A rain jacket is for most backcountry travelers an inevitability. There are certainly areas of the world where precipitation is unlikely enough to render raingear useless weight, and places either warm or cold enough that precipitation is not a concern. In very warm climates one can just get wet without suffering ill effects, and in very cold places the certainty of precipitation falling in the form of snow combines with the limits of current WPB (waterproof-breathable) technology to make other shells better choices. Most backcountry areas don't fit into any of these categories, or only do so in certain seasons, and thus anyone hoping to experience the backcountry in safety and comfort ought to bring something to keep liquid precipitation off their backs and out of their ears. The reasons for this become a lifetime axiom for anyone caught out in a rainstorm without raingear. Water promotes heat loss with impressive efficiency, and renders almost all insulations drastically less effective. The necessity of raingear is a lesson best learned in theory first, rather than the potentially hazardous school of hard knocks.
That said, the reputation of WPB rain jackets is less than stellar. They're reputed to keep precipitation out while not keeping sweat in, yet can fall short in one or both arenas. Breathability is typically the attribute which comes under fire, and in many cases the capacity of a WPB rain jacket to keep sweat in under warmer and more humid conditions has some hikers regarding them as single-purpose pieces of gear, if not abandoning them all together. Add the substantial expense of WPB jackets, and there appear to be compelling reasons to avoid these supposedly essential pieces of outdoor gear.
I examined the various alternatives to WPB jackets in my Lightweight Alternative Rainwear State of the Market Report, investigating the numerous solutions which might address the weight, limited use, and deficient functionality of WPB jackets. The details are discussed in greater depth in those articles, but in summary I found that while things like poncho-tarps and silnylon capes can indeed prove efficacious for many lightweight backcountry travelers, they have many limitations which explain the ubiquity of WPB shells. Even the best poncho-tarps suffer in wind, while bushwhacking, and during any backcountry mode of travel other than walking. Capes are even worse. Modern day iterations of the cagoule, such as the Packa, are good in high winds and off trail, but are made of impermeable fabrics and even the best venting stills sees them breath less than the worst WPB jacket. Perhaps the single greatest revelation I took out of testing alternative rainwear was an appreciation for just how good modern WPB jackets can be. The best such garments fit close, yet don't bind. They seal out even the worst weather, but let out a substantial amount of perspiration. They not only protect the hiker, climber, skier, boater, or cyclist from rain, snow, and the various combinations thereof, they also keep out spray from waves, wind, and the brutal soaking that can come from dripping wet brush and scrub. And, as I discovered in this report, the best do all of these things while weighing very little indeed.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- The Necessity of the Dubya-Pee-Bee
- The Perfect Rain Coat
- Lightweight, Historically Defined
- The Failure of the Market
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# PHOTOS: 5
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while i understand some of the frustration .. for this particular article i dont think thats particular fair … the fabrics and construction from what i see in the store are generally the same, so the waterproofness and durability tests should be similar
the problem IMO would be the fit, which as any other item, you should try on or buy from somewhere with a very good return policy … as a short person i find it frustrating sometimes that testers on BPL tend to be taller and skinnier than me, but thats a fit issue
i often see articles that will or roger write, where their significant others also tests womens versions of the gear
the solution of course, is to get more women to test on bpl
Rene – I too own a GoLite medium Malpais jacket. My jacket weighs 7.35 oz. I imagine that there's some variability in the manufacturing process which causes some jackets to weigh more than others… but a measured weight of 7.9 oz does seem a bit high.
Great Article David.
Any thoughts on breatheability and durability of the Rab Pulse (pertex shield) vs an equivalent eVent jacket like the Rab Demand?
Thanks,
Shane
> If the DWR has to work for the membrane to work, why even have a membrane?
Well, if you follow that train of thought you end up with a soft-shell jacket. Yes, these work great under the right conditions.
If you are standing around directing traffic, a long (bright orange) PVC coat is ideal. You might sweat a little bit inside it, but it WILL keep the rain out forever.
If you are exercising hard under moderate rain/mist/snow but very cool conditions, a soft-shell jacket (EPIC, DWR, pile, whatever) will work wonderfully. The heat gradient will drive your sweat out through the jacket fabric, while you are working.
If you working under torrential rain in mild conditions … try an umbrella, a big hat, or just get wet. It's all the same in the end. (Yes, we often just get wet.)
If you are trying to work hard under cold torrential rain … you have a problem. with no solution. About all you can do then is to wear a poncho OVER your pack and hat to deflect the rain. You will get sweat condensing inside, but you are guarranted to get wet anyhow, to misquote one of our betes-noir. At least the poncho will largely prevent the cold rain from washing away your body heat. (Tested down to freezing with success.)
Any claims by manufacturers to have the perfect solution for all conditions are just lies. You have to adapt to the conditions.
Cheers
It seems to me that laminate durability (and fabric durability, they're not necessarily the same) needs to be taken on a case by case basis. I see no evidence thus far to suggest that a problem with one particular jacket should in any way point to a problem with that construction method. One obvious example being the well known problem with one or two generations of the Mica (I've had other PU jackets that wore fine year after year), another (perhaps) being the issues we had with the Spektr.
That being said, I've not used a Demand myself, so I cannot meaningfully comment. It's been around long enough to have plenty of user feedback available.
As for the Pulse, the problem zipper failed a few months ago (the weird crease created a stress point, and my repeated yanking at this point eventually caused the teeth to tear out from the zip fabric). I saw the production one Clayton M purchased, and it does not have this issue. I have a replacement waterproof zip on order and once I get around to fixing it I'll put it back into the rotation and try to at least occasionally leave the Ozo at home. Other than the zipper issue the Pulse has been great (having a large was nice for winter use), but I haven't put enough wear into it really speak on fabric and laminate durability.
I just picked up a Pulse and can't speak to the durability yet, but after a few weeks of use I can say that I'm extremely pleased with the jacket. The Pertex Shield is far nicer feeling than any PU jacket i've seen and the construction is super high quality. The fit is indeed generous; I ordered a medium and ended up sending it back for a small.
I'd like you to include the PACKA parka in its Gore-Tex version (or eVent if it's available). That parka vents very well due to its better inherent bottom venting.
BTW, I bought an REI Kimtah eVent parka on sale. Not the very lightest WPB but light enough, durable AND priced right.
I bring my GTX PacLite rain pants when on high alpine trips or when the forcast calls for it.
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