I just read in a guidebook for paddling around Vancouver Island, BC, that waterproof/breathable fabric looses it's waterproof capability in saltwater. That is news to me. Anyone have firsthand info? Steve Featherkile *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Steven Featherkile wrote: > > I just read in a guidebook for paddling around Vancouver Island, BC, > that waterproof/breathable fabric looses it's waterproof capability in > saltwater. That is news to me. Anyone have firsthand info? I don't, but the Gore people do. Go to www.gore.com and do a search on salt water. About 1/2 way down the results page you will find this sentence: "GORE-TEX® Fabric Is Not Harmed By Salt Water!" Unfortunately, the link it points to is being remodeled. There was a bunch of nonsense about this on r.b.p recently, including someone who claimed that the salt crystals lodged in the pores and stretched them open. If you believe that salt water hurts waterproof/breathable fabric, you wouldn't dare sweat in the stuff, would you? Of course, othere manufacturers may say differently, and, as always, YMMV. Steve *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Steven Featherkile wrote: > > I just read in a guidebook for paddling around Vancouver Island, BC, > that waterproof/breathable fabric looses it's waterproof capability in > saltwater. False. Over five years of use here and no problems. Others on PW have cited the Gore info. Also contact Kokatat. The only caveat is that you need to rinse it daily (fresh water is preferable if you have it) to prevent salt **buildup** which potentially could reduce the *breathability,* but not the waterproofness. The latter is what Kokatat will tell you, and *knowledgeable* retailers (thank you, Suzy, Steve, Cindy at Alder Creek, Ben at Pacific Wave, and others). BTW, how is the paddling trip for Explorers shaping up? -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dave Kruger wrote: > > Steven Featherkile wrote: > > > > I just read in a guidebook for paddling around Vancouver Island, BC, > > that waterproof/breathable fabric looses it's waterproof capability in > > saltwater. > > False. Over five years of use here and no problems. Others on PW have cited > the Gore info. Also contact Kokatat. > > The only caveat is that you need to rinse it daily (fresh water is preferable > if you have it) to prevent salt **buildup** which potentially could reduce the > *breathability,* but not the waterproofness. I have never rinsed my Gore-Tex garments on a trip, and have not had a problem. But I do keep the DWR ("durable water repellant" finish) fresh. I recoat two or more times per year, depending on use. I believe that the "rinse daily" advice is overly conservative. Dan Hagen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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