I need some convincing: Pertex Equilibrium (RAB Alpine) vs Pertex Micro, etc.

[Arch Martin]

I've read what I could find on Pertex equilibrium and Pertex Micro/quantum/blah blah. I'm confused on what would work best for my needs. I've neither owned a wind shirt nor a softshell before. I guess I have always gotten wet using my rain jacket! I finally want to wise up and get started on a solid 3-season lightweight kit.

My baselayer is a L/s merino top, merino bottom.

I need a highly breathable wind jacket for hiking, mountain biking, running, and around town use. Sounds the same as all the old wind shirt threads, right? Well, here is where I'm confused. I can't stop thinking about a RAB Alpine pullover/jacket. Pertex Equilibrium seems more breathable (~10+ cfm?) than the other types (~5 cfm?), and thus more applicable to my high intensity activities. I've read that it let's more air pass through (could be good?). It's also heavier. The Alpine is listed as 9-10 ounces, I think. The ID pertex is like ~4-5, and some others are ~3-4 ounces.

I really don't have plans to do much winter camping. Most posts mentioning the Alpine comment that it's a great winter wind shell. What about 3-season? Is it just not water resistant enough? Doesn't the RAB have DWR? And now, a new twist: RAB changed the 2010 Alpine pullover already! It now has a full zip.

Any comments on which wind shirt is better suited for my needs? I live in the southeast, but I might be moving out west in 8 months.
Any comments on the RAB Alpine, and pullover (can't find) or full zip?
The new RAB Alpine is around online for about $80. I have a gear swap thread, WTB: wind shirt, and really didn't want to spend $80 for a wind shirt. So price is also a factor.

[Ismail Faruqi]

Here are my experiences after 11 months owning rab alpine pull on.

It has DWR that effectively beads up rain drops. But mine wears off after about 3 hard rains.
This thing dries very fast… about 20mins after soaked in hard rain in my experience.
It blocks wind effectively.
The material is not very durable, mine is piling when gross grain from shoulder strap rubs on it.
Fit is very tight on the chest, I prefer full zip if available.
In a hard rain water will eventually get through in arms and hood, but not in chest or back.

Hope this helps

[David Chenault]

Microlight and Equilibrium are pretty different fabrics. You've got the differences pretty well down; Microlight is much more windproof, Equilibrium is much more breathable. Equilibrium is also fairly warm as a shell fabric, one reason it's sold as a winter shell.

If you want something to cut a bit of wind but still breath really well, and be light and stretch, the Boreas is worth looking at. Great mountain biking shell for cooler weather.

I don't think pilling is the same as not being durable.

[James holden]

running ad biking sets off alarm bells … for those activities id want something that is highly breathable, and even ventilated

put it this way … a good running or biking wind shirt can easily be used for hiking generally … especially the running ones

however not all hiking windshirts IMO are breathable enough for very high output activities

id decide which sport i did the most … and get a windshirt for that specifically

i personally use a dead bird celeris vest i picked up for cheap for running … its the most breathable windshell fabric ive found

[R K]

i dunno why most say its better for winter. i don't think its warmer, i actually say its cooler, similar to supplex in wind resistance. the fabric is heavier than other wind shell materials, so maybe thats why. it feels more durable than say, a houdini or lite-speed. i've used my equilibrium jacket year round and its great on the move. not so great when you're standing around since its not as warm. it wicks well and feels better on the skin when wet, as it doesn't stick like a lightweight fabric will. water resistance is totally dependent on dwr. i've never refreshed the dwr on my wind-shirts, so no comment there. it's for the wind after all, other jackets are better for rain.

[Arch Martin]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I'm now definitely leaning toward a running UL softshell or venting jacket. The dead bird looks good except it doesn't have a hood. The problem with the running jackets is that they do not have hoods. The RAB looks like it has a decent or overbuilt hood, so I know there that's no problem. It looks like I might try out the Alpine full zip and tell yall how it works for my uses :)

Peace be with you

[Velimir Kemec]

Hi,
I have Pull on version of Rab jacket you are looking at and can only
say good things about it (summer or winter use) and you are right about its hood
design. One of the best fitting hoods out there with very good protection. As for the
wear factor anything will wear out with use! You will not be disappointed.
Cheers!

[Author]

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