Long-Term Report: Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket

Date: November 8, 2005

Summary
The Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket is designed to minimize weight, yet provide the basic features that most people want and need. It’s an excellent balance of simplicity and essential features. I like the simple elasticized hood, water-resistant zippers, large front pocket, dropped tail, and long sleeves. The cut is roomy enough to layer over a thin insulation layer. The shorter body length takes some getting used to, and I would prefer to have it a little longer. It is completely waterproof and its breathability is superb. Overall, the Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket is much more than a rain jacket. It functions equally well as a rain jacket, wind shirt, and as an outer shell over insulated clothing.

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) Measured Weight: 9.7 oz (275 g), zippered silnylon storage bag 0.3 oz (8.5 g) Includes: Silicone coated nylon zippered stow bag MSRP: $220 US

The Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket in a late summer mountain rain shower.

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.

Long-Term Report
Test Locations and Conditions—All of my testing of the Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket was done in the Southwestern US (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah). During the six-month test period (May-November 2005) I took the jacket on a total of 20 outings totaling 35 days, as follows:

Like any rain jacket, I did not wear it every day I carried it in my pack. On several day trips I carried the jacket, but did not need to wear it. I estimate that I actually wore the jacket on two-thirds of the days I carried it.

Air temperatures when I wore the jacket ranged from 24 F (-4 C) to 78 F (26 C). I tested the jacket in rain, snow, and wind. Terrains were mountain alpine tundra, mountain forest, and desert canyons. I wore the jacket both on-trail and bushwhacking off-trail.

In May I snowshoed up to 12,000 ft (3658 m) on three occasions and wore the jacket during periods of snow showers and wind. In June I wore the jacket to shed an icy wind on the summit of two 13,000 ft (3962 m) peaks. On summer backpacking trips in the Weminuche Wilderness I routinely wore the jacket for wind protection on the trail, and in camp as an outer shell layer over an insulated jacket. In our late summer monsoon season I wore the jacket while hiking in numerous thundershowers and one all-day rain. I wore the jacket the most as a wind shell layered over a base layer while hiking in cool breezy or windy conditions. On two occasions I even wore the jacket inside a too-thin sleeping bag to stay warm on an unexpectedly cold night.

Quality and Construction—The construction and workmanship are superb. Seams are sewn straight and tight. I could not find any flaws whatsoever.

Sizing and Fit—The Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket is intentionally sized trim. I found that the jacket in size large (my normal size) fits me perfectly. The sleeves are long enough to cover my wrists (my sleeve length is 34 in/86 cm), but not long enough for me to retract my hands. 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 is adequate to overlap rain pants.

Although it is trim, there is still enough girth left to layer over a thin insulated jacket. The jacket fit snug over a lightweight down insulated jacket (Feathered Friends Helios), but had adequate room to layer over a thinner synthetic insulated jacket (Moonstone Cirrus Pullover, or Bozeman Mountain Works Cocoon Pullover). My advice in sizing this jacket is to choose your true size if you will use it for strenuous activities and layer it over thin performance clothing, but if you want to layer over bulkier clothing consider sizing up.

The main issue I had with the ID Rain Jacket is its shorter length. It is shorter than any insulated jacket I wore it with, so the bottom of the inner jacket was exposed. The shorter length is ideal for climbers (for easy access to hardware), but it requires some getting used to for general backpacking and hiking. My preference would be to have at least one extra inch (2.5 cm) in length.

My main issue with the Integral Designs eVENT Rain Jacket is its short length, exposing my insulated jacket at the bottom.

Features—As mentioned, the ID Rain Jacket is intentionally spartan to keep it simple and functional. However, it does have the following features (which I consider to be essential): elastic hem around the hood (no adjustors), waterproof full front zipper, waterproof front pocket zipper, large chest pocket with a 6 in (15 cm) waterproof zipper, elastic/Velcro adjustable cuffs, elastic drawcord bottom hem with two cordlock adjustors, 3 in (8 cm) dropped tail, set-in sleeves, and all seams taped.

Usability—The ID eVENT Rain Jacket is elegant in its simplicity. Integral Designs has done a great job of retaining essential features while keeping this jacket as simple and light as possible.

I especially like the hood, which has only a simple elasticized hem around the face opening, yet fits very well. The elasticized hem allows you to simply stretch it to put it on or take it off. Some people may grumble that it lacks a stiffened brim and multiple hood adjustments, but those features add weight. I was amazed at how well the hood fits and functions without all the extra adjustments that other jackets have.

The hood has an elasticized front hem and no other adjustments. Wearing it over a billed hat provided adequate face protection.

The jacket also lacks features such as a chin warmer, pit zips, fleece-lined collar, stiffened brim on the hood, and stow-away hood flap. I didn’t miss any of these features. I usually wear a billed cap under the hood, so I didn’t miss not having a brim on the hood.

