Initial Report:
Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket

Date: May 19, 2005

Product Information
Product Tested: Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket
Manufacturer Website: http://www.integraldesigns.com
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Fabric Description: eVENT Storm 3 layer waterproof breathable fabric at 3.1 oz/yd² (105 g/m²) is an ePTFE membrane sandwiched between a triple grid ripstop face fabric and tricot lining, 100% nylon
Color: Dark green
Sizes Available: Small 34-36 in (86-91 cm) 8.5 oz (242 g); Medium 38-40 in (97-102 cm) 8.9 oz (251 g); Large 42-44 in (107-111 cm) 9.5 oz (270 g); X-Large 46-48 in (117-122 cm) 10.3 oz (293 g)
Size Tested: Large
Weight Listed: 9.5 oz (270 g)
Weight as Delivered: 9.7 oz (275 g), zippered silnylon storage bag .3 oz (8.5 g)
MSRP: $220 US

Product Description
According to the Integral Designs website, the eVENT Rain Jacket is “designed to provide protection from rain and wind, this lightweight, fully waterproof unisex jacket is comfortable to wear all day long. Features include a fully separating waterproof front zip and an integrated elasticized hood. Adjustable cuffs and bottom hem are trimmed with black coated taslan nylon for increased durability. A large (8 in x 9 in/20 cm x 23 cm) vertical zippered breast pocket is designed to store maps and small items. Sizing is snug as the eVENT Rain Jacket is designed for active use over one or two base layers”.

Information On eVENT Technology
Basically BHA Technologies has developed a “better Gore-Tex”, which is branded as e-VENT. Both Gore-Tex  and e-VENT are an expanded PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, a.k.a. Teflon) membrane laminated to a nylon fabric. The difference is that the Gore-Tex PTFE membrane is coated with a thin layer of polyurethane (PU) on the inside that is hydrophilic (water absorbent) to make it permeable to water. The PU layer is necessary to protect the PTFE membrane from fouling by body oils, but the downside is that it greatly restricts the breathability of the fabric. BHA Technologies found a way to make the PTFE membrane oleophobic (oil resistant), so it does not need the breathability-inhibiting PU coating to protect it from contaminants. The result is a waterproof-breathable fabric that will move moisture 30%-200% (depending on humidity level) faster than Gore-Tex XCR.

Initial Report
Initial Impressions—The Integral Designs e-VENT Rain Jacket is apparently designed to minimize weight, yet provide the basic features that most people want. With that goal in mind, this jacket is an excellent balance of simplicity and essential features. I like the simple elasticized hood closure (right photo), the water resistant zippers, the large front pocket, dropped tail, and the long sleeves. The cut is just right to provide extra girth for an insulation layer, but does not quite cover it at the bottom. The shorter body length will take a little getting used to, and I will report my likes/dislikes on that later on.

Quality, Construction, and Fit—The construction and workmanship are superb. Seams are sewn straight and tight. I could not find any flaws whatsoever. The jacket (size large) fits me perfectly. It has a trim fit, but there is still enough girth left for an insulation layer under the shell. The sleeves are long enough to cover my wrists, but not long enough for me to retract my hands. When I raise my arms above my head, the sleeves pull back below my wrists. The jacket is about 3 in (8 cm) shorter than most rain jackets, but still extends about 6 in (15 cm) below my waist, which seems to be adequate to overlap rain pants.

Features—Elastic hem around the hood (no adjustors), waterproof full front zipper, waterproof front pocket zipper, large front pocket (right photo), elastic/Velcro adjustable cuffs, bottom hem drawcord  with two cordlock adjustors, 3 in (8 cm) dropped tail, set-in sleeves, all seams taped.

Measurements—Size large: front zipper 26 in (66 cm), pocket zipper 6.5 in (17 cm), front body length (chin to hem) 27 in (69 cm), back body length (base of hood to hem) 28.3 in (72 cm), sleeve length (middle of back at base of hood to cuff) 36 in (91 cm); pocket dimensions 11.3 inches wide x 10.3 inches high (29 cm x 26 cm), cuffs relaxed 5 in (13 cm), cuffs stretched 6 in (15 cm), tail dropped 3 in (8 cm).

Washing Instructions—“Hand wash with mild soap. Drip dry. Do not dry clean or bleach.”

