lightest eVent Jacket

[Derek Cox]

thanks guys for all your input. i'm still not sure which route im going to take, but i am now a lot more knowledgeable on the subject at least. appreciate it.

[Jolly Green Giant]

I decided to put in a response to this thread as I've officially fallen flat on my face when it comes to finding an eVENT jacket. The responses to this section sounded like there were plenty of people other then me who understood this stuff, so I figured asking wouldn't hurt.

To make a long story short, I'm looking for the lightest eVENT rain jacket possible. The problem, I need an XXL, and as I've learned, not all XXL's are made the same and not all manufacturers made them. I've also learned that finding "the lightest weight which works for me" may be a moot point in the end due to limited options.

The most talked about eVENT jacket on this site is the Integral Designs Thru-Hiker and/or eVENT Jacket. Both have their merit and followers, but both only come in XL. I could have one custom-made in XXL, which I'm willing to do, but I fear having one made which ultimately doesn't fit.

I am concerned with the fit of an XXL because I just purchased a Rab Super Dru from the UK. It cost me a bundle for shipping and now I need to return it as it was tight in the chest and armpits. Consequently, I also purchased the Rab Bergen eVENT pants at XXL and they seemed to work fine.

With that said, I need to find something that works and I'd like to hear from people who have these jackets. I don't know why the Rab didn't fit, I just know it didn't. My plan is to use the jacket over a lightweight down jacket if necessary and the Rab was tight with or without the down jacket. At 6'6" and 265 pounds…I'm a tough fit.

Anyway, the jackets below are on my list. I've included both eVENT and some made of Paclite in case I need to go that route. I've listed the price and weight as I know it and each jacket has a size XXL as far as I know. I don't have physical access to any of these jackets, so I'm unable to try them on. If you own these, or can comment on the larger sizes, or if you have another suggestions, please let me know. THANKS A BUNCH!!

eVENT Jackets

Westcomb Phantom Jacket
http://www.westcomb.com/Hardshell/1C4116C2-D05C-40D3-A241-BABB52502B06.html

Westcomb Mirage Jacket
http://www.westcomb.com/Hardshell/1660E6E4-5161-4951-AC82-45350168929B.html

Westcomb iMirage Jacket
http://www.westcomb.com/Hardshell/F0E0CDA9-15F0-4D41-AF23-EB9C2B424C38.html

Westcomb Chimera Jacket
http://www.westcomb.com/Hardshell/9BDA6666-A490-4D21-83A3-392A3D3DD6AF.html

Westcomb Specter LT Jacket
http://www.westcomb.com/Hardshell/7E4A844E-AA21-4D4A-A93F-924A92A4F728.html

Westcomb Revelstroke Jacket
http://www.westcomb.com/Hardshell/C5162157-9493-4275-BF65-8BB4831D8AC0.html

Montane
Montane Quickfire (11 oz, $492)
http://www.towerridge.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=335

Montane Venture (16.75 oz, $250)
http://www.towerridge.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=332

Montane Superfly XT (21 oz, $189)
http://www.towerridge.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_8&products_id=418

Integral Designs (Both must be custom-made)
eVENT Jacket (11 oz, $240)
http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=763&CFID=8711637&CFTOKEN=79328209&mainproducttypeid=1

Thru-Hiker (13 oz, $270)
http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=840&CFID=8711637&CFTOKEN=79328209&mainproducttypeid=1

PACLITE Jackets

Haglof LIM Ultimate Jacket (8.7 oz)
http://www.haglofs.se/prd/visaprod.asp?id=1044&CatNr=307&CatNr2=&xCatNr=&nid=416&lang=en&Q=2&Str=&show=&ak=&iac=5902&EB=&nid2=467#prd

Haglof Titan Jacket (15.76 oz)
http://www.haglofs.se/prd/visaprod.asp?ID=1503&nid=416&lang=en&CatNr=307&CatNr2=&xCatNr=&NP=&Q=2&HMtrl=&Str=&show=&ak=&nid2=467

Cabelas Paclite Jacket ($110)
http://corporateoutfitter.cabelas.com/product/922399

[Anonymous]

Hi James,
If you do end up getting a custom made ID jacket, you should be able to get a jacket that fits perfectly if you give them detailed measurements of your torso. A phone conversation would go a long way towards getting both you and the maker on the same page. They're a pretty reasonable bunch, IMO. Good luck!

