Jim, just to clarify: We were casualy hiking in about a foot of crusty snow at the top of a pretty flat ridge (at about 8,500 feet) when a strong wind came up. I put the jacket on over a long sleeve Capilene shirt (from Patagonia). There was no rain.
I have been using Patagonia stuff for 30 years. In the mid 80s, I even had some of their alpine clothing given to me. If you saw my storage room, you would understand.
Regarding waterprooffness, I'm totally sure the SA jacket is a bomber. I had the returned Rain Shadow in some pretty bad rain and snow and I was soaked from within, not from the rain.
It may be, that I generate more heat then the average climber/hiker and who knows, the market might be concentrating on waterproofness issues, not breathability.
But, alpine climbing is a pretty strenuous game and the gear must reflect it. I don't need this (or any other similar jacket) to walk to the store.
If nothing on the market works as stated, my old gear will have to do, until something better comes up. The money is an issue, but my ability to rely on the gear, is what matters most. I cannot afford major compromises when it comes to outer gear.