[Paddlewise] Goretex or Not?

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 07:42:09 -0800
A debate has ensued over on rec.boats.paddle about the merits/demerits of Goretex as used in dry
suits and dry tops for paddling.  The crowd on r.b.p. being mostly whitewater paddlers, and seeming
to have a heavy proportion of folks from the Eastern USA (that's east of Denver), I thought it would
be good to solicit anecdotal data from the Paddlewise throng.  Our uses are somewhat different from
the WW folks.  Here are the questions I'd like to raise:

1. Have you used a Goretex dry suit/dry top?  Do you prefer it over a completely
water-vapor-impermeable fabric (i.e., coated nylon)?  Or, do you prefer the coated stuff?  Why?

2. For those who have extended experience with Goretex dry suits/dry tops:  

How do you keep the stuff water repellant (restore the DWR coating)?

How do you clean it?  (Or, do you *avoid* cleaning it?)

What products have you used to clean it? ... to restore the DWR?  How well do they work?

What is the useful life for your Goretex dry suit/dry top?  Years?  Days of use?

Thanks.
-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Wed Nov 18 1998 - 07:44:46 PST

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