[t.darrah]

James,
Have you looked at Wildthings Superlite Alpinist Jacket? It comes in XXL, four colors, is listed at 16oz (XXL is likely heavier) and has an MSRP of $275.00. I only wear a medium but there clothing seems to be cut/sized for layering. Quality is excellent and its made in America. This may be heavier then what your looking for but it may be worth the look.

[P S]

I emailed Integral Designs and they said they can't make pit zips

[Richard Lyon]

James,
Nothing but great things to say about my Westcomb Mirage SE (see my earlier post). My XL is true to size and a perfect fit for me (6'4", 200 pounds, 22.5 inch torso, 46 in chest). Westcomb's website indicates that the company makes an XXL, though backcountry.com (where I got the SE) never had one. The regular Mirage has pit zips and powder skirt, adding some weight. List price about 400 Cdn.
I have a pair of Wild Things Alpinist bibs and love them too/ The bibs, a Belay jacket, and EPIC Windshirt that I own, all XL, are also true to size though a somewhat trimmer fit than what I usually see (a good thing). WT lists XXL for its Alpinist jacket and the company is very good about customizing various pieces.
Richard

[Jolly Green Giant]

I'm looking at the Vaude Infinity Jacket II, an item which came up while I was using UK search engines when trying to find an eVENT jacket which would fit me. I've never owned a Vaude product and don't know anyone who owns this jacket. If anyone can comment on the quality of their product and specifically this jacket, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[Jolly Green Giant]

(Duplicate – site issues)

[Inaki Diaz de Etura]

don't own any clothing item from Vaude, only tent and packs but I can say Vaude is quite standard wear in Europe and it's fairly good quality. They're basically mass-market (whatever that means for outdoor products) so don't expect cutting edge items but they've even made some tiny attempts at building lightweight stuff.

[Diplomatic Mike]

Another company you might want to look at James, is UK mountaineering gear outfit, Crux. I have the Flak Smock and it has been very durable, whilst reasonably lightweight at 450g. The Flak Jacket goes up to XXL.
http://www.crux.uk.com/index.php

[Jolly Green Giant]

If anyone cares, and I did after two weeks of endless searching for an eVENT jacket, Wild Things (www.wildthingsgear.com) is going to have a 15% off Memorial Day sale on their eVENT jackets. One of the jackets I came across during my research was the Wild Things Alpinist and Superlight Alpinist. Both were really great jackets and during the sale you can save about $50 is you wanted to go that route. I'm sure there will be other sales from other manufacturers, but I just wanted to pass this along after speaking with their customer service reps – which by the way – were absolutely outstanding.

[Richard Lyon]

Great choice. Be sure and let me know what you think. Did you go for XXL?

[Brett Peugh]

I am 6'5" and about 235#s and have not across one that even fits my slightly smaller personage yet. I just use a DriDucks instead.

[Martin Rye]

James,

“Seek and you shall find” I’m glad the search is over

[Jolly Green Giant]

Funny comments from everyone whom I sense felt my pain in my pathetic attempts to find an eVENT jacket. I bought a Montane Superfly, not the Wild Things Alpinist which I indicated was going to be on sale (above). It came down to the fact that the Superfly had a fly over its zipper and the Alpinist didn't. Since they were the same in nearly every other aspect including weight, I figured it was better to have the extra security of the fly then not. I ordered it from the UK, so I have no idea if it will work. Plan B is the Alpinist.

For those who will no doubt tell me a 20/21 oz jacket is heavier then they'd like, well, I'd agree. I researched the heck out of this issue and I ended up with only the two jackets which would work for me. I wanted a jacket which I could layer over down. This knocked out most of the manufacturers as most eVENTS are made to be tight fitting. Others were ousted by the fact that their XXL wouldn't fit a 50/52 chest (most are, at best, a 48 and are almost always very short in length). Then it came down to quality as I decided to go with something that could take the pounding of a backpack versus something that would last for maybe a season. In the end, it was the Superfly and the Alpinist. They aren't the ideal choices for me, but they were the only ones to make the cut. I'm sure in the next 1-2 years, American companies will get on board with the eVENT movement and put together less costly and lighter options, but I didn't have that amount of time to wait. Hopefully my efforts will work out – and I think they will.

Anyway, thanks for all your comments and support, especially to those who took the time to really think it out and PM me. That's what I love about BPL….educated and experienced consumers who are willing to help. It's such a genuine environment, one which I wish would rub off on more of our everyday lives.

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