Gore-Tex v eVent

[Moops]

Hi,
I've just found this site and have really enjoyed reading some of the posts.
I'm kitting myself out in preparation primarily for the Bibbulmum Track here in WA. I was recommended by an aquaintance to get an Arcteryx Theta AR hard shell but after seeing the price I almost choked! The sales girl showed me a Montane eVent jacket, not sure what model but proceeded to rave about the eVent technology.
I also did a bit of a google search looking at the difference between Gore-Tex and eVent but have not been able to find anyone who said that they've used both and prefer one over the other.
So my question is, can anyone offer some advice, an opinion or general information on whether it is worth spending $1000 on a hard shell or will the one a third of the price do the job? I must admit that I'd prefer to spend a bit more if a product is worth it or will last three times longer than the less expensive one.
Thanks...and thank you for sharing your adventures!
Moops.

[Liamy77]

i have an Arc'teryx theta AR jacket.... *&%$#! legendary jacket.... got mine brand new direct from Canada for around $400AUD -- i wouldnt pay $1000 for a coat either!- unless it looked like a playboy bunny and can make me a cuppa in the morning! shop around more eh!?

i have walked the bibbulmun in WA.... last bit of kit you'll need is a rain coat!!! - it hardly rains there!
Also recommend you try the cape to cape walk in SW WA- i can send you the guide book for it free if you send me a well stamped A5 envelope....

i have used my friends event coat too.... i don't believe that when youre walking there is much difference practically between the two fabrics IMHO

[ULWalkingPhil]

I own a Macpac Prophet event trousers, I purchased recently during there half price sale. Don't own anything with Goretex, but I do own a MD RepelX rain jacket, I've been told is similar to Goretex.

Out of the two, I find the Event more breathable to wear, but there claims of 300 times more breathable I question over other products. Have not put the event trousers to a lot of tests as it has not rained a lot since I've purchased them, but the few times I have worn them out hiking I've found them not breathing as well as I expected during my hikes. one hike in particular through the Royal National Park it rained of and on on the 2nd day, was surprised to find at the end of the day after changing into a new set of clothing just how wet I was under my event trousers, my merino wool under garment was soaked, it was a fairly cool day as well, I would understand on a hot day but on a cool day, I thought I would have been dry.

Im packing up now, to head of to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for 4 days of hiking, should be a good test. I did take my event trousers back to store of purchase to query them on why I was so wet under the garment a week after purchase and was told this was normal and there is nothing wrong with them, was told as good as they are, the event garment cannot breath out perspiration as quick as we can create it while hiking, even on that cool day. While your doing activity i dont know if theres anything out there that will keep you totally dry. The next 4 days will be a good test, as I have recently purchased some Grangers product for putting the DWR back into event fabric just to see if this makes any difference.

[Dale]

Welcome Moops

I have an eVent and an XCR Goretex jacket. The eVent breathes much better - although this could also have something to do with the Goretex jacket weighing 3 times as much... I've used the eVent jacket on a bunch of wet trips - has kept me dry and breathed wonderfully.

I believe Macpac are about to kick off their Winter sale so you could find some good deals...

[rogo]

Hi Moops,
Don't listen to Liamy! I just spent a week on the Bibb over the last school holidays and it rained for 2 days. I have an eVent jacket and most of the walking group had gortex. When comparing sweat wetness levels at stops I was the only one to say my levels were fairly average whilst the others were saying their clothes were wet with sweat. But don't pay $1k thats crazy. Mine is a Macpac and I think it was under $500 with the members price.

Have fun walking. The Bibb is a nice track.

Rogo

[ULWalkingPhil]

Ok, so why am I getting wet from perspiration than? If your remaining dry while out hiking why am I getting wet. I'm not bagging event, I'm happy with the trousers. For half price it was a good sale, but what about what the Macpac store told me when I taken the trousers back to there store of purchase, they told me basically nothing will keep you dry while hiking and that not even the Event fabric will breath enough to keep you dry from perspiration. I took that advice and was prepared to accept this, but now I read some are not having this problem.

This weekend should be a good test, I'm just about to leave for 4 days hike at the sunshine coast hinterland.

[Nuts]

Most of the Event pants ive seen are using lighter materials. Noticed, could swear, over summer that the thigh part was feeling 'wet'. I checked a few times, when cold they were sticky inside and when hot damp inside, clammy but not really 'wetting' through...strange... I washed them a couple of times and then re-proofed them, seemed fine after. All I could think was happening is that i had been resting palms there when resting, squatting around camp and the oils etc/whatever had 'clogged' the fabric. It was causing a noticeable change in such thin fabric. Not being able to breathe makes for a vapour barrier effect? I'm not sure what weights macpac use through their range, is it on the website for comparison....Some heavier weight fabrics similar to goretex would be nice, rather than 'racing' weight as seems common now. I have a heavier event jacket from the UK that seems very similar (though definitely less sweaty) to goretex....

