Re: [Paddlewise] Goretex or Not?

At 08:14 AM 11/19/98 -0800, Dave Kruger wrote:
>John C. Winskill wrote:
>
>> Dave:
>> Don't let anyone fool you.  There is no debate.  Gortex is far and away
>> superior to coated nylon for drysuits and tops.  Any debate is from
>> those who have coated nylon and are trying to rationalize not getting
>> Gortex.
>
>Dear John:  
>
>(Always wanted to write a "Dear John" letter.  Guess this is my moment.)
>
>Not fooled.  I use and love the stuff.  Wrote the original post to attempt
to document how people
>maintain it (not an insignificant issue), and how long a typical dry
suit/drytop lasts.  Have you
>got anecdotal data for us?  Here's mine:
>
>I'm on my second Kokatat drytop -- first one died after 4 years of regular
use -- failed at the
>edges of the seam tape.  Kokatat replaced it *for the cost of the seals!*
Can't beat that
>guarantee!  My experience with restoring the DWR is mixed.  Washed the
first one a couple times, and
>used the Nikwax products Steve, Hank, and others recommend -- both for the
washing and to restore
>the DWR.  Applied the near-steam-setting iron to the inside of the fabric
to push the DWR out to the
>outside of the fabric (per Kokatat instructions).  Not a big success --
after 2 - 3 seasons, the DWR
>was unrestorable.  (Probably unconsolable, also.  It's an Italian thing, I
think.)
>
>The second one is faring better.  Have NOT washed it -- but I have RINSED
it a lot in plain water. 
>Have not used any DWR restoring agents on it.  Got a year and 3/4 use on
the second one.  In my
>"stable" of Goretex garments, the Kokatat stuff is the best.  Since I
decided to minimize washing
>the garments, they seem to work better.
>
>Second conclusion:  if your wet pleasures involve mud and slime -- don't
use Goretex -- cleaning it
>really does a number on the DWR, which really enhances its performance.
OTOH, even when the DWR is
>gone, it's still WAY ahead of any fully water-vapor-impermeable stuff.
>
>-- 
>Dave Kruger
>Astoria, OR
>sometime organic chemist
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>
 My Kokotat gortex dry suit is five years old. I have taken the gortex suit
on several long sea kayak trips and have warn it for a total of about 75
days. I have only washed it twice. The DWR is holding up OK on the top part
but I think the seat leaks. It's hard to say as alot of sweat builds up in
the suit while encased in spray skirt/boat. But while setting up camp most
of the condensed moisture disappears if the ambient conditions are ideal.
If the temps are low, I've found the suit to be quite cold due to the
cooling effect of evaporation. I believe the material is three layer and
seems to be more durable than say a North Face mt. light jacket but it's
prone to abrasive wear. Extensive wear points in and near the spray skirt
area appeared after only a couple of weeks use. Prompting the Kokotat rep
to say "Even Steph Dutton hasn't returned things in such condition". That
area has required alot of aqua seal repairs. The gaskets have given me alot
of trouble. They wore out twice, allthough i still have one of the original
ankle gaskets. I've used 303 protectant and tried to take good care of the
gaskets but they sometimes only last 5-7 days. This is a separate issue but
I think the latex gaskets are a very weak link and can not be depended on
during a long trip. Field repairs are possible though tedious. I've heard
OS Systems has better gaskets than Kokotat. So for me the gortex drysuit is
slightly more comfortable than the non breathable type but condensation is
still a problem and wearing enough insulating layers for the water
temperature is still a problem. I guess the only solution is allways remain
seated.

-Mike

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