Until Goretex XCR is affordable, the current "breathable" stuff is crap. Other than some of the more reasonable Shoeller fabrics.
XCR is a super high tech fabric they use in high end foul weather gear/winter hardshells that actually does breath really well and stays waterproof no matter what.
Most spray shells are still running on fabrics/materials that are 10 years behind the current curve and are total crap unfortunately.
Soon as Gil or someone else starts making an XCR spray shell, I'll be happy getting wet.
So in closing, there ARE waterproof AND breathable shells.
They're just in the 300+ (my arc'teryx shell cost me $500/foul weather gear as a set over $1000) price range
