Lidl gear???

[Chrissie]

I bought a set a few years back, I have mustos and Henri LLoyds, but the Lidl set have lasted better and are dryer and warmer, this year I bought another set and a set for my son too. I reccomend them

 

[fergie_mac66]

Thanks, will give it a go with the Mustos over the winter. The HH went to the charity shop.

waste of time ..musto s i had stopped being waterpoof after less than one season tried tumbling em and all the myths... what did work for a while was some stuff from yeomans camping began with an M .. waxy stuff that you put in washing machine and washed them with it twas about £7.00 waterproofed em for 3 or 4 months

 

[BrendanS]

not a myth. I've had a mountaineering jacket for over 15 years which is Goretex. Been everywhere in the world, and used continually, and much abused. Tumble drying works wonders, and is the recommended treatment by the manufacturers. It's still going strong.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

NikWax?

waste of time ..musto s i had stopped being waterpoof after less than one season tried tumbling em and all the myths... what did work for a while was some stuff from yeomans camping began with an M .. waxy stuff that you put in washing machine and washed them with it twas about £7.00 waterproofed em for 3 or 4 months

NikWax do a whole range of washing 'soaps',n reproofers for everything from maps, fleeces, guernseys to softshells, goretex etc layers.
Have used them since 1996, no complaints, does the job!

SWMBO does say kit smells funny to her just after treating-but then she does prefer to use Chanel No5, even when on the boat!

 

[BrendanS]

you don't really need a reproofer for goretex. It's a membrane, and should be totally waterproof unless punctured. The outer layer does need to bead water though, and that is what the tumble drying takes care of.

 

[Alfie168]

Ten years ago I bought SWMBO some lightweight sympatex lined walking boots by Rohde "Allwetter-Stiefel mit Sympatex" is wot it says on the label. They weren't cheap and underperformed badly compared with my old leather heavyweight boots with Grangers G-Wax waterproofing (beeswax) i.e. her feet got wet and mine didn't. They were demoted quite quickly and replaced by an excellent pair of Brasher boots she still uses

We also had a similar experience where SWMBO and I stayed dry in our cheapish jackets, and friends in their expensive Goretex jobs got wet backs and backsides, much to their annoyance.

So whilst I believe the benefits of breathability I think these membranes are incredibly sensitive and can breakdown or lose their effectiveness over quite short life spans. Too short for me to spend my smallish pot of money on them I'm afraid.

Tim

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Trax salopettes still made?

The best stuff we found for year round open dinghy cruising(1996) to posh yacht (2010) was Trax /Buffalo.You could wear cheap, light waterproof layers on top if it was stair rods- everything else was no problem.

The Apps were climbers and Wayfarer dinghy cruisers and put us onto it- better than a wetsuit/drysuit for cruising. I got thru one pair of salopettes completely- wore bottom out and then the full denim patch over it, on pair two now.
However, now Alice's fabric round her knee patches repairs is detaching/collapsing.

But the nearest stuff now seems to be Montane- we've both now got the jackets,almost too warm for me, OK for SWMBO, but their Ladies salopettes don't go right up over the shoulders, which Alice likes as feels the cold. More needed than just braces over the shoulder.
Buffalo and their stockists seem to focus on their Pertex shirts for the Forces, climbers and cyclists now. Trax/Remploy seem to have dropped away as a label.

Gill and the other Marine labels "mid layer Trax copies" don't have the zips/breathability options that Trax/Buffalo and climbing gear has, or the reinforcing! They do have the over the shoulder shape tho.
Dont like their price, or bar H-L, the short life span built in,

So; does any Forumite now who stocks Trax/Buffalo Ladies salopettes in XS/size 8-10 max???
Else it's Pennine Outdoor and a sewing project for her for the winter.

 

[Gwylan]

We have a set on board for visitor use - 3 seasons later they look and work a lot better than more expensive brands. Seem fit for purpose and well enough made. Maybe not my first choice if I was going to the southern oceans.

 

[ARCO7]

Guy Cotten Frenchside

Thanks for the info on the Guy Cotten end of lines outlet near Concarneau I shall pay them a visit on our next time over there.
I knew there was some kind of oilskin mecca in this area but only found biscuit makers. Useful tip .