Re: [Paddlewise] Tyvek in Lieu of Goretex?

Tyvek and Gortex are two similar products.  Gortex is a microporous teflon
while the less expensive Tyvek is I believe microporous polyethylene.  In
theory the tiny pores allow water vapor molecules to pass, but due to the small
size of the holes and the surface tension of liquid water droplets of liquid
water do not pass through the holes.  However what we call Gortex for outdoor
clothing drysuites etc. is acutally a laminate of nylon, gortex, nylon.  So
believe it or not there is some justification to the huge price tags since you
are buying three layers of fabric, plus a lot of complicated messing about to
seal seams and needle holes with tape, high tech goop etc.

The Tyvek clean room suits are just the Tyvek without any protective nylon in
or out so they are not very durable, but are pretty cheap.  In the
environmental clean-up business we use them for protection from chemicals at
low risk sites where for example OSHA level C or D protection might be
required.  The real purpose of protective clothing of this type is to ensure
that you are not exposed to the normally trivail risk of chemical exposure, but
instead die of heat stroke while doing field work on a hot summer day.  By
wearing a full face respirator you further ensure that you will not be exposed
to chemical vapors, but instead will have tunnel vision difficulty in
talking/hearing and therefore you will be squashed like a bug by a tarckhoe or
front end loader on the site.

Steve Jernigan wrote:

> At 01:44 AM 3/17/99 -0800, Dave Kruger wrote:
> >Mel Grindol's post on "Diaplex" got me searching for other Goretex
> >knockoffs.  And, look at what I found:
> >http://www.yournewhouse.com/dupont/tyvek.html
> >
> >Yes. Tyvek is also water-vapor-permeable, but water-droplet-proof.
> >
> >Well, I guess we have all been spending way too much money on Goretex
> >garments.  We could have been wrapping ourselves up in Tyvek, all these
> >years. <g>
>
> Hi Dave et al!
> In shocked disbelief, I had to visit that web site. I have never known
> tyvek to be breathable; in fact I have had the misfortune to wear tyvek
> disposable clean-room garments in the past. They are the closest thing to a
> personal sauna I have ever encountered. How d'you suppose dupont made it
> "breathable?
>
> On the other hand, after nearly 10 years of abuse it is time to retire my
> North Face gortex shell parka. I am still suffering from the sticker shock
> which resulted from pricing a replacement. My mission-critical use of this
> jacket is for mountaineering adventures, so I require a light durable shell
> which packs small. Should I take out a second mortgage and get another
> North Face, or can anyone offer an alternative.
> TIA! S.
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