Touring - Vindication!!!! :)

I am not a big fan of slate, but you gotta like his latest internet blurb on <b>Gore-Tex</b>. Not only does he list a $5 Wal-mart rain jacket as a better buy (yeah yeah, largely based on price), but he largely debunks the whole Gore-tex and 'vapor barrier clothing' myth.

Bring on my Colombia rain jacket!

roughstuff

Where can I find this blurb debunking vapor barrier myth?

Here: http://www.slate.com/id/2085417/

The guy is a moron in my opinion. If you want to know what really works in rain gear talk to people that actually hike, bike or run in the rain a lot - not some idiot whose on a mission to prove his point regardless of reality.

I have used Gore-tex, Patagonia H2NO, North Face HyVent, Entrant and a bunch of other waterproof breatheable fabrics over the years. There is a significant difference in how they perform in the real world. Having said that the design of the garment, the use you'll put it to and the climate in your area will all play a huge roll in how a specific product works for you.

Anyone who goes off on a rant is full of sh*t and just pushing their own agenda. Talk to people in your area and pay attention to those that give you sensible well reasoned opinions based on their experiences.

There is no simple sound byte answer to this question.

Years ago I thought I was insane for not liking Gore-Tex. Then I happened to complain about it to a buddy in Jackson who is one of the best tele skiers out there. He called it Leak-Tex. It's expensive, heavy, and DOESN'T breathe well. If you stuff it in your panniers it develops hairline cracks on the wrinkles.

Gore-Tex - - the biggest Brooklyn Bridge since - - well, the Brooklyn Bridge.

Your not insane for not liking it, Patagonia got on that bandwagon about the time the product first came out, though larger makers like to control their suppliers, and not the other way around. That said they have created an empire of products outside goretex cloathing. It is a pretty useful product, that has found uses all over the place, so it isn't some mumbo jumbo all claims product. I used to use it Ice Climbing a lot, and am surprised a tele skier would not like it since it's waterproofness in winter is not a big issues, you get that contact water running off it well, and it's wind resistant, and breathable to a point. For simple outdoor use I prefer waxed cotton or urethane coated.

Design of these garments is a big factor and unfortunately all the hype in the outdoor biz has led to clothing that it would be a miracle if it were waterproof with the number of useless seams and clutter.

Columbia used to sell lots of goretex.

I have a North Face Venture a couple of years old and it works great for hiking and CC skiing but leaves my back exposed when cycling. I got it on sale at EMS for $50 marked down from $80
I also have a goretex cycling shell I got from MEC in 2002 for $90 cdn that I use in rain and snow . I don't sweat in it nor does it leak. Other than the long cut back to cover my ass I see it as no better or worse that the Northface jacket.