My Marmot Precip wasn't flash in one hour of rain on Sunday. I got wet on my lower arms and at the pack straps. It also needs a spray of DWR as it is no longer beading. I haven't had it very long and maybe done 4 trips in it at most. I'll give the eVent a go next time I buy a raincoat I think.
Agree with you about Earth Sea and Sky for mid-layers. The best quality in NZ and pricey but here in Chch they often have half price sales. Their polartec black long-johns are very comfortable and quick drying.
I have had to reproof mine a couple of times and the last time with gecko gaurd. Still get damp on the arms in a downpour and sometimes where pack straps rub but no wetter than i do sweating in a heavier coat so Im happy with the trade off so to speak. Having said that we dont get fiordland type intensive rain up here.
Anyone tried any of these waterproofing sprays on the suede-like fabrics Swazi use in the Tahr and Wapiti coats? Mine stopped beading some time ago, but not sure how these sprays would work given it's not a smooth surface.
My gore-tex jacket has become decidedly un-waterproof over the shoulders from pack strap-wear. I'm going to test one of those sprays out.
Where about in Christchurch do they have the earthseasky sales?
I am quite impressed with their entrant pants and keep to check out more of their gear if its discounted.
madpom, maybe try asking your question on the huntfish forum, these swazi jackets are quite popular with the hunters who frequent that board.
I believe many of the waterproofing sprays are just a form of liquid wax in a watery solution.... Expensive for wax.
I think the ESS sales happen annually but at varied places. I got my gear in Ferrymead a couple of years ago. We just happened to be driving past. I guess you could ring David or Jane Ellis up at the factory and let me know for more long johns!
I have used the re-proofing sprays on a 3-layer goretex some years ago. Worked well but I was disappointed I had to do it so soon after buying the jacket. Pack strap/shoulders and lower arms were the problem areas. After the spraying I used the jacket extensively in some really rotten weather (alpine) with no problems. Mind you, I did make a habit of re-proofing yearly instead of waiting for leaks. After I re-proofed it, when exercising hard you could see the steam coming through the sleeves. Weird at the time.
Bigpaul, I see in latest wilderness mag, the Macpac Resolution full-length jacket (eVent fabric) weighs in at 680g. OK for a weekend but I'd baulk at carrying that for a week or so.
I forget what my marmot was called but i think its a cross between a precip and an oracle i whieghed it on the kitchen scales at about 260grams. Unless i go into a very exposed area in seriously bad weather its the only jacket i carry. has worked well in all the weather ive experienced to date including a bad winter on the tongariro crossing
I think I own a Fairydown Vertigo Jacket, weighs in at 375g and made from gore-tex. Got it for $150.00
Its a nice jacket.
http://web.archive.org/web/20060205052627/apparel.fairydown.co.nz/Apparel/Vertigo.asp
I combine that with my ESS waterproof pants which weigh around the 500g mark. felt I needed slightly more robustness for my pants because they are more likely to get damaged.
This is something which bothers me, why do so many of the gear manufacturers don't put the model name of their clothing on the clothing itself....
