Waterproof waterproofs recommendation required

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KAM

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OK I have been very patient but my expensive Musto goretex waterproofs are just not up to the job. They have been a soggy mess most of the summer despite washing and nickwax. I went back to wearing my 1985 vintage neoprene mustos which worked much better but there are just too many linings and pockets and flaps and bits of fleece none of which are essential but all of which have to be dried out. I am looking for some proper non breathable PVC jobs like fishermen use. Lots on ebay and amazon but its difficult to work out what is what. Could someone recommend a reasonably cheap brand please.
 
KAM said:
OK I have been very patient but my expensive Musto goretex waterproofs are just not up to the job. They have been a soggy mess most of the summer despite washing and nickwax. I went back to wearing my 1985 vintage neoprene mustos which worked much better but there are just too many linings and pockets and flaps and bits of fleece none of which are essential but all of which have to be dried out. I am looking for some proper non breathable PVC jobs like fishermen use. Lots on ebay and amazon but its difficult to work out what is what. Could someone recommend a reasonably cheap brand please.
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My Guy Cotten stuff hasn't leaked since I bought it in 1989. It's a bit agricultural (aquacultural?) but by God it keeps you dry.
 
Yet to come across a pair of waterproof trousers. They either leak from the outside in, or make you sweat so much from the inside out. Or both. My latest attempt is Tribord from Decathlon which performed very well on a trip to Faroes and back this wet summer. £80 or so.
Donald
 
I have had the same issue with goretex waterproofs, especially trousers when they get a few years old.

I use mine in light rains but in heavy weather my 20 year old Helly Hanson quilted nylon waterproofs are bullet proof. I do not seem to miss the lack of "breathability".

My favourite at the moment, however, is this https://www.uk-fishing-tackle.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=521 jacket with a built in 150 newton integrated life jacket. Fully waterproof, breathable and only £67. Not very good for posing up and down Salcombe high street but warm, dry, safe and tough. Love it. Only downside is that the fold away hood is a bit light weight for the most extreme conditions.
 
KAM said:
OK I have been very patient but my expensive Musto goretex waterproofs are just not up to the job. They have been a soggy mess most of the summer despite washing and nickwax. I went back to wearing my 1985 vintage neoprene mustos which worked much better but there are just too many linings and pockets and flaps and bits of fleece none of which are essential but all of which have to be dried out. I am looking for some proper non breathable PVC jobs like fishermen use. Lots on ebay and amazon but its difficult to work out what is what. Could someone recommend a reasonably cheap brand please.
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+1
I've tried to rejuvenate musto gortex as instructed, with limited success. It seems to rely on a maintained hydrophobic surface, beading etc, to be effective. I will be following this thread with interest.
 
Venus1 said:
+1
I've tried to rejuvenate musto gortex as instructed, with limited success. It seems to rely on a maintained hydrophobic surface, beading etc, to be effective. I will be following this thread with interest.
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Goretex is a thin PTFE membrane with tiny holes which allows water vapour to pass but not liquid water, so rain stays out but perspiration gets out. It is very delicate stuff and has to be well protected, but eventually it always gets cracks, splits or bigger holes in it and there is absolutely nothing you can do to sort it. I've been told that really active professionals normally expect to get three or four months out of Goretex before it starts to leak, but that was a while ago it it may last longer now.

Absolutely great stuff, but it'll never last as long as oilies.
 
when i was fishing i always used guy coton----100% waterproof ----warm----- but always damp with sweat
 
JumbleDuck said:
Goretex is a thin PTFE membrane with tiny holes which allows water vapour to pass but not liquid water, so rain stays out but perspiration gets out. It is very delicate stuff and has to be well protected...

Absolutely great stuff...
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I've never thought Goretex was great stuff. The theory sounds OK, but as you point out it's delicate and soon fails. I suspect it's popularity is due to clever marketing.
 
JumbleDuck said:
Goretex is a thin PTFE membrane with tiny holes which allows water vapour to pass but not liquid water, so rain stays out but perspiration gets out. It is very delicate stuff and has to be well protected, but eventually it always gets cracks, splits or bigger holes in it and there is absolutely nothing you can do to sort it. I've been told that really active professionals normally expect to get three or four months out of Goretex before it starts to leak, but that was a while ago it it may last longer now.

