EVent Waterproof Fabrics

Posts: 56 - Karma: 177

Mar 29 2020 3:06AM

After browsing the inter webs looking at end of season sales during quarantine time (even though I'm a broke boi and won't buy anything) I noticed that Fly Low use a waterproof fabric known as eVent in their top end jackets and bibs/pants.

After researching the fabric it turns out its on par with gore-tex for waterproofing and is said to be much more breathable. Intrigued I've then been trying to find other outerwear companies using eVent seeing as its performance is up there with the "industry leading" gore-tex but is much cheaper.

However, this search has proved difficult and it appears that gore-tex has out dominated and bullied eVent by revoking other outerwear companies gore-tex license if they also carry other waterproof membrane technologies such as eVent. It's clear to see on many companies websites now (eg. North Face, Mountain Hardware, Arc'teryx, Patagonia, etc.) that they use their own in-house waterproofing (DWR spray) on most low end jackets and solely use gore-tex on their high end jackets.

Idk, I guess I kinda find this interesting because competition is good for us consumers. :-/

Does anyone know any other companies that using competing membranes or can vouch for eVent being a top end fabric

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onenerdykid

Posts: 6640 - Karma: 10,551

Mar 29 2020 10:20AM

They're legit. They've been around for over 20 years at this point. I first saw them in products back in 2002 when I started working in shops.

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patagonialuke

Posts: 1624 - Karma: 8,663

Mar 29 2020 10:29AM

This year I finally got back into an eVent jacket and am a big fan. It's noticeably more breathable than any Gore-Tex fabric I've used (Gore-Tex Active comes the closest), but still fully waterproof in my experience. The only waterproof fabrics I've used that are equal or better than eVent in terms of breathability are Polartec NeoShell and some of Strafe's Recon fabrics.

But yeah, unfortunately, eVent doesn't have the name recognition as Gore-Tex and brands still seem very aprehensive to put it in their lines, especially if that also means they cannot use Gore-Tex.

FWIW, this is the Eddie Bauer eVent jacket I've been using, then Flylow's Lab Coat is awesome, and then Strafe's Nomad kit has typically been made with eVent, and I'm pretty sure it still is.

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LilBenjiWop

Posts: 56 - Karma: 177

Mar 29 2020 11:21AM

Super cool stuff. Shame eVent doesn’t have the market recognition is should. Are these the only 3 brands you know of that still carry eVent? That strafe kit and the fly low stuff is pretty nice just need to find the right colour ways

patagonialukeThis year I finally got back into an eVent jacket and am a big fan. It's noticeably more breathable than any Gore-Tex fabric I've used (Gore-Tex Active comes the closest), but still fully waterproof in my experience. The only waterproof fabrics I've used that are equal or better than eVent in terms of breathability are Polartec NeoShell and some of Strafe's Recon fabrics.

But yeah, unfortunately, eVent doesn't have the name recognition as Gore-Tex and brands still seem very aprehensive to put it in their lines, especially if that also means they cannot use Gore-Tex.

FWIW, this is the Eddie Bauer eVent jacket I've been using, then Flylow's Lab Coat is awesome, and then Strafe's Nomad kit has typically been made with eVent, and I'm pretty sure it still is.

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patagonialuke

Posts: 1624 - Karma: 8,663

Mar 29 2020 11:29AM

LilBenjiWopSuper cool stuff. Shame eVent doesn’t have the market recognition is should. Are these the only 3 brands you know of that still carry eVent? That strafe kit and the fly low stuff is pretty nice just need to find the right colour ways

I'm sure there are more out there, but those are the bigger brands I remember still using eVent. Rab and Mammut have used it in the past, but I don't see it in their current lines. I guess Westcomb is also still using eVent in a few of their shells.

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