MT,

Glad you found satisfaction with the Arc'teryx (and REI) at least until the next screw or nail head!  That Kimtah is hardly mountaineering gear and advertised as light weight...darn near a soft shell.  I have a pair of those rain pants and they've been going great for 4 years (rivets, not screws!).  I do prefer their Shuksan (disc'd...with no replacement/upgrade yet) which is more durable and have that jacket/pants set - a true hard shell, if a tad heavier.

It's not the eVent vs. GORTEX that makes the difference in durability, but the outer fabric it's bonded to.  Either technology is just a membrane bonded to the material.  Given the same fabric, the GORTEX would fair no better. 

Arc'teryx does make some great products, but quite spendy.  I picked up a Beta AR hardshell jacket ($550 list) for $80 at one of the REI Attic Sales (now Garage Sale...) that had a slight L shaped tear on the left upper sleeve (screw head maybe?), but otherwise as new.  An email to Arc'teryx and they sent me some iron on patches to repair that and viola' - good as new - can't even see where it was damaged.  It's bomber and my go to Quetico jacket. 

Keep looking good in the wilderness  8-) and watch out for screws!   :thumbup

pd