Initial Report

Integral Designs eVENT Rain Pants

Initial Report

November 15, 2005

Integral Designs eVENT Rain Pants in their Stuff Sack (Both Front & Back Profile). Ruler Shown for Scale

Tester Biographical Information:

Name: Ken Bigelow
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Height: 5’ 9” (1.8 m)
Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg)
Waist: 42 in (107 cm)
Hip: 41 in (104 cm)
Inseam: 31 in (79 cm)
Thigh: 27 in (69 cm)
Email: krb84108 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA

Backpacking Background:

I was first dragged on a backpacking trip eight years ago and have been addicted to it ever since. My adventures vary in length from a weekend to over two weeks. I am slowly shifting my backpacking style to a lightweight approach. I recently upgraded to a hammock to reduce weight. From spring through fall I typically backpack in the mountains or desert, while in winter I often go snowshoeing. I typically see a wide variety of climates ranging from 10 F (-12 C) with snow to 90 F (32 C) and sunny with just about everything in between.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Integral Designs
Website: www.integraldesigns.com
Size Tested: XL 40 - 44 in (102-112 cm) waist, 50” (127 cm) hip, 33” (84 cm) inseam, 28” (71 cm) thigh
Listed Weight: 10.5 oz (300 g), Medium
Pants Measured Weight: 11.2 oz (318 g)
Stuff Sack Measured Weight: 0.4 oz (11 g)
Measured Packed Size in Stuff Sack: 8 in x 9 in (20 cm x 23 cm)
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Color: Black
MSRP: $250 (US)

Product Description & Initial Impressions:

The Integral Designs eVENT Rain Pants are made of 40 denier nylon trilaminate eVENT fabric which is supposed to be highly breathable. Most breathable fabrics use a two-step moisture transport system which essentially condenses and moves perspiration outside the fabric for evaporation. The problem is when the condensed liquid clogs the pores of the material with oils and other contaminates that it picks up from the skin or fabric. This severely impairs its ability to ventilate or breathe. The eVENT Rain Pants use a "Direct Venting" method which skips condensing the perspiration to a liquid state. It simply allows the vapor to escape from the fabric allowing it to "vent" to the exterior of the material. As I understand it, the eVENT technology is designed to ventilate air-borne moisture instead of turning it into sweat and removing it. This allows the interior of the fabric to remain dry (i.e. "Dry System") instead of wet, or clammy inside.

Rain pants, in general, need to accommodate not only different body types, but different layering systems as well. This means the rain pants must allow their owner to wear them alone, over a base layer, over a mid layer or a combination of layers. The eVENT Rain Pants allow the person wearing them to make this adjustment through use of a Velcro strap at the waistline. This produces an elasticized waist on the pants adapting the fit to the layers on below (or lack thereof). The strap can be tightened or loosened to help customize the fit. Belts loops are also provide for another option to help adjust the fit, however no belt is provided with the rain pants.

Velcro Adjustment Strap on the Rain Pant's Waistline

The rain pants feature side zippers located slightly below the waist at typical pocket height. These have two primary purposes. The first is ventilation. The side zippers are designed to improve the rain pant's breathability and help air out the lower body and legs. Only time will tell if they actually help ventilate or not. The second primary function of the side zippers is to provide access to clothing worn underneath the rain pants. I typically carry lip balm, my map and Kleenex in my pant pockets. While there are no pockets or storage compartments anywhere on the rain pants for me carry small items, I can still still reach things stored in in the pockets of any layers I wear underneath the rain pants. To access a base or mid layer pocket I only have to unzip the zippers and reach in. At least that's the theory. Whether I will actually be able to add or remove items from my pockets is something I intend to evaluate during the test period.

Open Side Vent/Access Zipper

The eVENT Rain pants also have two hem loops on each leg. Underfoot shock cords (which are not included with the rain pants) can be attached here, which I believe will remove any need for wearing gaiters in conjunction with the rain pants. I will definitely test this feature to see if I still need gaiters to keep out rain, snow, dew, trail debris or mud out of my footwear.

