Re-waterproofing a Goretex jacket

[Biddlybee]

We did the peaks in winter and it was sunny

(and I've re-proofed my waterproof trousers too)

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Wow. "Directional Clothing Systems"!!!
I've current got a lightweight Goretex black jacket that folds up nice and small and if I have to get rid of it, then I'll be looking for something similar.

I don't want one one in lurid colours or with tons of padding or one that costs a bomb - which would seem to rule out paramo.

This is their lightweight option, pictured in black. Its not as light as a pac light, but not to bad.

The joy of paramo is not that its more waterproof then event/goretex, its that when you do get wet (and you will in any jacket), then it deals with it so much better, provided you keep moving it pumps the water out at some speed.

The other joy is how long it lasts. My aspiria is 5 years old now, work issued gortex gear normally is dead within the year. I do put it through some abuse though. If you rip you can sort it out with needle and thread, you can forget that on a conventional hard shell.

If you need convincing then look at how many outdoor professionals buy them as their own kit.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

We did the peaks in winter and it was sunny

(and I've re-proofed my waterproof trousers too)

Its the Peak!

There are no peaks there, its named after the original inhabitants of the area.

It can be a great winter option though, the climate is a lot more mild then the Lakes/Wales, nothing like a crisp November day walking or climbing on the gritstone edges.

 

[Biddlybee]

sorry

 

[editor]

This is their lightweight option, pictured in black. Its not as light as a pac light, but not to bad.

I get all claustrophobic in 'smock' type tops and I'm looking for something really lightweight (else I know I won't carry it with me!).

 

[Psychonaut]

I'm going to try the soapflakes wash first.

I think PTFE dissolves in some fabric condtioners - could be a clue as to how these things wear out?

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Fair enough, I prefer having more zips to adjust temperature, but can see where your coming from. They do make them in jackets, although maybe not as light as you are after.

I find the whole idea of someone heading into the British hill at any time with out a waterproof and warm layer as a minimum rather scary!

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Just seen this by the way if your after a very light cheap summer option. At £35 I'm tempted as a spare.

http://www.rockrun.com/products-Featherlite-H2O-Jacket_MC-MJ-H2OJ.htm

 

[Lemon Eddy]

Just seen this by the way if your after a very light cheap summer option. At £35 I'm tempted as a spare.

http://www.rockrun.com/products-Featherlite-H2O-Jacket_MC-MJ-H2OJ.htm

I've got one. I wouldn't recomend it - it's about as breathable as glass, and any form of exercise will see you as soaked from sweat as if you'd just taken your top off in the rain.

Paramo gear always interests me, but the cut/style is straight out of the 70's and the weight is nasty. I wish they'd just do a n2s style lighter weight offering, that would be ideal for my stuff

See also ventile cotton. Why the hell aren't any manufacturers using that for softshells?

 

[d.a.s.h]

Don't forget we've got a walk in Wales coming up. In Winter.

That'll make the Dartmoor walk look like a light drizzle!

Paramo stuff is excellent for wet and cold conditions. They have a shop near Covent Garden if you want to look.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

...and then order it of the internet.

 

[d.a.s.h]

Yes that would be wise

 

[editor]

I find the whole idea of someone heading into the British hill at any time with out a waterproof and warm layer as a minimum rather scary!

Well, I prefer to have multiple layers rather than one big jacket.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

That's what traditional wisdom says and isn't wrong, but one of those layers needs to be waterproof. Being wet can lead to hypothermia very quickly.

These days I prefer to work with a maximum of three layers including the base and picking them to suit the environment, which admittedly can be dam hard in our fickle uk climate.

 

[Sunray]

Good advice



Although event is more breathable then goretex xcr (not sure about the new proshell), sadly I can't recommend it as it seems to wear out even quicker.

Hmm I was going to give it a go as a replacement for my PacLite top which does make me sweat a bit. I hear that eVent fabric is best when exercising hard, which is what i tend to do on my bike.

 

[editor]

That's what traditional wisdom says and isn't wrong, but one of those layers needs to be waterproof. Being wet can lead to hypothermia very quickly.

Er, yes. The Goretex layer would be the waterproof one, so I'm failing to get your point here.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I get all claustrophobic in 'smock' type tops and I'm looking for something really lightweight (else I know I won't carry it with me!).

Er, yes. The Goretex layer would be the waterproof one, so I'm failing to get your point here.

I misunderstood. I thought you meant by this that if you got a heavier jacket, then you wouldn't take it with you.

Hmm I was going to give it a go as a replacement for my PacLite top which does make me sweat a bit. I hear that eVent fabric is best when exercising hard, which is what i tend to do on my bike.

Cycling and running is a hard for any piece of kit due to the amount of heat you generate. Event may be the best piece of kit for the job as it is more breathable then Paclite and a Paramo would be to warm. I'm not sure how it compares to the new Goretex Proshell.

The thing with all light weight waterproofs is they are compromise, to have a very light and very breathable waterproof you compromise durability.

 

[Badgers]

Essential for todays weather

 

[d.a.s.h]

These days I prefer to work with a maximum of three layers including the base and picking them to suit the environment, which admittedly can be dam hard in our fickle uk climate.

Yep baselayer plus Paramo waterproof plus belay jacket, you're ready for most weather in the cooler times of year.

 

[Sunray]

That new substance is looking like it will pull the rug from both eVent and Gore-Tex

That looks incredible.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Not sure if anyone cares anymore, but just read this on another forum and thought people may find it interesting.

This thread is not intended to be inflammatory in any way, just to get opinions from end users and retailers on the performance and limitations of this fabric.
The reason I started this thread arises from a returned Rab Alpine Latok Jacket from one of my customers. The customer reported excessive leaking. The jacket was returned to Rab who sent it off for a hyydro static head test, the garment failed this test around the hood area. I've been in the outdoor retail business for a long time, and any garment that fails a test such as this is always replaced with a new one or a full credit given. The returns man at Rab, Mark, informed me that if event is soiled it will leak! Therefore he had to know if the customer had (a) had cleaned it recently or (b) had used any hair products. Now I do a lot of winter climbing and jackets do get dirty, so if you soil your event jacket it will leak????
I didn't want to jump into this so I questioned Jonathon Burnell from WL Gore Associates, who didn't seem in the least surprised by this. Event is more breathable as it does not use the PU membrane that gore uses to stop contamination and therefore it's waterproofness is compromised by soiling and bodily oils. Jonathon basically said event is nearly identical to gore windstopper, which is more breathable than gore waterproof fabrics, but they don't guarantee it's waterproofness as soiling will compromise it due to not having the PU barrier.
Personally I'm not a big Gore fan, I use soft shells for pretty much everything. But this event problem does worry me as a retailer who has sold these jackets. Hence any feed back would be much appreciated.

Thread here