Re: [Paddlewise] Doug's Ultimate Drysuit

Peter Staehling <staehpj1_at_yahoo.com> wrote:

> - --- John Blackburn <digipixs_at_erols.com> wrote:
> > The guys in  the ski shops say to wash the shell, I've done that
> > and not noticed any real difference.The next step was to apply a treatment
> > to the outer layer, sorta
> > like a water repellent to the nylon outer shell (the
> > Gortex is under the outer shell) and it didn't work any better.
> 
> I would be very skeptical about applying anything to
> the outside unless the fabric manufacturer recommended
> it.
> 
> I remember a few years ago reading about another
> option.  There was discussion (on rbp I think) about
> ironing goretex to reactivate it.  I do not remember
> the particulars.  I am not recommending it, but it was
> supposed to be recommended by someone at Gore and
> Assoc. or one of the garment manufacturers (I forget
> which).  I wouldn't do this with out checking with
> Gore or the garment manufacturer.
> 
> Anyone know anything about this or did I dream it?

No, you did not dream it, Peter.  A few yeats back, Kokatat (and Gore, I
assume) was recommending a wash-in DWR treatment, which was activated when you
ironed the garment (from the inside, IIRC).

Nowadays, I believe Kokatat (and Gore) recommend Revivex, which is a spray-on
DWR treatment, applied to a ... moist ... Goretex garment, activated by running
the garment through the drier.  At least as of a year ago that's what Kokatat
recommended.  BTW, I've done this on a couple paddle jackets, and it did not
seem to hurt the latex gaskets.  YMMV.

I've used both types of DWR treatment, and Revivex definitely works better at
restoring the DWR.  However, as John Blackburn found out, the success varies
quite a bit.  I find that my Goretex works a lot better at keeping me dry when
the DWR is intact.

Example:  on a couple long (two week) tours in 1998, I wore an old Goretex
paddle jacket on which the DWR had pretty much worn out.  Every blinking day we
had continuous moderate drizzles to full-on rainstorms.  And, G-D it, I was
cold, and wet inside the Goretex.  Leakage?  No, my own moisture -- not as able
to escape because the outer surface of the Goretex was always wet.  I think
with an intact DWR coating, I'd have been a much happier camper.

I think Goretex is good stuff, but I agree with Ralph Diaz that it is no
panacea.  A well-made drysuit from ... nonbreathable ... material is very
comparable, and for the difference in money you can get a lot of other gear.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************