eVent Rain Pants & Rain Suits

I like my Rab drillium pants. 7.9oz (Medium)

In terms of jackets: I like my montane quickfire, but it is not longer produced and hard to get.
Any jackets from montane, rab or ID are usually highly recommended…

del

The 2 that come to mind are the Integral Designs Rain Pants, and the Rab Drillium Rain pants. Both are ~10 oz. Not sure you can go much lighter than that at the moment.

I think the lightest event jacket (with a full functional hood) is the rab Demand pullover. Again, roughly 10 oz. If you want a hoodless design, or one with a mediocre hood, Integral Designs has a lighter option

These are what's available right now. Original Mountain Marathon (UK based) was suppose to come out with a lighter pullover, but I've yet to see it online.

Here's an older thread where I've posted similar info and pics

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=30089&skip_to_post=256502

Konrad,

How is the fit for Rab jackets? Is it closer to the Arcteryx fit (fitted body, long arms), or the Patagonia fit (boxy body, short arms)?

Seeing as how Rab is UK based, they come with a european cut (a bit narrower in the shoulders/chest when compared to american jackets…the zipper is even on the other side with Rab!) , so they are definitely not boxy like patagonia or north face. When I compare my Arcteryx with my Rab, I actually find the Rab one to be even more athletically cut, as the torso is even more trim. The arms are perfect IMO. I have monkey limbs (for reference, im 5'9, but only have an 18.5 torso, yet my sleeve length is 34") With my arms to my side, the sleeves on my size Small Rab still go past my wrist. The cuff is diagonally cut, with the palm side of the material being slightly past my wrist, and the other side having enough material to go about halfway down the back of my hand. Needless to say, when I raise my ape appendages, my wrists are still covered and protected from the elements. To sum it up, if you're a slim/med or otherwise athletic build, you'll love the cut.

What size are you? I'm replacing my Rab drillium (Jacket, not pants) with a Rab Latok Alpine (better hood on the latter), and will probably let the drillium go. I'm a size small. Just send me a PM if you're interested. Thanks

dont forget to posibly size up to wear insulation underneath, get one too small and you may compress your down jacket to the point of failure.

I can vouch for the Integral Designs eVent pullover, which is basically a Rab Demand pull on. It's 10 ounces, all eVent, very functional. Good build quality & attention to detail. They make pants to "match."

Konrad, I'm a medium size for Acteryx jackets. The thing is, my shoulders are quite broad (wear 39-40 suit jackets), arms long (wear 36" dress shirts), but my waist is trim (32"-33" when wearing blue jeans). I think that a Rab small size might be too narrow for my shoulders.

Ike, Why would you wear a down jacket under a rain shell? Wouldn't you just end up steaming the down to the point of collapse (where it loses it's insulative properties)? Is this common among hikers? I usually just wear my base layer + rain shell. If it's really cold or windy, then I'll add a fleece layer to the mix.

Chris, you wouldn't wear down under a shell while hiking. You'd do it in camp if you're in mixed conditions, ie 30*F rain.

On Rab/ID sizing, go up a size from normal. I wear a medium jacket from just about everyone on the market, but definitely needed to go to a large for the ID pullover.

Brad,

Yeah, I just see no reason for wearing a down jacket under a rain shell. In mixed conditions, as you describe, I'd just duck into a tent or under a tarp.

I prefer to keep the rainshell fitted to my body–not tight, but not baggy either–to aid in moisture expulsion. My understanding is that body heat drives the moisture expulsion mechanism in waterproof/breathable fabrics, so the closer to your body the more heat (moisture) is expelled.

Correct me if my understanding is wrong here…

if youre dealing with a lot of freezing rain i wouldnt take a down jacket

the shell for me should be large enough to cover you with 2 mid layers on (ex. fleece and light synthetic jacket)

any colder and youll be in temps where it just snows

I was just checking out some of the jackets suggested and came upon the Rab Drillium for $190….regular $275

http://www.prolitegear.com/rab_drillium_jacket.html

I found this on another site, but can't locate the company.

