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Blackdogyak
distinguished member (210)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/16/2022 12:45AM  
I've read way back into the archives for recommendations on rain jackets. Some of the recommended jackets are no longer in production so I'd like to open the discussion again. Thinking ahead for spring.

I know that all of these products are compromises, but what I do NOT want is something over $100 that won't last more than a year or two and/or, isn't waterproof.

If someone has been using a jacket out there for ten years and it still is great, I'm interested, even if it's very expensive. I like to buy for the long haul but it seems like all this DWR stuff does not fit into that category.

Or, as a second best, if there's a good jacket like a Columbia, that is under $100 and definitely works....but might not last more than four or five years, I'd be interested in that too.

Helly Hansen who used to make very tough rain gear for commercial fisherman, now has turned 180 degrees and makes $700 jackets for hipsters with daddy's credit card. (My mini-rant for the day.)

Thanks guys.
 
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DMan5501
senior member (69)senior membersenior member
  
01/16/2022 10:34AM  
Cabela's Gear Guide Gore-Tex..... Jacket and pants just over $200... Been using these since 2008.. Bonus come in tall sizes.. Highly Recommended!
 
Blackdogyak
distinguished member (210)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/16/2022 10:46AM  
DMan5501: "Cabela's Gear Guide Gore-Tex... Jacket and pants just over $200. Been using these since 2008. A bonus, they come in tall sizes.. Highly recommended! "

Thanks. Some reviews on Cabela's say that jacket soaks through in heavy rain and not really well made.
 
MississippiDan
member (48)member
  
01/16/2022 10:55AM  
I've had a Columbia omnitech packable rain jacket for 6-8 years. Still works great. Previous jackets were Marmont precip that lasted about five years.
 
EddyTurn
distinguished member (259)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/16/2022 10:59AM  
OR Foray jacket - 6 seasons or approximately 150 days in the field, still as good as new. Meaning - fully waterproof in a rain. It's not bad, considering that I mostly single portage, and the jacket carries over 100lbs on a trail. Not sure how many rainy days it has seen - not too many, but that includes some rains that lasted for 6+ hours. At 1.25lbs it's definitely among the heavier models.
 
01/16/2022 02:19PM  
I’ve used the North Face Venture 2 for a while now and it works great. It’s under $100 and has taken a quite a bit of heavy use in the BWCA and out.

That being said it basically just a rain jacket and provides no insulation. I like this as I also carry one of those super lightweight thermoballs, which I wear underneath when it’s cold.

I really like this is set up as it’s pretty versatile. But some people prefer a rain jacket that also provides insulation. I guess it’s just personal preference.
 
ockycamper
distinguished member(1372)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/16/2022 03:16PM  
I have a Cabelas Goretex jacket and pants. I have had them probably 15 years. The jacket has extra zipper for a polar fleece liner. I paid over $100 for each 15 years ago. Both look as good as the day I bought them. I have been wearing the jacket for work, and have taken the jacket and pants on every BWCA trip I have been on. . .over 15 years as well.

The jacket has never soaked through. Make sure you are looking at the Goretex jacket, Cabelas label. The other reason I bought Cabelas is that they are guaranteed for life.
 
Bjfinnegan
senior member (74)senior membersenior member
  
01/16/2022 08:08PM  
Columbia OutDry for me. Every DWR based jacket will wet-out in any duration or lifespan. Style wise the OutDry looks a bit like a shiny trash bag but feels like it can withstand some long durations wet. They were $50-$100 last season and looks like Columbia is make fewer models these days.
 
WinstonRumfoord
senior member (54)senior membersenior member
  
01/17/2022 09:45AM  
I have been using a Northface 3-in-1 jacket for over 5 years. Got it on sale for maybe $175ish... I justified the cost because it is, like the name implies, serving multiple purposes. It does this quite well.

The shell part works great as a rainjacket. Never soaks through (though I am planning to spray some new dwr on it this spring). Fits great, lots of pockets. And when it gets colder, I zip in the insulated liner. It has big pit vents, which I love. Really makes nice long rainy portages more enjoyable, being able to vent all the heat and sweat.

Feeling the material, I had expected it to last only 3 or 4 years because it doesn't feel terribly durable, but it has blown me away in that department. Each day in bwca I'll spend hours buchwacking through the woods, and it has no tears, snags, or any damage yet.

