The North Face decagon jacket....

Dare2Be, you should be ashamed :wink:

I think Lowe Alpine came out with a fabric that was better than goretex, claimed more w'proof and b'able, but it did not sell well at all due to the fact it was not "goretex".

RossF wrote:
I think Lowe Alpine came out with a fabric that was better than goretex, claimed more w'proof and b'able, but it did not sell well at all due to the fact it was not "goretex".

Triplepoint? They still do that :

http://www.lowealpine.com/technology/triplepoint.asp

Ooh I never knew, just second hand information :lol:

RossF wrote:Ooh I never knew, just second hand information :lol:

could be some stores dropped it though if it wasn't selling well.

Probably, sorta saved me there, cheers :lol:

I dont know anything about this particular jacket but as Ise said there are a lot of slightly outrageous claims made for many fabrics.

The Decagon Jacket is a fully waterproof ski and snowboard jacket prefect for anyone who prefers a lighter weight jacket with no insulation. This means it's also a very versatile piece as you can layer up underneath on colder days and just wear it over a baselayer on warmer ones. Two Layer Hyvent is 100% waterproof and very breathable, four outer pockets provide plenty of storage options and a protective collar, excellent hood, and a snowskirt seal out powder.

Suggesting that a fabric is 100% waterproof and at the same time breathable is I think, at present, technically impossible. The waterproof level in mm of hydrostatic head or however it is measured, is the level at which the material will fail. If it will fail at some point then it can't be 100% waterproof :)

Also as Ise referred to, a waterproof fabric is one thing, but if the garment is badly made then it will leak. I'm not suggesting your NF jacket is badly made ) NF still have a fairly good rep.
At one time WL Gore vetted the manufacturing processes of any company that used their materials. They may still do this but in my opinion not so carefully.

There are some very interesting new processes for producing waterproof and breathable fabrics which are starting to appear. They use something called 'ion masking'. Very limited availability as yet

Now Now Ross - no ski snobbery here!!

My point is, as a fully qualified mountain professional, sometimes we have to cut economic corners and sacrifice on branded gear.

And, as a more mature skier(I'm 50 years old)(not mature in nature!!!) I am no longer image driven or fashion conscious.
Practicality and functionality become more important.

You'll learn!!! :D

I know, I know, was just kidding :wink: I am all for cheap gear if it does the trick.