RAIN JACKETS

[hikingoz]

At the risk of scewing my own poll, I'm just going to come right out and say it. I've never said "damn it this rain shell just isn't breathable enough." I would probably say that durabiltiy and fit is important to me. I have said weight in the past, but in hindsight I wouldn't buy the same again. Anyway, waterproof breathable material seams to be a constant discussion, but I'd like to know what really is the point of difference that makes a winning waterproof jacket.

The pole will be ongoing.

[HitchHiking]

Durability and breathabilty.

Just most of the time you can have one and not the other.

[Liamy77]

I would have to say the combination of all makes the product... i love pit zips and breathability - neither on its own cuts it (for eg).... i personally use an Arcteryx theta. - breathability and any one feature can't sway the deal on its own.... cop out? maybe but the berst answer i can offer.... durability is ( for me ) directly related to price - as long as it lasts the walk

[ninjapuppet]

Have a good read of this .

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/waterproof_breathable_technologies_part2?m=00625HIff8Ou6VEoWLsYa6ISoZg

basically they confirm that fit and function is more important than fabric breathability. as soon as you open up that front zipper, no high tech material can compete.

[hikingoz]

Comfort for me is knowing that my rain shell is going to keep me dry and warm which means not falling apart, not wetting out and not riding up under my rucksuck. A few extra toggles to regulate temperature as well and I'm pretty much satisfied.

Thanks for the article ninja. I'll have to subscribe to read it though...

[mattmacman]

To be honest I like a simple jacket and as abceight said something that will hold up to regular use. I likes the idea of the handwarmer pockets on the Zealot XP but I found they were quite small because you just want to be able to hide em away, I also found the zipper "garages" were annoyingly small and the zipper would get stuck some times.

[north-north-west]

Waterproofness isn't a factor?

[hikingoz]

Waterproofness isn't a factor?

Good point NNW. I thing waterproofness SHOULD be a given in a Rain Jacket. Some fabrics might have problems with wetting out and various other things, so in reality it is a variable. Either way if I asked you if you wanted your rain jacket to be waterproof you would always say yes. A wasted vote.

Also if 'Waterproofness' was included, it would be possible to select 'waterproofness' 'breathability' and 'durability' as the three main attributes that make a good rain jacket. I'm more inclined to believe that there are tradeoffs rather than absolutes in this regard. In other words you can't have all three. (correct me if i'm wrong and i'll buy the jacket)

Obviously breathability isn't the most important attribute in a rain jacket and perhaps putting 'Waterproofness' in the poll would have added better perspective, but if I asked you what attributes you like about a car, "It has 4 wheels and a steering wheel" doesn't answer any questions.

[Son of a Beach]

I was looking for waterproofness in the poll first too, but your explanation does make sense. There are actually some rain jackets that a really not waterproof though - at all. Thankfully, I've never owned one of those.

I have experienced good breathability in a rain jacket, and I was so impressed that I had to select it as my top priority. My jacket has spent the entire night sitting in a puddle, and then hidden under slushy snow. During the walk out, in the rain, I wore it all the way, and it was completely dry inside within about 2 hours. I think it was the very cold air outside that helped. It made me realise how much difference the right weather conditions can make to a jacket's breathability, as I've never found the breathability to be that good before or since. If only they could make fabrics that work that well all the time, I'd be a very happy camper.

Yes, of course opening the front zip will provide better ventilation/breathability than the fabric itself, but taking off the jacket completely would be even better still. However, neither are appropriate in some weather conditions, and both could result in you becoming wetter, despite the better breathability. After all, with a rain jacket, its primary purpose is to minimise how wet you get.

[abmacus]

I am confused about breathability. Ive had a Mountain Designs Goretex coat that I get soaked in due to sweating too much. Even in snow conditions on Mackinnon pass Milford Track. I sent it back once because I was so unhappy with it and MD conducted all of their tests etc and told me that all was good.
I lashed out and bought an Event Jacket from Mac Pac at great expense. I still get the same problem. Ive only worn a Merino Tee shirt under it when walking on the Kepler track once again rain snow and hail but still get just as wet inside due to sweat.
I want a jacket or maybe just advice to that will allow my sweat to dry out.

[north-north-west]

Waterproofness isn't a factor?

Good point NNW. I thing waterproofness SHOULD be a given in a Rain Jacket. Some fabrics might have problems with wetting out and various other things, so in reality it is a variable. Either way if I asked you if you wanted your rain jacket to be waterproof you would always say yes. A wasted vote.

Also if 'Waterproofness' was included, it would be possible to select 'waterproofness' 'breathability' and 'durability' as the three main attributes that make a good rain jacket. I'm more inclined to believe that there are tradeoffs rather than absolutes in this regard. In other words you can't have all three. (correct me if i'm wrong and i'll buy the jacket)

Obviously breathability isn't the most important attribute in a rain jacket and perhaps putting 'Waterproofness' in the poll would have added better perspective, but if I asked you what attributes you like about a car, "It has 4 wheels and a steering wheel" doesn't answer any questions.

That's fair enough.
I don't really think about breathability. I rate my jackets on how dry they keep me in the worst conditions, and how well they handle the diabolical treatment all my gear gets. Fit matters to a degree, but it's something you can ensure before you buy.

[blacksheep]

I am confused about breathability. Ive had a Mountain Designs Goretex coat that I get soaked in due to sweating too much. Even in snow conditions on Mackinnon pass Milford Track. I sent it back once because I was so unhappy with it and MD conducted all of their tests etc and told me that all was good.
I lashed out and bought an Event Jacket from Mac Pac at great expense. I still get the same problem. Ive only worn a Merino Tee shirt under it when walking on the Kepler track once again rain snow and hail but still get just as wet inside due to sweat.
I want a jacket or maybe just advice to that will allow my sweat to dry out.

There is no better option if you want both high levels of water proofness and moisture vapour venting (breathing if you will..). With no PU, eVents PTFE only membrane allows your sweat to exit 3 times faster than a PU (like Goretex) system. Please note that merino fibers are so comfortable in a range of temperatures because they absorb moisture, so if a merino garment is wet that is not surprising. Do you end up wet inside still with a non -absorbant (fleece/ polester based) under garment or mid layer?

[wayno]

i ended up getting multiple raincoats for different conditions, a heavyweight, medium weight, lightweight and an ultra breathable although not totally waterproof