Hyvat = ?

[Thomas Linton]

I am seeing military/military-style garments made of "HYVAT" appearing in the market. Sales pitches typically compare it to GORE-TEX.

What I cannot find, despite several Google searches, is any info to tell me where HYVAT fits on the range of "breathable" fabrics. Better? Worse? As good as eVent?

The Gen II garments seem better designed, with pit zips -- some with a back vent. No chest vents, apparently.

Breathability of the original EXWS GORE-TEX parkas was not especially good and the German flecktarn versions were worse.

Input?

 

[digispam]

I know what you mean info is hard to find on this stuff. The trouble is that there does not seem to be an industry standard for measuring wind / water resistance and vapor permiability.

In other words, it doesnt appear that there is a publicly available comparison chart of specifications.

Good luck!

 

[Thomas Linton]

The Army tested a number of waterproof/breathable fabrics. I found the results. HYVAT just wasn't one of them.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Should be lots of Gen. II ACU stuff coming on the market because Gen III is in the manufacturing stages. Biggest changes seem to be a "soft shell" to replace the HYVAT Gen II parka and an outer layer for even colder temps that simply fits over all the rest. Sounds like going back to the idea of the over-parka like the old M-51/M-65 Extreme Cold Weather Parka.

"HYVAT" is trademarked, but the USGOV site has no record of that TM.