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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2013 13:24:24 GMT
This has had lots and lots of use and is at least 10 years old, bottle green colour, basic style, no frills. Last time I used it in heavy rain, my shoulders and arms were wet so the goretex is failing. I was going to chuck it out but then thought that some of the fabric would still be ok ie the inside map pocket and could be used for a waterproof pouch. It's been reproofed several times but I think the exposed areas of the fabric have reached the end of their life span. I've got so much else to do that I'll never get round to doing anything with it so if it's any use to anyone else (as you fellas are all so handy with a sewing machine ), you're welcome to it. It might be ok for a dog coat for a small dog. I''ll hang on to it for another month or so to give time for it to be adopted but if anyone wants it, I can keep it till a meet or can pass it on via other members.
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Post by Firefox on Feb 19, 2013 14:05:28 GMT
I never know how long those things should last and how often you can reproof them. The one I have is Aquatex which is slightly cheaper to buy but I get the feeling it is very similar stuff to Goretex but Goretex has the original "name".
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Post by Lee & Linda on Feb 19, 2013 14:58:25 GMT
I'm sure I read somewhere that Gortex should be washed every so often, this helps to get the dirty between the fibres which stops it breathing and also lets in the water. This may sound a bit weired but it might be worth trying it and see if it works.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2013 16:37:21 GMT
Nomad is absolutely correct as Goretex is a membrane rather than simply a proofing as in many cheaper waterproofs. Reproofing helps prevent the fabric becoming waterlogged which means it can't breathe and so condensation builds up and it is effectively not much better than a cheap nylon non breathable waterproof.
In all likelihood this probably what is happening with my jacket, but as I have a newer better jacket this old one isn't really being used any more and I'm loathe to spend another tenner on reproofing it again. I got it for £4 from a charity shop about 5 years ago so it's done pretty well! As I'm decluttering with a view to living in the van, I need to get rid of alot of stuff, but being thrifty I don't like throwing things away if they still have some sort of use in them.
So the fabric would still be waterproof and effective as a waterproof covering but not so good for wearing any more, unless you reproof it and give it some TLC.
Goretex did copyright / patent the process initially, but not sure if that is for life or whether that has time expired. Other manufactures now use the same membrane principle but call it something different. Not 100% sure but I think Aquatex is a membrane waterproof, and I seem to think it's manufactured by Daleswear in Ingleton, but I might have just made that up.
You can wash goretex and Linda is right that dirt does also reduce breathability however using biological washing powder strips the protective proofing off the outer which is why they recommend using their own brand product. Ideally you should set the empty washing machine on a rinse cycle to ensure that there is no biological washing powder still in the system before washing goretex. However using pure soap is fine and much cheaper. Heat can give the outer proofing a new lease of life so ironing and tumble drying is recommended.
(Sorry if i'm being Miss Know it all, I worked in an outdoor shop for a few years, and most of the above was my sales patter)
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