Talk to me about waterproof jackets – GoreTex or eVent?
Discussion
Goretex Pro (where it's a laminated part of the 'main' fabric) is utterly incredible.
I didn't think it'd be that noticeable, but got a bike jacket and trousers on sale so got the "pro" for free - and it's night and day better and allegedly a lot longer lasting.
One thing is apparently the whole manufacturing chain is assessed by Gore before they'll let a brand put the logo on.
I didn't think it'd be that noticeable, but got a bike jacket and trousers on sale so got the "pro" for free - and it's night and day better and allegedly a lot longer lasting.
One thing is apparently the whole manufacturing chain is assessed by Gore before they'll let a brand put the logo on.
My last two waterproof jackets have been Montane eVent but having been looking recently, eVent seems to a rare choice these days with the major brands seeming to be mainly GoreTex alongside an in-house fabric and perhaps Neoshell.
I'm particularly interested in the fabrics with don't have a DWR treatment. I have a Gore Shakedry cycling jacket which is outstanding and with no DWR coating (the outer fabric being the waterproof layer), it doesn't need the same level of care (wetting out etc etc). Part of that is because we don't have a tumble drier, so re-activating a DWR is a pain.
Outdoor magic have seem useful articles:
Men: https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/best-waterproof-...
Ladies: https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/best-waterproof-...
Top 100 for 2020/21: https://outdoorsmagic.com/lander/outdoor-100-2020-...
Buyers guide (useful to consider other fabrics like Neoshell): https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/waterproof-jacke...
I'm particularly interested in the fabrics with don't have a DWR treatment. I have a Gore Shakedry cycling jacket which is outstanding and with no DWR coating (the outer fabric being the waterproof layer), it doesn't need the same level of care (wetting out etc etc). Part of that is because we don't have a tumble drier, so re-activating a DWR is a pain.
Outdoor magic have seem useful articles:
Men: https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/best-waterproof-...
Ladies: https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/best-waterproof-...
Top 100 for 2020/21: https://outdoorsmagic.com/lander/outdoor-100-2020-...
Buyers guide (useful to consider other fabrics like Neoshell): https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/waterproof-jacke...
ChocolateFrog said:
I might be wrong, can't be bothered to google but I think all Goretex branded products are made in the same factories regardless of brand.
Not quite, but Goretex has to independently test and type approve any product before it's allowed to have 'Goretex' written on it. This increases the cost but gives you some guarantee that the product should be decent.Times have moved on now though and there are other products available that can be as good as Goretex. I'm really happy with my super lightweight 'Pertex' Rab jacket for instance.
I have a Montane Goretex Pro jacket, it's about 4 years old now, I think. Never been re-proofed or washed in fact. It has never leaked, i've used in just about the worst weather these jackets are designed for and it has never failed.
The fabric is quite noisy, but that is a small price to pay. Yes it was an expensive jacket as well, but given the use it had had and still looks near enough brand new, it was well worth it.
With jackets, you get what you pay for, especially when looking for something waterproof.
The fabric is quite noisy, but that is a small price to pay. Yes it was an expensive jacket as well, but given the use it had had and still looks near enough brand new, it was well worth it.
With jackets, you get what you pay for, especially when looking for something waterproof.
I've tried both eVent and GoreTex over my last 20 years of hiking.
Event was lighter, warmer but not as waterproof and need washing more to keep it breathable.
Gortex was drier but heavier.
Both of the above could have been down to the clothing, rather than the tech.
I replaced my standard Goretex jacket with a Goretex Pro back in October. So far its not let me down and it has been very very wet.
Event was lighter, warmer but not as waterproof and need washing more to keep it breathable.
Gortex was drier but heavier.
Both of the above could have been down to the clothing, rather than the tech.
I replaced my standard Goretex jacket with a Goretex Pro back in October. So far its not let me down and it has been very very wet.
gman88667733 said:
......
With jackets, you get what you pay for, especially when looking for something waterproof.
This, in spades. Just because it has Gortex does not mean its as waterproof as the next thing. With jackets, you get what you pay for, especially when looking for something waterproof.
Another option would be Parmo: https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/
I quite like the idea of these but never found a jacket I like the style of.
Paid £160 for a mountain equipment Gore-tex pro jacket 2 years ago. £180 for a arcteryx packlight jacket 2 weeks ago. Both roughly 40-50% off rrp. Check in the January sales.
The only thing I'd consider completely waterproof is a gore-tex pro jacket.
The larger hood and longer sleeves might annoy you if you don't know how to adjust them. Shell jackets are not insulated, so you ideally need a down jacket under them. I'd say they're pretty pointless if you're just going to use them to nip out the car to the shops.
The only thing I'd consider completely waterproof is a gore-tex pro jacket.
The larger hood and longer sleeves might annoy you if you don't know how to adjust them. Shell jackets are not insulated, so you ideally need a down jacket under them. I'd say they're pretty pointless if you're just going to use them to nip out the car to the shops.