I actually currently use it as my main "winter" jacket, too. It has held up in near perfect condition 20+ bwca/canoe camping trips, and countless winter outdoor activities. Fine piece of gear that has performed better than I initially expected, and I consider well worth the money when looking back at the paltry 1.5 seasons my $100 columbia rain jacket lasted before getting torn practically in half while exploring the forest.
 
Moonpath
distinguished member (329)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/17/2022 05:44PM  
Just about any gore Tex jacket or rain jacket will get soaked in heavy downpours. The better ones do work better but eventually, heavy rain will penetrate them. My solution is to bring two rain jackets. When one is soaked put on the second one. Hopefully, heavy rain will be over before the second one is soaked. I also bring a small 6x8 nylon tarp for rain protection when out of camp. This can help keep you pretty dry. I have found that arc teryx works pretty good but even these jackets will soak through.
 
AirPrex
senior member (92)senior membersenior member
  
01/18/2022 03:48PM  
Montbell is another brand with a very good reputation to throw into the mix if you're looking for a premium option. I have 0 complaints about my Storm Cruiser. It's cut in a way that has almost no seams which is a common point of failure in rain jackets. 3 layer gore-tex with C-Knit backing which makes it a bit more comfortable/breathable than the standard. Has pit zips, packs small, and is very light at just 10oz. The only con that I can think of is the price.
 
Copperdog
senior member (81)senior membersenior member
  
01/18/2022 05:08PM  
I haven’t had much luck with the big money rain gear. It always wets out eventually on a rainy week and goretex nor eVent have proven to be particularly breathable when portaging a canoe and pack. Plus, it sucks to bushwhack through some thick stuff and forget to take off your high end rain gear. I know of no rain gear that is thorn proof and adequately breathable. I did a cold and rainy trip for 5 days in the ADK this past October and it was cold enough to snow. Rather than take my $300 rain jacket and $150 dollar rain pants, i took some of my older NRS and Immersion Research gear and it worked great! These items are what I use when white water paddling and are probably 13+ years old. No fancy breathable fabric or DWR. No hood was the main reason I chose these, I prefer a wide brimmed hat. But they have adjustable neoprene neck, wrist, ankle gaskets Long story short, they kept me dryer than any of my rain gear, bone dry actually. In the colder weather I did not sweat at all even on some tough portages, and they seemed to wear like iron. I think the closest thing NRS has now to what I wore is the endurance jacket which can be had with or without the hood. This combo may replace my fancy rain gear.

Good luck with your search,
Barry
 
Blackdogyak
distinguished member (210)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/18/2022 06:51PM  
Barry...thanks for that. I will try my Level Six dry top and see how that does
 
01/20/2022 04:56PM  
Copperdog: "I haven’t had much luck with the big money rain gear. It always wets out eventually on a rainy week and goretex nor eVent have proven to be particularly breathable when portaging a canoe and pack. Plus, it sucks to bushwhack through some thick stuff and forget to take off your high end rain gear. I know of no rain gear that is thorn proof and adequately breathable. I did a cold and rainy trip for 5 days in the ADK this past October and it was cold enough to snow. Rather than take my $300 rain jacket and $150 dollar rain pants, i took some of my older NRS and Immersion Research gear and it worked great! These items are what I use when white water paddling and are probably 13+ years old. No fancy breathable fabric or DWR. "


This.

I am done with the fancy "breathable" stuff. I now take waterproof, Non-breathable, with good pit-zips. Mechanical ventilation all the way here.
 
01/20/2022 07:23PM  
Copperdog: "I haven’t had much luck with the big money rain gear. It always wets out eventually on a rainy week and goretex nor eVent have proven to be particularly breathable when portaging a canoe and pack. Plus, it sucks to bushwhack through some thick stuff and forget to take off your high end rain gear. I know of no rain gear that is thorn proof and adequately breathable. I did a cold and rainy trip for 5 days in the ADK this past October and it was cold enough to snow. Rather than take my $300 rain jacket and $150 dollar rain pants, i took some of my older NRS and Immersion Research gear and it worked great! These items are what I use when white water paddling and are probably 13+ years old. No fancy breathable fabric or DWR. No hood was the main reason I chose these, I prefer a wide brimmed hat. But they have adjustable neoprene neck, wrist, ankle gaskets Long story short, they kept me dryer than any of my rain gear, bone dry actually. In the colder weather I did not sweat at all even on some tough portages, and they seemed to wear like iron. I think the closest thing NRS has now to what I wore is the endurance jacket which can be had with or without the hood. This combo may replace my fancy rain gear.


