Pertex Tops?

[Dynamo Dan]

I read somewhere that some climbers, at the sharp end of alpinism, use wind-proofs under waterproofs to minimise the condensation. At the trigger I wore my wind-proof smock the whole way round and carried my Atomic just in case.

[IanDarkpeak]

I read somewhere that some climbers, at the sharp end of alpinism, use wind-proofs under waterproofs to minimise the condensation. At the trigger I wore my wind-proof smock the whole way round and carried my Atomic just in case.

Not sure how it would reduce condenstation, it might actually hold the moisture as it has more layers to travel through?
Trigger, Me too Pertex all the way but carried my Kamilika I have done the HPM with my Pertex and waterproof on.

Dan introduce your self at the Skyline or the HPM, some one will be able to point me out....

[Mark G]

I think there is a risk of regarding either as providing 'safety' when in reality they add a degree of it but neither are a magic solution that will keep you warm dry and alive regardless of what you do or what happens to you. Some are obviously better than others but to a large extent this is probably going to be dependent on a whole range of conditions and which is best will vary accordingly. I wore my kamleika in dry but cold conditions for 3 1/2 hours yesterday and remained fairly comfortable apart from when we dropped out of the wind but if it had been much warmer a pertex would have been better - it would have kept the windchill off but would also have kept me dryer. The obvious solution if you are able to manage it is to have a range of kit to choose from according to the conditions and it doesn't necessarily have to be too expensive. I've a reasonable pertex put away that I bought for £15 and pac a macs (top and now they do bottoms as well) are cheap and effective. Hopefully we can all decide what is appropriate to conditions - my concern on this particular subject has always been the clarity of what is wanted or expected from us by ROs on particular occasions. Take a medium lakes race in settled high summer conditions for example - from some of the previous posts I'm sure a lot of us would probably be happy to take pertex, with or without a hood but if the RO or FRA thinks we should carry something else thats fine, but we need to know when that applies and what that is. Its pedantic posting about it on here I know, but would anybody seriously prefer to discuss it with the busy RO on the start line or at the finish after being disqualified?

[Alexandra]

I read somewhere that some climbers, at the sharp end of alpinism, use wind-proofs under waterproofs to minimise the condensation.

Isn't that the principle used by Paramo?

[Baggins]

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

Lets not start that again, you know fine well its so you've something to protect you from the elements when you are not moving fast ie you are out of the race and trying to get off the fell, what you wear to race in is up to you.

Windproof is perfectly adequate when moving even in pretty poor conditions (except full winter)

I read somewhere that some climbers, at the sharp end of alpinism, use wind-proofs under waterproofs to minimise the condensation

In winter/alps a lot of climbers are NOT wearing waterproofs to reduce overheating/condensation.

I don't think I've wore my waterproofs this winter and I've supported BG legs in pretty bad weather, my pertex top is heavier than my Oz though

The colder it gets the less need for waterproofs

[Dynamo Dan]

Not sure how it would reduce condenstation, it might actually hold the moisture as it has more layers to travel through?
Trigger, Me too Pertex all the way but carried my Kamilika I have done the HPM with my Pertex and waterproof on.

Dan introduce your self at the Skyline or the HPM, some one will be able to point me out....

. Will do mate.

[Dynamo Dan]

I've a reasonable pertex put away that I bought for £15 and pac a macs (top and now they do bottoms as well) are cheap and effective.

My montane is great but a £160 jacket shouldn't spend most it's life in a bum bag! I think it's probably worth spending more on wind proofs, which you'll run in more and buying cheap mac and packs for the bumbag. My omm sonic smock is so light I'll probably carry as well as my waterproofs for serious summer races.

Obviously my Montane is great for big days out in bad weather.

Last year at Buttermere the weather got a bit knarly on Causey Pike, a wind-proof would've been perfect for running in, but you'd want some waterproofs if you stopped...

[Fellhound]

My montane is great but a £160 jacket shouldn't spend most it's life in a bum bag! I think it's probably worth spending more on wind proofs, which you'll run in more and buying cheap mac and packs for the bumbag.

Quite right. I always spend more on the windproof stuff I wear most of the time. I buy the cheapest waterproofs I can find because they are for emergencies only.

[IanDarkpeak]

Quite right. I always spend more on the windproof stuff I wear most of the time. I buy the cheapest waterproofs I can find because they are for emergencies only.

so when the sh!t hits the fan and you are really in trouble, alone on the hillside in failing light with the weather closing in you'll feel good knowing you bought the cheapest stuff you could find.....

I'm sorry but that logic completely fails me.

Presumably you do posess some good hill kit for long hill day?

[Dynamo Dan]

so when the sh!t hits the fan and you are really in trouble, alone on the hillside in failing light with the weather closing in you'll feel good knowing you bought the cheapest stuff you could find.....

I'm sorry but that logic completely fails me.

Presumably you do posess some good hill kit for long hill day?

I see what you're saying Ian and in winter I always carry my Montane Atomic Stretch, but aside from breathability and comfort is there a massive difference between a top class light waterproof and a cheap Regatta one?

They both have taped seams and I presume the cheaper jacket would keep you just as dry as the expensive one.