suggestions for WET WET WET westcoast raingear

Two of the most breathable laminates available are (1) eVENT and (2) MontBell's Breeze Dry Tec. Unlike any of the Goretex laminates, these two have dispensed with the PU layer (making them air permeable), and thus improving breathability significantly — while still 100% rain proof.

I ultimately chose MontBell's Peak Shell jacket over the various eVENT jackets because MontBell's has two huge pit zips, fully adjustable hood, and many other features — and yet weighed just 10.7 oz for a size medium. It is also attractively priced — esp. compared to heavier and less breathable Goretex options.

Thanks I will check it out.

I grew up in rainy Southeast Alaska and have tried raingear options ranging from Helly Hansen worker's raingear to golfer's Frogg Toggs. I don't recommend brands often, but my favorite so far is Cabela's Ultrapack raingear; it's kept me pretty dry through days of rain and wet brush and is also breatheable enough to wear as a windbreaker when it's dry outside. I'd call it durable enough for off-trail hiking, though no lightweight gear is ever tough enough to bust through brush without the occassional rip. This gear squishes down to the size of a pair of winter socks, but it's made for hunters and only comes in camoflage.

I have Cabela's Gore-Tex Pac Lite parka (in Tall size to cover my butt better)

It's $89. in that size and has many well thought out features. No pit zips but for that price you can have a local tailor install them and still be far ahead in savings over, say, a TNF Pac Lite parka.

I'm getting their Pac Lite rainpants soon for about he same price. Nowhere else can you find Pac Lite suits for these prices and features.

AND, PAc Lite is Gore's most breathable laminate.

Ben 2,
Pac Lite and other Gore-Tex iterations ARE air permeable, just not as much as eVent but more than oher WPB laminates. Your make it sound as if Gore-Tex is not air permeable.

As for the other laminate you mentioned I've seen NO data on it and it has not nearly the history that Gore-Tex has. Will it hold up to years of use?
eVent is many $$$$ more than most equivalent Gore-Tex garments and for the value I'll take Pac Lite any day.
I mean, come on, $89. for my Cabela's Pac Lite parka? Try $289. for eVent parkas and you'll be much closer if it even has as many features as mine.

Eric

thanks for the review and the balanced comments. Off to check out cabela's.

Eric:

eVENT and MontBell's "Breeze Dry Tec" laminates have both done away with the layer of polyuerethane (PU) — while still maintaining waterproofness. This is what makes these two laminates "air permeable". Goretex laminates, on the other hand, still incorporates a layer of PU — which is an additional, non-porous barrier that vapors must pass through.

We all have different notions about price points versus performance versus features. Thinking about it, the Cabela's Paclite jacket has been out for some time now — it isn't anything new. And all this time, the jacket's been selling at substantially below what other Paclite jackets go for. There are reasons why people aren't beating down Cabela's doors for them. And if they were, you can be sure that Cabela's would raise the price — but that's just not the case.

The Cabela's jacket uses cheaper, heavier fabrics — and thus, it weighs more even though it dispenses with pit zips — which I believe are critical — given the relatively mediocre breathability of Goretex laminates. As stated, we all have different criteria, but for me, I'd rather spend $189 on a truly breathable and light weight jacket — then waste $89 on one that will soak me from the inside. Of course, there are others who would spend $289 for the ultimate breathability — there is no single "right" answer…