"CAMP Compact Event Jacket"

http://www.horydoly.cz/foto/camp_horo_2009/img00010.jpg Looks interesting. CZ company if link doesn't work Google "compact event jacket"

THANKS…from Czeck Republic

If you find out what this and the anorak cost and if they ship to the US please post the info. Looks very competitive in terms of features.

C.A.M.P are an Italian outfit. There hardwear is popular in the UK, but i haven’t seen any of their clothing.
Website here

They have a US site:

http://www.camp-usa.com

They also have some windshirts, softshell, and down clothing, but no eVent yet.

"I just see no reason for wearing a down jacket under a rain shell. In mixed conditions, as you describe, I'd just duck into a tent or under a tarp."

I wear a down jkt under my rain shell regularly. Anytime it's rainy, cold and I need to be outside this is what I wear. Some examples would be while cooking lunch on the trail on a cold rainy day, when setting up camp and when I first start hiking on a really cold morning.

"I prefer to keep the rainshell fitted to my body–not tight, but not baggy either–to aid in moisture expulsion. My understanding is that body heat drives the moisture expulsion mechanism in waterproof/breathable fabrics, so the closer to your body the more heat (moisture) is expelled."
Maybe this is true, but in my experience the overall amount of moisture expelled is still pretty minimal since WP/B shells just aren't very breathable. This tactic may work better, but I'm not sure it's a huge improvement. I'd rather have a rain jkt that I can layer under.

I'd say that the combo of a WPB shell (TRULY breathable) is OK for most 3 season backpacking IF you can avoid heavy exertion while wearing the down jacket.

I know of a 16 F. day in August, 2009 on the southern PCT that I'd have given a kidney for a down jacket instead of my double T-shirts, L.S. poly shirt, 200 weight pile vest and PacLite parka. It just wasn't enough, even W/ all those layers, for about 2 hours that frigid morning.

Now, with my new Eddie Bauer Down Sweater I'll have with me on next week's Tahoe Rim Trail I'll be fine. A wool balaclava goes along too, and some fleece gloves. My massuse is wearing down too. :)

Dan,

What kind of a down jacket are we talking about here (which one do you use)? I could see wearing a down "sweater" under a WPB shell around camp, but anything bulkier (such as a Patagonia DAS parka) seems too much, as those type of down jackets are usually "standalone" jackets.

I contacted the Italian company and they provided the following on the jacket pictured earlier on this post.

Dear Mr John,
thanks a lot for your enquiry.
First of all, let me introduce you to Mr Jesse Mattner (jesse@camp-usa.com) who is reading in copy and who is the director of CAMP USA, in Broomfield, Colorado.
From the information you filled in in our web site I see you are from Washington…
Mr Jesse will inform you if he has some stock of this jacket and where and how you can buy it.
I can tell you that this jacket was in last year collection and right now is out of production, but in Italy we have in stock some pieces of M size, colour black/silver. Here enclosed you can find the technical data sheet.
Mr Mattner will provide you other information regarding availability and so on.
Should you need further info, do not hesitate to contact me,
best regards

Roberta Tagliaferri
Export Department
C.A.M.P. S.p.A. – Via Roma 23 – 23834 PREMANA (LC) – Italy –
Phone +39.0341.890117 – Fax. +39.0341.818010 – Web : http://www.camp.it

I don't have the know how on how to attached the jpg that came along with the email. Here's the low down.

The jacket weighs 299 grams/10.55 ounces (medium)
Full length waterproof zipper
3 layer eVent
Adjustable waist and cuff with elastic cord
Two front pockets with waterproof zipper
Foldable/adjustable hood
Arm pocket for essentials

I'm impressed that they got all this under 300 grams.

I turned up a completed auction of Ebay for a red one that sold for $150. The seller has one left in a medium if anyone is interested. She's in Colorado .

Just to clarify, when I said to go up one size on the Rab/ID stuff, I say that assuming you're just wearing "normal" clothing. IE, if I'm wearing a 150-wt wool and a midweight wool, I definitely need to go up a size to a large.