I've had a Berghaus Cornice IA for about 8 months now, it's stayed mostly ok, however I don't find it that breathable and get very sweaty with it - especially when on hills and/or with a full pack. I've heard that something like the Mera Peak would be better for trekking with a full pack or long distance/hilly as it's slightly shorter and more pack friendly (the pack tends to slide about wearing the Cornice).
Bergaus does make some pretty decent waterproofs, but I don't reckon the Mera Peak or Cornice are two of them. Both made from Performance Shell, for a start, which is not the most breathable of Gore's fabrics. I'm not saying they're bad, but there are better designed jackets around made from more breathable fabrics. Have a look at some of the Bergaus jackets made from Gore Proshell, or some of the eVent offerings from Rab or Montane. Much better jackets than the two you mention, imo, and can probably be found for around the same price.
Of course, the best way of avoiding getting sweaty is not to wear a waterproof unless it's really raining. Worth investing in a thin and relatively cheap windshirt for blustery days.
Cheers for the tips, I've only worn it when it's raining hard but found it pretty sweaty even on the flat with a full pack - well a pack for 3-4 days walking and camping - that's my limit at the mo. I've heard good things about eVent.
When you say windshirt - do you mean something like a polartec as an outer layer? I normally layer up with a long sleeve merino wool base, mid weight fleece - then the Cornice if it's really chilly or heavy rain,
Am asking as I'm planning on walking across Knoydart from Glenfinnan to Inverie in the middle of March so any advice is gratefully received.
mid weight fleece only if its very cold. If you're walking then most people have enough heat generated to not need the fleece
I have a Cornice but have not had these problems, I only tend to wear it for low level walking with a windshirts used for more energetic outings (with proshell or paclite in my pack)
A windshirt is a very light, thin, mainly synthetic outer layer. It is water resistant (light rain or v short period of rain) but highly breathable so less likely that you will get sweaty in it. They really are fantastic pieces of kit and much underated, I'm still surprised by how many people walk in hardshells in fairly nice weather. Often made from some form of pertex. My main two windshirts are a Montane Featherlite Smock and a Montane Lite Speed Jacket.
warm - base layer normal, windy or light rain - base layer and windshirt cool - base layer, windshirt, hat, buff cold - base layer, 100 wt fleece, windshirt rain - base layer, hard shell very cold and rain - base layer, 100wt fleece and hardshell
i only ever wear the paclite if its raining, its not as breathable as the windshirt.
so i'm happy with it, mainly because its light and it spends more time in my pack. it certainly keeps me dry in heavy rain