[photohiker]

Welcome and good luck with your walking. I hear the Bibb is a nice and social walk, so should be fun.

I wouldn't worry so much about the difference between Gore and Event. The fabric it is bonded into makes more difference than the moisture barrier IMO, and in any case, the cut, fit and weight of the jacket is more important in use anyway. Either barrier works.

$1000 for a jacket is crazy talk. Try a few jackets on, choose one that fits well, is comfortable and gives good coverage (longer the better) and doesn't weigh too much. Consider the arm length and closures, the pockets and the hood (I find a lot of hoods are too short and restrictive). Stick to known brands.

[photohiker]

was told this was normal and there is nothing wrong with them, was told as good as they are, the event garment cannot breath out perspiration as quick as we can create it while hiking, even on that cool day. While your doing activity i dont know if theres anything out there that will keep you totally dry. The next 4 days will be a good test, as I have recently purchased some Grangers product for putting the DWR back into event fabric just to see if this makes any difference.

Absolutely. I've got Gore, Event, Hydronaut Pro and Paramo. They are all different weight fabrics so its not really a fair comparison. I do think the Event is slightly better than the Gore, but the reality is that if you are exercising and you enclose yourself in a moisture barrier, even a breathable one, you are going to trap some moisture inside. Unless its raining or very cold my jacket is in or on the pack and I'm walking in baselayers.

Washing and reproofing when the DWR (beading) wears off is important to all of these fabrics.

Good luck on your trip Phillipsart!

[ULWalkingPhil]

Most of the Event pants ive seen are using lighter materials. Noticed, could swear, over summer that the thigh part was feeling 'wet'. I checked a few times, when cold they were sticky inside and when hot damp inside, clammy but not really 'wetting' through...strange... I washed them a couple of times and then re-proofed them, seemed fine after. All I could think was happening is that i had been resting palms there when resting, squatting around camp and the oils etc/whatever had 'clogged' the fabric. It was causing a noticeable change in such thin fabric. Not being able to breathe makes for a vapour barrier effect? I'm not sure what weights macpac use through their range, is it on the website for comparison....Some heavier weight fabrics similar to goretex would be nice, rather than 'racing' weight as seems common now. I have a heavier event jacket from the UK that seems very similar (though definitely less sweaty) to goretex....

This could very well be the problem with mine, maybe there clogged. I have washed them and reproofed using Grangers 2 in 1 cleaner and proofer. The pants do appear to be made of lightweight material. Although all up weight is something like 700 grams.

Have to go now. Looking forward to my 4 day hike. Taking my iPad with me for a change.

One thing to remember what ever you buy, keep it clean as much as possible, and I believe with event, wash regularly.

[cams]

There are going to be other variables that effect how wet you get from sweat aswell and I think you have to have realistic expectations. Like personally how much you sweat and the climate. I picked up a Macpac Traverse jacket while in NZ earlier in the year and have only used it over there in the snow. It performed really well. But I'm not expecting miracles while wearing it while walking here. I sweat alot and I expect to still get wet inside it. I am hoping that it may help dry myself out once I slow down though. On the other hand, my brother dosn't need goretex or event to stay comfortable and relatively dry on the inside of a rain jacket. Even while walking hard in the rainforest. He is therefore very happy with his non goretex/event Macpac rain jacket that is still tough, cheaper and well made.

[sthughes]

I've got a Macpac Hollyford, though it's longer, it still isn't long. It is a nice tough face fabric however (806g for the XL).
I've never had a Gore-Tex jacket but I can say the event breaths better than Krapmandu NGX - yay. I don't get sweaty on flat and downhill in cool temperatures, though I still sweat going uphill, but it will dry out slowly once you stop. In warm/humid conditions (on the PCT) I had a lovely stinky bath in it, I would have been drier without it. I'd say it is good, but worth upgrading from GTX just for the Event - no not really. Put it this way, I have no intention of upgrading my GTX overpants to Event.

[Son of a Beach]

I'm not sure if it affects you or not, but after getting quite wet arms and legs while in very good quality rainwear, I eventually realised that it was soaking in through the ends of the sleeves/legs (ie, where the hands/feet poke through). It doesn't take much for rain to wick along good under garments, such as woollen thermals, so that most of the arms/legs are completely saturated.

