Yus - I have two shirts in Epic by NexTex fabric. Badged up as Craghopper shirts, and on sale some while ago - although I only recently found them as a discontinued item.
Just last week I was walking around the Lizard with the cheese and kisses. She found a pleasant cafe with a good view and decided she'd had enough walking for the day. It was suggested I could 'run back for the car and bring it to the cafe'. There was no alternative offered.
So that is how I came to put the breathability of Epic fabric to the test. Best day of the hols - temperature in the mid 70's I'd guess - 4 mile jog back to the car. You'llbe glad to hear I left my backpack in the cafe. Did the 4 miles in just under the hour.
My back was running with sweat after the first 1/4 mile up a very steep hill out of Coverack. By the halfway mark I pulled the shirt off over my head and turned my back to the wind to get it dry. Meanwhile I turned the shirt inside out and it was just as if I'd pulled it out of a rinse wash - it was dripping. I gave it a good shake in the breeze and after a few minutes turned it back the right way round and put it back on. It actually felt dry, or at least cool, on my back! By the time I'd jogged on to the car I had to repeat the process, but this time used a towel to speed things up.
Now - the next day it was very damp weather, so we went to St Ives. (St Ives = shops). It started raining, and this is where the Epic shirt earns it's keep! It really is weather proof - rain just beads and runs off. It's best to pull it out of your trousers in those conditions of course, and you'll stay perfectly dry - on top. Team them with RAB Pertex trousers and you'll be fine.
So - Epic is shite in warm weather as it's breath-ability will leave you gasping. For cooler days with a wicking base layer it's the most comfortable thing I've worn up a hill. It will keep the wind and damp out in most circumstances.
My point is the Pampas is a nice comfy jacket that is the best compromise I have found so far.
