Originally Posted by
gugie
The marketers come up with "new and improved" stuff all the time. Sometimes I'm duped into trying it, and I'm disappointed.
Here's the thing, I sweat more than you. I know this because you can use something like Gore Active and not get wet. I now use old wool sweaters when I ride, and now I don't get wet. And when you get wet when it's cold out, you get really cold.
My old wool sweaters are typically old gifts. That new fangled Gore Active jacket? Looks like a coupla Benjamins to me. Hey, I was a bike sales rep in the 80's, sold Goretex jackets and "Synchi" Italian "breathable windproof" stuff in my winter line. It's not like I haven't tried it.
I
know of a guy who wrote a thing that I read, reminded me of my experience. He had a solution, I tried it, and it works for me. YMMV, but it worked for me. And I still have those coupla Benjamins in my wallet.
And note that this is the C&V forum. Wool is about as C&V as you can get!
Sooo, you haven't tried the new high end stuff? That's ok. I hadn't before I got the Active. I quite dislike the normal Gore Tex because it's too stuffy. Only really works as a standing still or light walking jacket. But the Gore Active really is pretty nice.
Usually it's engineers who come up with better products (Gore Active). Sometimes it's marketers (merino wool)
Also, this topic isn't in the C&V forum. It's in the Touring forum, where I believe staying dry under the rain shell is of utmost importance. I live in a part of the world where you get wet and get into an unheated tent afterwards and you die. Water decimates a sleeping bags heating properties pretty efficiently be it down or synthetic fiber.
Water is difficult. If it's just cold, above freezing, easy peasy. Cold below freezing? Even easier! Cold down to -30 fahrehnheit, a bit more difficult but still pretty easy. Rain is never easy if it's not a nice summer rain.