Waterproofs - wet inside?

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I have a 'top of the range' sailing suit with a very well known breathable fabric liner.

Costing many hundreds of pounds I was really very surprised that it was getting wet inside the jacket this year.

I was very concerned as this suit is only in its 3rd year and was meant to 'see me out'.

Having given it a great deal of thought I wondered if it could be due to salt getting inside from my other clothes.

I can often be seen wearing the salopette part of my 'oilees' suit with a jumper or lightweight jacket. If I then begin to get spray

coming back off the water I will possibly put my suit jacket on.

I had been putting the jacket on quite often with the salt spray on my jumper or jacket and then adding my suit jacket to that.

Every time I got a bit warm inside the salt inside the sleeves was absorbing the moisture coming from my body and so the inside of my

jacket was wet.

How to tell.... simples, just lick or suck the inside of my jacket I thought.... preferably the top side of the arms...... = SALTY TASTE!

A soak in warm bathwater wiped with a sponge and a rinse in the shower seems to have solved the problem

S.

 

[Cloven]

These breathable fabrics work by having a weave with pores that are of a size that will let gaseous water vapour (sweat) out but are small enough to prevent liquid water molecules coming in from outside. Problem is that if use in a salt water environment, the pores block with salt and so the fabric becomes non breathable. As you have found, washing with fresh water should help.

 

[charles_reed]

These breathable fabrics work by having a weave with pores that are of a size that will let gaseous water vapour (sweat) out but are small enough to prevent liquid water molecules coming in from outside. Problem is that if use in a salt water environment, the pores block with salt and so the fabric becomes non breathable. As you have found, washing with fresh water should help.

Regular warm washing in fresh water and subsequent tumble drying (for Gore Tex II). The little guard hairs on the surface act to wick away water vapour and are re-invigourated by tumble drying.
Now, in the med, I take all my clothes off - easier to dry my skin that any foulies. Caused considerable shock/horror to a Guardia Finanza cigarette boat which snuck up and turned a great searchlight on me - they apologised and left chastened when I pointed out my blue ensign. Confirmed, fpr them, the extreme eccentricity of single-handed Brits.

 

[sailorman]

what was the OP wearing under the foulies, if not also breathable that might be the problem

 

[cryan]

I know there was a test in PBO last year where they tested all sorts of suits including commercial oil skins which they didn't seem to rate but IMHO (and that of every commercial fisherman in the world, all of whom spend infinite hours in the harshest conditions) there really is no substitute for a proper set of oilies from Guy Cotton, Stormline, Gunderson etc etc worn over a real wool jumper. It will all cost a lot less than the yachtie brands too.

 

[Hadenough]

what was the OP wearing under the foulies, if not also breathable that might be the problem

For once I agree with you! They don't work well with cotton or wooly fabrics as a base layer. Found out through bitter experience hill walking.

 

[Spyro]

worn over a real wool jumper. It will all cost a lot less than the yachtie brands too.

You've got me itching just thinking about it.

 

[Topcat47]

I wash and treat my breathables in Nicwax products once a year. My (very) old set are still OK except where I've torn the jacket in a couple of of places. I've spread a little and treated myself to a larger set last year from HL. Not as good as the old set tho' and even allowing for inflation, much dearer.

 

[Jamesuk]

Grangers wash and rubble dry will probably sort it out

 

[ghostlymoron]

It sounds as though the pores in the breathable fabric are blocked probably with salt. Washing with ordinary soap flakes will sort this. Follow the instructions on the care label and maybe finish the job with Nikwax proofer. The latter will restore the water shedding properties.