Re: [Paddlewise] Dry Suits / Wet Suits

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2002 05:31:37 -0800
Nick Reiter wrote:

> On the issue of goretex, I have heard that in salt water goretex quickly 
> stops being breathable, thereby negating much of its advantage over other, 
> cheaper materials: anyone able to throw some light on this?

I have never experienced this.  Kokatat recommends rinsing the Goretex daily
while touring on salt water, to avoid accumulation of salt.  Rinse in fresh if
available, but salt water is OK.

I think the notion that salt water clogs Goretex may be an urban myth ...
dating back to some statements John Dowd made in his tome.  Could be John was
dealing with an earlier version of Goretex.  I know the Goretex parka I
purchased in 1979 was toast, pretty quick.  That would have been Goretex I, and
I think Gore is on Goretex IX or so, by now.

OTOH, if there is something IN the salt water, THAT might clog the Goretex. 
Algae scum is a problem on the Columbia, at times ... [back, you scum!].

Aside:  Revivex fixes my Goretex when it loses its DWR coating.  Thanks to Dan
Hagen for promoting its regular use.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Tue Feb 05 2002 - 05:31:41 PST

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