January 10, 2001


What's a good multipurpose waterproof shell/fleece combo?

G-Man: It's that time of year of rain, sleet and snow and this old jacket just isn't holding up! There are so many products out there made of Gore-Tex, Sympatex, and Thinsulate to choose from. Are extra features such as zippered vents really waterproof and are they worth it? What do you recommend for a multipurpose waterproof shell/fleece combo for a hiking rain jacket in the fall/summer and a ski jacket in the winter? Am I asking too much? Please enlighten your ever-faithful student!

— A. Layne Salt Lake City, Utah

It does indeed get confusing. And yes, there's a lot of hype out there. Gore-Tex isn't perfect, and plenty of competitors are on the market that function as well in most conditions and better in some. As for features such as zippered vents (I assume you mean pit zips), they certainly are worth it. The fact is, waterproof-breathables don't breathe all that well, and you can create a nice torso sauna in pretty short order when you're working hard. As for the waterproofness of such features, manufacturers have taken two routes. Most use a flap/gutter arrangement to keep water away from the zipper, which certainly can leak. Others use a "waterproof" zipper, which has a sealed seam where the zipper is attached to the fabric, and I assume a little closer tolerances in the zipper itself. The latter costs a little more, but makes for a cleaner, lighter design and one that is inherently more water-resistant.

So what to get? I'll spin my usual broken-record song and say again there's not much reason to spend any more than you would for an L.L. Bean All-Conditions Parka, which now uses Gore's XCR fabric, which is claimed to be lighter and more breathable than its predecessor. And it sells for just $299, a stone-cold bargain in a world full of $400 parkas. For insulation, you can zip into it an All-Conditions Wind Pro Jacket ($99), a wind-resistant fleece jacket that also works well when worn alone.

A good alternative is the Alpine Pro jacket from Lowe Alpine. It uses Lowe's Triple Point Ceramic material —- a coating that contains tiny particles of ceramic that help water vapor escape. I've worn Lowe's rain apparel, and think it works very well. The Alpine Pro sells for $260, is extremely well designed with a good-fitting hood and articulated elbows, and mates with Lowe Alpine's Ascent Jacket ($199). It's a good buy on a fine outerwear set.

So that's a starting point. Really, when shopping for gear like this, the basics are to use good sense, discount the claims, and look for quality construction. If you do this, whatever you buy will give you good service for years to come.