do gore-tex garments only perform in ideal conditions?
on a very wet walk up to dale head my wicking t shirt was damp at the end of the walk,im sure my jacket wasnt leaking,i only wore the t shirt under the jacket,no other layer underneath.

Adrian, you've discovered the limitations of waterproof/breathable membranes and coatings (not just Paclite). When humidity is high they can't shift all the moisture you produce so you end up damp underneath. With a less breathable fabric than Paclite you would probably have ended up soaked.

Paclite works well for a while but in my experience there is a fairly abrupt cutoff point after which condensation appears rapidly.

thanks chris for the very rapid reply.
the conditions were driving torrential rain from start to finish so the jacket didnt do too bad,good enough for a shortish walk anyway.

Driving torrential rain usually means that the outside of the jacket is running with water and quite cold. It's very unlikely that much moisture vapour will be pushed out through that water. Last time I was out in conditions like that - for about 4 hours - my base layer was sodden under an eVent jacket. And I reckon eVent is more breathable than Paclite.

Sorry to mention it again - but Páramo might be the answer, as it requires neither a temperature or a humidity gradient to get rid of perspiration/ condensation/ encroaching water. This is where Páramo really can score over conventional waterproofs.

but with a weight penalty Catherine,or is their gear lightweight?

Paramo do have a lightweight range,

see Velez Smock 778g

or

<a href=http://www.paramo.co.uk/UK/acatalog/CuzcoJacket-16-116.html" Target=BLANK > Cuzco Jacket 701g .

Ooops

Cuzco Jacket 701g

Páramo is different - you'll find you can cut down on the layers you carry because the jacket fulfils more functions. Páramo jackets also vent more effectively than many other garments. Páramo is designed to be worn not carried and many Páramo wearers simply wear their Páramo jacket next to the skin - it's a soft fabric, not at all like wearing a membrane. If you've got time have a look on the OM gear reviews or read some of the forum discussions on Páramo, or talk to someone who wears Páramo and what they think. We do have a very loyal following - with good reason!

A while back we tested some Paramo stuff thanks to the Guys and Gals at Paramo

Here is the article on it

Thanks for this Dave - I should say that our Analogy fabric is now significantly lighter than it was then due to lighter Pump Lining - but works equally well.

Catherine, I have a new Aspira jacket and must say it does seem lighter to the one I tested many moons ago in a wet wasdale!!

big thumbs up to paramo

Yawn