Absolutely great stuff, but it'll never last as long as oilies.
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I would agree with the few months life. It sometimes feels like a bin liner would be more effective. I remember one grim night on the fore deck thinking I was invincible in my top of the range goretex gear. 30 minutes later on regaining the cockpit I was soaked to the skin and in danger of becoming hypothermic.

As well as the durability issue most sailing clothing is unnecessarily complex. Just count up the number of extra layers of redundant cloth due to unusable pockets in trousers, fleeces and top layers. In my case it was 10 or 12.

The Guy Cotten gear looks the business but they seem expensive for such a simple garment. Any recommendations for some industrial work wear brands with similar durability at a lower price.
 
KAM said:
The Guy Cotten gear looks the business but they seem expensive for such a simple garment. Any recommendations for some industrial work wear brands with similar durability at a lower price.
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Guy Cotten have at least two product lines. The heavy fishing kit is significantly cheaper than the more leisure oriented stuff. They used to do an intermediate line as well, which is what I have, but I'm not sure if that's still on the go.
 
penberth3 said:
I've never thought Goretex was great stuff. The theory sounds OK, but as you point out it's delicate and soon fails. I suspect it's popularity is due to clever marketing.
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I was a sceptical until I did a course of Plas y Brenin some 35 years ago when one of the mountaineering instructors lent me his kit. The difference to my old Helly Hanson 8 oz neoprene was amazing, instead of being soaking wet and cold due to sweat I was dry and warm.

You need to understand how to use the material property. You need a base layer that wicks moisture away from the skin then one or two layers to trap the heat then a close fitting, but allowing for movement, outer gortex layer. Good seals at the cuffs, ankles and neck are essential.

There is a significant difference to the way that gortex is used between mountaineering and sailing. In mountaineering it is worn when you have no shelter from the elements, in sailing you can shelter for long periods of time and don't move much (well in my type of sailing).

I'd be interested in what sort of soggy mess the OP was in. Perhaps the sweat was condensing too quickly on the inside of the fabric?

Some basic stuff on gortex
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/goretex.html
 
If your musto gortex kit leaks here's what to do.

Pack it up, post it to musto with a letter explaining that it leaks.

Sit back and wait for your brand new kit to arrive.
 
KAM said:
. I am looking for some proper non breathable PVC jobs like fishermen use. Lots on ebay and amazon but its difficult to work out what is what. Could someone recommend a reasonably cheap brand please.
Click to expand...

I came across a set of basic waterproofs in yellow PVC in a local hardware shop in Porto Giglio, when a charter holiday turned rainy. Don't remember the brand though.
They were just a yellow version of the bog standard PVC waterproofs used by the likes of farmers and council workers (here in Ireland anyhow). I suggest trying rural hardware outlets, or ones in fishing ports, or fisherman's or farmers co-ops (do they exist in UK?) . If you get a set of the green ones they can be made more visible by the addition of retro-reflective patches.
 
flaming said:
If your musto gortex kit leaks here's what to do.

Pack it up, post it to musto with a letter explaining that it leaks.

Sit back and wait for your brand new kit to arrive.
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Humm yes the main Yachty gear companies do do good warranties on their gear, but, I know from doing a Specialised Company Trade induction on the gear, they will check out any claims for faulty goods against their specific treatment advice.

So if they have been washed in softeners or others Non Approved treatments its quite likely that they will point it out to you !
 
KAM said:
...The Guy Cotten gear looks the business but they seem expensive for such a simple garment. Any recommendations for some industrial work wear brands with similar durability at a lower price.
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I've used a brand called Viking, very similar to Guy Cotton. I think we got ours from ARCO.
 
Humm well Fishermen s Foulies can be usually bought in Towns that our Fishermen Sail from, like Looe in the West Country, or Bridport in Sumerzet (or where ever it is) good quality hard wearing gear for sure.

Alternatively Farmers ans Small Holders outlets sell suitable gear.
 
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