Test Plan
Test Locations And Conditions—During May and June I will be day hiking and backpacking at lower elevations in  the canyonlands country of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, and at mid elevations in the mountains. I will be snowshoeing in the high mountains until mid June. In early summer I will do numerous day trips and backpacks in the forested zone of the Colorado Mountains.  In summer I will be backpacking in the high alpine zone of the Colorado Mountains. The testing environments will consist of: badlands desert, canyon country, forests, and high elevation alpine country. Elevations will range from 5,000 to over 14,000 feet (1524 to 4267 m). Expected extreme conditions include: snow storms, strong winds, dust/rain storms, heavy rain, intense sun, low temperatures, and high elevations with strong UV radiation and intense thunderstorms.

How the eVENT Rain Jacket Will Be Used—As an ultralight backpacker, I like to use a rain jacket for rainwear and windwear on the trail, and as an outer shell layer over an insulation layer to retain heat while in camp. The jacket will be worn as needed for rain and wind protection. A combination I use a lot is to wear a shell layer over a single baselayer. However, a frequent problem I have with rainwear and windwear is they are too hot to wear in warmer temperatures, especially if the sun is shining, and especially if I am hiking uphill carrying a pack. I’m hoping that the ID eVENT Rain Jacket will be much more breathable than the rainwear and windwear I now use, so I can comfortably wear it more of the time.

Another thing I want to try is to wear the eVENT rain jacket over my insulated jacket in my sleeping bag for extra warmth on cold nights. If it is exceptionally breathable as claimed, it should help a lot to extend the warmth of my lightweight sleeping bag, without accumulating moisture or feeling clammy inside.

Measurements And Observations—On each trip I will take a thermometer with me to measure the comfort range of the ID eVENT Rain Jacket, i.e., the temperatures where the jacket feels either too hot or too cold. In my notes for each trip, I will record the following data in relation to my comfort level wearing the Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket: 1) temperatures, 2) estimated wind speed, 3) estimated humidity, 4) altitude, 5) precipitation (including what form), 6) how the Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket was worn (other clothing), 7) my exertion level, 8) my comfort level, 9) how much I perspired while wearing the Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket at different activity levels, 10) how chilled I felt when I stopped in cold weather because of condensation in the jacket (if any), and 11) how chilled I feel from wind.

To make this test even more scientific, I will measure the actual temperature and humidity inside the Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket on several occasions using a compact indoor/outdoor thermometer/hygrometer with remote sensor that I have. So in warm or cold weather, when I feel either quite warm or quite cold wearing the jacket, I can measure and report the actual temperature outside and inside.

My Expectations For The Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket
In my six month evaluation of the Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket I will determine if the following expectations are met or not.

1. The rain jacket will be totally waterproof and will feel dry inside, even in high intensity/prolonged rains, at high exertion levels, and in warmer temperatures.

2. The jacket will be very breathable, allowing me to wear it for extensive periods of time in rain or wind without taking it off. This includes hiking uphill carrying a pack in warm weather.

3. I will find the eVENT rain jacket to be an extremely useful piece of gear, and will want to take it with me, in preference to other (lighter) gear, on backpacking trips because of its comfort and versatility.

4. The rain jacket will be easy to don over other clothing. The hood will not restrict my vision. The zippers will work smoothly without any problems.

5. The rain jacket will be long enough to overlap my underlayers and rain pants or chaps and maintain dryness inside.

6. The rain jacket will be durable and will easily handle bushwhacking and scrambling without serious abrasions, punctures, or seams coming apart. It will retain its waterproofness even when abraded on the outside.

7. For lightweight backpacking, the jacket’s comfort and utility will justify its 9.7 oz (275 g) weight.

8. The jacket will maintain its waterproof/breathable functions with little maintenance other than occasional washings following instructions.

9. The jacket will be equally functional as windwear as it is for rainwear.

Reviewer Information
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 62
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Chest Size: 41 in (104 cm)
Sleeve Length: 34 in (86 cm)
Email:  willi_wabbit@bresnan.net
City & State: Durango CO 81301
Location for Testing: Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico).

Backpacking Background
I have been an avid backpacker for 47 years. Backpacking is my passion. I am retired and in excellent physical condition. In the fall, winter, and spring I backpack in UT, AZ, and NM. In the summer I backpack in several wilderness areas in southern Colorado and occasionally in other western states.

Backpacking Style—I have been a lightweight backpacker for 30 years and an ultralight backpacker for six years. My current challenge is super ultralight backpacking--getting my base pack weight below five pounds (2.3 kg). My wife and I give presentations on ultralight backpacking in the local area, and have developed a website called Southwest Ultralight Backpacking to share information.

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Integral Designs and the BackpackGearTest Group for selecting me to participate in this test.

Will Rietveld