Westcomb eVent Hardshells

The ones I have seen do not. Yes, eVent is that good.

You'll see different answers to that question based on different interpretations.

Does event need pit zips? No. Would an event jacket benefit from pit zips? Very much so. It can only make it better. I can easily turn my Rab jackets into a sauna and I don't even sweat all that much. A good hill climb on a wet day is all it takes.

It's up to you to decide if pit zips are worth the weight and cost.

Yes. That's why I bought a Mont-belle Trekker over an eVent jacket. Here in the PNW it's a common truth, but uphill is heat and sweat everywhere. The non-pit zip thing is disinformation and or hype.

The Westcomb Specter I just got doesn't have pit zips but it does have large, high pockets that serve the same purpose.

the mirage does last i checked

My girlfriends Mirage does not have pit zips.

http://www.westcomb.com/products/product.asp?ProductSeason_ID=7&Product_TypeSeasonID=1

the ones ive tried on does as does the latest version

OK, that's good to know.

For me, having pit zips is kind of a no-brainer for outdoor gear, unless you spend a lot of your outdoor time standing around, looking like you have an active outdoor life.

Another thing that is a no-brainer is NOT having chest pockets. Just another layer (well, 2 actually) that moisture needs to pass through. I do like Arcteryx's bicep pocket, though–perfect for a ski pass or MP3 player.

Anyway, would Westcomb put pit zips on a hard shell at a customer's request?

Pit zips must be a new addition. The women's mirage shell I have in front of me right now was made in 08, and no zips.

Chris, I can't agree with you that no pit zips = poser outdoor lifestyle. You'd be surprised as to how breathable eVent is. That being said, pitzips are always a benefit, but its always a compromise with weight. I also feel that chest pockets are great. I like them for stashing a trail map, food, or gps during downpours. Beats having to dig through my pack and expose all the other contents to the rain. If anything, I'm starting to feel that hand warmer pockets are useless, even ones that are chest level and above my pack's hipbelt. I can't ever remember a time I've hiked with my hands inside my rain jackets pockets. I don't even think I put my hands in my rain jacket for around-town use either.

I don't think westcomb or any major manufacturer will put on custom pit zips for you, unless you're a sponsored athlete assisting in gear design.

"For me, having pit zips is kind of a no-brainer for outdoor gear, unless you spend a lot of your outdoor time standing around, looking like you have an active outdoor life."

Yes – because Integral Designs and RAB don't outfit mountaineering groups with gear and they mostly produce poser gear.

Hilarious.

Why don't you try eVent first and if you like it, edit your post.

the revenant, cruiser and mirage have zips … only the spectre doesn't

zips are useful

I bought my Mirage in 2008 from Backcountry.com, and later learned that the one I bought (called an SE – for special edition) was modified by Backcountry.com and Westcomb to make it lighter. Shorter in the body, fewer features, fewer pockets. The SE doesn't have pit zips, but the standard model then did. I've thought about having them added, but decided against it. eVent breathes well enough that I don't need the pit zips except when the temperature gets near 100 F or I'm doing manual labor, and on those days I simply select a different rain shell.

I'm not saying that no pit zips = poser outdoor lifestyle. What I mean is, when you're an outdoor clothing designer it's pretty safe (or wise?) to assume that the the person wearing it will be engaged in active (read: sweaty) pursuits…

just how well does this eVent breath compared to packlite?
I have a Arc'Teryx Packlite jacket that I really like but for say skinning uphill with a decent pack I defiantly appreciate and need the pit-zipps — I'm wondering just how more breathable eVent is, 20%? 30%?
That said I also have a houdini and there are times when I'm wetting it out with sweat charging uphill, how does eVent fit between the two?
Cheers

you can also sweat and wet out any event shell. the houdini will definitely breathe better. so, pit zips make sense imho, but I also sweat a lot.

I have never used any goretex, so I can't tell you how much better event is. but you will find pletty of information on bpl how event is supposed to work better than gore for most people here. But given the fact that there is no pu layer used with event, it should breathe much better as it is "direct venting" …

Wildthings alpine light hardshell (new name for 2010)is made using 3L eVent and has full pit zips. High quality materials and workmanship, reasonable price and made in the USA. Worth a look for winter type conditions.

I personally hate pit-zips. They don't make me any cooler and in a hard rain they tend to leak (not worth it to me before you even consider weight). I seem to end up spending a large amount of my time hiking in the rain.

For clarification, Richard and Eric are 100% correct. It wasn't until Richard's post, that I remembered that my girlfriends Mirage was also the backcountry special edition, made with a lighter weight design in mind (sans pit zips). Sorry for any confusion!

Westcomb's Vapor jacket has Pit zips too, and a RiRi aquazip!

I must agree with some of the others out there – eVent is that good.

I purchased a Rab Momentum about a month ago and recently had a chance to use it on a 7-day trip. It only rained one day (all day) on a primarily uphill section, and I was reluctant to put the jacket on early on because I didn't have high expectations for real-world performance.

After an hour or so, the rain finally got heavy enough to necessitate the jacket, and I had no issue at all with overheating during long, steep climbs. In fact, I ended up keeping it on all day as the rain went off and on, light and heavy.

Note: The Rab Momentum does not have pit zips.

The Westcomb Specter LT is an eVent 3L jacket which I just purchased. It does NOT have pit zips and the pockets are lined with same material as shell so they would probably not serve as an alternative to pit zips. I am comparison shoppig it to the Arc'teryx Theta SL (purchased with liberal return policy) which is a Gortex ProShell & Paclite product, with pit zips but weighnig slightly more…They both appear to have quality construction with similar fit. So far I prefer the feel of the interior of the Westcomb over the Arc'teryx but I do like the feature of pit zips on teh Arc'teryx. I have not yet used either in a rigorous activity.