest than its fitted label suggested

What are the pros and cons?

Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket: pros

  • Much lower official price ($225 vs $500.00) and a much lighter official weight (5.7 oz vs 12 oz)
  • Official 15D 2.75-layer packability, with a chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack
  • OutdoorGearLab, dated May 1, 2026, and CleverHiker, last updated October 15, 2026, both measured about 5.6 oz and treated it as an emergency or “what-if” shell

Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket: cons

  • No official pit zips, and CleverHiker said the lack of dedicated vents limits heat dumping on high-exertion climbs
  • Official 15D fabric is a lighter construction than the official Beta SL 40D × 70D 3-layer shell
  • CleverHiker listed $170, which disagrees with official and OutdoorGearLab $225, and the official page was sold out on November 10, 2026

Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket: pros

  • Official 3-layer GORE-TEX ePE, pit zippers, helmet-compatible StormHood, and a more complete pocket set at official 12 oz
  • CleverHiker, last updated October 15, 2026, treated it as a severe-storm shell after Alaska testing, and listed the same $500 official price
  • Official size M center-back length is 30 in, one inch longer than the official Helium UL 29.0 in figure

Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket: cons

  • Much higher official price ($500.00) and a heavier official weight (12 oz)
  • Reviewer men’s weights disagree with official 12 oz (CleverHiker measured 10.7 oz without a resolved size; OutdoorGearLab listed 11.15 oz and 11.1 oz in a dated March 5, 2025 review)
  • This is not Beta AR, and it is not the lower-priced non-SL Beta jacket

Which should you choose: Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket or Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket?

On official men’s pages fetched November 10, 2026, the Helium UL is the lighter, less expensive emergency shell ($225, official 5.7 oz, 2.75-layer 15D, no pit zips; sold out that day). The Beta SL is the heavier, more featured 3-layer shell ($500.00, official 12 oz, GORE-TEX ePE, pit zips, helmet-compatible hood). CleverHiker’s October 15, 2026 Helium price of $170 disagrees with official and OutdoorGearLab $225. Official men’s Beta SL weight is 12 oz; CleverHiker measured 10.7 oz, and OutdoorGearLab’s dated March 5, 2025 review listed 11.15 oz and 11.1 oz. We have not worn either jacket. This page is not Torrentshell versus Foray, and it is not a women’s comparison.

Choose Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket if…

  • You want official 5.7 oz and official $225, and will accept no official pit zips
  • You want the current men’s Helium UL, not the older 30-denier Helium
  • A sold-out official page on November 10, 2026, is acceptable while you confirm stock
Check Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket price (opens in a new tab)

Choose Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket if…

  • You want official 3-layer GORE-TEX ePE, pit zips, and official $500.00 / 12 oz
  • You will check official Fitted sizing rather than treating 12 oz as a fit measurement
  • You are shopping the men’s Beta SL, not Beta AR and not a women’s Beta SL
Check Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket price (opens in a new tab)

Current Helium UL and Beta SL, not nearby models

Official Outdoor Research copy, fetched November 10, 2026, calls the Helium UL the next-generation evolution of the earlier Helium Rain Jacket. CleverHiker’s October 15, 2026 review discusses the current UL and the earlier 30-denier Helium separately; we keep those older-jacket notes out of the official UL column. Official Arc’teryx copy says the Beta SL was previously the Beta Lightweight Jacket. OutdoorGearLab’s March 5, 2025 review said it was previously labeled the LT model. We report that naming disagreement and do not resolve it. This page is not Beta AR, not the non-SL Beta, not Foray, and not a women’s Helium UL or women’s Beta SL.

Who should skip both of these jackets?

  • Shoppers comparing Patagonia Torrentshell 3L with Outdoor Research Foray. That official comparison already lives on another page.
  • Anyone mixing a women’s Helium UL or women’s Beta SL into this men’s table. Official Beta SL lists 12 oz for the men’s jacket; official women’s weights are a different SKU.
  • People who want us to treat CleverHiker’s $170 Helium price as official. Official and OutdoorGearLab listed $225.
  • Buyers who need the Helium UL in stock today. The official page was sold out on November 10, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Which official men’s jacket is lighter?
Official Helium UL weight is 5.7 oz / 162 g. Official men’s Beta SL weight is 12 oz / 340 g. OutdoorGearLab measured the Helium UL at 5.6 ounces in a men’s medium (May 1, 2026). CleverHiker also measured 5.6 oz on the Helium UL and 10.7 oz on a Beta SL, without a resolved size for that Beta measurement.
Do they cost the same?
No. Official prices fetched November 10, 2026, were $225 (Helium UL) and $500.00 (Beta SL). CleverHiker, last updated October 15, 2026, listed $170 and $500. The $170 Helium figure disagrees with official $225.
Does the Helium UL have pit zips?
No. The official Helium UL feature list we fetched November 10, 2026, does not include pit zips. Official Beta SL copy lists pit zippers.
Is the Beta SL the same jacket as the Beta Lightweight or Beta LT?
Official Arc’teryx copy says the Beta SL was previously the Beta Lightweight Jacket. OutdoorGearLab, dated March 5, 2025, said it was previously labeled the LT model. We report both and do not resolve the naming history.
Is this the same as Torrentshell versus Foray?
No. That page compares official Torrentshell 3L and Foray figures. This page compares official men’s Helium UL and official men’s Beta SL.

Sources

Prices, specs and land-unit rules were checked on the pages below as of Nov 2026. Brands and land units change prices and rules often, so confirm them on the seller’s or official land-unit page before you buy or go.

  1. Outdoor Research: Men’s Helium UL Jacket official product page ($225, sold out on fetch day; official weight 5.7 oz / 162 g; official Toray Dermizax 2.75-layer 15D nylon; official center-back length 29.0 in / 73.7 cm; chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack; no official pit zips on the feature list we used; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (outdoorresearch.com)
  2. Arc’teryx: Beta SL Jacket Men’s official U.S. product page ($500.00; official weight 12 oz / 340 g; official size M center-back length 30 in / 75 cm; official 40D × 70D 3-layer GORE-TEX ePE with C-KNIT backer; pit zippers; previously the Beta Lightweight Jacket; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (arcteryx.com)
  3. CleverHiker: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket review (last updated October 15, 2026; listed $170, which disagrees with official $225; listed 5.7 oz and measured 5.6 oz on the Helium UL; zero dedicated vents; earlier 30-denier Helium discussed separately; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (cleverhiker.com)
  4. CleverHiker: Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket review (last updated October 15, 2026; $500; listed 12 oz / 10 oz men’s / women’s; measured 10.7 oz; Alaska testing notes; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (cleverhiker.com)
  5. OutdoorGearLab: Outdoor Research Helium UL review (dated May 1, 2026; $225 list; measured 5.6 ounces in a men’s medium; 2.75-layer 15D notes; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (outdoorgearlab.com)
  6. OutdoorGearLab: Arc’teryx Beta SL review (dated March 5, 2025; clearly dated and not treated as a 2026 retest; $500 list; listed 11.15 oz and 11.1 oz in the same review; said the jacket was previously labeled the LT model; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (outdoorgearlab.com)
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