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April, 2025

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GoreTex vs. Other Three Layer Jackets

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Skroob
Posts: 266 - Karma: 69
Bought a Saga 3L jacket for Baker and still am soaked on the constant. Is GoreTex Pro 3Lany better or just more expensive and still unable to handle the scuba sessions? Have always loved Saga and am on my 2nd jacket, however, open to anything that will keep me dry.
10 years ago
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
From my experience, GORE-TEX is worth the extra money. I have a GORE-TEX pair of gloves and pants and couldn't be happier and dryer. Definitely worth the heftier price tag.
10 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
Yes it is much better, both the membrane and the manufacturing process. Gore has to certify each factory and design that uses their membrane. They regularly will drop companies for not maintaining standards in production quality. I have had good luck with Goretex and Polertec clothing in the PNW while my friends in off brand (to include Saga 3L) get soaked.
10 years ago
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Olive_Panther
Posts: 47 - Karma: 76
Take a look at Virtika pants super warm and waterproof from my experience!
10 years ago
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Skroob
Posts: 266 - Karma: 69
Olive_PantherTake a look at Virtika pants super warm and waterproof from my experience!


I'm from Maine and I agree it can get wet there but not the same deal as the PNW. anybody with experience in both Virtika and Saga? Also if you are reading this Saga what are the chances that we will see a GoreTex Pro jacket out of you?
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,698
You do not necessarily have to go to goretex. I have had good experiences with Helly Tech and Salomon's membrane which I forget the name of. Not all 20K jackets are created equal unfortunately but in general spending more will result in a better product. Goretex is certainly excellent but not without its disadvantages either. Its not the lightest and it can also be a little more restrictive then other membranes.

What base layer and mid layers were you wearing with the saga?

This may be of interest
https://www.newschoolers.com/news/read/The-Ultimate-Guide-Layering-ft-2016-Helly-Hansen-Ullr-Outerwear
10 years ago
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Olive_Panther
Posts: 47 - Karma: 76
EggsOverSteezyI'm from Maine and I agree it can get wet there but not the same deal as the PNW. anybody with experience in both Virtika and Saga? Also if you are reading this Saga what are the chances that we will see a GoreTex Pro jacket out of you?

I'm from maine as well home mountain is sunday river!
10 years ago
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Skroob
Posts: 266 - Karma: 69
tomPietrowskiYou do not necessarily have to go to goretex. I have had good experiences with Helly Tech and Salomon's membrane which I forget the name of. Not all 20K jackets are created equal unfortunately but in general spending more will result in a better product. Goretex is certainly excellent but not without its disadvantages either. Its not the lightest and it can also be a little more restrictive then other membranes.

What base layer and mid layers were you wearing with the saga?

This may be of interest
https://www.newschoolers.com/news/read/The-Ultimate-Guide-Layering-ft-2016-Helly-Hansen-Ullr-Outerwear


For the most part I wear either a polyester or wool tech shirt as a base layer and sometimes a light fleece as a mid layer (it is not cold in WA). Helly Hansen is an interesting suggestion as I have heard they make nice stuff. Are you talking about their PVC coated workwear or their technical outerwear?
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,698
EggsOverSteezyFor the most part I wear either a polyester or wool tech shirt as a base layer and sometimes a light fleece as a mid layer (it is not cold in WA). Helly Hansen is an interesting suggestion as I have heard they make nice stuff. Are you talking about their PVC coated workwear or their technical outerwear?


Check the link that is a review of their newest high end freeride outerwear
10 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7071 - Karma: 26,615
EggsOverSteezyFor the most part I wear either a polyester or wool tech shirt as a base layer and sometimes a light fleece as a mid layer (it is not cold in WA). Helly Hansen is an interesting suggestion as I have heard they make nice stuff. Are you talking about their PVC coated workwear or their technical outerwear?


