Years ago, I can remember struggling up Scafell Pike in a P.U. coated Cagjac in typical Lake District conditions (i.e. pouring rain). I was as wet inside the jacket as it was outside but I could tolerate it because, though wet, at least I remained warm.
A couple of years later, I bought my first Goretex jacket and was bowled over by the apparent huge increase in 'moisture management. This 'improvement' was relative to what I had before; the same is true when comparing Goretex of old with the modern varieties or Event or whatever: things have improved but I find that it only works really well when at altitude (in my experience between 3,500 and 7,000 metres) when the conditions on the outside are cold and dry.
Back here, the performance of the jackets is compromised to a degree because of the lack of a really significant temperature and moisture differential. For all that, new or well-maintained (i.e. washed and reproofed) Goretex and Event will keep out most unpleasant whether for a prolonged period. Whether this 'weather resistance' is better/worse/the same as any other combination, such as Paramo, Buffalo or Ventile + wool, is going to be down to the individual and their chosen activity.
Although I spend significantly less time at high altitude than I used to, I still carry around and wear Goretex and/or Event for those moments when the weather is vile and I am at its mercy on a hill or mountainside. When in the woods, I prefer the Ventile and wool combination for its quietness and comfort though I would consider neither set-up to be 'waterproof'.
Are these things truly waterproof then? Well, the fabrics are but the jackets and trousers are not, simply because they have holes cut out for your head, hands and body. Couple that with the presence of a heavy-breathing, heat and moisture generating beast inside them and the fabrics, even the latest ones, don't really stand a chance of being fully and properly waterproof. Whether they'll ever manage to produce a fabric that works as well as skin in managing moisture is an interesting one; it is, perhaps, the arcanum of the outdoor clothing industry.
A couple of years later, I bought my first Goretex jacket and was bowled over by the apparent huge increase in 'moisture management. This 'improvement' was relative to what I had before; the same is true when comparing Goretex of old with the modern varieties or Event or whatever: things have improved but I find that it only works really well when at altitude (in my experience between 3,500 and 7,000 metres) when the conditions on the outside are cold and dry.
Back here, the performance of the jackets is compromised to a degree because of the lack of a really significant temperature and moisture differential. For all that, new or well-maintained (i.e. washed and reproofed) Goretex and Event will keep out most unpleasant whether for a prolonged period. Whether this 'weather resistance' is better/worse/the same as any other combination, such as Paramo, Buffalo or Ventile + wool, is going to be down to the individual and their chosen activity.
Although I spend significantly less time at high altitude than I used to, I still carry around and wear Goretex and/or Event for those moments when the weather is vile and I am at its mercy on a hill or mountainside. When in the woods, I prefer the Ventile and wool combination for its quietness and comfort though I would consider neither set-up to be 'waterproof'.
Are these things truly waterproof then? Well, the fabrics are but the jackets and trousers are not, simply because they have holes cut out for your head, hands and body. Couple that with the presence of a heavy-breathing, heat and moisture generating beast inside them and the fabrics, even the latest ones, don't really stand a chance of being fully and properly waterproof. Whether they'll ever manage to produce a fabric that works as well as skin in managing moisture is an interesting one; it is, perhaps, the arcanum of the outdoor clothing industry.
