New Airadigm WPB technology similar to shakedry, seems more durable

The videos talk about a face fabric and a tricot-mesh liner.  That makes their product more like Marmot EvoDry products such as the Eclipse, and less like Gore Shakedry or Columbia Outdry.

With the Outdry and Shakedry, is the waterproof/breathable membrane on the outside of the material?  If so, would not consider it for backpacking, or even hiking off-trail where there can be lot of scraping.

The EvoDry that Jeff mentions, states that it is nylon, and says this:

“EVODry rain gear features a patented water-repelling treatment that bonds to fibers at the molecular level to prevent leaks, plus a permanent DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish that won’t wash off or wear out—ever.”

Well, nothing in the material world is forever, which gets my radar up and going.  There was also something in the EVO marketing about limiting the function in rain to a day.  Guess they have never trekked more than a day in the rain.

The Airadigm sounds similar:  A ‘facefabric’ with a DWR treatment, and a waterproof breathable liner.   Like Goretex.  And this is better because ….?   It’s the ‘pulse plasma’ application of the secret sauce to the liner.

Were I a marketer for raingear, I’d try to avoid BS that raises more questions than it answers, and disclose independent test results.  I’d start with HH tests, before and after simulated aging, as Richard Nisley has done so often. Then move on to breathability.

All I see on the video is water being poured onto the liner.  Perhaps this is just a poor forum for exaggerated marketing claims, or in this case, no claims.  If water will not pour through the liner in the embroidery loop, you are all set for an extended downpour.  But take along one of Roger Caffin’s shortie ponchos just in case.

Sam, My outdry jacket (the lightest hiking jacket they sold at the time) lasted about 200 days before it started falling apart (particularly where the hipbelt and shoulder straps were). I was disappointed, but From what I’ve seen that’s not too different to other conventional DWR 7oz rain jackets. The difference being I never needed to apply new DWR and it never wet out in use so it always breathed. It handled scrub and bush bashing surprisingly well.

Columbia do a heavier and (presumably) tougher line of the outdry stuff as well. I might try one for work and off trail hiking (I work outdoors nearly every day of the year). Gore’s shakedry seems to be aimed at runners and cyclists more. They have a “hike” appropriate fabric but seem to have stopped making their own hiking jacket with it and only a few companies are using that material. I got one and it definitely feels more fragile than the Columbia stuff, despite being the same weight. Time will tell. I’ll keep it for on trail.

Opogo,

Had a Patagonia Specter 2.5 layer that lasted about a decade, but the DWR finally went.  So got a Paty M-10 jacket, a little heavier, 8.5 oz in size XL, but still folds down to almost nothing for jamming in a pack pocket.  It has a membrane layer, the DWR is still fine, and it breathes better than the Specter, no surprise.  They may only make it in a pull-over now, which would not buy, because find in Colorado weather the jacket goes on and off frequently – don’t like to wear any jacket when the sun is out and I’m moving hard.    Have tried all the cheap jackets, and didn’t find them very breathable, no to mention fit etc.

Some think that Paty is snobby and overpriced.  Bought the M-10 during a sale an outlet sale for $150.  No problem with a jacket that has held up for years.