gortex paclite

Hi, would anyone know if there is a similar product out there that has the same material and quality as gortex paclite in a shell jacket but not as expensive?

Wayne,

Paclite is the Gortex with the dots on it. It is put on a thin fabric to help it breathe, and is just as waterproof as the other Gortex stuff. It squashes down really small. Goretex failed miserably at their first attempt with it. It is white on the inside. The dots would peel off quickly, and the laminate (wp membrane)would rub away. It then leaked like a sieve. The second generation solved the problem, and is much more durable. It is grey on the inside. Stores cleared out the white junk very fast after the grey came out.
Some 'lightweight' sites like the Marmot Precip jacket. It is fairly W/B but nowhere as good as the grey Paclite. Don't try wearing the Precip under a heavy packpack, it's too thin.
Look at closeouts, and auction sites for some good prices on the Paclite. Make sure you get the new kind, though.

yeah there's marmot's precip (you can get the precip jacket for $80 and the pants for $55 at campmor), and also Mountain Hardwear makes a faric called Grade 6 (pants $85, jactet $115 or something) which is almost identical to precip, just with some differnt features in the jacket and pants. I haven't used these yet, but I've heard a lot of great things about the precip jacket, and cosidering one myself. :Also looking at the Grade 6 pants: I like their trim fit, and even with the full side zips they pack down into their own little back pocket.

As far as comparing these to paclite I cannot offer much help, except that most who've used grade 6 and precip are very happy with them, and they are a lot cheaper. And of course always look for clearance or markdowns, retail is a rip-off!

Happy Being,

Daniel

Quote:

Hi, would anyone know if there is a similar product out there that has the same material and quality as gortex paclite in a shell jacket but not as expensive?

nm