What about this shell?

I have used the virga once- backpacking in the mountains raining and 36 degrees. It worked well over an light icebreaker t shirt- altho warmer temps would have ben a better test of its breathability. It is light & gives good coverage, I will use it on future trips. I think it is better than the precip. I do not have the montbell, but love there other products.

I like my Zealot. No frills. Gore-tex.
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/m_s_zealot_jacket.html

Sorry about the double post..

Hi Jason,
Been using the Virga and so far have been happy with it's performance. Not the most breathable fabric but have learned its limitations and work around it.
I'm on my second version (currently available 08 model) and noticed Golite has made some improvements that had some minor complaints on the earlier model, now has a stiffer zipper cover, beefy zippers, 2 side pockets and the hood seems to fit better then on the original jacket.
Hope this helps

Jason:

No direct experience with the Virga, but reading the above about limitations and work arounds — that's really not so different from your current REI UL jacket.

As you know, I LOVE my very, very breathable MontBell Peak Shell jacket. I would recommend that one highly. It's more expensive, yes, but if you are going to upgrade, then you should upgrade — and not spend more money just moving laterally (so to speak). YMMV, of course.

Oh, BTW, the MontBell Particle jacket has the same breathability rating as the Peak Shell jacket! Not that I know for sure, but I think that while the Particle may be just as breathable as the Peak at optimum conditions — I expect the Peak to perform better across a much wider temp/humidity range. This is because the Peak has done away with the PU layer entirely (same as eVENT) whereas the Particle still has that PU coating. Of course, the not-all-that breathable GoLite Virga has a PU coating as well.

Hey Jason,

I'm in the same situation–I have the REI Ultralight Jacket and was thinking about upgrading. However, I noticed that my medium size Ultralight (2006?) only weighs 12.75 ounces. They must have upped the weight.

REI currently has the Marmot Essence on sale for $109. My finger's tempted to push the "submit order" button. I think it weighs in just under 10 ounces. Not as breathable as Gore-tex but probably more than the regular Precip.

David

@Ben
funny enough I did sent you a PM today about your Peak jacket, but since you mention it, I can just ask it here in the margin of this thread: could you take a look at the label of your Peak jacket and see if it mentions anything about PTFE. I know Mont Bell told you Breeze Dry-tec uses PTFE but since I am a suspicious man :-) , I figured out that it should be fairly simple to confirm this by looking at the label.

OK, now back to the main question …

Howdy Tom — did you receive my PM reply?

This is going to be another one of those that's totally subjective…

I have a 6oz wp/b jacket that is nowhere as breathable as my 10 oz MontBell. For me, when I need to constantly zip up / zip down my jacket and still get soaked "too soon" anyway — I've never felt good that I saved 4 or 5 ounces of weight!

Yip, just got it. Thanks.

I have Used a Peak Shell and a Particle jacket before. I have tried on Virga I love the Peak shell for eVent like performance at a better price.

From what I have found the Particle is not quite as breathable as the Peak, but a far better choice than the Virga. Particle Jacket is much more breathable than the Virga, has better zippers, and seems to be a bit more durable, all for a few ounces.

If weight is not as much of a concern choose the Particle over the Virga.

The 08 version of the essence is new. Can anyone confirm the weight of the jacket (and what size you weighed). I can not seem to trust weights posted for Marmot gear.

Thanks, Jamie

O2 Rainshield for trail hiking; weighs ~6 oz and breathes like event.

ID EVENT jacket for all around use; weighs ~10.5 oz and breathes like, well, EVENT.

Both are no frills designs that have superb breathability, but O2 is cheap and fragile at ~$30, whereas ID's EVENT jacket is pricey(~$225), but long lasting, and much better made.

I went to REI the other day and had the guy take into the back and weigh it on a postal scale. According to him, the medium weighed a tad under 10 ounces. It's a tempting buy but it doesn't have pit zips and I have no idea how breathable it is.

David:

Truth be told, I have never needed to use the pitzips on my beloved MontBell — although I would still want them around as an option. The makers of eVENT claim that pitzips are not necessary — but again, I think having the option would still be a positive.

The Marmot Essence uses a traditional 2.5-layer PU coating — which is inferior in breathability to Goretex, never mind MontBell Breeze Dry Tec or eVENT. For me, the absence of pitzip venting on a so-so breathable jacket is a deal killer.