Gore*Tex Question XCR vs. Paclite

I own two Arcteryx hardshells. At the beginning of the year, I picked up a Theta SL jacket. The other day, I picked up a Sidewinder AR for cheap $$. Although, the Theta is primarily Paclite, and the Sidewinder is XCR, neither jacket appears beefier than the other. Can anyone describe the difference of these two types of Goretex?


BTW: Today, it was great hiking for turns. Not that I did the most challenging hike. I was alone, and I hiked from the Canyons base to Lookout Peak via Doc's and the Drain. It took about 1.1/4 hrs. up and 5 mins. down. It was certainly better than running on the eliptical trainer.

I believe the XCR is Goretexs' most breathable fabric yet. I believe thats the main difference that sets the XCR appart.

Edit: Dont take my word for all of this. Im only guessing as Im remembering something I heard about 8 months ago....


....and Im a chronic pot smoker.

paclite is definitely finer than XCR. i don't know how you decided they're the same: for me paclite is always more gentle to the touch than xcr (i own paclite, xcr and old-style, non-xcr gore-tex).

oh, yeah, this link has very comprehensive information on materials:

http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/clothing.html

I don't think that they they are the same, I just don't know the difference. I guess the real question is: is there any reason to keep both?

i wouldn't go skiing with paclite but i would ski with a base layer only underneath an XCR. i'm warm blooded though. my wife also prefers paclite for all seasons but winter, so it all depends on when you want to use them. last weekend at grand canyon the paclite was perfect in 80F and high winds for example.

i don't think either is perfect for all 4 seasons.

sorry, i got your first post wrong and decided you were looking for differences between the two.

XCR is suppose to stand for extended comfort range, my marmot XCR is thicker and heavier, and more durable than paclite. paclite is thinner, lighter weight and packs up smaller then other goretex, hence the name. Also has a rubbery feel/coating? to the inside. More of a three season goretex.

I'd use the Sidewinder for cold-weather riding...beefier all-around: warmer, more prone to handle colder & windier weather, trees, beer spills, etc.

I'd use the Theta for spring skiing, and then everything else, like I do...spring skiing, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, going to the bars. If you got it cheap, might as well, if you do any of these latter activities.

Otherwise, ditch the Theta if your focus is on riding and you want a wintery-ier jacket. Plus the Sidwinder is P-I-M-P in it's design. The Theta will have a helluva resale value.

Yeah I was part right. The XCR is a more durable 3-ply Goretex and is the beefier of the two and also has a more abraisive texture to is. It has improved breathability and can be up to 60% more breathable than classic Goretex and an interesting fact about the XCR is the greater the difference between temperature and moisture inside and outside the garment, the more moisture the fabric exhales.

The Paclite is also a 3-ply but can be used as a substitute as an ultralite version of a 3-ply. It uses some hydrophilic PU coating (or I beleive) which gives it that rubbery feel. Its 15% lighter than other 3-plys, but less durable.

Actually Paclite III (the current generation) is a 2.5 layer fabric which solves some XCR problems. It's made lighter and less bulky by substituting a textured surfacce pattern in its inner face for XCR's laminated polyester tricot.

Neither Gore product is as good as eVENT, since they dont move much moisture at low humidity levels. Gore did crush eVENT from a marketing perspective, though. Anyway, no waterproof-breathable fabric can move all that much sweat-that's what venting and adjusting the layers are for.

this topic has been debated over and over.....
as said in the verber site...
"Gore PacLite is the most breathable and lightest weight Gore-Tex material. It seem to buffer moisture well, so if you engage in brief aerobic activities, you are likely not to notice you have briefly overwhelmed PacLite's ability to move moisture. Gore-Tex XCR is more durable and waterproof than PacLite and almost as breathable."

paclite is lighter, but sometimes I have felt that my paclite jacket (marmot minima) is simply TOO light despite a R3 patagucci fleece etc below. So I still use my XCR and am reluctant to use the paclite unless it's summer or it's a very hot day in the spring

^^^Yeah, there was a thread last year that got right into the application of each fabric type including layering options, environment, individuals physiological characteristics etc etc. It was exhausting to read and I don't really want to look for fear of finding it but it covered everything (14 times over!).

Thanks for the great comments. The verdict: I will keep both jackets. I was going to send the PacLite down to my bro in Costa Rica (Rainy season), but I think that I'll keep it for the Utah spring/fall seasons. (Actually, I skied with it on today)