Pretty sure Tom was talking about the Tec gear. In the north west a PVC or rubber type coat isn't a bad idea to throw in the car. Shit is not going to breath but if you are going to take a few laps in a real rainstorm you'll probably soak through anything that isn't a real raincoat. I got a Homeschool jacket last spring and so far the waterproofing is awesome. Still planning to bring extra jacket(s) and towels in the car for really wet days though.
10 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
tomPietrowskiGoretex is certainly excellent but not without its disadvantages either. Its not the lightest and it can also be a little more restrictive then other membranes.


WAT?
The lighter Goretex stuff is no heavier than any competitors. Also what do you mean by restrictive?
10 years ago
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JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
tomPietrowskiGoretex is certainly excellent but not without its disadvantages either. Its not the lightest and it can also be a little more restrictive then other membranes.


To be honest weight isn't exactly an issue if you're riding mostly park. As for restrictiveness I can't say I've noticed a huge difference between goretex pro and similar products.
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,698
cobra_commanderWAT?
The lighter Goretex stuff is no heavier than any competitors. Also what do you mean by restrictive?


It is heavier then some of the newer membranes used today. Not a lot but certainly if you compare it to some of the newest touring outerwear it's quite significant.

Restrictive ve was perhaps not the right word but goretex does not have a lot of give. You won't find much stretch which especially when your moving a lot can give a slightly restrictive feel.

have ve a quick look at the review to take. Look at what Helly do an salomon are doin the same with motion fit. The atomic outerwear also used a similar approach.
10 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
There are a ton of Goretex materials and laminates. The lightweight stuff is very very light. I haven't held or used everything on the market, but I would say your earlier statement is a bit misleading, especially give. The contex of the origin question.

That said, the guy is asking if the higher cost of Goretex garments will keep him dryer in the increadably wet Mount Baker climate. The answer is yes. A mid weight (80D) hard shell Goretex Pro jacket is the ticket for skiing around Mount Baker. Stretch and lightweight fabrics will not hold up as well to the heavy NW abuse. They are also less likely to keep you dry. Add in the extra steps gore takes to ensure the quality of their outerwear and you have a winning combination for what he is looking for.

Keeping dry in Whistler is JV compared to staying dry around mount baker.
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,698
cobra_commanderThere are a ton of Goretex materials and laminates. The lightweight stuff is very very light. I haven't held or used everything on the market, but I would say your earlier statement is a bit misleading, especially give. The contex of the origin question.

That said, the guy is asking if the higher cost of Goretex garments will keep him dryer in the increadably wet Mount Baker climate. The answer is yes. A mid weight (80D) hard shell Goretex Pro jacket is the ticket for skiing around Mount Baker. Stretch and lightweight fabrics will not hold up as well to the heavy NW abuse. They are also less likely to keep you dry. Add in the extra steps gore takes to ensure the quality of their outerwear and you have a winning combination for what he is looking for.

Keeping dry in Whistler is JV compared to staying dry around mount baker.


Fair enough. Goretex is certainly great but in my opinion not nesacarilly the best for all users And own brand membranes should not just be discounted because they are not goretex.
10 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
tomPietrowskiFair enough. Goretex is certainly great but in my opinion not nesacarilly the best for all users And own brand membranes should not just be discounted because they are not goretex.


I use non brand name membranes as well as gore materials. It's just you don't often know of what you are getting, since they don't have the same stringent standards and inspections.
10 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,698
cobra_commanderI use non brand name membranes as well as gore materials. It's just you don't often know of what you are getting, since they don't have the same stringent standards and inspections.


yeah that is very true and for sure will help if your buying blind. The controls gore put in place certainly do help guarantee the product you're getting hopefully should be up to the task.
10 years ago
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dbchili
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 1,658
I wear gore tex orage JP pants with a saga 3l jacket. On the really wet days in the alps my jacket soaks through before my pants.

That being said, I still wouldn't recommend the orage pants, the waterproofing is good but the quality overall isn't great, lots of freying on the threads, and the pockets are not well thought out
10 years ago
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