Good luck with your search,
Barry"


This great advice, thank you.
 
mjmkjun
distinguished member(2885)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/24/2022 08:59AM  
I like Marmot. I have this top from 10 years ago. Still tough and functional.
 
01/24/2022 11:03AM  
fadersup: "
Copperdog: "I haven’t had much luck with the big money rain gear. It always wets out eventually on a rainy week and goretex nor eVent have proven to be particularly breathable when portaging a canoe and pack. Plus, it sucks to bushwhack through some thick stuff and forget to take off your high end rain gear. I know of no rain gear that is thorn proof and adequately breathable. I did a cold and rainy trip for 5 days in the ADK this past October and it was cold enough to snow. Rather than take my $300 rain jacket and $150 dollar rain pants, i took some of my older NRS and Immersion Research gear and it worked great! These items are what I use when white water paddling and are probably 13+ years old. No fancy breathable fabric or DWR. No hood was the main reason I chose these, I prefer a wide brimmed hat. But they have adjustable neoprene neck, wrist, ankle gaskets Long story short, they kept me dryer than any of my rain gear, bone dry actually. In the colder weather I did not sweat at all even on some tough portages, and they seemed to wear like iron. I think the closest thing NRS has now to what I wore is the endurance jacket which can be had with or without the hood. This combo may replace my fancy rain gear.



Good luck with your search,
Barry"



This great advice, thank you. "


FYI, I can attest to the fact that it will keep you dry, but it will not breathe and options for ventilation are almost nil.
 
gotwins
distinguished member (267)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/27/2022 09:18PM  
I've had the best luck with Gore Tex 3 layer membranes, I think it currently goes by the name of "GoreTex-Pro" My current rain shell featuring this is about 8 years old now, and it's from Patagonia. It's been bulletproof. The current version of it is called the Patagonia Triolet jacket. It's a $400 jacket, but it keeps me dry in the foulest of weather. I swear by 3 layer Gore Tex. It's not really breathable, but it will keep you dry. If I am going in the middle of summer, I don't take this jacket. It's for the shoulder seasons. Last summer I took another Patagonia jacket in, one I got in the Thrifty outfitters section of Midwest Mountaineering. It's from their fly fishing line. It's called the "Men's Ultralight Packable Jacket" It's only DWR, so I don't expect it to last as long as the Gore Tex jacket, but it stuffs down tiny and is super light. The first time I had it on during a quick downpour this past May, the rain drops were rolling off. I love that first rainstorm performace of DWR :). I told my wife I was going to go back and buy all the remaining jackets they had and store them in the basement!
 
ewbeyer
senior member (63)senior membersenior member
  
02/17/2022 12:09PM  
As a steelheader, I have fallen into the rabbit hole of such gear, much of which is designed to deal with the pacific nw. But, there is no question that the materials patagonia and simms use for their waders also works for their wading jackets. It is pricey, and it is not the lightest, but they are tough and they keep you dry. Material that is somewhat breathable that is designed to keep you dry while standing in a river can handle anything the BW throws at you. I am done with too good to be true packable/micro rain gear.
 
Blackdogyak
distinguished member (210)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/17/2022 12:39PM  
ewbeyer: "As a steelheader, I have fallen into the rabbit hole of such gear, much of which is designed to deal with the pacific nw. But, there is no question that the materials patagonia and simms use for their waders also works for their wading jackets. It is pricey, and it is not the lightest, but they are tough and they keep you dry. Material that is somewhat breathable that is designed to keep you dry while standing in a river can handle anything the BW throws at you. I am done with too good to be true packable/micro rain gear.
"

10-4
Anyone have the Patagonia Torrentshell 3-layer?
 
02/19/2022 09:24PM  
Blackdogyak: "
DMan5501: "Cabela's Gear Guide Gore-Tex... Jacket and pants were just over $200. Been using these since 2008. A bonus, they come in tall sizes. Highly recommended! "

Thanks. Some reviews on Cabela's say that jacket soaks through in heavy rain and not well made."


I think if you are in multi hours of rain many Goretex garments on the outer surface lose their ability to bead the water off and thus you may get a slow soaking thru even on some gore-tex. Take care of your gore-tex.

I also learned don't get cheapy on rain gear especially if you do the cooler weather seasons.
 
Doublelung76
member (16)member
  
02/20/2022 12:29PM  
Helly Hanson or Grundens pvc rain gear.there’s a reason it’s worn by mates on crab boats,charter boats,etc......it works.keeps you dry,cuts the wind.If its warm enough that sweating inside the gear bothers you it’s probably warm enough to get wet at least on bottom half of body.I’ve been in fish camps at flyin lakes where the guys with goretex gotta dry there stuff by the fire after an all day soaker,my old school stuff drys in minutes and is ready to go!
 
