Reader Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5

Fix the sizing convention (I normally wear a medium/large but need to size up to the XL in this model to allow layering over a thin Polarguard sweater) and add two inches to the length and this jacket explodes into the hiking backpacking market rather than being just a niche, trim-fitting climber's piece.

Pretty much my favorite rain jacket when I know I'm going to need one.

Rating: 3 / 5

I've tested my jacket several times during a prolonged rain and, in all tests, I eventually got wet. I'm sure the wetness was not from the inside as I never engaged in anything more than mild exercise while getting wet in this jacket. I stated my concern, by email, to the staff at Integral Designs. I received a quick response expressing surprise at my concerns, suggesting that I check the seams for leaks, and offered that they might have to inspect the jacket. I wrote back, saying that I couldn't detect any seam leaks. I have not heard from them since.

The jacket is a light-weight, no frills jacket that works well as a wind-breaker, and for protection during a light rain or quick shower. On my last trip I wore it beneath my Bozeman Mtn. Works Spinponcho "T" LITE while hiking in cool weather beneath occasional spats of everything from light drizzle to an occasional downpour. Later, in camp, the jacket was fine as my only protection during periods of light rain. I'll keep the jacket - and my poncho.

Rating: 4 / 5

i'm not doubting your account, richard, but i find it at odds with my experience. i've also worn the id event jacket in prolonged rain, including wind-driven rain. not a single drop went in.

it breathes very well, much better than my last jacket (gore-tex xcr). it's simple, light and pack-able. the chest pocket is huge.

the sizing is fine. i normally wear a medium and i bought a large. plenty of room for layering insulated garments.

as mentioned, it doesn't have pitzips or other means to vent excess heat, but personally i find this more of a layering issue more than a jacket issue.

i believe any rating has to be relative to other jackets available on the market. in this regard, imho, this jacket is really a 4.5/5.0. if the hood could be clinched up, i'd give it a 5.0.

Rating: 4 / 5

My rating is for eVent as I've not tried the jacket. I'm just shocked to see Ryan opting for XL and can't help wondering what size I would need. My Montane Air medium is fairly tight. This is at odds with the sizing on other Montane jackets, such as the Verso and makes me wonder whether manufacturers have notice and are responding to our obsession with weight. eVent seems to be a heavier fabric than the competition so manufacturers appear to be cutting corners to get the weight of eVent jackets competetive with Paclite.

But there is no competition. eVent is head and shoulders above Paclite for breathability. (The over-trousers I wear with the eVent jacket are Paclite.) Paclite isn't even competetive with standard Goretex, as far as breathability is concerned. Sometimes, we should forget about the ounces.

One final thought. What we wear under our waterproofs is more important than the waterproof layer when it comes to keeping our skins dry. Perhaps that explains the occasional failure of an otherwise very breathable fabric.

Rating: 5 / 5

I've used this jacket routinely over the last couple years. My other jackets that I own currently are a Patagonia Specter and a Marmot Precip. My ID jacket is an XLarge. It weighs 288 grams without the bag. I use a large for the Specter and Precip. My experience is like Ryans, you need a larger size. It breathes very well. I haven't found any rain jacket that I take with me more often. Highly recommended.

Rating: 4 / 5

Gotta heap yet more praise upon the ID eVent Rain Jacket. It gets a 4 because it's not the lightest thing around, but I've worn it through rainy California winters and even deep in a rainforest in Thailand. I've not found anything more breathable or comfortable when active. I've used silnylon ponchos, PU coated jackets (such as TNF's HyVent DT and GoLite's Alchemy)...all are saunas for me. I have a fairly high metabolism, so I heat up (and sweat up) fast and flash off equally fast. This is hands down the best investment I've ever made in raingear.

Rating: 4 / 5

I have used this jacket in heavy rain condtions over a prolonged period in the smokies and never had a drop of water inside. You may have some faulty seals. I would send it back.It breathes better than any rain jacket I have owned

Edited by WilliamHayes on 09/13/2010 18:16:42 MDT.

Rating: 4 / 5

So I bought this jacket several months ago and have been amazed by it. Normally I would use gear for over a year or till it wore out before writing up a review, but this one could not wait. While eVent is by no means a miracle material that will solve all of the issues of WPB materials, it is a huge leap in the right direction. This past summer I decided to test the jacket out in the worst conditions possible for a WPB jacket, a hot humid rain storm. In this test I covered 6 miles with several steep and short climbs that really got me sweating. Did I sweat alot in the jacket? Yes BUT when my exertion levels decreased I could literally feel the interior humidity of the jacket decrease. So much so that the wool t-shirt I wore inside of the jacket was mostly dry by the time I got back to my car. I have never experienced this with another rain jacket including an Arc Teryx Sirrus SL with the huge pit zips fully open. All in all a great 4 season rain jacket. The only reason I gave it a 4 is due to lack of pit zips. While the material does indeed breath, some kind of ventilation would be nice.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have a Thru Hiker but will add comments here rather than on a new review. I 'm 6'4", require 37" sleeves and weigh 190 pounds. I bought a Large in Yellow and had it customized with a longer tail and sleeves, for an extra 10% cost. It was done within a few months, with great quality work. I just came back from a 17 day hike of the Snowman trail in Bhutan in Sept/Oct with regular rain, snow, cold and it was simply awesome. I still have a closet of Paclite and XCR, but eVent and ID make this the best light/breathable jacket I can imagine. Only a wire-stiffened brim would have made it better as I wear glasses, but this is minor as the Thru Hiker has a good peak in any case.