Which Waterproof Shell?

[wayno]

pertex quantum is shower proof only

http://www.pertex.com/product/quantum/

[aloftas]

pertex quantum is shower proof only

http://www.pertex.com/product/quantum/

Right, so having a lower static head (this is how these things are measured?) than say goretex?

I can never understand why some real research into vapour condensation and drainage of same isn't done.

As someone said, if it is coming down in buckets the sweat vapour really cant escape.

Once I was walking in a sharkskin used for boating. I could feel the sweat freezing between my shoulder blades.

Stupid.

I did the "lets get undressed in the freezing cold thing and got some woollen thermals on and was right.

I personally think this is the biggest problem out there, sweat management and mitigation.

Thanks.

[wayno]

hydrostatic head below 10,000mm is not storm proof. then you're into highly water resistant garments until you're down to several thousand mm,
i've read claims of quantum being around 1000mm. that is only lightly water resistant, no good for anything more than short infrequent showers

[keithy]

If I'm not mistaken, the Pertex Quantum is used where breathability is more important than waterproofness.

I have a sleeping bag and an insulation jacket with Pertex Quantum fabric, and they are windproof, but not waterproof (maybe in a drizzle) but it dries relatively quickly.

[slparker]

I have a pertex quantum windshirt and it is not waterproof. Nor is it designed to be, it resists brief showers and when it does get wet it dries quickly. It's great for intermittent showers when wearing the shell all day would keep you hot and damp but where the windshirt gets damp and dries quickly.

Also good for the tropics where a shell is pretty useless at low altitude.

[biggbird]

FWIW Ally, and after all this talk of breathable fabrics, pit zips etc, I don't really believe that any of it is that useful. If you're going to be working hard enough to sweat properly, it doesn't matter what sort of fabric or venting options you have, it's gonna get wet in there. Sadly, I'm quite a sweaty person, so it happens to me all the time!

I have a Mont Tempest, which I like for its longer cut and relatively robust build. Have taken it off-track a number of times with no real issues. My partner has what I presume to be a women's cut of the same jacket, which she likes. Nice and windproof.

At the end of the day, I feel like it's very easy to get caught up in all of the techno-talk around different fabrics, venting options and other minutiae, but I'm not sure that it really makes much difference. I'd just look for something that fits you well, is suitably robust (or lightweight) for what you are looking to achieve and is of a weight that suits your needs.

[Ally]

This has certainly generated plenty of discussion. Thanks for all the input everyone.

wayno - when you say the Arcteryx is more lightweight material, do you mean that as a negative? Would something like that be too lightweight for Tassie?

I don't tend to sweat a lot - for some reason my face goes very red instead

However, after becoming hypothermic once because I didn't think I needed rain pants (I had a goretex jacket on) I'm very cautious about becoming wet as I tend to get cold quite easily and don't warm up quickly. So I see the rain jacket as a way of keeping me warm, even if I'm wet inside.

I guess I'm at the point where I'll need to take a trip to Sydney and see what fits. This thread has helped narrow the options somewhat.

As for Pertex, I think I have a very thin cycling jacket made of Pertex. The seams aren't sealed but it's handy in case of unexpected showers or cold winds. Looks like it would tear easily tho.

The other place where I can potentially save a lot of weight is replacing my current sleeping bag... which probably calls for its own thread.

[Moondog55]

Could you wear the cycling jacket walking or is it an unsuitable cut?
if it was suitable then a simple PU proofed jacket may suffice; an old fashioned way of coping with wet and windy weather the other thing is the legs, and they are where I actually prefer to use a WPB and I've never had the problems with my pants that I have had with my jackets for some reason, perhaps because my legs do not sweat as hard as my back and axilla

[Ally]

I wouldn't trust my pertex with a pack other than the 11 litre one that I use cycling. It's about the thickness of a woolworths plastic shopping bag (at most).

I have some Berghaus rain pants and they've always been fine:

http://int.berghaus.com/womens-deluge-w ... rs&start=9

[Moondog55]

I have a Pertex micro-grid windshirt and I have been surprised at how robust it is however I have never scrub-bashed wearing it either but it hasn't worn out on the shoulders from my winter pack yet and it's now 4 seasons old I am impressed with it