DWRs, nylon, and wet shells

[Jake_Gano]

Ok, out playing in the snow last weekend my five year old ID hardshell was completely wetting out. The goretex layer still was rocking, but the outer nylon shell was wet in no time. About two years ago I put some Revivex on it and it worked ok but not great. Anyone have any tricks for making my old gtx new again?

 

Also, I'm thinking about picking up one of those little windshirts Wild Things has on sale right now. Anyone had any success with adding their own DWR to nylon products? Not intending to be using it in full on conditions, but maybe as a little extra something for playing in the snow.

[John Frieh]

Washing my WT windshirt in TX direct didn't improve the repellency significantly but I generally run in mine in the winter so it doesn't need to be waterproof as chances are I'm going to wet out from sweat anyways.

 

In regards to your current shell: have you been using the spray on or the wash in? Wash in tends to give a more long lasting coat... especially if you stop the load in the middle of the wash cycle and let it set for 10-15 minutes.

 

Do keep in mind goretex delaminates (the glue that holds it to the outer fabric breaks down) in about 5 years espically if you use it often.