I'm in the market for a single skin waterproof jacket but only because, at the moment I can't find an alternative idea. I've looked at the Berghaus Hyper 100 but would not be prepared to pay that sort of money, especially when I know I could buy myself another Marmot Precip for way less than £100. When compared against each other, what has the Breghaus got thats worth a £150 more???
I personally have lost faith in the idea of buying another full layered waterproof, mine is a Paramo Alta 2, for me too heavy, too bulky and often in the summer months it just makes me too hot and sticky. Its OK in the winter but thats all.
Obviously I want to be dry, so I now use either my Vaude Poncho or Marmot Precip or just take both with me. From experience I know that nothing is perfect, the inside of my poncho for example can become wet on the inside with moisture if I have to exert myself (i.e. going uphill) when its raining at the same time.
I've often thought of the limitations of the poncho concept, why for example do I really need a big space at the back to cover my rucksack when my ordinary waterproof rucksack cover works well anyway? Why are poncho's made to throwover? I saw one in St Jean Pied du Port, France last year which unbuttoned down the front, seemed a very sensible design to me. Maybe what I really need is just a long waterproof, lightweight mac (like in western films) which buttons or unzips down the front, without the rucksack 'pouch' at the back. Does such a product even exist?