I really liked the large left chest pocket. It is large enough to stow a folded map, thin gloves or hat, and a bunch of snacks - and keep it all handy.

The chest pocket has a lot of capacity and the opening is large enough to insert a folded map. I'm wearing plastic rain gloves in the photo.

I found the water-resistant zippers on the jacket front and pocket are a little stiff to operate, but not overly so. They don’t have a storm flap to get caught in the zipper.

Ventilation—The jacket does not have any ventilation features besides the front zipper and its eVENT fabric, but the combination of the two does the job in most cases. The eVENT fabric is so breathable that I could detect a light breeze going through it when wearing it in the wind. Sometimes its breathability made it a little too chilly inside. I would much rather add underlayers for comfort under the eVENT jacket than wear a jacket that is clammy inside because of minimal breathability.

For hiking or other moderately aerobic activities in cool or overcast weather, I was usually comfortable with a light polyester or wool hiking shirt under the eVENT jacket. In warm rainy weather, I found that I could backpack with the jacket on and maintain comfort as long as I was not climbing too steeply. I found the ID eVENT Rain Jacket to be much less steamy inside than any Gore-Tex or other waterproof-breathable jacket I have used, but there was a limit to its breathability. While carrying a pack uphill at a moderate pace I was able to maintain a decent comfort level with the front zipper open, but hiking up a steep slope at a brisk pace generated a lot of heat and moisture inside the jacket and it was definitely uncomfortable under those conditions.

In variable weather conditions, I found that I could wear the ID eVENT jacket much longer than other waterproof-breathable jackets, but it still had its limits. When the sun came out and the wind stopped, I found that opening the front zipper helped a lot to moderate the inside temperature, but when the temperature climbed above about 50 F (10 C) it quickly got too hot inside, and the jacket had to come off.

On one occasion while snowshoeing in early May I measured the surface temperature of the jacket to be 110 F (43 C), so it’s no wonder that it gets too hot inside! Under those conditions there is no need to be wearing the jacket anyway.

Storm Resistance—As expected, the ID eVENT Rain Jacket was completely waterproof and provided total protection from rain or snow. The water-resistant zippers did not leak. I found that a billed hat works well under the hood to shield my glasses from rain.

The ID eVENT Rain Jacket worn with rain pants in a summer rain shower. I found the jacket to be completely waterproof and very breathable.

Versatility—The jacket works great as an outer shell layer over an insulating jacket in camp. I typically wear a rain jacket and pants over insulating clothing to retain heat and keep my clothes clean and dry on chilly evenings and mornings. The ID eVENT jacket had adequate room to layer over thin insulating layers, but not over a thick insulating jacket.

During the six-month test I actually used the jacket more for windwear than for rainwear. The jacket works extremely well as windwear and eliminates the need to also carry a wind shirt. I found that I could very comfortably hike in cool, windy weather with the eVENT jacket layered over a single base layer. As a matter of fact, it worked better than many wind shirts I have used.

When I wore the jacket in my sleeping bag for extra warmth, it was comfortable to wear all night, with no moisture buildup inside or clamminess.

Suitability For Lightweight Backpacking— Lightweight backpacking gear needs to achieve a good balance of weight, function, and durability. At 9.7 ounces (275 g) in size large, the ID eVENT Rain Jacket is lighter than many conventional waterproof/breathable rain jackets, which weigh 12 ounces (340 g) or more, but is not as light as Propore (non-woven) jackets which can weigh as little as 5.5 ounces (156 g). However, the eVENT jacket is much more durable and significantly more breathable. The 4 oz (113 g) of extra weight of the ID eVENT Rain Jacket is offset to a large extent by its exceptional performance and durability. If the jacket weighed less than 8 oz (227 g) the decision would be easy.

Durability—Since the eVENT face layer is nylon ripstop, it should have a good measure of durability. During my six-month test, the jacket took a lot of scrapes on branches and rocks and has not suffered any damage so far. There are no wear areas from carrying a backpack. Note that I also tested the Integral Designs eVENT Shortie Gaiters made of the same fabric, and they easily endured hundreds of miles of rough use with little or no wear. That’s a pretty good testimonial of what to expect from the jacket.

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.”

Reviewer
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 63
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 at bresnan dot 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. I am retired and backpacking is my passion. During the summer I backpack nearly every week. During the fall, winter, and spring I backpack, day hike, snowshoe, or ski every week. I backpack in wilderness areas in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and occasionally in other western states.

Backpacking Style—I have been a lightweight backpacker for 30 years, an ultralight backpacker for six years, and have been experimenting with super ultralight backpacking for six months. My wife and I give presentations on ultralight backpacking in our 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