I can agree with that and love the fact that Swazi is kiwi made but like alot of hunting gear tends to be heavy. I own some Swazi (the lighter stuff) and some Earth sea and sky (again Kiwi made). The Problem with Earth Sea and Sky for me is once again sizeing. A real problem as in my humble opinion this is the best light whieght warm gear availible. all their gear is just a bit small for me they seem to stop at 2xl leaning towards anorexia.
I'm also in the market for a new raincoat, just waiting to see how this new super-breathable Macpac eVent series stacks up before buying something. I just hope it turns out to be as good as the US test results claim while still being affordable.
I do wonder if there's really a breathable fabric that can shift water vapour as fast as I can produce it while still keeping the rain out. Seems a big ask.
Anyone planning to go to the product launch...?
I have a Gortex Pack Lite coat i bought last year for the Kepler tack and guess what there was not one drop of rain.
I have used it in Brisbane alot and i find it works very well even in Brisbanes 30+ summer temps and very wet conditions
Lindsay
Has anyone purchased and tested one of the new Macpac event jackets? Just came back from a wander around Petone MacPac and Kathmandu sales and the Event seems to be cheaper than the Kathmandu gore-tex.
It looks promising and some US sites I checked gave it a good rating but I'd like to hear a Tararua/Fiorldland analysis!
Frankly I have given up on the flash blah blah jackets. Now own a very light Marmot multi-sport jacket which I swear by. Only use it if conditions are real bad as in wind chill or for a tad of extra warmth. Have owned Goretex etc and if active you sweat and still get wet. Mainly it is fashion not function. City wear in my opinion - just because it doesn't work.
Generally I take 3 or 4 layers of thermal (poly or wool) with an extra kept for dry camp wear (with a Mont Bell puffy or Mont Bell climbing thermal layer). If temperature/wind allows, I'll travel in just the thermal layers even in the wet. I'm over the hassle of a full length tramping jacket in which you still get wet. As I said, if wind chill is a problem then the Marmot goes on. I just reckon I'd have to be travelling real slow in order not to sweat in one of those jackets. eVent might be interesting but the cost is huge.
I've owned many many jackets and am currently using a Marmot Precip. In serious rain I'm also wearing a Tyvek/Polypropylene fishing/golfing waterproof breathable DriDucks jacket underneath. They are very fragile, very light (100g) and very breathable and as waterproof as anything else when you first start using them. They soon develop holes and tears unfortunately. I got the complete suit for $20 from TopCatch but alas, I'm sure they're all sold out (I bought 5 suits!).
I've also trialled using a shortened operating theatre disposable gown as the protection layer over the DriDuck.
I see no-one's bought the new eVent stuff yet. Maybe I'll try it out for my next jacket. They only seem to last a couple of years on me!
Have to say im a marmot convert myself. I just work with layering and wind braking these days. when it pours your going to get wet anyway being warm is more important to me.
Got to agree with you bigpaul. Layering and wind protection is the way I'm going. I'm also trying to get the pack size down as well (its an age thing). Fitting a bulky jacket inside is just adding to that problem. Considering I always take a tent the less bulk the better. Must ask though, is that eVent thin?
yes but surpriseingly strong ive taken a few slides in mine and still in one piece.
Are you using any after-market applications to repair or improve water "proofness"? I've noticed a variety of sprays available for goretex and softshells.
