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This is a review/comparison I have wanted to make for some time. I'm finally collected four (and may be more) different garments that I think will make a good write up. And thanks to the member's encouragement Arc'teryx, Mountain Hardware, Outdoor Reasearch and Westcomb and several other manufactures have promised to join us. Big plans for the field tests and comparisons . Written review to come in late September or early October.
I am only interested in the stretch versions of a water proof shell. If there are others you think should be in this comparison please let me know.
Here are what I have so far thanks to the reader's suggestion. Hopefully the reviews and comparisons will answer all your questions. We'll have a couple of very experienced climbers joining me for this one. This will be the first review of its kind on Cold Thistle.
Gore-Tex’s new stretch version of its highly breathable Active Shell fabric. This one from OR.
Polartec has developed its own waterproof, breathable fabric NeoShell. This one from Westcomb
Marmot lightweight waterproof / breathable technology, MemBrain® Strata™ 100% Nylon Stretch. This one from Marmot obviously.
The new Dry.Q™ Elite from Monuntain Hardware
I'll add to the list once I know what we are really testing.
Last Spring in the Sierra
8 years ago
16 comments:
MHW Dry Q Elite?
Mammut Dry Tech Premium?
MHW Dry Q Elite -- isn't that now just MHW's house brand eVent?
think the pieces that Dane is testing are a step beyond eVent.
looking forward to the feedback, but, going to sit on my RAB eVent shell until it is shredded--i'm too fed up with the waterproof/breathable/stretch game.. with all the worlds proper layering and other variables accounted for, i sweat buckets when I'm working hard and no shell can get rid of that sweat nor keep a jungle micro-climate from developing.
I think Rab is using Neoshell, word on the street is they they are having delamination issues though... Dont know how true this is.
I like the eVent. It is more bretheable than goretex?
Sherpa Adventure Gear Lungta Hybrid jacket? I have no idea if they have a name for their fabric but it's waterproof (or mostly waterproof at least) and stretchy.
Mammut Dry Tech Premium is the "old" Toray Dermizax stretch, same as in the Patagonia Stretch Ascent or any of the Bergans Stretch Jackets - would be interesting how it works compared to the new materials from Polartec and Marmot.
Not sure if Active Shell is up to the job for climbing jackets...
sounds more like a great garment for cycling or running jackets.
"Not sure if Active Shell is up to the job for climbing jackets..."
I have one here in Active shell and think it will give a good showing. It is designed for "fast and light" after all. The Marmot stretch version is an even lighter material.
I'm not buying any more jackets this year. I don't care how good they are.
Just kidding, I have my eye on the Marmot and Rab Pro account for the Stretch to come back in stock.
MHW Dry Q Elite is VERY different from eVent, FYI. Have used one for a few months now and it's a step beyond what I've seen elsewhere. Out of the new materials I think Neoshell and Dry Q Elite are the most compelling. They're the only ones doing something truly different.
Mountain Hardwear Dry.Q Elite isn't eVent at all, though it utilizes a similar air-permeable film from GE (eVent's parent company). It should be more durable and waterproof than eVent in the long-term for a number of reasons.
There is a lot of information about Dry.Q Elite here, from an interview with a higher-up at MHW: http://www.rockcreek.com/mountain-hardwear-dry-q.rco
Not quite- DryQ Elite *is* MHW's house brand eVent. Same laminate, same technology- only difference is the face fabrics. That might be a notable difference for those wanting a 15D or 40D+ eVent equivalent, I guess. No need to be suckered by the marketing hype from a rep promising something beyond eVent.
Dry Q elite was developed in conjuction with the eVent folks. It's not eVent, but rather a step beyond.
I'd like to see Columbia Omni-Dry added to the list. It's an air permeable polyethylene membrane from what I've heard. Been getting pretty big kudos so far from the backcountry crowd.
Texapore Air 03+ from Jack Wolfskin should get a showing. I have the Dissenter jacket and it blows away everything I've had before. I thought the "air permeable" thing was hype until I tried it...
Did you ever do this test to compare these jackets?
It is all here..try a search for shells
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