Long Term Report: Integral Designs eVent Rain Jacket
Date: Nov 15th, 2005 Manufacturer Name: Integral Designs Website: http://www.integraldesigns.com/	Product Information Manufacturer: Integral Designs Model: eVent Rain Jacket Year of Manufacture: 2005 Color: Yellow Size: Large MSRP: $220.00 (US) Listed Weight: 9.5 oz (270 g) Measured Weight:            Jacket: 9.8 oz (278 g)           Stuff Sack 0.4 oz (12 g)

Long Term Report

Northwest weather this year was abnormal, in that we had a winter drought, good spring rains, and a very dry summer.  So much so that I hiked the entire Mount Rainier Wonderland trail in eight days with no rain, and that is supposed to be near impossible.

I did experience some rain during the last six months, but not the frequency of normal years.  There were a few summer thunderstorms, but the majority of rains have been this fall accompanied by cooler temperatures.  As such, determining how bad of sauna the jacket is while expending high energy was limited while on the summer trail.  As for cool fall rains and snow, the jacket kept me dry, but over heating is less of an issue in fall conditions. 

Using the jacket, while biking this fall has been a great test.  The jacket does a good job of keeping moisture accumulation to a minimum.  Testing consisted of wearing a heavy long sleeve cotton shirt and logging the comfort level among 3 test jackets, a 2-ply waterproof/breathable laminate, a 3-ply Gortex™, and the Integral Designs eVent jacket. In all cased I kept venting to a minimum by keeping the jackets fully zipped closed.  The 2-ply laminate jacket felt the hottest, due to moisture accumulation and the eVent jacket the coolest/most comfortable.  I was surprised how well the moisture was transported, and comfort level.  The 2-ply test jacket was wet on the inside at the end of cycling to work, while the 3-ply Gortex and eVent materials were dry.  This could also be in part to the tricot type inner surface of the 3-ply Gortex and eVent.

Integral Design’s eVent jacket is not a miracle jacket, in that high exertion activities are accompanied by moisture build up.  If a jacket is being worn, then heat is being retained, and consequently sweat/moisture is being generated.  The eVent material did a good job of effectively transporting this moisture out of the jacket, but not as fast as it is being generated under strenuous activity with modest temperatures. 

The Integral Design eVent jacket has only one pocket, a single chest pocket.  I found it very handy this fall while sleeping with the jacket on, as I was able to keep my eye glasses in it so they wouldn’t fog up when I went to put them on in the morning. 

I reported earlier, that the jacket was a little short in the hem; I have since found this to be of little inconvenience.  Given my preference, I still would prefer an additional couple inches (5 cm) added to hem length, as this would allow me to tuck it under my backpack’s waist belt.

As per my field report, the hood is great and fits me well.  It even stays on while sleeping, and this is without there being a cinch cord integrated into the hood.  As for the hook and loop cuff adjustment and hem cinch cord, I found little need for them.  I still contend that the jacket is sized small, as I’m of a small frame (38/40 sports jacket), yet this size "large" jacket fit me perfectly in the chest.

My test jacket is a burnt orange/yellow and is a great color.  Not only does it enhance the color in photos, but is attractive.  It appeared that mud and dirt smudges where going to be an issue, because they seemed to not wash off completely.  I had several rub marks that appeared to be permanent, as I couldn’t get them completely removed with soap and a rag.  I recently noticed that they are now gone.  Some time in the process of wearing, stuffing the jacket in my pack, and rain/snow the smudges have disappeared.

The jacket accompanied me on over 18 nights in the backcountry and several weeks of bike riding to work, and still looks like new.  Even the shoulders show no evidence of wear from my pack.  I’m very pleased with the endurance of the fabric and construction.

While packing, I have been using the jacket’s stuff sack as my main ditty bag, and the zipper has not failed.  This is a good testament to the workmanship and material that are used all the way down to the stuff sack, as I open that bag numerous times a day while on the trail.

Summary

Pros:

• Jacket does well at passing water vapor

• Jacket hood is well designed

• Jacket is light weight

• Stuff sack is a great ditty bag

Cons:

• Jacket could be a little longer in the hem

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 48

Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)

Email: aisrad at cableone.net

I started backpacking 21 years ago, most were short three-day trips, but are now generally five-day.  By backpacking, I’m referring to summer, winter camping, and fall hunting.  About half my trips are lightweight solo and the other half with my family.  I used to own a llama, thus allowing me to continue backpacking with my small children.  In recent years I’ve substituted a collie for the llama. When I’m not with the family I tend to take less-traveled trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around Idaho.  The majority of my trips are in central Idaho, with a few into northern Idaho, eastern Idaho, and eastern Oregon.