Gore Infinium/Windstopper for rain

[mtwarden]

Windstopper wasn't really designed for rain, BUT it works in rain. Not hard, all day rain, but lighter and even intermittent harder rain it works pretty well. It has a hydrostatic head of ~ 10,000 which is not quite in the ballpark of many rain jackets, but that's pretty water resistant.

I'm not advocating ditching rain jackets/pants where there is a high probability of hard or sustained rains, but for forecasts where the chances of rain are low or light rain, it's been what I've been carrying. It's simply lighter , breathes better and does the trick in those conditions.

I was out hiking today w/ a Windstopper garment where the first 20-ish minutes it was a light rain, the rain picked up to what I would consider a medium rain for the next 40-ish minutes and the last 10-ish minutes of the hike was a hard rain. I stayed bone dry on the top (while the front of pants were soaked).

This is just one of many outings where I've used a Windstopper jacket in the rain( and in the snow). The Sitka Flash I use (discontinued, but there are similar offerings out there) weighs just under 8 oz, my three layer rain jacket (Sitka Dewpoint) weighs 14 oz. If the weather calls for a lot of rain, it's a no brainer—the Dewpoint gets the nod, but for a lot of the hunting season and outside of hunting season, I'm grabbing a Windstopper jacket.

Just my .02

 

[wapitibob]

The Sitka first version Mountain jacket is becoming my favorite piece. The original 90% jacket that I’ve had for 15 years and it’s right there with it.

 

[K_pem]

Good call there, i've noticed that anecdotally.

One thing I did was pick up one of those limited run Sitka Vapor jackets just to live in the pack as a "just in case" during archery season. I think it weighs like 5oz, but now you've got me wondering if im redundant or not on the days I also pack my Mtn Evo jacket.

 

[mtwarden]

Probably some redundancy; but if there is room to layer the Vapor over the Evo it will give you more protection from precipitation.

I’m not familiar with the Vapor but assuming it’s Windstopper, guessing the Evo with its’ grid fleece panels will breathe better.

 

[K_pem]

Probably some redundancy; but if there is room to layer the Vapor over the Evo it will give you more protection from precipitation.

I’m not familiar with the Vapor but assuming it’s Windstopper, guessing the Evo with its’ grid fleece panels will breathe better.

The vapor is basically just a go goretex membrane with the trimmings of a jacket. I think it’s like 6oz total. But layered over a mountain Evo would probably be a badass combo.

 

[Sinistram]

I've noticed this exact thing, too. For about two decades, I had a North Face Windstopper fleece (back when their brand was worth a crap) and you only had to layer up when it really got heavy with the rain or snow. My current gen 2 Jestream carries on that performance but takes it further. I've been out in weather I was sure would soak me but no! Ironically, the only place where water even tried seeping in was at the embroidered Sitka logo on the chest.

 

[TheTone]

I’ve used an old Sitka 90% and an original Jetstream in lots of rain just as you described. My everyday carry rain shell is really light and I’d layer it over either of the Sitka jacket if things were really crummy

 

[Maverick1]

Windstopper wasn't really designed for rain, BUT it works in rain. Not hard, all day rain, but lighter and even intermittent harder rain it works pretty well. It has a hydrostatic head of ~ 10,000 which is not quite in the ballpark of many rain jackets, but that's pretty water resistant.

I'm not advocating ditching rain jackets/pants where there is a high probability of hard or sustained rains, but for forecasts where the chances of rain are low or light rain, it's been what I've been carrying. It's simply lighter , breathes better and does the trick in those conditions.

I was out hiking today w/ a Windstopper garment where the first 20-ish minutes it was a light rain, the rain picked up to what I would consider a medium rain for the next 40-ish minutes and the last 10-ish minutes of the hike was a hard rain. I stayed bone dry on the top (while the front of pants were soaked).

This is just one of many outings where I've used a Windstopper jacket in the rain( and in the snow). The Sitka Flash I use (discontinued, but there are similar offerings out there) weighs just under 8 oz, my three layer rain jacket (Sitka Dewpoint) weighs 14 oz. If the weather calls for a lot of rain, it's a no brainer—the Dewpoint gets the nod, but for a lot of the hunting season and outside of hunting season, I'm grabbing a Windstopper jacket.

Just my .02

Yes, that is correct. It was not designed for rain, but it works. For a light rain, no problem. For a downpour or steady rain it eventually leaks at the seams. And, then, depending on the interior of the garment, it can either dry rather quickly or take quite some time to dry out.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Windstopper is just the original goretex membrane that’s been stretched to open the pours up more essentially. It’s still stops rain just not to same “pressure” as the none stretched laminate.

Think of it as like 5k instead of a 20k. I have no idea if the exact numbers, but as an example you get the drift. Also most Windstopper/blocker etc isn’t seam sealed or even in critical areas