Pertex Tops?

[shadbolt]

I carry and run in the Inov8 Mistlite jacket and bottoms and have found them to be excellent, however I notice they dont have taped seams but are recomended as being FRA approved

There is no such thing as FRA approved kit. The Mistlite jacket and bottoms meet the basic FRA requirement for windproof body cover but are no more FRA approved than the dozens of other windproof jackets and bottoms available from other manufacturers.

[murph]

Ok, mis-quote on my behalf "designed to meet the UK Fell Running Association racing rules"

Think ill look to invest in the Montane Atomic in the near future then, I have some other items of theirs which have lasted ages

[Zaf]

Don't get confused between Pertex and Pertex Shield - they aren't the same. Pertex on its own is highly windproof and extrmely breathable, and water repellent when treated with a hydorphobic chemical (whilst it lasts). It's perfect for general running, but won't keep out prolonged rain or pass kit checks where waterproof is stated. Pertex Shield IS waterproof as it has a polyurethane laminate added to the Pertex face fabric, and will pass a kit check if seams are taped.

This article gives a good summary of its properties:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...ex_shield.html

Thanks Stumpy for the clarification

[Dynamo Dan]

Ok, mis-quote on my behalf "designed to meet the UK Fell Running Association racing rules"

Think ill look to invest in the Montane Atomic in the near future then, I have some other items of theirs which have lasted ages

If you buy a limited edition version of one of their jackets from their website half goes to mountain rescue I think. I can definitely recommend the atomic stretch it's a lovely jacket.

[swedentrails]

Yes I got one for Christmas and it's a great no frills light weight Pertex top, I run it all the time.

IN that case i´m getting one soon. Is it true to size or small..? Can´t test it cause we got no retailers in Sweden..

[Dynamo Dan]

IN that case i´m getting one soon. Is it true to size or small..? Can´t test it cause we got no retailers in Sweden..

I'm fairly small, about 5ft9ish and thin, but I wear a medium. There's a bit of room, but I find that more comfortable especially over a Helly. They're pretty breathable I wore mine whilst running hill reps last night with no problems.

[Fellhound]

Regardless of all the technicalities and talk about hydrostatic head tests and the "definition" of waterproof... Talk of waterproof is MEANINGLESS in a fellrunning context (and it's about time some race organisers acknowledged it). You can't stay dry running on a dry day because of the amount of moisture the human body itself produces so how can you expect to stay dry on a wet day...????!

It makes NO DIFFERENCE to your comfort or safety whether your kit is waterproof or not. It's windproofing that is most imprortant, with breathability a close second because a breathable fabric will dry out to some extent when the rain stops or your level of activity drops.

A better phrase tio use in kit requirements would be "adequate weather protection". This would be at the organisers discretion (as it always is anyway) and the organiser should be qualified to judge.. if not why is he carrying out kit checks...?

A good quality Pertex, plus adequate insulation layer is the best you can do for running purposes. I have a Marmot Pertex with a fleece lining and that would always be my first choice for cold or wet conditions, and a super lightweight Ron Hill pertex which serves for less extreme conditions.

My "waterproof" top invariably stays in my bum bag just to satisfy often half-baked kit requirements...

[Mike T]

Regardless of all the technicalities and talk about hydrostatic head tests and the "definition" of waterproof... Talk of waterproof is MEANINGLESS in a fellrunning context (and it's about time some race organisers acknowledged it). You can't stay dry running on a dry day because of the amount of moisture the human body itself produces so how can you expect to stay dry on a wet day...????!

It makes NO DIFFERENCE to your comfort or safety whether your kit is waterproof or not. It's windproofing that is most imprortant, with breathability a close second because a breathable fabric will dry out to some extent when the rain stops or your level of activity drops.

A better phrase tio use in kit requirements would be "adequate weather protection". This would be at the organisers discretion (as it always is anyway) and the organiser should be qualified to judge.. if not why is he carrying out kit checks...?

A good quality Pertex, plus adequate insulation layer is the best you can do for running purposes. I have a Marmot Pertex with a fleece lining and that would always be my first choice for cold or wet conditions, and a super lightweight Ron Hill pertex which serves for less extreme conditions.

My "waterproof" top invariably stays in my bum bag just to satisfy often half-baked kit requirements...

I must disagree with the second paragraph - in anything more than very light rain I fairly quickly get wet/cold/miserable in my Montane Pertex smock, whereas I am comfortable for much longer in my Haglofs Oz. The Montane would always be my first choice if it was dry.

[Rob Furness]

Windproof is perfectly adequate when moving even in pretty poor conditions (except full winter), I've used my Montane featherlite running the three peaks in a hailstorm and been fine. However, it is pretty useless if you have to stop due to injury. I reckon a minor injury where you could walk off the hill would probably be ok (although you'd be chilly) but something that immobilised you for any length of time would require a more substantial piece of kit, I would have thought in this case a waterproof (whilst not very breathable) would keep the heat in better.

[IanDarkpeak]

Windproof is perfectly adequate when moving even in pretty poor conditions (except full winter), I've used my Montane featherlite running the three peaks in a hailstorm and been fine. However, it is pretty useless if you have to stop due to injury. I reckon a minor injury where you could walk off the hill would probably be ok (although you'd be chilly) but something that immobilised you for any length of time would require a more substantial piece of kit, I would have thought in this case a waterproof (whilst not very breathable) would keep the heat in better.

or more to the point will keep the wet out longer, this along with wind being the biggest contributory factor to Hypothermia. If you had a dry top under a waterproof you would last alot longer than with just a windproof in any amount of precipitation.