epic pants

Jeff,

Soiled spots including tree sap removed with alcohol or grease stains removed with automobile finish tar remover readily wet out. I haven't noticed any major reduction from normal dirt. The water repellency can be totally restored by washing in a detergent, double rinsing, and then running it through a drier.

More importantly, how breathable are Epic pants?

I made some a while back. They weigh about 4.5 oz. I made the mistake of using that along with an epic liberty ridge jacket I made as primary rain gear on a 2 nighter where it rained all day both days. It didn't take long for the jacket to soak through, especially where it touched the skin. The pants faired slightly better throughout the trip. I feel both items would be well used in combo w/ a poncho. Where the pants get dirty around the feet, they hold water and soak through quickly. It is pretty impossible to keep them clean for over 5 minutes when hiking in rain, so I don't try. Concerning breathability, its not too bad. It certainly keeps the wind out and heats up a fleece well.

They will serve you well for a low weight penalty.

I would make them out of Momentum if you want more breathability and waterproofness

Thanks for the replies. Anyone else have thoughts and/or stats on the breathability/water resistance of epic vs. momentum?

I have made quilts using momentum and I am contemplating a down vest made of momentum to wear ONLY in camp, under an outer jacket or in a sleeping bag in cold, cold winter.

While it is a marvelous fabric for those uses, I personally would not use if for garments that will be worn on the trail. I am afraid that it would not stand up to the rigors of hiking unless you happen to be in an area with no vegetation to snag and no sandstone, etc. to scramble over.

Of course, I may just be rougher on my gear than I should.

I've never used Epic and this is why. From everything I have read, it's like wearing a raincoat for half your trip. It will stop the first few drops of rain but then, quit working. It sounds to me like I would be carring dead weight at that point. Either you want to keep rain off or you don't. When it's warm, I don't wear raingear, when it's cold, my life depends on it. I don't want to depend on Epic to save my life!

Momentum is not waterproof – neither is Epic, but Momentum wouldn’t seem to be appropriate for use in shelters, raingear, etc.

Check out this link for some useful info.

If this helps, Momentum90 is pretty close to Pertex Quantum fabric in my experience.

Quick question regarding EPIC:

Why is it so unable to breathe well?

If EPIC just coated the fibers, and then weaved, there would still be capillaries for vapor and liquid movement. I assume they don't do this.

But if Epic weaves, and then coats, the treatment would create a near continuous barrier, allowing vapor but not liquid to move through. EPIC probably does this.

Does anyone know?

Epic does breath well unless ice freezes in the gaps between the fibers.
I think Epic would make sense for pants used with a more weather-proof jacket or a poncho.