Looking for a good multicam shell jacket

El Bandit0

El Bandit0

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I am not very familiar with good jacket manufacturers, looking for a Multicam shell jacket that is completely waterproof, highly breathable, hardwearing, has a few pockets, and won't break the bank:cool: I am looking to spend no more than $150 on this, may end up saving up for quite a while to afford this. The jacket can be a completely uninsulated shell or a lightly insulated fleece-type material. I would like to avoid Gore-Tex if possible. Thanks for all suggestions.
 
El Bandit0 said:
I am not very familiar with good jacket manufacturers, looking for a Multicam shell jacket that is completely waterproof, highly breathable, hardwearing, has a few pockets, and won't break the bank:cool: I am looking to spend no more than $150 on this, may end up saving up for quite a while to afford this. The jacket can be a completely uninsulated shell or a lightly insulated fleece-type material. I would like to avoid Gore-Tex if possible. Thanks for all suggestions.
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The search for the Holy Grail has fascinated us for centuries. :) Many would allow for "bank-breaking" if they could achieve your other criteria

From my experience, the experience of others, and reading, there are no jackets or parkas that are both completely waterproof and "highly breathable." One limiting factor is that the film strength of liquid water exceeds the strength of the thermal "push" that is supposed to carry water vapor through the fabric. They breath some when not covered with a film of water.

Performance for breathability: www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/breathability.pdf

If Gore clearly does not lead in breathability, they do demand high construction quality from those licensed to use their fabrics.
 
Thanks for the info, I guess when I said fully waterproof I erred. I haven't bought a jacket in a long time, current raingear is a cheap $3 PVC poncho. Works great, but with East Texas humidity you end up about as wet with it on as you would getting washed by the rain :/
 
Think of the effect of even a simple nylon "wind-breaker" in hot, humid weather. Such a garment is FAR more breathable than even a water-repellent jacket, and yet it would lead to exactly what you describe - about as wet as you would be exposed to the rain. We are far from a perfect solution except in company ads or magical thinking.
 
Humidity + rain leaves one great option... Umbrellas. Can't get a more breathable form of rain protection than that ;)
 
The newest gen's of the milspec multicam goretex jacket and the Condor Summit jacket look good, plenty of good reviews for both. Maybe gore-Tex isn't so bad afterall.
 
look for options with arm pit zippers to help provide ventilation. May want to browse some of the outdoor's stores websites.
 
Arc'teryx LEAF.

They have some of the best stuff in the world (the best isn't far from a false statement). Layer the ALPHA LT with a fleece or one of their soft-shells and you are good down below freezing. The price is high but a good jacket, watch, pack, knife, and gun will all pay for themselves over a lifetime of use. I have 2 of their soft-shells (Bravo and Drac), a Khard 30 series pack, merino baselayers, and the dry socks. A Goretex shell is next on my list once the boss OK's it!

JWLevin
 
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Those are all really nice but WAAAAY out of my budget. Really like Arc'teryx, hear they make quite a bit of slaes to the military these days.
 
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