[sthughes]

Yeah I often get wet arms from those big holes in the ends of the sleeves, but oh no, I was thoroughly wet head to toe and everywhere in between this time. It was just far too warm and humid for anything to let the sweat out. The day before in similar conditions, but not raining, I was pretty damp all over with sweat, even with only a thin shirt and shorts. If you get wet with sweat wearing no waterproofs, then even the best are only going to make the situation worse.

[Moops]

WOW!!!
That's a lot of information to absorb!!!
Very interesting to hear everyone's opinions and experiences. Thank you very much.

And Liamy, you're quite right, it doesn't rain here much but when it does it tends to be concussion rain . None of that 'soft' Irish rain. It has just started raining here in Perth in the last few weeks and my kids are freaked out by it

Decisions, decisions...

[Liamy77]

well i lived (nearby) part way along the track there for about 7or 8 years and allbeit unoffically, "looked after" a section of it too for a while...mumby Pub-ish to greenbushes-ish..... winter is better on the track as the tank water is more reliable...
Noggerup and Grimwade shelters are my old haunts.... nice but bring a tarp in case it gets windy and you wanna close off the open wall..... probably about 3 to 4m wide by 3m tall ish... let us know if the creeks are runnin there if ya go through that bit?

Jackets:
males tend to sweat more than ladies too.... a cheapo rainbird would even do over there... just use baselayers like wool that work wet... after a good downpour its RARE anyone is dry enough to warrant the $ IMHO i also have a pair of wet weather pants(cheapo) cut off just south of my knees...
lighter fabrics may aid breathability (maybe less durable though) etc but for me i sweat enough that it is only different on paper... try out a $50 rainbird or similar if doesnt work for ya then go richer and shove the rainbird under the car seat for the odd day or two when ya get caught out.... - unnless ya walk in scrub and more interstate/colder i wouldnt bother personally with anything above 2-300$ unless ya have $ to spare...

[Moops]

Hey Liamy,

We're doing the Balingup to Brockman H'way sections to start with. Part of your old haunt! I expect there'll be some creeks flowing when we're there.

We're not going till October but given that it's been 20 years since I've done any overnight hikes and the four of us doing it all have young kids that we have to organise husbands' time off work etc it is certainly taking some organising! Can't forget the obligatory few days in Dunsborough and the Margaret River region 'recuperating'!

But this is just the beginning. Covering the entire 964 km is on my Bucket list - as is the Cape to Cape! Hence my desire to get the right equipment to start with.

Reckon I'll look at an eVent light weight jacket and use my el cheapo wet weather pants. I'll wait till I do a mid winter hike to worry about good quality pants.

Thanks everyone for all your advice. It's really helped my decision making - not to mention my bank account!

Moops

[Liamy77]

keep an eye on the tropical cyclones up north of WA as they can drift towards Bunbury and bring the rain with them...and the wind....

a tarp shelter or tent is needed more on the cape to cape but this can also be done as a bunch of day walks as there is good road access at regular intervals (or food drops etc)

the margaret river can be a tricky crossing if it has been raining btw... but the water-springs are better then...

there is also room in the shelters on the bibbulmun to string up a couple of hammocks if youre interested i used to drop in a loo roll to the huts when i went in but it is a BYO paper situation there is also a hook on the fire pit for a billy or bbq plate ... the track has been re-routed along aa dirt road near the Mumballup Pub (average food, cold beer, will sell ya a shower there too) as some tourists complained about the sheep getting hot on the farm there where the track used to go but you can still cut through the paddock last time i was there... there are firepits too but a lightweight folding pruning saw from bunnings is a great help for firewood (try to only use fallen dead wood)... have fun! the track is clear and well marked on "my" old bit... and it is an easy day from shelter to shelter and about 3 hours from Noggerup to mumby pub. there is also road access signposted from Grimwade rd (south of the preston valley store in Lowden) HAVE FUN !!

[rogo]

I started at Mumby and walked south to Donnelly last time. Lovely walk. Had the most wonderful experience with a wren acting as my guide for about 100mtrs, very Disney.

Sorry to disgree with you again Liamy but, sweat isn't a male domain. I sweat as much as any man when working hard. I used to have a "other wicking" (not gore or eVent but can't remember the name) rain coat years ago to walk on the Bibb with and it was horrible. Upgraded to the eVent and now much happier. But I haven't felt the need for over pants here.

