Waterproofness of jackets

[schindlerpiste]

What is the real difference of 10,000 - 15,000 - 20,000mm waterproof rating? Is it significant. My old shell has a rating of 20,000. I was thinking of getting a new shell with a 10,000.

[Hicks]

Bought a 7500 recently for breathability - dense enough but huge difference compared to the former sweating-to-death under my old 15000. It hasn't been really nice to be soaking wet under the shell.

[lemon boy]

It hasn't been really nice to be soaking wet under the shell.

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schindler IMVHO waterproof all depends on where you live and what you're gonna be using it for. Here in CO, I can get by with something way lighter than the boys in the PNW.

[robokill1981]

What is the real difference of 10,000 - 15,000 - 20,000mm waterproof rating?

I personally wouldn't go under 10k simply because most jackets under 10,000mm are usually price point jackets that aren't built well. That said I wouldn't stress about anything between 10-20k because the difference between those numbers is surprisingly little unless you're skiing on the coast and then I'd go with Gore-Tex or something similar.

Breathability is just as important as the waterproof rating so try to find a jacket with numbers that match closely. Unfortunatley it's much easier to make a shell that has a really high waterproof rating than it is to make one that's highly breathable so a lot of companies don't talk to much about the breathability on their shells. If you do get a jacket with a high waterproof rating and a low breathability rating you'll be "sweating-to-death" like Hicks was.

[stuckathuntermtn]

my arc'teryx javelin seems to breath pretty well for the costal climates. but they don't make it anymore. anyway 4 or 5 hundred gortex xcr is what you need to know for something with perfect water proofing and seemingly decent breathability. although, i haven't really had experience with many different jackets, you can feel this thing breathing when you ski fast without a fleece on under it

[schindlerpiste]

What is a good breathability rating? Skiing is done in Utah. I just bought a new jacket that has 10,000 waterproofing with breatheability rating of8000g/sqm/24hr. I'm thinking of selling it, and trading for an Arcteryx Thetha. It's actually a Spyder Venom Spine listed in the gear swap for $175.

[SimonInAustralia]

My jackets are 20,000mm/20,000g.

Gortex is supposed to be something higher in waterproofing, is it something like 30,000mm? Not sure what the Gortex waterproofing and breathability actually is for their different fabrics...anyone know?

[stuckathuntermtn]

gore-tex.com says gore-tex is waterproof for life. um, i beg to differ. i'm guessing you guys have similar stories of your arms feeling a little wet in a 4 or 5 year old gore tex shell...?

[bossass]

gore-tex.com says gore-tex is waterproof for life. um, i beg to differ. i'm guessing you guys have similar stories of your arms feeling a little wet in a 4 or 5 year old gore tex shell...?

Perhaps you have leaky seams.

[Mit]

gore-tex.com says gore-tex is waterproof for life. um, i beg to differ. i'm guessing you guys have similar stories of your arms feeling a little wet in a 4 or 5 year old gore tex shell...?

I was talking to a North Face rep the other day and he said that Gore-Tex was indeed gauranteed for life. If you send the jacket back they do some kind on high pressure water test and if it jacket leaks the'll either fix it or replace it no questions asked . From what the rep said though is that more often then not the gear doesn't leak (Try putting it under the tap at home or submerge it in the sink to see if it is really leaking before you bring it back). His recommendation was to wash semi regularly and also re-coat it once a year for the best performance.

On a similar note my wife has had the same gore-tex coat for about 9 years and it's still waterproof where the fabric is isn't too worn out and it's only been washed and re-coated a couple of times.

http://www.gore-tex.co.uk/published/....care.gar.html

[davep]

Usually a goretex jacket doesn't stop being waterproof, in that the membrane between the face fabric and the liner still keeps liquid water from permiating through.

But when you buy a new goretex, the outer face fabric has a fresh durable water repellent coating (DWR) on it that keeps water from ever soaking as far as the goretex membrane. When the DWR wears off, water can soak in as far as the goretex where it is stopped. But then the fabric can no longer breath since the outer is soaked, and you get wet from your own sweat and condensation.

Picture wearing a garbage bag and wrapping a wet towel around it, then going hiking - you wont get wet from the water in the towel, but you'll sure get wet.

Like the north face guy said, you can bring a lot of life back to the jacket by washing it with a non-detergent solution (nikwax and many other companies make this), then using either a spray-on or wash-cycle DWR refresher.

[Playa]

are the waterproof refresh spays used to refresh gote-tex known to be toxic? remember hearing something about it on the news but didn't get the details

[davep]

are the waterproof refresh spays used to refresh gote-tex known to be toxic? remember hearing something about it on the news but didn't get the details

Living in LA is toxic . Dont huff the waterproof spray, and don't use it in your closet with the door shut, and you'll be fine

[Yeti]

are the waterproof refresh spays used to refresh gote-tex known to be toxic? remember hearing something about it on the news but didn't get the details

I'm sure they aren't great for you, but that doesn't stop me from using my hands to rub in the DWR refresher sprays. Best way to ensure complete coverage, and it lets you get a bit more bang for your buck.

[Hicks]

What is a good breathability rating? I just bought a new jacket that has 10,000 waterproofing with breatheability rating of8000g/sqm/24hr.

That does sound o.k. to me.
It also finally comes down to what type of guy you are. Do you sweat a lot and quickly (as I do) and therefore need extra good breathability/ventilation or do you stay pretty dry when working on the hill? In latter case it doesn't matter so much. Also, do you use it just for skiing or long ascents, too?

[Skip Dooley]

once your Go(r)-tex you don't go(r) back.