Has anyone used this particular rainwear?

[Kiwi-family]

http://www.barrabes.com/int/shop/p-36253/altus-poncho-atmospheric-light

It seems there's Altus and Altus. This one is apparently only 240g (as opposed to others that are 390-490g). It supposedly has a water rating of 2000 as opposed to all the others which are 1000. How can it be? Lighter AND more waterproof? Sounds too good to be true. Is there a catch?

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Can one buy this from the Barrebas site for delivery in the USA? I tried, but my web page seemed to bog down. Not sure it was my laptop or something else. Thank you.

Ed

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, kiwifamily,

I think I told you I took the plunge and bought the Ferrino trekker -- it's heavier, 470 g and tolerates the 2000 mm water column. http://www.ferrino.it/en/catalog/rainwear/78122-poncho-trekker-ripstop-l-xl (mine is small, though, so I assume it's somewhat lighter).

But as I was looking at the altus products sold by Barrabes, I noticed that there seem to be THREE altus ponchos now.

One is shorter: http://www.barrabes.com/int/shop/p-38356/altus-atmospheric-poncho-new

One is the new light one you linked to: http://www.barrabes.com/int/shop/p-36253/altus-poncho-atmospheric-light

And they still have the old 1000 mm water heavier one: http://www.barrabes.com/int/shop/p-20884/altus-atmospheric-poncho

I'm assuming that the "newer and lighter and more waterproof" capacity comes from the ever-improving technology of waterproofing, but it is confusing. Which is why I just decided to buy the Ferrino when I saw it online for around $40 USD.

Good luck with the purchase, I know you will be buying a lot of these things and want to make the best decision possible! Laurie

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It is a lighter weight finer weave nylon. If many of these ponchos were scientifically evaluated, I suspect they are water-resistant, not waterproof. To get waterproof it almost has to be coated with some rubber-like material. Gore-Tex is not waterproof, but is a water barrier that claims to let vapor out, but not droplets in. If you walk through puddles all day, you will find it is not waterproof! It is a good invention, but does not really do what everyone expects. If you can afford it, Gore-Tex is a decent product.

 

[peregrina2000]

But falcon, haven't we concluded that there are no goretex rain ponchos of the size and length of the ferrino trekker or altus? Don't you have to go with something like the marmot precip raincoat and pants in order to get goretex?

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Has anyone bought from Barrabes.com in the US for US delivery? Thank you.