What are peoples thoughts on pertex tops?
Am i right in thinking they are windproof only and dont forefill waterproof body cover kit requirements?
I have a gore-tex to, but its a tad on the bulky side so im looking for something that screws up smaller...
ta
Pete
A Pertex top is one of the most useful bits of running kit you can have imho
They are not water-proof but will 'screw up smaller' than a similarly sized Gore-tex jacket
Poacher turned game-keeper
I have the Montane Minimus 2.5 Pertex Shield. Absolutely waterproof with taped seams and hood, fully wind proof and really breathable, its a brilliant piece of kit and I paid £108 by shopping around, normally £120. Will pass a kit check no problem. Screws up to a big apple size and lightweight. Check out the Montane website for details. Hope this helps
Lots of decent pertex tops out there from about £30-40 upwards. Not waterproof but lots of us prefer them in reasonable conditions when waterproof is not asked for in the kit requirements (or sometimes as well as a waterproof if one is). The argument will rage on endlessly but one school of thought is that even the best waterproofs still produce/trap more condensation than a pertex, hence you will end up wet in them and therefore they dont necessarily keep you any warmer or dryer than pertex which is usually lighter and more comfortable - but plenty on here will disagree. Other arguments are that on a hot sunny day you might put a pertex on for sun protection when you would never want to wear a waterproof and that the comfort/lightness of one means you are more likely to wear it earlier and hence keep warmer when you might delay putting a waterproof on. Have a look at the EDZ version of pertex - not cheap but very comfortable and light and more or less waterproof for most purposes except kit checks - I use mine a lot when not actually required to carry waterproofs - just as long as you are prepared to have a waterproof as well or instead when one is asked for. If not just take your waterproof, but not all of us like that option all the time.
Last edited by Mark G; 22-01-2012 at 08:21 PM.
There are waterproofs that you buy 'to run in comfortably when its pissing it down', and waterproofs that you buy 'to put in your bumbag to stay safe' in case you have to stop / retire in a race on a mildly cold / wet / blustery day, and to meet the race kit rules. Keep both handy and choose the most appropriate on the day. The former will cost you a bit (upwards of £50 and in some cases £100), the latter you can pick up for <£10 in most outdoorsy shop sales. Although I had both already, I still couldn't resist buying a £5 jack-in-a-pack at Blacks / Millets (cant remember which) in Ambleside in early Jan. It's windproof and waterproof with taped seams (carried but not yet tested:w00t, and dead light. It was shop labelled as '£5 reduced from £25', when I got to the till it rang in as £10, but the duty manager honoured the £5 labelling. It's a XS (explains the discount) but fits me snug (I'm a S) and if I never get to need it is will eventually get handed down to one of my daughters no doubt, for junior use.
PS - was penning this as Mark G posted!
Last edited by OB1; 22-01-2012 at 08:24 PM. Reason: ps
I believe I'm right in saying that it will pass kit check if it has taped seams.
I quite like them for general running in weather that isn't too horrific, but I've never really expected to stay dry.
Pertex isn't waterproof reguardless of whether it has taped seems, but you wouldn't tape a non waterproof fabric.Originally Posted by zephr
I have seen some incredibly light waterproofs though although if the weather was looking cold and I was going out for a while I'd take a better quality one. I wouldn't want to sit down for 3 hours in the dark with a ultralight waterproof.
Weather was very cold and windy today on Howden edge, I wore a pertex and I was fine but I had my waterproof in my bumbag in case things went bad...
Ah- My apologies, the taped one is made of something ever so slightly heavier material than pertex.
The only thing I'd add to the discussion/thread is, get a smock rather than a full zip jacket, because I find I can wack a smock on in windy conditions a lot easier than a full zip jacket. In fact I might go look for a smock full water-proof now I think of it. My pertex is a Montane btw, and very nice it is too....
Pertex isn't waterproof, although it can be treated to make it waterproof. Regardless of issues of passing the waterproof body cover kit inspection. A windproof pertex jacket is a great bit of kit to have, breaths much better than any waterproof material, including proofed pertex, so is cooler and more comfortable than wearing a waterproof. Think of a day like today, mild but windy with the odd light rain shower, or cold dry days pertex is perfect. I would not do without mine.
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