Rainshell question to our UK based BPL’ers: PacLite vs GoreTex

Pay no attention to UK forecasts more than 48 hours ahead. :)

I'd take the Paclite. They're both waterproof and it should be cooler for longer. In UK forums one hears periodic angst about Paclite jackets falling apart, but not ArcTeryx (yet).

PacLite is the name for one of the first 2.5 layer goreTex fabrics. ACR is a newer version of Gortex with improved breathability over Packlite. Both are waterproof. The real question is which one will keep up with you sweat. If the jacket doesn't keep up your sweat you will get you wet even if no rain gets through the jacket.

In terms of breathability I would carry the ACR. Packlite is a lighter weight fabric and it may wear out from friction faster than the ACR but it should survive a month of continuous use just fine. I have a old 2.5 layer gortex jacket (its probably Packlite but the labels on it don't say) and I found it never kept up with my own sweat. My new Event jacket does and it is equally waterproof. I have no experience with ACR.

Where about's in Northumberland are you going? We live in Newcastle, so that area is our backyard. Last weekend we went out on an overnight camp North of Hadrian's Wall, in Wark Forest. :)

My wife and I are walking the Hadrian's Wall Path, from Newcastle to Bowness. She liked the idea of Roman ruins and a Bed&Breakfast every night more than than the idea a ascending Ben Nevis at the end of the West Highland Way. :-))

I think we are getting a bit confused here. Paclite is a 2-layer (or 2.5, they are the same thing) PTFE laminate made by Gore-tex and XCR (not ACR, I assume the original poster mis-typed)* is the old name for Gore-tex's high-end 3-layer laminate. IF both are still waterproof then the differences between the two are breathability (little difference), weight and durability. The 3-layer will stand up to weeks of backpack wearing better than the 2-layer.

*Gore-tex's new fabric that is more breathable than paclite is "Active Shell".