OR vaporbarrier jacket/pants: does anyone else think they are killer value?

Are they breathable? Or are you gonna clam up straight away?

These look like VBL clothing – if they are, Stephensons are still way cheaper.

>Stephensons are still way cheaper.

True. But consider performance/cost here. With all those features you get a very wide comfort range making them usable also as rain gear. Warmlite will get too hot due to lack of ventilation option.

Rampart are on sale at e-omc for $59.95. That was what I had in mind when I started this thread.

In other words, your VBL shirt and storm shell should be two garments. Using one garment for both defeats on of the inherent purposes of either. If you need both functions, buy two garments.

If they are to be used as a VBL, they need to be close-fitting to maintain the necessary micro climate. If the jacket is designed to fit snuggly, it defeats the ability to layer underneath it.

If you're using it as a storm shell and VBL during snow, you need to be able to fit it over insulating layers. If you are putting this over an insulating layers, you will soak your insulating layers from condensation that condenses on the inside of the jacket and condensation that condenses inside your insulation. If you are caught in a storm in cold conditions put an insulating layer on over it, you risk soaking the insulating layer from the outside.

If you are using a VBL, you are in deep cold for (probably) an multi-day trip. VBLs are not meant for temps above freezing.

As for weight, by Stephenson's VBL shirt and pants weigh 8.47 and 4.69 ounces, respectively. The Rampart combo is 24.8 ounces combined. Because you're probably going to be wearing the pants only at night as a form of VBL clothing, they will be in your pack all day. If you need a hard shell, the Rampart clothing weighs enough to disqualify it from my books.

I'm inherently skeptical also because OR's website does not state that the Rampart series are VBL clothing.

The OR product in this discussion are not VB clothing, they are rain gear.

I have seen the jacket first hand and know of several people who use is and it is a rain jacket.

Sorry to burst the OP's bubble.

My question to OR's customer service:

"Are your Rampart Pants and Jacket designed to be vapor barrier layers? I have heard of some disagreement, and your website is confusing as to this issue. Thanks. "

Here's an e-mail reply from OR:

"The Rampart Pants and Jacket were not intended to be used as a vapor barrier layer although they are NOT vapor permeable and would function as one if you wanted. They were designed to be used as an outer shell layer. Keep in mind that they may not be the most effective vapor barrier since the zippers will allow moisture to escape to the next layer.

I hope this helps. Good luck with the debate.

Regards,
Jason

Matt, thanks for all the info. You are right, they will not be as effective as true VB.