Gear

Due to the good weather I didn't bring my soft shell. Had Base and fleece on and when I got to the top and sat down I put on my PHD Wind smock (dri shell) because the wind was quite strong. After 5 mins the inside was soaking. Totally overpowered. Dried during the night and started again early and after 10 mins was wet inside again. I'm really disappointed, first time using wind block layer. Is this to be expected ? I have never overpowered my soft or hard shell,  Do others find beading inside their wind proofs ?  I thought one sacraficed the waterproof side to gain increased breathabilty

Ah. No, its not at all to be expected with a 'normal' windshirt but thats not quite what you've got

Drishell is a coated nylon, so it'll be sort of semi waterproof but really not fantastically breathable. Rather like Montanes litespeed H20 actually.

Their MX windsmock for instance would do a lot  better cf sweat. If you want a 'normal' windshirt it'd be better actually and it sounds like it might be worth seeing if they'd change it for you?

There are actually some people who try and wash the DWR coatings out of their windshirts to try and make them ever more breathable, but thats a tiny thing compared to this.

wow  didnt know any of that !

Is it more suited to climbers ?

Would you hold out much luck with phd ?

what wind layer would you think would be the best ?

(I know, a lot of questions)

Not entirely sure myself what its for   Emergency 'waterproofing' for runners etc maybe? It'd probably keep them alive in extremis. So maybe some forms of alpine climbing (cf that guide quoted on PHDs site) or something on the same sorts of principle. Or for jamming on over insulation to protect it etc. PHD would know better than me!

Anyhow not so ideal for active use

If the drishell smock fits you well, and 'features' suitable then the MX version of the smock should be entirely functional. Not entirely sure precisely how MX stacks up vs quantum/other ultralight windshirt style fabric but no reason that it shouldn't be very similar and entirely effective.

There are plenty of alternatives of course. Hunt for windshirt threads for those

Is it more suited to climbers ?

It's more suited to people who put more clag-resistance above breathability.  Personally I prefer not to climb in clag, it's rather too slippery for my liking.

Would you hold out much luck with phd ?

Not sure I understand the question. 

what wind layer would you think would be the best ?

"It depends".  I have a selection (Montane Featherlight smock, Rohan Essential smock, Patti Ready Mix jacket, Mardale Bike Jacket, Rohan Action Jacket) and each does something the others don't manage quite as well.  So it depends exactly what you have in mind as to what will be "best" (plus the exact fitting of the alternatives). Things to consider are is it a "just in case" (pack size and weight optimised over other factors), do you want pockets (and if you do, where and at what capacity), does noise in a blow bother you, does general usability off the hill bother you, do you want it cover lower than your waist, toughness and, of course, how much clag should it take before the hard shell comes out.

Pete.

I know now what it is

same as this

http://eu.thenorthface.com/tnf-eu-en/catalog/product/view/id/29478/s/men-s-verto-jacket/?colour=592?colour=592?colour=10821?colour=10821#item=men's_verto_jacket_4

Since I am a slow walker and not inclined to hang upside down its for sale

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/classifieds/advert.asp?c=2771&t=PHD+drishell+windsock&sp=&v=8

Sorry for the plug