Another vote for Gore-tex PRO. I have a Arc'teryx Alpha SV. Expensive but well worth the money.
Used mainly for hiking, climbing in the worst weather Scotland has to offer in winter. Never let me down.
Depends on intended use.
If your just nipping the shops, walking the dog etc buy cheap.
If your doing anything reasonably extreme spend as much as you can.
It might just save your life one day!
Read up before you purchase and buy something that suits its intended use!
Brand choice is personal, i would never buy Canada Goose for example.
Used mainly for hiking, climbing in the worst weather Scotland has to offer in winter. Never let me down.
Depends on intended use.
If your just nipping the shops, walking the dog etc buy cheap.
If your doing anything reasonably extreme spend as much as you can.
It might just save your life one day!
Read up before you purchase and buy something that suits its intended use!
Brand choice is personal, i would never buy Canada Goose for example.
vaderface said:
Another vote for Gore-tex PRO. I have a Arc'teryx Alpha SV. Expensive but well worth the money.
Used mainly for hiking, climbing in the worst weather Scotland has to offer in winter. Never let me down.
Depends on intended use.
If your just nipping the shops, walking the dog etc buy cheap.
If your doing anything reasonably extreme spend as much as you can.
It might just save your life one day!
Read up before you purchase and buy something that suits its intended use!
Brand choice is personal, i would never buy Canada Goose for example.
I went with the beta SV. Nice bit of kit but yes expensive. I was looking at a changabang from ME but could not find the right colour.Used mainly for hiking, climbing in the worst weather Scotland has to offer in winter. Never let me down.
Depends on intended use.
If your just nipping the shops, walking the dog etc buy cheap.
If your doing anything reasonably extreme spend as much as you can.
It might just save your life one day!
Read up before you purchase and buy something that suits its intended use!
Brand choice is personal, i would never buy Canada Goose for example.
Depends what you’re doing in the jacket to be honest.
Goretex, eVent et al is just the membrane inside the jacket and they all make variations of the original membrane for different pursuits. eVent is marginally more breathable so if it’s for active use that might be the better choice. All of the good brands, Berghaus, Arcteryx, Marmot etc will have a jacket to suit whether it’s standing around at a race track or climbing in the alps.
Goretex, eVent et al is just the membrane inside the jacket and they all make variations of the original membrane for different pursuits. eVent is marginally more breathable so if it’s for active use that might be the better choice. All of the good brands, Berghaus, Arcteryx, Marmot etc will have a jacket to suit whether it’s standing around at a race track or climbing in the alps.
Another shout out for Mountain Equipment... I've got a Rupal goretex jacket and I can't recommend it enough. Retails at £280 IIRC but I got it for £180.
Also got a pair of Berghaus paclite goretex trousers... I've worn them in summer (in combination with the above jacket) over a pair of Levi 501s, walked 5 miles home in the rain walking at approx 5 MPH and I've not had the slightest hint of sweaty legs. Excellent bit of kit for the price (I tend to go for cheaper trousers than jackets as they lead a harder life as they can get ripped clambering over rocks, stiles or whatever).
I've had various different types of 'breathable' wet weather gear over the years. Nothing is as good as goretex IME.
Also got a pair of Berghaus paclite goretex trousers... I've worn them in summer (in combination with the above jacket) over a pair of Levi 501s, walked 5 miles home in the rain walking at approx 5 MPH and I've not had the slightest hint of sweaty legs. Excellent bit of kit for the price (I tend to go for cheaper trousers than jackets as they lead a harder life as they can get ripped clambering over rocks, stiles or whatever).
I've had various different types of 'breathable' wet weather gear over the years. Nothing is as good as goretex IME.
How would a Gore-Tex/ Gore-Tex Paclite hybrid jacket like this one perform? I like the idea of a lighter jacket as ultimate performance isn’t critical for me
https://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/collections/m...
https://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/collections/m...
Another vote for GoreTex.
I am on my second GoreTex jacket. The first was a 3 layer Sprayways that I had for 25 years and is still fully waterproof. I retired it as the cuffs were getting a little ragged. The current jacket is a lighter 2 layer Burghaus and no problems in 3 years.
In parallel my wife thinks they are expensive and goes through a jacket each year complaining that they leaked.
I am on my second GoreTex jacket. The first was a 3 layer Sprayways that I had for 25 years and is still fully waterproof. I retired it as the cuffs were getting a little ragged. The current jacket is a lighter 2 layer Burghaus and no problems in 3 years.
In parallel my wife thinks they are expensive and goes through a jacket each year complaining that they leaked.
I have been using a Paramo jacket and trousers for a few years. They are particularly well suited to our colder wet climate in this country, more so than Goretex etc.
They take a bit more effort to look after - regular washing and occasional proofing. But the advantages more than make up for the additional effort.
They take a bit more effort to look after - regular washing and occasional proofing. But the advantages more than make up for the additional effort.
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