by Gelert » Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:55 am
Not from a cycling perspective, but the three systems
1. Goretex: usually bombproof (ProShell or XCR) unless PacLite. My experience is that PacLite is probably the most breathable. With Goretex, you're paying a lot of readies for something with a very finite life in breathability and water repellency terms, even if the manufacturer's instructions are followed. And even in the breathability stakes it's not that great. I've met one person with a ca. 1991 Berghaus goretex jacket, but the companies have realised that their money is in flogging this stuff on a 3-5 year cycle.
2. eVent: Is very good, and more breathable than goretex. It does need a lot of TLC though to keep in best condition. Again, it has a finite life, especially if used hard. I'm currently loving the Rab Momentum eVent jacket, which I scored for around £100 in a vomitaceous colour. It's solidly waterproof and highly breathable but is like a crisp packet with sleeves. I'd recommend it for cycling were it not for the awareness that like PacLite, the amount of ductape needed after a humptydumpty would knacker it in the breathability stakes.
3. Paramo. Good stuff. Solid. Will last you a lifetime if washed and reproofed with nikwax (which is apparently ecofriendly). Very breathable, but perhaps not quite as impervious to water as the membrane based systems. I would recommend this were it not for the most likely options for cyclists made by Paramo (the velez and variants thereof) probably being a little too warm, although nicely vented with underarm zips. Have a looksee about that though, it could be what your after. Not outrageously pricey if you think of it in lifetime terms, either.
The invisible 4th is Buffalo. Not waterproof at all, but despite almost priding itself on its spartan functionality (uglieness), it is rather good. It will keep you goldilocks in the comfort stakes even when soaked - so a win win for you dhd? It works by using a synthetic wicking insulation layer similar to fur (pile) bonded to non-waterproof (and hence uber-breathable) wind- and water-resistant pertex. It's made for a close fit next to your skin or base layer for best effect. They take this seriously to the extent of making "special" underpants for their salopette users. Different levels of insulation are available from just windshirt through to the weight of stuff that polar dudes/dudesses use. I know of quite a few cyclists (and kayakers, climbers, winter runners, squaddies) who love the stuff. Along vaguely similar lines, Rab make a range of kit called "vapour rise" which is worth an eyeball perhaps.
