Well I tried a few searches so if I missed it I appologize in advance but I'm wondering what everyones pick for a wet weather shell is? I have an old MarPat Gore-Tex jacket myself. My problem with it is that I have to resign myself to either getting wet from sweat or not wearing it and getting wet from the rain. In my experience it works great when lounging around camp or similar easy activities but as soon as the heart rate goes up it turns into a sauna (even with the vent. zippers open). 

I like the look of some of the anoraks I've seen online but some of the retail is astonishing (I wish I could afford to drop $500 on a coat but I dont have that kind of scratch). 

So anyway, what does eveyone use?

I use a cagoule from Wiggy's.  Its not perfect but I like the bagginess and wide open bottom for ventilation. That helps a lot. $140

 Most of the basis were covered in that thread, DryQ is eVent, eVent is good. if your jacket wets out it isn't really breathable anymore.

The shell I use is an REI brand eVent shell that they sadly discontinued (fortunately I have 3 of them). It doesn't even have pit-zips which I like, I have yet to feel I've needed them. I have snowshoed in it several times and have been thoroughly impressed with the breathabilty. I will also agree with the durability concerns, I wear my Arcteryx goretex shell when I can't be too delicate. I've noticed the event shell has more texture on the face fabric (less smooth then my goretex shells) and is more prone to pilling, especially under pack straps.

I think anyone looking to buy a WPB shell should see this chart:

kinda hard to read at first but basically the higher on the chart the more breathable it is, the flatter the line the more breathable they are in all conditions. The ones that start low and end high (goretex included) require you to work up a sweat before they start transporting moisture well. I can personally attest to the fact that mountain hardwear conduit membrane SUCKS. This chart is also why I never recomend proprietary membranes to people looking for budget rainshells, if you have to go cheap I tell people to get the Cabelas brand goretex, frogtoggs or army-surplus goretex.

in my experience army-surplus goretex is plenty breathable for the work I do, walking around outside lifting and moving things at realatively low exertion, but obviously hiking/snoeshowing is a whole differant animal.

another interesting chart:

this chart was made by a guy who put on each jacket and charged up the same hill at the same pace for each. the montane smock is eVent, and the obvious winner.

Any objections to a poncho for three season use? SeaoToSummit makes a siliconized Cordura poncho/tarp that fits over an in-use pack.

Keep an eye on Sierra Trading post. Depending on your size it is fairly easy to source the best in rain jackets from them at a great price. Right now they have 5 pages of rain coats. Just look for one you like in Dry Q Elite or Event and you should be good to go.

I've never paid more then $100 for an item of clothing in my life and I've owned or own two arcteryx goretex shells and four REI eVent shells. REI returns sales and eBay are your freind. Be patient and deals will show up eventually.