Waterproof clothing

[Dutch01527]

I have become increasingly disappointed in hi tech goretex (and similar) sailing clothing. I own a newish Musto MPX jacket and trousers and I always seem to end up damp. I have re proofed them with no effect.

I recently raced on a cold and wet winters day and wore my 20 year old, non breathable Helly Hansen nylon set which have a quilted lining. I was gently laughed at by crew mates for the old fashioned design but was 100% dry and warm when they were wet and shivering. This included 15 minutes on the foredeck undoing tangled sheets following a sail change in a force 6 with waves breaking over the bow.

I think that fashion, marketing hype and the perceived need to be high tech has overtaken functionality. There must be a reason why commercial fishermen,who work in extreme conditions, do not seem to value breathable clothing.

 

[Richard10002]

I have a 27 year old Henri Lloyd Ocean going suit and, when the rain is torrential, I stay dry as a bone, and the water still rolls off it in blobs...

Ditto my 1 year old Musto Coastal jacket, (BR1 I think - whatever that means).

Admittedly, I am on a canal these days, rather than the sea

 

[TQA]

My Henri Lloyd Ocean racer jacket and matching salopettes bought new in 1987 are still in my locker and still keeping me dry although as I am in the Caribbean now they only come out once or twice a year.

They were the most expensive clothes I have ever bought but as the two previous sets of foul weather gear had both left me wet and cold and had been discarded after a few wearings and these have lasted 30 years I think they were worth every penny.

 

[fredrussell]

I sometimes wonder if clothing 'breathability' is needed on a cruising yacht when long periods can be spent without leaping around working up a sweat. I have a nice HH goretex number, but prior to that had an old-school non breathable coat and never ended up drenched in sweat. It was only replaced due to wearing out.

 

[jwilson]

In about 1978 I bought the most expensive kit available - HL Ocean Racer - it lasted about ten years, then the fabric delaminated. Then used various cheapies as sailing was not extreme with small children. Since then have bought mid-range breathable Gill, still expensive though not totally waterproof now after about 8 years light use. I am seriously tempted though to go back to the 1960s/70s with non-breathable fisherman type oilies which back then always seemed to keep me dry till I ripped the fabric.

 

[[70521]]

I have become increasingly disappointed in hi tech goretex (and similar) sailing clothing. I own a newish Musto MPX jacket and trousers and I always seem to end up damp. I have re proofed them with no effect.

Very odd... I am usually dry as a bone in my MPX kit.

I'd never go back to my old Helly Hanson kit of the 1970's era where you could ring out your underwear due to condensation.

What base layers are you using? Do you sweat profusely? Do you let the water in via neck, arms or waist?

 

[Sandyman]

Whats the matter with you wimps? Getting soaking wet & frozen to the core is all part of the fun.

 

[Dutch01527]

Very odd... I am usually dry as a bone in my MPX kit.

I'd never go back to my old Helly Hanson kit of the 1970's era where you could ring out your underwear due to condensation.

What base layers are you using? Do you sweat profusely? Do you let the water in via neck, arms or waist?

Base layer is usually t shirt and fleece long johns/jumper if cold. Water seems to seep in when exposed to water for a prolonged time. For example if I sit on the cockpit seat under the spray hood my backside will be wet but rest is dry.

 

[[70521]]

Whats the matter with you wimps? Getting soaking wet & frozen to the core is all part of the fun.

Speak for yourself!

 

[Sandyman]

Speak for yourself!

Ha ha I was 40 years ago

 

[[70521]]

Base layer is usually t shirt and fleece long johns/jumper if cold. Water seems to seep in when exposed to water for a prolonged time. For example if I sit on the cockpit seat under the spray hood my backside will be wet but rest is dry.

Very strange.

I like to wear a cotton base layer then add synthetic layers as it gets colder. I've an ancient pair of Rohan Winter Bags that have seen better days, but refuse to get rid of them.

If it is your backside that is getting wet and you are in a "dry place" out of the wind I can only think there is an issue with the seams round the bum.

I use Nikwax - Tech Wash to clean and reproof my kit works wonders getting Gore Tex clean and I can see the water forming droplet on the outside.

If you can find a waterfall on a beach it might be worth standing under it and seeing if you can find any ingress of water (the sort of daft testing I do) or sitting in a tub of water to see where this water is coming in. Musto are pretty good with high end MPX kit and if you can demonstrate that it is a manufacturing/gortex fault they will replace it.

Good luck with the tests.