advice for waterproofs

[therealmow]

Hi guys im considering buying one of these for my outdoors/equestrian activities:
http://www.haglofs.com/en-US/products/clothing/layers/intense/men/ENDO-JACKET.aspx
or
http://www.haglofs.com/en-US/products/clothing/layers/intense/men/ozo_pullover_en-us.aspx
Wonder if anyone has some experience with them...

Cheers
therealmow

[Dan XF]

I like the Rab waterproof jackets and you can get Gore Bikewear jackets quite cheaply. I would assume Haglofs stuff is good quality but don't get sucked in by the brand name. All Goretex clothing has to be licensed by WL Gore and is rigerously tested by them. They test the prototype jacket from the manufacturer for waterproofness, breathability, abrasion resistance, the channeling of water along the seams and seam tape and so on. The Goretex label is hard earned on any jacket and they will all perform to the same standard despite the Brand name and the price tag.

[Reaps72]

I agree with the Rab statement but don't get sucked in by Gore Tex being the way forward there are much better materials available!
My Rab http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/rab-latok-alpine-mens-waterproof-jacket-p105299, is eVent & by far the best fabric I have come accross!

Gore is over-rated & doesn't perform as well as a lot of new fabrics & many old for that matter! See Pertex from Bufalo.
If your willing to spend some money look at Paramo, Montane, Marmot or Mountain Equipment.
I don't recommend an overhead jacket but thats just personal preference.

[JEEP]

You will never go wrong with any Haglöfs jacket - their gear is absolute top drawer. I have quite a lot of their stuff myself; softshells, bags, fleece, hats, packables, etc. If I was a membrane jacket person, I would also have one of their shell layers.

As to GoreTex vs. eVent; it really depends what you are after. GoreTex may no longer offer the best combination of waterproofness and breathability on the market today, but it is still among the sturdiest membranes out here - where many of the new "super breathable" membranes out there are quite short lived.

Pertex is very light and very breathable - but not much in the way of waterproofness and sturdiness.

If one wants the "perfect" membrane, I would go for the new Sympatex membrane; super light, organic, made from recycled materials, PFOS/PFOA free, fairly study, quiet, has a hydrostatic preassure of 60.000 mm and breathability comparable to human skin. Jackets with this membrane are still rare - and expensive - though.

If you are considering Haglöfs, you may want to look at some of the jackets, with their new recycled/organic/PFOS/PFOA free Proof membrane. You get at lot of bang for you buck with a Proof jacket.

[therealmow]

thanks all for the advice ;)