Moops we walk with anything up to 6 kids ages from 6 to 17 and they cope really well. But it is nice to walk with out them as well. If you haven't walked for a while and you're in Perth, can I suggest a weekly walk in Kings Park and do Jacobs Ladder good training.

Ro

[Liamy77]

Its a free country! youre entitled to your view...i am only expressing my own biased view anyway...
dont get me wrong, I never said ladies don't sweat.... just that males tend to sweat more.... its a physical fact actually... http://www.google.com.au/search?q=do+me ... =firefox-a

theres some nice family day walks at the bottom of john forrest nat park (and an old railway tunnel) that are nice family walking to btw (just thought of it then)

[nq111]

I have the montane event jacket. If you are patient and hunt around online you could pay about $100-$150 delivered.

EVent definately breathes better than goretex. i have had gore-tex on previous shells. I can wear eVent during rain in the tropics in high summer and not noticably sweat (at least whilst not doing much).

You can actually feel a bit of a breeze through eVent - it does work as well as a wind shell on a cold, windy, snowy peak. Gore-tex feels more substantial - but then PVC feels more substantial than Gore-tex! Event is closer to the ideal waterproof shell that wouldn't trap heat or vapour at all (so everything but waterproofing is left up to how you manage your other layers).

[nq111]

Another thing - there is a good resource somewhere on the web with graphs tracking performance of different shells over a couple of standardised tests. Texas Uni maybe? 300x is well over the top - but 300% (3x) sounds about right. From memory the eVent doesn't drop much in performance as external humidity rises - goretex quickly loses its comparability as the humidity rises.

[ILUVSWTAS]

You can actually feel a bit of a breeze through eVent - i

Being a Tasweigan who deals with the roaring 40's often, im not sure this would be acceptable for our conditions?

[sthughes]

Ive never felt the breeze through mine. On reading that I even put the vacuum cleaner on it and still could feel anything.

Perhaps being more breathable the increased evaporative coolings gives that impression?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Thanks for the "Field" test Hughsie.

I did think it was strange

[Nuts]

Yours is heavy materials sth? Actually thought the same thing with the thinner eVent jacket. In the end i decided that it was more 'the lack of heat' on whatever side the wind was blowing (rather than a breeze coming through the jacket). It stands to reason though, an event jacket of the same thickness/weight materials as goretex, will be 'colder'.
Seems mostly a good thing, If you Generally get too hot in a coat...
Also, you can just buy a heavier weight event jacket otherwise. It is a shame there isn't a bigger range (more suited to the small headed & bushwalkers )

[sthughes]

Yeah mine is quite heavy weight, 802 grams all up.

[baronessbunyip]

I also have a montane eVent jacket which I received in the mail last week. Have only taken it out for a short walk up the blue tier, but like nq111 I can also feel a slight breeze through it in the wind. It is to no detriment of the jacket (in fact I think some air movement may be a consequence of breathability???)and in my opinion it's entirely suitable for Tassie and a wide range of weather conditions. I was only wearing a t-shirt under mine at the time and the breeze was quite cool (so I could easily feel the air movement on my skin), but I imagine with a long sleeve baselayer it would work well as a windshirt while walking up above the treeline. The breathability seems a great improvement compared to the cheap raincoats I've used in the past (never tried gore-tex) and I'm really happy with the jacket. I got mine for $160 delivered from Jackson Sports in the UK - took about 10 days to arrive from time of order I think. As others have said, there are definitely good deals to be had online.

For anyone interested, the road to the main car park on the blue tier is accessible by vehicle at the moment, just ignore the road closed sign and keep going.

[mattyc25]

Used both, eVent heaps more breathable, Gore has better marketing.

Have to disagree with previous poster, eVent is windproof in my opinion. I couldnt feel the wind in brutal conditions on top of Bogong and in dicey NZ Alps winds also.

I will never go back to Gore Tex unless they come out with something newer and better, right now its eVent for me easily.

[Tony]

Here is some technical information on the Gore-Tex v eVent debate, I would like to think this is an independent test.

Graph by Phil Gibson materials science team US army Soldier Systems Center Natick,

This graph was sourced from Mark Verber web site which if you are interested has some very good information on rain wear and many other backpacking topics.

On the topic of breathable rain wear there are some new products coming out from Colubia there is Omni-Dry, , Polartec has NeoShell, and mountain Hardwear has DryQ, many claim better breathability that eVent and Gortex. I am waiting for some independent tests before I believe marketing claims.

I thing Mattyc25 has it nailed

eVent heaps more breathable, Gore has better marketing

Tony