Pertex Equilibrium and Endurance

How does that stack up against WPB Cuben (the 1.42oz stuff)? In a lot of applications I can see sacrificing absolute waterproofness for a small improvement in breathability worth it.

The 3 fabrics are quite different to each other – apples to oranges.

Pertex Equilibrium is not at all waterproof, it is 'almost windproof' – it is very breathable and good at wicking due to it's constuction. It comes with a DWR,which over time reduces/wears off (like any DWR). I suppose it's really a very light nonmembrane softshell.

Pertex Endurance is a lightly proofed simple Pertex with DWR – 1000mm HH IIRC. Often used on sleeping bag feet. Not used as a WPB clothing fabric by any major manufacturers. I don't believe it is durable enough coating for that use. (I suspect that abrasion will wear it pretty quickly.

hope that helps

edit.

Just had alook at the thruhiker site.

Couldn't see Pertex Equilibrium there anywhere but they do have Pertex Shield. Which is a 'proper' WPB clothing fabric and is IMO more directly comparable to the cuben WPB.

If I remember correctly endurance is a membrane technology with very high breathability. It is not considered waterproof in garments but is considered waterproof in items like tents, so I think it would be great

Sea to Summit Shelter which uses pertex endurance
http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/161

Anthony

What do you think it would be great for?

it's not a membrane btw – it's coated

I don't buy that it would be suitable for single layer waterproof garments. It's been around for years and AFAIK has not been used as such by mainstream gear companies or promoted as such by Pertex.

It's used extensively as a shell for insulated garments where the coating is protected.

single layer coated fabric in fully waterproof shell clothing is usually protected by a liner fabric (often mesh)

A jacket made of endurance wouldn't be functionally waterproof for long.

Rab calls pertex endurance a "Highly water resistant ultra thin membrane"
http://us.rab.uk.com/reference/technology/waterproof-shell/pertex.html

However thru-hiker calls it a coating….. my guess is that it is a very thin layer of polyurethane

I guess more research is necessary

Anthony

A quick google search turned up this from the Pertex website:

http://pertex.com/fabrics/endurance/

Pertex Endurance technology incorporates an ultra-thin air permeable coating that is both highly breathable, water and wind resistant. This layer protects the insulation material from the elements to maintain loft and retain warmth.
Technical specification

Waterproof – 1,000mm
Breathability (MVTR) – 7,000g

Main properties

Excellent breathability
Lightweight
100% Windproof
Highly water resistant

I think you are probably correct

Pertex Endurance Page

no mention of use as a shell

all the Pertexs Page

edit ah, Jim beat me to it whilst I was working out how to embed links! :)