Outdry Pro / GTX Active

[Yellowknife]

Anybody looked at the new "membrane on the outside" rain wear products coming out? Supposed to fix some of the well known issues with GTX type fabrics such as wetting out, soak through, lack of functional breathability when wet, etc.

Columbia announced "Outdry Pro" recently, and I'm sure they will soon to be followed by their sibling company Mountain Hardwear.

http://blog.columbia.com/outdry_extreme/

Gore followed that immediately with the new version of Active GTX:

http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Sate...339039507&d=Touch&pagename=goretex_v2_wrapper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs6UkBJI2S8

I've personally experienced all the faults of traditional membranes, particularly in off trail travel. In off trail use, failure rate has been high, even with the expensive stuff, and I've used the Gore Tex warranty a number of times. It's usually good for a year or two, and then soak through becomes inevitable.

Having the membrane on the outside carries an entirely different risk, and I can see abrasion and tear resistance being a real potential issue, but it looks interesting if nothing else.

http://andrewskurka.com/2015/speculative-thoughts-on-new-gtx-active-outdry-extreme/

 

[BRobertson]

Isaac,

I have never had any luck with " off trail use" of all the miracle rain wear . Your terminology (off trail use) is perfect!!

The folks that claim Goretex is waterproof have never used it in alders and thick brush, day after day, in a place like Yakutat!! ( 10 feet of
rain in 2 month fall bear season)

I will be watching for some feedback on this new stuff

Bob