Waterproofness

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Dr.Dickless

Active member
I'm gonna start patrolling next year and I need the most waterproof pants and jacket I can find

I've had some bad experience with the whole 10k/20k system so i need some real world experience

what is the most waterproof outerwear you have ever owned?
 
the 10k/20k system is how its rated, every company follows it. you probably just bought stuff that was 10k, which can get soaked through. look for higher end stuff, things that have ratings in the 20k-25k range. this will be like stuff like gore-tex. here is what a quick search gave me as options for you

http://www.evo.com/shop/ski/jackets/mens/waterproof_20-000mm-2.aspx

also check out trew gear. many members here and at tgr swear by their quality.

or you can just get a rubber rain suit with unlimited waterproofing but no breathability
 
the issue is that its not a real world test, i don't face runs where I don't move and encounter 10,000 mm columns of water, Ive had everything between 5k and twenty and my most reliably waterproof gear is rated 10 k

Im definitely going to look at Trew though, I haven't even seen any of there stuff in real life
 
From personal experience I've had great luck with my old Orage Bazil jacket. Three year old and it still sheds water really well. Any raindrops or snow usually roll right off. It has been used during the winter as my everyday jacket and ski jacket. The one big thing to keepin it waterproofed so long was not washing it, never wash a waterproofed item. I believe it was rated to 10k. Some of Orage's newer 20/25k stuff would likely work really well. Just pricey but worth it.
 
The triple layer goretex pro shell used in Oakley's Sethmo jacket/pants and Choice Jacket/pants is unbeatable in my experience. You can ride that stuff in a total downpour and nothing gets through. I ride at Snoqualmie so I know all about skiing in the rain.
 
Also if you're gonna be out all day every day it's worth it to invest in a fine weave merino base layer set. Something from Icebreaker or Smartwool. Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial so you don't have to deal with odor if you wear you base layers multiple days in a row without washing. Also if you do end up with a non fully waterproof setup, wool keeps you warm even if it's sopping wet, and dries much faster than cotton.
 
Your employer isn't providing your gear? Weird.

No company tests the breathability ratings the same way, and the same is kind of true with waterproofing. Ratings are all well and good but fabric durability is just as important to me. Anything 3L over 10K will be fine. Blister had a good article on it this year, look it up.
 
the patagonia triolet is the most waterproof breathable shell that exists. I teach at a ski school at snoqualmie washington where it rains often. All the supervisors are provided with the triolet and on those rainy days its still beading up at 3 pm after being in the rain all day. And it is still really breathable. I have had the opportunity to try it a few times and its is so light and warm. Great coat
 
For steezy Trolle gear there bib pant is amaaaazing. There jackets aren't as steezy but still bombproof. So good for hiking and so damn waterproof. Also a second vote for the sethmo bib and jacket spendy but worth the money. The venting options on the setmo stuff arent as good as those on the trew gear.

Also Helly Hansen / Patagonia make stuff that is meant for fisherman and it is undeniably waterproof. Not the most breathable gear in the world but really waterproof. Also through the resort you volunteer for there is a program where Helly Hansen gives discounts to Trolle if I remember correctly.
 
you might find the triolet lacking as it's original design is meant for climbing, not skiing, so it doesn't have reinforced fabric on the cuffs. I'd highly highly recommend the Primo pant for patrolling, gore tex pro is nice, but the fabric isn't as durable, the Primo pant uses a heavier fabric which is significantly more abrasion resistant than the triolet or pow slayer.
 
Just so you know. If you are friendly with the people at the shop at whichever resort and talk to them you could probably get pro-deals on a ton of things. I know that I personally help out any staff especially Trolle with getting gear on the cheap form companies we represent.
 
OP THIS ARTICLE IS A MUST READ:

http://blistergearreview.com/articles/outerwear-101

Pretty sure this is the article that Boax was talking about. Damn is it ever good, and it really opened up my eyes on outerwear and the technicalities behind it. Take a real good read, then ask some questions from other people experience and then pull the trigger (if it's not too late) The one thing that you should really take away from the article is that the ratings (which for obvious reasons shown in the article) that waterproofing is based on have performed poorley and how the DWR layer on the jacket is really what makes a jacket seem water resistant to the user.

Maybe this stuff would make an AWESOME DWR for a jacket:

 
I wear the armada rampage sweatshirt. I'm never going to buy a jacket again afterwearing it. it is waterproof and even on the most wet days I was dry even when it was raining. And it breathable and warm. It's perfect
 
Good to see this article getting some love! I think if everyone read this article, GT would be a much more bearable place this time of year.

Now for shameless plug #2:

OP, check out some of our new 3L outerwear http://www.lethaldescent.com/3l-eagle-outerwear if you don't have the $600 to drop on a Gore Pro Shell piece, I personally guarantee the performance of this jacket -- at half the cost.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

-Sam
 
Dude, I know its expensive, but don't screw around if you really want solid waterproofing. Save the $$$ and get something with Gore-Tex Pro Shell. There's lots of choices out there. Your dry ass will thank you.
 
Causwell mineral jacket and pants get my vote. skied in wet pow to full on rain, rain and more rain in australia. Not a drop got thru. its 20/20k btw.
 
I know it's not what you would wear patrolling, but the spyder crj is fucking solid. 30k/30k i believe? i'm probably wrong though.
 
norrona makes ridiculous waterproof stuff!

i wouldn't be surprised if their onepiece suits are more waterproof than my 7mm neoprene drysuit ...
 
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