Blackdogyak
distinguished member (210)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/20/2022 02:00PM  
Doublelung76: "Helly Hanson or Grundens pvc rain gear.there’s a reason it’s worn by mates on crab boats,charter boats,etc......it works.keeps you dry,cuts the wind.If its warm enough that sweating inside the gear bothers you it’s probably warm enough to get wet at least on bottom half of body.I’ve been in fish camps at flyin lakes where the guys with goretex gotta dry there stuff by the fire after an all day soaker,my old school stuff drys in minutes and is ready to go!"

I have thought about this. I used to wear HH oilskins back when I was commercial fishing. They work. They are definitely not lightweight or packable though. Probably take up 1/3 of my pack!
 
02/20/2022 05:58PM  
I bought a new Gore-Tex on sale at Spirit of the Wilderness. I thought I would splurge and get a really nice jacket. It has pit zips and it looks really nice, but I keep going back to my 10 year old Lowe Alpine jacket because it is fully lined with a mesh liner and I find it more comfortable if it is cool at all. The Gore Tex is not lined and my arms feel cold when they touch the sleeve unless I am wearing long sleeves which I normally avoid due to being of an age to have hot flashes. :) I found it difficult to find a newer one with a full liner lately though. I save the "nicer" jacket for trips into town when it is raining because it looks a lot better. I layer a fleece jacket underneath when camping, so I bought a size up in both.
 
iCallitMaize
distinguished member (203)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/20/2022 08:35PM  
I have a frogg togg bib/jacket combo that works well. Java toadz model or something like that. However, like said previously, anything “breathable” will eventually soak through. Outdoorlife has an article addressing this very thing. The writer recommended Grudens or Helly Hansen if I remember correctly.
 
02/20/2022 09:01PM  
iCallitMaize: "I have a frogg togg bib/jacket combo that works well. Java toadz model or something like that. However, like said previously, anything “breathable” will eventually soak through. Outdoorlife has an article addressing this very thing. The writer recommended Grudens or Helly Hansen if I remember correctly. "

Not a fan of frogg raingear. seen too many times self destruct.
Yes helly Hanson raingear does keep you very dry in harsh conditions. You just have to decide where and how you will be using your gear. Lot of paddlingI would go gore tex. You just have to figure the weight factor etc.

Good raingear can make or break your trips enjoyment and in the shoulder seasons it might prevent hypothermia etc.
 
YetiJedi
distinguished member(1449)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/22/2022 08:47AM  
My go-to raincoat for the last 10 years has been the Cabela's brand with Goretex...can't remember the specific one and I also have the matching bibs. Work great for me and have kept me dry in some pretty good downpours. I agree with the others - they will soak through eventually but that only happened once when we had to paddle out through a torrential downpour. The soak through was minimal but they probably would've been a little damp if I had to wear them the next day. For all other rainstorms, they worked just fine. They are bulkier, also warmer, so they don't come on July/August trips with me.

Four years ago I purchased a marmot minimalist top. Works well. Stay totally dry but it isn't as flexible as I'd like for paddling but that is being a little picky. I use it with Columbia pants (omni something) that cost about $50. It seems my pants always get the snags and have to be repaired or replaced more frequently.

Here's all I ever wanted to know about rain gear and I also use their research and ranking publications and find them helpful.

Stay dry, my friends!
 
ewbeyer
senior member (63)senior membersenior member
  
02/23/2022 11:06AM  
"Anyone have the Patagonia Torrentshell 3-layer?""

I have The River Salt wading jacket - 4-layer H2No - patagonia's proprietary fabric - same as their waders, which I am a BIG fan of. 4 years with waders all spring and fall and zero leaks.
 
Blackdogyak
distinguished member (210)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/23/2022 12:03PM  
YetiJedi: "My go-to raincoat for the last 10 years has been the Cabela's brand with Goretex...can't remember the specific one and I also have the matching bibs. Work great for me and have kept me dry in some pretty good downpours. I agree with the others - they will soak through eventually but that only happened once when we had to paddle out through a torrential downpour. The soak through was minimal but they probably would've been a little damp if I had to wear them the next day. For all other rainstorms, they worked just fine. They are bulkier, also warmer, so they don't come on July/August trips with me.


