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Anyone used one for trail walking, mountain walking and general camping usually around Derbyshire. Are there alternatives I should look at such as Alpkit, Berghause, OEX or similar. Looking to pay up to £150.
Is 2.5 layer pertex comparable to gortex?
I had a Rab Charge which was 2.5 pertex shield and similar in design to the downpour. The jacket was excellent in terms of fit, hood design and pockets, I used it for winter hill days, skiing and biking. The material was slightly stretchy and very pleasant to wear, and it eventually wore through the coating in the usual contact areas. On balance it was a 120 quid jacket so I wasn't expecting stellar levels of performance, but it was good value and I wore it a lot. I still use it for non raining cold winter days over mid layers, but only for local walks now, not mountain stuff, when I know rain is unlikely
I also have goretex paclit jackets which are better performing but not as nice to wear. Their rrp is over 200 though, although Ive never paid more than 160 or so. So you pays your money etc... Ive had several lightweight jackets, they are great but obviously they don't last as long as heavier jackets.
The Pertex definitely breathes better in my experience, so if you’re active then I think it’s better.
As for water resistance, I find that is more dependant on the DWR than the laminate such as goretex, eVent, Sympatex etc. It’s likely they’ve got similar DWR treatments.
My issue with most shell jackets is that in our wonderful damp temperate Isles, my sweat overcomes the breathability of most of these types of jacket, so I end up “boil in the bag”; in the high mountains, however, they perform fine, which I think is down to the dryer atmosphere.
The only jackets I’ve found that copes well with my sweaty body & our humid environment is Paramo & Buffalo; They seem to pull more moisture away from my body than let in, and make for comfier options.
I have had an eco downpour for 18 months, it fits well, keeps me largely dry in moderate rain, after heavy sustained rain it does start to wet through on shoulders where rucksack straps go. Overall it’s more than and good enough for my use dog walking, doing outdoor stuff with my kids, wearing before and after riding ect. It’s probably a due reproofing wash. <br /><br />
Don’t know how it compares to other kit, would imagine gortex is superior.
If you are near Alfreton the factory shop had loads of these in last week for £100. Pit zips as well for good ventilation.
https://rab.equipment/uk/arc-eco-jacket
I have the downpour eco, it was cheap on sportspursuit. I wore it last night in torrential rain for four miles/ hour, the shoulders and cuffs had started to wet through. Water doesn't bead up on it like it used to so probably needs reproofing. It fits well, i can move well in it, has pit zips at a price point many don't, hood is good. I wish the storm flap fastened better but its not leaked through the zip yet tbf. it packs small and weighs little, spends most of its life stuffed in a bag where i forget its there.
If you don't want to clean and reproof it yourself, rab will do it for £15 but they are slow, takes up to a month to get it back.
I’ve had a downpour plus for several years now - still going well with no wear but it hasn’t had much in the way of hard use.
Gets wetter inside that my old (North Face and Berghaus) paclite jackets did and I have the impression that it doesn’t breath as well, but I must be wrong as everyone says the pertex breathes better.
Rad do a hybrid jacket with the thinner pretext for most of the jacket and the thicker, ore robust 3L for the shoulders, which might be a good idea if you are planning on using rucksacks, etc.