KINGFISHER 9
Well-Known Member
What's a chav and do I need one for the boat? ... Type of anchor maybe? ... Bet its not as good as a CQR. ... discuss.
Which implies that those who do spend money on Gore-tex oilies are either spendthrift or posers. I would say that I'm not either, I'm someone who wanted the most cost effective way of staying comfortable.
And for me, that's HL Offshore Goretex oilies. The thought of sitting on the rail all night in a puddle of sweat in waterproof PVC or nylon doesn't bear thinking about.
My experience of Gore-Tex is not good. As others have said, I think it's where your garment bends that it stresses the membrane; bound to really. I've had multiple jackets, two bivi-bags, socks and boots. All leaked after not too long a time.
Also, because Gore-Tex has to be sandwiched, the outer layer needs to be waterproof in order for the Gore-Tex to have chance of working as designed when it's wet weather. As soon as the outer layer loses its beading ability, it becomes waterlogged, and it stops breathing, and moisture builds up inside.
I guess the real benefit of GT is that when the rain stops you can leave it on, whereas with GC perhaps you do need to do a bit of layer management from time to time to optimise your comfort level.
But the GT suit costs minimum 4 times the cost of GC, and lasts maximum 1/5 the life. That's 20 x the price, just so you don't have to take your coat off when the rain stops.
GC for me!!!![]()
I'd love to know why my goretex gear keeps on going year after year, despite being used almost daily, and being highly abused.
Outer layer does not need to be waterproof, or you'd defeat the purpose of having the goretex layer!!!! It shouldn't become waterlogged however, which is a different thing, as waterlogged outer layer stops the breathing. Simply washing it, and ironing it, or tumble drying it, will work for most gortex outers, and restore the beading effect. You do need to read the care instructions for each garment, as they can vary though.
One gortex hill walking jacket which must be over 15 years old now is carried with me daily, stuffed into day sack into office, in boot of car, has been to over 20 countries, knelt on, sat on, used on hills and mountains, on powerboats, on sailing boats, etc etc, is still going strong, with no signs of leaking. Generally given a pretty hard life! Just needs a wash and a tumble dry once in a while to restore it to its original working condition
I'd love to know why my goretex gear keeps on going year after year, despite being used almost daily, and being highly abused......
Where/when do all you people sail? I've got some very grotty non-matching oilies on the boat and I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've needed to wear them in the last 5 years. I don't do oceans admittedly, just the usual weekends and holidays. It always amazes me the number of crews one sees on a summer day wearing oilies with the sun beating down on them. 95% of the time you need nothing more than a fleece or windproof top. I couldn't now countenance spending several hundred pounds on oilies that I would hardly ever wear.
Am I really getting this old and grumpy![]()
...nearly every working day for 2 months...