Hem Loops for the Underfoot Shock Cord

The ankle cuffs have a zipper running up on one side which, according to the manufacturer, allows the pants "to be pulled on while still wearing light shoes." I do not know what their definition of a "light shoe" is, but I suspect my New Balance trail runners would have to be classified as such. After receiving the eVENT Rain Pants, I attempted to pull the rain pants without removing my trail runners. While it was awkward, I did manage to slide them on without too much trouble. This was done in the comfy confines of my home and not out in high winds with rain pouring down after a long day of hiking. This will certainly need to be examined later while in the field. These bellowed ankle cuffs are also supposed to be waterproof which leaves another claim to be field tested.

Zipping up the Bellowed Ankle Cuffs

Testing Location:

I plan on spending almost every weekend hiking or backpacking this fall in either the desert of Southern Utah or the mountains of Northern Utah. With winter fast approaching the weather will likely be erratic. I already plan on hitting Zion National Park in late fall. In the winter I go snowshoeing at least twice a month somewhere in Utah. In addition to by bimonthly trips I hope to go backpacking/snowshoeing in Bryce Canyon around the first of next year and in the Wasatch Mountains in either December or January. The terrain will vary greatly and will include wet and muddy corridors, slickrock, steep and rocky terrain as well as plain old dirt paths. Temperatures should range from 15 F (-9 C) to 75 F (24 C). I will likely see all types of weather ranging from heavy rain and snow to sunny. The elevations experienced should be between 4,000 feet (1,220 m) and 11,000 feet (3,353 m).

Testing Plan:

Over the course of the test period I intend to examine several characteristics of the eVENT Rain Pants.

Performance – The rain pants need to properly function as rain pants or else they are junk in my opinion. This means they need to be both waterproof and breathable. Will the rain pants repel rain, snow and possibly hail? Do they provide any protection at all against the wind? Will water penetrate through the zippers or infiltrate through the cuffs? Will excess condensation buildup on the interior of the pants after a long day of hiking or snowshoeing? Will the side venting zippers help my lower body and legs to ventilate properly or will I end up feeling clammy after exerting myself while wearing the rain pants?

Do the pants pack down to a small volume when not in use? Are the rain pants easy to put on and take off? Do the access zippers grant me quick and easy access to items I store in clothes underneath the rain pants? The manufacturer claims that the pants can be pulled on while wearing “light shoes”. Does this mean I can only pull them on over my trail runners and not my hiking boots and snow boots? Do wearing the pants negate the need for wearing gaiters? Do the pants make a ton of noise when walking or in high winds that will distract me from my backcountry experience?

Comfort – The rain pants need to fit comfortably so that I can continue to hike without experiencing severe discomfort. Will the elasticized waist adjust to fit me if I wear multiple layers or just the pants alone? Will it need constant re-adjusting as I continue hiking throughout the day? Will the gusseted crotch and articulated knee allow for extended mobility and easy movement? Will chafing be a problem? Can the venting/access zippers be comfortably used while wearing gloves? Can I access pockets to base or mid layers (through the side zippers) while wearing gloves? Will I need to wear an additional belt to prevent the pants from falling down? Are the pants comfortable to wear in general? Will others constantly ridicule me if I wear them around town?

Durability – The rain pants are likely to be exposed to some rough conditions and need to be durable so I remain dry and warm while using them. Are the rain pants easy to wash? Will their performance be affected by washing them? Will the zippers snag over time? Will the loops for the underfoot cord come tear or come off after a few months of testing? Will the Velcro on the adjustment strap lose its strength over time? Will the rain pants rip, tear or in any other way be damaged by four months of testing. Will odor build up quickly on the pants and have them walking around on their own?

I would like to thank Integral Designs and BackpackGearTest for allowing me the opportunity to test the eVENT Rain Pants.

Read more reviews of Integral Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Ken Bigelow

Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Integral Designs eVENT Rain Pants > Ken Bigelow > Initial Report

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