If your looking for some good rain gear, look into the stuf that uses eVent. This shit is suppose to be way, way, better than Gore-tex. Check out the Westcomb Spector LT Hoody.

http://www.westcomb.com/product/waterproof-breathable-event/11/specter-lt-hoody.html

Funny thing about Gore Tex, I wear it all winter riding the sled and never get wet. Wear that shit while hunting in rain and while walking in wet brush and I always end up soaked.

Yeah, it's a step up from Goretex IMO.

I like the Event better, and have the Spector and like it, but its pretty noisy and thin.

Goetex doesnt seem to work if the outer fabric is wet. If the outer fabric is holding water against the membrane I get wet. The mountaineering gear all has outer fabrics that are DWR, thin and otherwise dont hold water so they seem to work alot better. Hunting gear all has thicker softer more absorbent outer fabric and seems to get wet. I use alot of Nikwax wash in DWR to keep my Gortex stuff working. The older the garment the more often I have to apply DWR coatings.

Event seems to breath pretty well. Sometimes I wonder if gortex breaths at all and the rest of the time I'm certain it doesnt breath at all.

I wash my fleece in the Nikwax stuff. Makes it pretty nice for snow, light rains, and warmer rains. Like a 90% jacket. Maybe 10% in SE AK.

I haven't tried the Nikwax on my fleece. Have to check that out...

Anybody tried the new waterproof offering from Polartec?Supposed to be better then gore tex

Keep threatening a Retro approach and start driving more Filson,like I did in The Day.

Shelter Cloth is good shit and far more comfy than Tin...................

Retro was a cotton hoody and sweat pants under Tin, or carhart pants and a five brothers hickory under tin wasnt it.......

It worked if you were moving and tough as nails.

I run fleece, merino, and sometimes a water resistant shell and just plan on being damp. For me warm and quiet trumps dry and noisy. Used to run Columbia's Gallatin wool for years, but sidelined it for Cabelas Legacy fleece maybe 5 years ago. These days its Attack pants, 150 marino top base, legacy fleece pullover, wiggies, Lowa Ranger GTX, Kenetrek gaiters and a Patagonia Primaloft puff in the pack for 90% of what I do. The rest of the time I add a goretex type shell and trade out the Legacy fleece pullover for a lightweight REI unlined fleece jacket for under the shell.

Dave,

I wash everything but my base layers in the Nikwax wash in stuff. It dont make it rain gear, but its a definate improvement in water shedding and reduction in absorption.

If they made Impertech with pit zips and thigh vents I would maybe just forget goretex all together.

Crazy idea: I've often thought of hitting impertech with a sandblaster from a distance just enough to take the sheen off it.

Took breakers over the bow all day and ImperTech again made the cut..............