Leaky Goretex ?

[Bumpsis]

I'd like to throw out there a few qustions regarding good rain gear - I'm actually looking for a decent rain jacket and pants. I know that nothing is really perfect (ie. keeps you dry in serious rain) but is there really something out there that fulfills the promose of being "breathable" but stops the rain from coming through?

I'm utterly disapointed with my goretex jacket. The original reppellent coating must have worn out and I really don't think that the gore membrane is keeping the rain out. I definitely get wet when out in the rain and it's not just my own presipration. So my conclusion so far is that the Goretex fabric relies mainly on the surface coating to keep the water off and the membrane, which is supposed to be their claim to fame is no more than a marketism - a fanciful creation and a fairy tale that sells their clothing.

If one is to believe the goretx propaganda, it's their membrane technology that stops the rain and the coating is just secondary.
It looks like it's the other way around.

I will use the Nike wash and new coating and see how it goes. But I'm curious if anyone has had good experience with other so called breathable rain gear and if it really is all in the water reppelent coating. If that's so, then it stands to reason that any wind resistent jacket can be made "rainproof" by coating it with water shedding compunds.

 

[SkiDog]

2 words....MARMOT PRECIP....

Maybe the new Mtn Hardware QUARK....but I dont think there are quark pants....so....

PRECIP is the "industry" standard in rain gear.

M

 

[SkiDog]

Have you run the jacket thru the drier? My father had a jacket that was totaly waterproof, washed it and hung it to dry. It was leaky afterwards. My sister in law, who works at Bean's suggested that he send it thru the drier. Just like new!!!!! Regular drier setting, seems to re-activate the goretex after soap does bad things to it.

That was the cause and effect of what happened here. Anyone who is more of an authority on GoreTex here?

This is true about re-activation......I would use a LOW temp setting though..I think thats whts recommended by the manufacturers of products like NIKWAX and such......I know I know....most of those labels on ski gear say DONT put in dryer...I can assure you its OK......

Get a PRECIP anyway.... ;-)

M

 

[dmc]

My Gortex isn't 100% waterproof... I'm not sure any Gortex jacket will keep you 100% dry in really bad rain... It keeps me super dry but not 100% dry..

 

[ctenidae]

They don't call it LeakTex for nothing, you know.

 

[dmc]

They don't call it LeakTex for nothing, you know.

I have "foul weather gear" for sailing but I'd sweat my ass off.... Thats the problem for me.. Anything that doesn't breath well makes me miserable.. I love my Goretex jacket.. As long as it's clean it breaths well.. And if i can keep water from pooling - like on a lift - it will keep me resonably dry for a morning of riding..

 

[mishka]

Agreed, I think I would try the low temp setting first.

10 min in the drier no more

 

[Bumpsis]

I appreciate the dryer advice. Will give it a shot.

But all of this again points that the relative water proofness of goretex seems to be in the surface treatment and not the magic membrane... oh well.

Actually, the jacket was never exposed to soap (not washed) - it did not seem to needed, since the service that it has seen hasn't been that arduous. It's plenty breathable, but it lets water through more than I'd like it. It was definitely better when it was newer, so it did work for a good while.

I don't really expect to be bone dry when it rains - stuff that good hasn't been invented yet, but the current degree of water penetration simply defies the expected definition of "waterproof".
I agree with DMC that the true waterproof stuff ,usually polyurethane(?) backed is sweatbox. I have something like that.

 

[56fish]

The tech guys at Burton swear by Nikwax (http://www.nikwax.co.uk/en-us/index.php).

I have HH Verglas (uninsulated shells) jacket & pants. Dry and breathable. Worth every penny!

:beer:

 

[thetrailboss]

Your DWR is gone...it is the coating on the fabric that makes the water bead up....that happens though with time and you have to reapply it once every 3-6 months or so.

As said, just apply some Nikwax or Gore Tex DWR (which is WICKED expensive) after a washing, with something that is not too strong as a detergent, throw in the dryer and yer' good....

I'd recommend the Nikwax TX Direct. They used to make it in a wash-in solution, which was wicked easy. But that coated the inside and outside of the fabric (read: not good). So now they suggest the spray-on application. I use it and it works well.

Also check to make sure that your seams are in place. The tape will give after time and abuse.