Hi all

at present i have an ME orge xcr jacket and its great, although im about to invest in a leighter weight jacket and trousers for the summer

ive been looking at the ME firelite i think it is, has anyone used one ?

also would i be better to get a firefly jacket instead because it has the storm flaps over the zips ?

i have been advised by a friend to stay away from paclite and get an EVENT jacket

sorry to put yet another "which waterproof thread", but its nice to know peoples opinions who use the kit also

Ben

I have a marmot paclite jacket. It works fine up to a point, but when doing any strenious exercise it is easily overwhelmed and condensation becomes a nightmare.! I wouldent buy again i dont think. Event is suposed to be better.

Don't get Paclite. It is light, it does pack well. It does work very well within a window of operation, but once you go beyond that the condesation does just cover it inside and then it comes straight back onto you.
eVent still gets damp but the scrim holds the condensation awat from you and the feeling is that you stay more comfortable.
Regardless of the science, in actual use eVent wins.

I agree with PTC.
eVent is tougher(in most cases), just as light and breathes way better than Paclite.

Have a look at the Montane Supefly or Rab Superdru. both are as light as most paclites, yet are tougher than paclite, are full of great features and will 'breathe'infinitely better then paclite.

I had a paclite and after a few wears it went on Ebay. I run hot and thought it was great if you like to wring your base layers out at the end of a walk. I don't.

I have got a Paclite cycling jacket; it is an expensive orange bin bag.

Then again my Montane Superfly is the mutts nuts.

ok daft question but ive never looked into event before

what event system is the same as paclite and what is the same as XCR eg 2 layer / 3 layer

Thanks ben

im going to say get event too....take a look at some of the montane and rab jackets...very light and a made from great fabric

if you are after a good deal on teh montane gear give their factory a call as they have lots of bargains including stuff thats not even out yet.

I'd agree with the eVent option. I just picked up a Montane Superfly for £130 in the sale at Craigdon, and am chuffed to bits with it. Works a treat, and does exactly what it says on the tin....

ok daft question but ive never looked into event before

what event system is the same as paclite and what is the same as XCR eg 2 layer / 3 layer

eVent only comes in either 3 layer or 2 layer. there aren't many people doing the 2 layer stuff (craghoppers are the only ones I know) and to be fair I wouldn't bother.

3 layer eVent is much lighter and more comfortable than the Gore equivalent though, so you get durability (like 3 layer Gtex) and low weight (like paclite).

I have some paclite, an ME Matrix, which admittedly I bought because it was cheap, but I get on with it OK so have been disinclined up upgrade to Event, inspite of all that's said.

I spent a very wet couple of weeks in the Lakes in May, but infact wore it for perhaps 3 half days and a few hour long stretches. I depended mainly on my windproof (Paramo Fuera) to keep the rain off.

Generally in summer if you've got a decent windproof then the waterproof stays in the pack most of the time and the latter's abilities are less crucial than it might appear. Currently I've got a Montane H20 jacket which is insanely light, and I take this out on day hikes when I don't think its going to rain. Bit naff when you have to use it but good for a just in case thing.

If my money to sense ratio were high enough I'd probably equip myself with a Haglofs Oz (paclite). Its not very robust but if its not going to get used much should be OK. Its about as light as it gets at 175 gms. I noticed someone did the TGO challenge this year using one. Another light Event alternative would be Montane's QuickFire. 320 gms. I think that was what Judy Armstrong was using for her Alpine Challenge.

For a more modest budget there are some Berghaus paclite Smocks kicking around for < £100.

An alternative would be less breathable but light things like Montane's Atomic or 200.

Or cheaper things like Lowe Alpine's Rush which I've never tried but I seem to remember got quite a good review in Trail a while back. Or MHW Epic

An alternative would be less breathable but light things like Montane's Atomic or 200.

I now have a Montane 200 for summer showers and I find it much more breatheable than paclite. It's as good as my old Marmot PreCip but packs smaller and weighs less.

I have a ME Matrix and it does its job when its called upon my better half uses Mountain Hardwear Hooded Synchro which I must admit Im very jealous over.

cool thanks for the help, does anyone have the number or the website for the montane outlett, so i can get a rough idea of prices

ben

You mean http://www.montane.co.uk/ :)

Plenty of Montane dealers in the UK. I got my Superfly from Craigdon Mountain Sports, for £135 (down from £180!)

I have a Berghaus Paclite and I'm not at all happy with it. It's the second one that I've had from Berghaus - the first one was replaced because it was faulty, but the one I have now is just as bad.

It's fine in a slight drizzle, but anything other than that it suffers from condensation problems. I've tried wearing it on top of a wickable base layer and also on top a of a fleece, but I still end up with rivulets of water running down inside it and end up with damp clothes.

I've been thinking about replacing it, and like the look of the Montane Superfly. Having done a search of the Internet, this looks like a good buy:

http://www.outdoormania.co.uk/Product.aspx?ProductID=538

Has anyone got one of the Montane Kinetic's?