RE: [Paddlewise] Goretex or Not?

From: David Seng <David_at_wainet.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 08:55:57 -0900
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Kruger [mailto:dkruger_at_pacifier.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 1998 6:42 AM
snip
> 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?
I have a conventional, coated nylon dry-top as well as a Kokatat
Gore-Tex drysuit.  My preference is usually to loan the drytop to a
friend and wear the Gore-Tex drysuit.  It's much more comfortable (ie.
much less clammy and sticky - I sweat quite well).
> 
> 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)?
I use the Nikwax products for cleaning and restoring the WR coating
> 
> How do you clean it?  (Or, do you *avoid* cleaning it?)
I'm a big believer in keeping GoreTex clean - the stuff is too expensive
to allow it to slowly be ground up by all the collected dirt, salt, etc
that can get trapped in the fabric.  Again - Nikwax.
> 
> What products have you used to clean it? ... to restore the 
> DWR?  How well do they work?
See above.....
> 
> What is the useful life for your Goretex dry suit/dry top?  
> Years?  Days of use?
I've had my Kokatat drysuit for 6 years - I keep it pretty clean (fresh
water rinse after each use), use 303 on the gaskets, and it's still
going strong.  I probably use it 40-50 times a year.

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska
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Received on Wed Nov 18 1998 - 09:54:03 PST

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