Polartec Goes Waterproof

Very interesting. I was looking for an event jacket but guess I'll have to wait now.

Another article on new waterproofs for 2011:
http://gearjunkie.com/waterproof-breathable-hardshell-jackets-2011

Awesome thread. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

http://skiingbusiness.com/1524/newswire/polartec-makes-big-claims-with-its-neoshell-fabric/

this one with pictures.

Obviously Paramo is still a sideshow. I doubt that anyone can get as breathable as they are. Lighter and cooler, perhaps.

aint cool enough for dem yama gurls … and ya know it ;)

yuppies n yamas … thats what the great outdoors is all about =P

on a more serious note … here's polartecs view

For many years the outdoor industry has relied upon the Water Vapor Resistance or RET (Resistance of Evaporation of a Textile) test to measure the “breathability” of water resistant/waterproof fabrics. This test,”compare(s) the ability of different materials to dissipate moisture vapor from the body of the wearer to the outside.” (WSA Jan/Feb2010)

Polartec has always emphasized air permeability. Even tiny, tiny amounts of air flowing through the fabric massively increases a fabric’s ability to move moisture vapor away from your body. Fabrics without airflow require a significant amount of heat and moisture vapor to build up inside the jacket before they start to work. We have all experienced the sweat-box feeling of a fabric that relies only on diffusion to “breathe.”

http://www.justazipper.com/2010/02/17/dmpc/

believe it when i see it, the key to 'waterproof/breathable' is the DWR which wears off. If you could make water bead on noseeum netting you would have it made. Propore actually works, but is too fragile for bush use. Event is OK as long as the water is beading, but then you get a clamy dampness even though its still waterproof under the tap. weird.

Hey Miguel (or anyone else with Paramo experience), I've got a Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock. Very interesting piece, though I've barely had it out. I'm pretty warm (sweat easily) when I'm backpacking as I'm usually moving at a pretty good pace. How low, temp wise, do you think I could take this without anything underneath? And how about with a light base layer (or does that cancel out the advantage to Paramo garments?)?.

Thanks for any insight.

I have worn a Paramo smock over a thin (190g/m2) merino top down to -20 degC/-4 degF.
This is while moving – a down jacket goes over this when stopped.

My problem with Paramo is that I find it too warm in most conditions (ie: just above freezing!).

Nice that BPL intends to post an article about the new WPB's this year. Hope it will cut thru the hype.
Caught one link on one of these threads to a spec for the more water resistant Polartek WPB. It may be more effective, but does not appear to be any lighter than the 2/3+ lb. more breathable tops currently available.
With all the hype, they may actually be shooting themselves in the feet. With the 'boy who cried wolf' effect.
The eVent has been well tested and reported upon, and if someone comes out with a half pound shell in XL, it might be worth buying. Nothing else, though, without some track record for breathability plus the light weight. My Patagonia Specter pullover works very well at a half pound, and folds up very well to fit in the top pack cover pocket. Why waste money. It just encourages the hypotists.

If you have something that works well for you, keep using it. If I'm not mistaken, Patagonia doesn't even make the Specter anymore, and when they did, it didn't satisfy everyone for every use. A lot of folks here, myself included are willing to sacrifice 1-8 oz for a shell that is more durable, breathable, and/or more featured than the Specter. To each their own!

Aaron,

You are very diplomatic, and I was not.
But still, do not quite agree.

The Integral Designs eVent jackets have been out for a number of years in the 10-12 ounce range. If we run out to buy newer gear that is much hyped, but no lighter or more breathable, all we are going to see is more hype, and will we really have anything better for more money spent?

I happen to like the Specter, because I got one on sale for $99 and it meets my every backpacking need. You are right, it was discontinued. First, it was replaced with a lighter model with a wispy WPB fabric and more features, and that was not popular, so it was dropped. The wispy fabrics were popular in several brands, but only for a while – not sure why. It may be because these fabrics were less, not more breathable than the eVent and newer Goretex offerings, and when in a heavy cold downpour, they are so thin that it feels as if they are totally sopped even if they are not.

A principal goal on this site is, it seems from the title, to lower pack weight. If I have something old that works AOK at a half pound, shouldn't I expect from the industry something better for that weight? Will we see anything better if we buy whatever is pushed out with much hype, but no real improvement? And you don't need to be a long distance trekker to appreciate an under half pound functional rain shell that will be a boon for runners, day-hikers, bicyclists, kayakers, etc. Many of us do these other activities too, sometimes in conjunction with trekking, and whatever we're doing in the outdoors, we will still probably want to take along a reliable, functional shell, and the lighter and easier it is to carry, the better.

It may not be playing nice, but if we don't demand something better, we won't get it.
Instead, just more and more of the endless marketing hype.

The good news here is that older eVent gear that is NOS is falling in price and that gear is already well reviewed. As for me , pitzips with a good hard shell , until breathable fabrics become so good that like nuclear energy in the 60's "will make electricity so cheap we don't have to meter it".

looks like MEC is going neoshell … sweet !!! … value base clothing

and the made in canada westcomb …

neoshell shoes tooo ….

http://explore.outdoorsica.com/blogs/my_first_gear_blog/2010/nov/18/more_on_polartecs_new_neoshell_and_why_its_good_news_for_consumers/

Polartec is very excited about the launch of NeoShell. They've partnered with several manufacturers including Mountain Equipment Co-Op and Westcomb. Companies are working on jackets, pants and gloves featuring it. Shoes are definitely a possibility in the near future. The first jackets will be in stores in Fall 2011.