Schoeller Dryskin

“Uh oh...I'm getting the itch to buy some new gear.

I'm looking at jackets made with Schoeller Dryskin and Polartec Windbloc ACT and wondering how many of you have tried garments made with it and what your thoughts are. Are these fabrics comparable?

The big name seems to be the Cloudveil Serendipity but man, what a price ($250)! I see LL Bean has a Polartec Windbloc Fleece Jacket for a lot less ($99) and MEC has the Ferrata 2 using Schoeller Dryskin for $125 Canadian ($78 US). Opinions, rants and raves welcomed.”

“Do you consider
Ecological footprint?
Need it or want it?”

“I always carry my raingear that can double as a wind-blocking shell layer so anything like this would be redundant. I like to avoid redundancy in my gear if I can.”

“In case you're not familiar with those materials, they're marketed as having good insulating qualities, plus the ability to repel a light rainstorm, plus much greater breathability than Gore-Tex as well as being compressible.”

“It's all rain with you, isn't it?”

“I knew I could count on you guys.”

“LOL. You know you can count on me kleetn ol' buddy. But in this case I can't help you out.

Don't know about those fabrics, but I do use some different fabrics for kayaking. I have a shirt made from Rash Guard. I also have a shirt made from Hydroskin. I bought both from NRS. You can never have enough gear, kleetn. Do you kayak? I’d love to paddle the San Juans some day.

Have you checked out the new jacket from TNF that has fibres that conduct heat? It runs on a couple of small batteries and has two heat settings. It's made from a proprietary material from Malden Mills.”

“The TNF MET 5 will only cost you a piddling $500.

I tried on an Arcteryx Sigma Jacket which incorporates both Schoeller Dryskin and Polartec Windbloc into it's construction. It feels too heavy and not breatheable enough for my liking.”

“Just remember that windblocking fleece has a membrane and will block breathability of w'proof/breathable outerwear.”

“I have the windbloc fleece from LLBean. It's really windproof and warm, and mostly I carry it in my pack to put on when I reach the top of a mtn or stop along the way. Nothing gets through it. Usually it is way more than I need. I've never worn it in the rain.”

“I have a pair of Mammut pants made of the Schoeller Dryskin Extreme, and Cloudveil's Veiled Peak anorak and vest. Whether you should plunk down the money depends on what you want out of a new jacket. The Schoeller stuff is stretchy, quick drying, breathable, sheds most snow pretty well, and is fairly abusable. One thing these fabrics AREN'T is very warm. Too thin to be good insulation under a shell - and if things get vicious you do need a true shell to keep out that hurricane winds and the ugly, wet snow and the more-than-drizzle rain.

The Serrendipity is a beatiful jacket, but if I was going to get a Schoeller top I'd go for a lighter one like Cloudveil's Veiled Peak pullover or Black Diamond's similar top. Lighter, less pricey, and you get most of the good stuff about Schoeller. If you're looking for a fleece jacket replacement, I suggest a jacket made from Malden's Powershield - similar to the Schoeller fabrics, but with a thin fuzz on the inside. Kind of like Powerstretch on steroids. Arc'teryx makes the Gamma SV jacket of this fabric, and MEC has the Pamir jacket of same.

I recently decided to replace my 8 year old Moonstone fleece jacket, and plunked down the money for a Gamma SV. Bulletins once I get to actually use it. :)”