I am looking for a legitimately waterproof jacket and tights. I live in Eugene and it pains me that the light rain we get here goes through Uncle Phil's element jacket and supposed waterproof tights he makes. I have for 10+ years only wore Nike stuff, but unless someone knows of some actual waterproof stuff they make I am not wearing their apparel in the winter anymore here.
Let me know what you have used that is completely waterproof in tights and light jackets please.
If you find something that is completely water proof, that means it keeps water in also, right? Do you not sweat? Even if you are keeping water out, you're going to have a sauna inside your jacket and tights and sweat so much that you will be soaked...
Sign me up for that. I could care less. I want something that keeps the COLD water out, I will have 10 smiles on my face with the warm and wet water inside it during 90 min runs in the rain here.
Anything made out of Gortex, but it's warm.
What's your budget?
The big players on the waterproof/breathable market are Gore (overrated 30 year-old tech that has made only modest improvements since) and eVent (superior to Gore's tech in every way, but brand recognition has left it dormant until the last couple years). Polartech's NeoShell is just getting rolled out, and for high aerobic activities it be the best around according to both their tech and early reviews. Plenty of other manufacturers have their own propriety WP/B, but they're likely to be, even at their best, only as good as Gore.
A serious waterproof/breathable jacket will cost you from $100-$500. And IMO, not fun to run in above freezing temperatures.
500$ hahaha :) I bought Nike very thin waterproof Jacket for $3 in second-hand store and have been running in it for now 4years. I wear t-shirt+slim termo-shirt and regular tights and it costs 60$ :)
You aren't tough enough to live/run in Eugene.
I have a used gortex german military jacket liner that I bought from sportsmansquide. It's very minimal and lightweignt.
In rainy weather I wear it for a couple of miles, till I'm warmed up, then hang it from a fence till I'm done with my workout. After I'm warmed up I find I can run shirtless in the rain, w/ no problem down to 45 degrees or so.
It's ugly enough that nobody would steal it, and even if they did, it cost me less than 20 bucks.
It's not like the old days when anything goretex is premium-price. If you look around you can find something. If you insist on being pretty it will probably cost you.
I'd recommend the "Effusion Hooded Jacket" by Mountain Hardwear. Hardwear's waterproof technology is called DryQ and like eVent, is far superior to Gore. Gore requires a 70% body humidity rate for the material to start breathing, hence why Gore jackets feel too warm & stuffy at the beginning of a run. DryQ uses an air permeable layer that will breathe as soon as you put the jacket on and will remain 100% waterproof. The jacket from MHW has a higher wash rating than other comparable jackets on the market, so with a higher cost you are getting the best waterproof technology on the market and a durable jacket.
I don't think anything can be waterproof for 90 min even if it breathes really well. Maybe something with a snorkle?
Rain lands on your face and runs down your neck. This might not bother you for 30 or even 45 min but eventually enough runs down and there is nothing that can stop it.
the good news is that gore is finally being challenged for its market-manipulation. Gore has been muscling retailers for years so stores only care goretex - if that changes, all kinds of new and better fabrics will be available.
I've heard Norrona is making some excellent jackets - the bitihorn line is for running and xc skiing.
GerraldLindgren wrote:
If you find something that is completely water proof, that means it keeps water in also, right? Do you not sweat? Even if you are keeping water out, you're going to have a sauna inside your jacket and tights and sweat so much that you will be soaked...
Ever heard of gortex?
Hmmm, I lived near Eugene for several years, ran every day, and never encountered weather that called for any special gear. You get wet, but as long as you've got some sort of layer on it'll hold some body heat in and that's enough. I guess if you don't like the sensation of water on your skin it could be a problem. Wicked witch syndrome?
ordersofmagnitude wrote:
Hmmm, I lived near Eugene for several years, ran every day, and never encountered weather that called for any special gear. You get wet, but as long as you've got some sort of layer on it'll hold some body heat in and that's enough. I guess if you don't like the sensation of water on your skin it could be a problem. Wicked witch syndrome?
Suppose there was a miracle fabric that keep one perfectly dry in torrential rains while allowing sweat to evaporate as if one were running in the driest desert. You'd still finish your run and immediately hop in the shower . . .
Try smartwool top or the mizuno breath thermo fabric. Both fabrics do a reasonable job at insulating when wet, and both come in different weights so you have options across a wider temperature range.
From the Guide to running in Eugene:
In weather 30 degrees and above, the appropriate apparel is shorts and shoes.
From 20-29 degrees, you may choose to wear old gym socks on your arms.
For temperatures below 20 degrees, you may add a Stop Pre cotton t-shirt.
Asics has the Storm Shelter Jacket. Water and wind proof. It has big vents under the arm pits to keep some air moving
Ted Underhill wrote:
Try smartwool top or the mizuno breath thermo fabric. Both fabrics do a reasonable job at insulating when wet, and both come in different weights so you have options across a wider temperature range.
Was just gonna suggest one of these two. Wool retains almost all of its insulation even when wet, and Breath Thermo has a component in the fabric that reacts with sweat to create heat. Both awesome in cold wet weather, both much cheaper than a waterproof piece.