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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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!