Four years ago I purchased a marmot minimalist top. Works well. Stay totally dry but it isn't as flexible as I'd like for paddling but that is being a little picky. I use it with Columbia pants (omni something) that cost about $50. It seems my pants always get the snags and have to be repaired or replaced more frequently.


Here's all I ever wanted to know about rain gear and I also use their research and ranking publications and find them helpful.

Stay dry, my friends!"


Some good resources there! Thanks!
 
02/24/2022 07:54AM  
YetiJedi: "…Here's all I ever wanted to know about rain gear …."


That was a very interesting and helpful article. I will be in the market for a new rain jacket this spring and am soaking this thread up (sorry about that one!)

A couple of topics raised in the article that are sticking with me:

1. People often describe their jacket as Gore-Tex and sometimes mention how old it is, but rarely mention which type of Gore-Tex it is. PAC-lite Plus, regular Gore-Tex, and Gore-Tex Pro are all currently being incorporated into jackets, and the company is constantly for ways to improve their product. I doubt that a Gore-Tex jacket made 10 years ago measures up to todays products.

2. Other brands of ePTFE membranes and DWR finishes are certain to have improved as well over the past 10 years. Prior to this article, I had read the Gore-Tex products tended to come out on top both for water-proofness and breathability, but this article mentioned eVent as surpassing In breathability.

3. This and other articles I’ve read lately stress how important it is to regularly wash your rain gear properly because the pores tend to get clogged from sweat, dirt, oils, etc., then occasionally reap,y a DWR finish. I have to confess I’ve always just hosed my jackets off and let them dry.

4. Regarding fit, I’ve always associated “roominess” with better ventilation and breathability, but this article points out a snugger fit helps maintain more temperature differential, therefore helping to push out more moisture. This is problematic for me because I generally hate snug fit on anything, and for paddling I want something that can go over my PFD.

 
YetiJedi
distinguished member(1449)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/24/2022 09:19AM  
Jaywalker: "
YetiJedi: "…Here's all I ever wanted to know about rain gear …."


That was a very interesting and helpful article. I will be in the market for a new rain jacket this spring and am soaking this thread up (sorry about that one!)

A couple of topics raised in the article that are sticking with me:

4. Regarding fit, I’ve always associated “roominess” with better ventilation and breathability, but this article points out a snugger fit helps maintain more temperature differential, therefore helping to push out more moisture. This is problematic for me because I generally hate snug fit on anything, and for paddling I want something that can go over my PFD.


"


Glad it was helpful! I prefer roominess, for sure, especially paddling. That's why I like my older Cabelas gear, more of a jacket with a set of matching bibs, than my newer marmot minimalist. But I will say the minimalist has kept me drier and doesn't soak up the moisture nearly as much. I bring both in May/September and only the marmot in June/July/August.

Mostly it's fun to plan for trips, especially when we are looking at water it's solid state!
 
Blackdogyak
distinguished member (210)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/24/2022 11:07AM  
Some really good discussion here, and I appreciate all the advice. I can't bring myself to enter the $200-500 market. I've done a good bit of research now and I decided I will cap the price @ $150 and if I consider it a fail or too fussy, I won't feel all that badly. If I do like it and it's durable, then I've found a value.

At this point it looks like I will go for the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (3 layer). It seems to hit everything that's important to me. $150.
Now we just wait for a sale.
 
02/24/2022 11:49AM  
I have not used the Patagonia but know someone who said it was pretty good for keeping dry, but not as breathable as another he had.
 
Erk
member (32)member
  
02/25/2022 04:28AM  
You’re getting a whole lot of mixed responses. First of all, if you’re just using rain gear for casual outings, it doesn’t matter the brand name you get. If you plan to USE your rain gear, then id suggest going with a reputable name. There’s many to choose from. You Want breathability; if you’re hiking, paddling, or doing work of any kind, you’ll notice when your shell isn’t breathable. You Want DRW. Without breathability and without DRW you’ll become clammy (sweaty) inside this making everyone believe their jackets are not worth a damn. Without proper maintenance, you’ll get this exact thing and be upset that your $80..$200..$600 shell is junk. It isn’t, the plots are clogged. Everyone forgets that we have dirt and oils on our skin, and that those can be transferred to other surfaces, i.e. our clothing and gear. If you clean and re waterproof the face fabric of your gear, ALL gear needs maintenance, you won’t have something that wets out therefore allowing your body to breathe which in turn allows your body to remain dry and comfortable. It might seem redundant to “have” to re waterproof your “rain jacket”, even if it’s goretex, but forested is a sandwiched layer, you won’t see it unless you get a snag or a tear, it’s white, soft and weaker than your jacket. The material that actually sees the rain can only be somewhat waterproof, if it has its DRW, then goretex will do it’s job and keep the wet off of you and allow your wet vapors to escape your body. So, do your upkeep of your gear and it’ll last forever and work as it’s intended to. I would use a camp stove for many years allowing it to be built up with black silt then complain it doesn’t work once’s it’s clogged. It’s the same principle.

