Mountain Hardwear Dry Q Rain Jackets/Shells?

Depending on the jacket, it's rebranded eVent.

Last year, eVent started to allow manufacturers to use eVent in their own brand WPB. MH picked up on this, but not every DryQ (Elite) jacket is rebranded eVent, some of it is proprietary.

In general, I'd trust a MH $400-$500 jacket to be breathable and waterproof, but probably not UL.

Look at Will's BPL article that included both the the above, and an eVent pullover from Montane:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/waterproof_breathable_technologies_part3.html

There has been debate on the forums about interpreting the article; but I think it's accurate to say the breathability of the MH version of eVent was well down the list from the Montane pullover at the top, with some GTX products in between.

The article ponders the reason for this outcome, but we are left with the same results. I think bargain hunting is great if you are OK with just above average performance; but if you want the best, maybe not so much.

I've read the various market reports on the event jackets and still don't know what is the correct route to go for me.

I want a high-quality waterproof shell that will not wet out in prolonged rain, has pit zips, and can bushwhack if needed.

Something along the lines of the dead bird alpha LT, but would be willing to go up to a 1 lb jacket, and want to keep the cost under $250.

I would also like a rain shell that doesn't have a giant hood, as I won't be wearing a helmet.

I keep coming back to the MH Trice, but I can't actually find anyone who owns one of these.

Does anyone here own a MH Trice Shell that can answer some fitment questions?

I tried on a DryStein today and in a L, I wouldn't be able to layer and the sleeves are too long. The trice is supposed to be a tad more forgiving.

I'm 5'10" and 180.

Thanks!

Anyone use one of the MH Dry Q Elite Jackets in any style that can provide some feedback on fitment?

But check out the Outdoor Research Mentor Jacket. They are on sale at Mountain Gear right now and all the reviews I have seen basically make it seem like a true $400 quality jacket that can be found in a well-under $300 price.

I just last Friday ordered the last large ($224) in Pilsner color ;)

I recently received a MH Victorio from SaC. I'm 5'11" 160#, and I ordered a large, with the idea that it would be big enough to layer over even a down jacket, if needbe, for abrasion resistance in mountaineering environments. The fit worked out very well for what I wanted. I can wear the Victorio over a base layer, R1-ish fleece, and 800-fill down jacket, without crushing the down or feeling restricted. Of course, this makes the fit a bit roomy without the down on, but it's nothing the waist and hip cinches can't remedy.

My only complaint, fit-wise, is that the sleeves are quite long, I'm assuming to not restrict one's range of motion. However, even with my arms over my head, the sleeves are still a bit longer than needbe. In the end, it's not really a big deal, and the right velcro setting at the wrist gets them out of the way.

I like the material quite a bit. It is a bit more supple feeling than the Gortex Pro Shell models I saw at REI, and hence feels less like a thick plastic bag, and more like a garment. It is much lighter than REI's most comparable eVent jacket, with a better fir for the sort of layering I intended (the Shuksan had pretty narrow sleeves).

Thanks for the feedback. The MH Trice is cut a touch wider and has sleeves 1.25" shorter than the Victorio, with the same 70D material. I think I'm also going to go with a large as well to lightly layer underneath. I'm about 178lbs currently on my way down to 170. I have a lightweight shell for backpacking, but I also want something bombproof for all of my other outdoor excursions where I don't mind carrying the added 1/2 pound of rain coat.

STP with their 25% off email coupon has the trice at $223, down from $425. Add in a 5% discount on Mr. Rebates, I don't feel too bad about the price. Should last a good long while.

Cool, I hope that works out well for you. You certainly can't complain about that price. I hadn't even noticed the Trice before, but looking at the pictures on the MH website, it certainly looks like the Victorio is the better cut for my body, sleeve length excluded.

Peter,

I think you would swim in the Trice in a large with the exception of the 36.5" sleeves.

I don't know the cut on the Victorio, but here's the dimensions between the DryStein and the Trice in Large:
DryStein Trice
Chest 49 50
Back Length 29 31
Arms 37.25 36.5
Sweep 43.5 47.0

Mountain Hardwear really needs to publish correct numbers for these, especially for the Drystein. I don't need a technical mountaineering jacket, just a bombproof rain shell that I can layer under. If it doesn't fit, it's going back.

Thanks again for the feedback. I appreciate it.

Dan