"eVent" is a terrible name to Google

July 16, 2009 9:56 AM

Ok I'm convinced, I want an "eVent" waterproof jacket. The problem is I want to try it on (hopefully in New York City or surrounding area) and eVent is a terrible name to Google.

I went hiking in New York state for a week in one of the wettest Junes in recent memory, and my "weatherproof" jacket left me soaked. "eVent" is supposed to be the best, right? Should I just get something with Gore-tex as that is everywhere? I would buy just the shell and would wear it primarily for hiking.

posted by 2bucksplus to shopping (9 comments total)

They have them at REI. And FYI, you can google something like "event waterproof jacket" to limit your results to what's relevant.
posted by amro at 9:59 AM on July 16

Here is a list of companies that use that fabric and stores that sell it; found by googling "event fabric"
posted by TedW at 10:05 AM on July 16

I came up with that list prior to asking the question and, with the exception of REI, none of companies appear to operate stores in the area.

REI's website only lists hats and accessories with the fabric unfortunately.
posted by 2bucksplus at 10:15 AM on July 16

RAB is another company that makes eVent jackets -- they're UK based, but may have distributors on the east coast. Exceptional jackets.

New York
Paragon Sporting Goods Co Llc
www.paragonsports.com
871 Broadway, New York, NY 1003-1904
Tel. [phone]

Rock And Snow Inc
www.rockandsnow.com
44 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561
Tel. [phone]

Don't know if you're in New York City or New Paltz, but that might be close enough.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 10:48 AM on July 16

Or Pennsylvania:

Exkursion Outfitters
www.exkursion.com
4037 William Penn, Monroeville, PA 15146
Tel. [phone]

Top Of The Slope
100 South Main Street, Wilkes Barre, PA 18701
Tel. [phone]
posted by Pantengliopoli at 10:48 AM on July 16

That said, any shell (eVent, Gore PacLite, ToddTex) are all going to get you wet eventually, unless you care for them -- you have to keep them clean and you have to redo the durable waterproofing (DWR) coating on them with some regularity. RAB's eVent jackets really are great though.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 10:51 AM on July 16

I've been able to get REI stuff that I couldn't find on their website by talking to someone in person. They're happy to ship stuff in (for free) for other stores and let you try things on before buying.

I remember seeing old Lowe Alpine and Pearl Izumi stuff with event fabric on clearance at Paragon; I don't think either company makes anything with event anymore, so those might be gone, but perhaps they have something else?

And you probably already know this, but a lot of online stores will let you return anything, plus shipping costs (~$5), so you could try that if you can narrow it down to one or two items.

BTW, Propore is substantially lighter and more breatheable, but not nearly as durable, and the only propore jackets I've seen look like hooded trashbags. But if you don't care about fashion, you can pick up a pair of dri ducks (jacket and pants) for $20.
posted by suncoursing at 10:56 AM on July 16

... and my "weatherproof" jacket left me soaked. "eVent" is supposed to be the best, right? Should I just get something with Gore-tex as that is everywhere? I would buy just the shell and would wear it primarily for hiking.

Did it leak or condense on the inside? Because you were in almost the most demanding conditions for any jacket (hiking in cold and rain would be worse). You were generating lots of water vapor, at or near body temperature on the inside and had near 100% humidity and cooler air outside. No waterproof breathable jacket can pass enough water vapor to prevent condensation inside it in those conditions. A lined jacket will keep from getting too clammy, for a while. Huge vents will let more vapor out before it has time to condense. But there's no other solution to that situation than an umbrella, which of course has enormous "vents" and no condensing surface.
posted by TruncatedTiller at 11:59 AM on July 16

I'm going to disagree with TruncatedTiller that there isn't any solution to your dilemma, 2bucksplus, provided you've some money to spend, and the gumption to put in some regular maintenance on your wet wear. May I interest you in one of the "new" old waxed cotton fabric, Belstaff motorcycle jackets? The new-for-2007/2008 Cotfort Storm System fabric is an evolutionary improvement on the classic waxed cotton shell, and the design of the jackets includes enough venting that unless you are doing 100 yard sprints, you stay warm and dry with a simple undershell T-shirt of wicking polyester and a good wool sweater over that, under your Belstaff.
posted by paulsc at 2:45 PM on July 16