So, my advice, which isn’t intended to trump anyones opinion or input, is to decide what and how you want to use your rain jacket. If you need rugged or basic. Hood or no hood, but keep in min a true rain jacket isn’t waterproof without a hood. And if you want the detailed bells and whistles.

There’s a lot of bad information out there, but it comes from negligence. Sorry not sorry. I heard from an old guy buying camp gear one time looking at nicer stuff.. his response was “I’m too poor to buy cheap” meaning, he can’t afford to constantly replace items.

I have owned my Arcteryx SV shell for over a decade, it is still 100% waterproof. I chose this not for the name alone, but for its rep and durability. People cringe when I wear my rain shell working on my house or vehicle. At work in the trees and near chippers. To get ten VERY hard years and keep me dry is half to the product and half cleaning it.

Also, your fishing waders and Immersion Research dry tops have a similar setup but of their own proprietary, WITH a DRW.

I wasn’t trying to shit on anyones jackets or advice, but a lot of people are under the wrong impression when it comes to waterproofing.

Hope you truly do get the answer you’re hoping for.
 
Erk
member (32)member
  
02/25/2022 04:58AM  
I wish I would’ve seen this post before going on my rant.
 
Blackdogyak
distinguished member (210)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/25/2022 11:09AM  
This is sure a complicated subject.
Here's an excerpt from an article in Paddling, by Clif Jacobson...who knows a thing or two

KILLER RAIN-GEAR.
For years I wore a heavy-duty foul weather sailing suit. Now, I've switched to lighter gear. When rains begin, I put on a light Marmot Precip® zip jacket under my PFD. If the storm worsens, I slip a Precip® anorak over the PFD. The anorak doesn't have those awful pit-zips which leak. This twin system keeps me dry-and mobile-in any weather.
 
papalambeau
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02/25/2022 11:34AM  
Throwing this out as a question instead of starting a new thread - Are there any good spray on water repellents to reapply on rain gear? My last two Gore-tex rain suits have worked well for a period of time and then begin to allow moisture in. I have used Camp Dry aerosols but haven't seen much improvement.

Also, is there a step needed instead of just air drying (tumble dry at low heat in the dryer?)?

Cheaper than buying new again if it works.
 
iCallitMaize
distinguished member (203)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/25/2022 12:47PM  
papalambeau: " Throwing this out as a question instead of starting a new thread - Are there any good spray on water repellents to reapply on rain gear? My last two Gore-tex rain suits have worked well for a period of time and then begin to allow moisture in. I have used Camp Dry aerosols but haven't seen much improvement.


Also, is there a step needed instead of just air drying (tumble dry at low heat in the dryer?)?


Cheaper than buying new again if it works."


I've tried about all of them...including the wash-in treatments. I just couldn't get the wash-in to work even though I desperately hoped they would.

My favorite performer is Atsko spray on brand.
 
Erk
member (32)member
  
02/25/2022 03:00PM  
nikwax, doesn’t use fluorocarbons and is an excellent choice to clean and reapply waterproofing to your gear. Normal laundry detergent isn’t intended for these applications, so it’s wise to use the cleaner that matches your brands choice waterproofing.
 
mschi772
distinguished member(806)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/25/2022 06:26PM  
papalambeau: " Throwing this out as a question instead of starting a new thread - Are there any good spray on water repellents to reapply on rain gear? My last two Gore-tex rain suits have worked well for a period of time and then begin to allow moisture in. I have used Camp Dry aerosols but haven't seen much improvement.


Also, is there a step needed instead of just air drying (tumble dry at low heat in the dryer?)?


Cheaper than buying new again if it works."


As an auto detailer, I reach into the products I use to protect automotive surfaces, and in this case I've been using Gtechniq I1 Smart Fabric after having used and abandoned a number of others.
 
YetiJedi
distinguished member(1449)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/25/2022 08:49PM  


My favorite performer is Atsko spray on brand. "


On sale for less than $7...
 
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