Rain gear that works

arf145 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

Anyone have a good example? I mean keeps repelling water after being used for a while. My experience with Gore-tex/waterproof breathables (from backpacking) is that once the water repellant treatment on the outer gets old--which can be even after a couple of uses in the rain--it wets out, which smothers the "breatheable" part underneath. Is there a decent vented, waterproof (non-gtex) jacket out there?

scottyt · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

2042 Low Rider Duster

i dont use mine on the boat, but i might one day. easy to re water proof. I have stood in the shower at home for 20 mins ( its how you wash them ) and come out dry. my shower has body jets so it gets a direct jet of water under pressure and it still stays dry inside.

zz4gta · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

If it lets air in, it'll let water in. I've been very happy with my (gore-tex) foulies. Try contacting the maker and see if they can send you a new set. Or at least try re water proofing them.

Did you wash the garment? If so what did you use?

erps · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

I went through the gortex phase and I'm back to PVC up here in the PNW. I'm guessing the guys who commercial fish have an idea on what works to stay warm and dry and that's what they wear. It won't win any fashion awards though.

tommays · #5 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

No matter what you wear IF your doing any kind of movement on the boat you will perspire enough to overwhelm any gears abilty to wick away the perspiration and your gonna get WET if your out more than a few hours without the abilty to rotate the undergarments for dry ones

QuickMick · #6 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

ive got one of these which i like a lot:

Work 'N Gear® - - Blue - Rainwear - Helly Hansen Rain Jacket

kind of a mortons salt guy look... lol.

and picked up a pair of these:

TAHSIN INDUSTRIAL CO Spar Hawk PVC Bib at West Marine

but in both cases, while they do well at the 'repelling' they tend to be kinda hot, so i dont think i would call them very 'breathable.'

arf145 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

Spray on DWR hasn't brought my backpacking jackets back--haven't tried the wash-in type.

I have no problem with stuff like PVC not being designed to be "breatheable" because I think the breatheability of the WB stuff like GoreTex is really only good when they are new. The fabric you see on the outside of any WB garment is not Gore-tex or whatever but just a repellent treated nylon. Those WB membranes are way too delicate to be on the outside. As soon as the repellent fails--and it always wears off--and the nylon wets out the WB is smothered and becomes no better than PVC.

So I'm happy to cut to the chase and go with PVC. Erps, which ones do you use?

erps · #8 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

I have a 25 year old pair of Helly Hansons and a four year old pair of Grundens. I like the shoulder straps on the Grundens better. If you buy them baggy, the air circulates between you and the clothing, cutting down on the perspiration problem.

CaptainForce · #9 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

I use my foul weather gear for the light rains and marginal conditions, but if I'm to be out in heavy weather and subject to spray and cold, then I'm in my wetsuit and the mask and snorkel is handy. I'm not wearing my fins on deck! It doesn't matter regarding convention or style,- the wetsuit is the best foul weather gear! I used to have an ONiel, but my current Henderson wetsuit excells! I've crawled to my bow on a jackline in a Cat I hurricane to check my chafing gear on my ground tackle while hiding out in a hurricane hole. This is best done in a wetsuit,- not some flapping lose cover that is supposed to keep you dry. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

klem · #10 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010

I used to use the fancy synthetic foulies but working commercially, they would last on the order of 1-2 years. I bought my first pair of Grundens 8 years ago and I am still using the same pair. They are great for most applications but not all. I wouldn't want to go dinghy sailing in them and they are not great in the tropics (I often wear only a bathing suit on the bottom then) but everywhere else, they are the best thing out there in my opinion. I have stayed drier, warmer and lighter with them than I ever did with the fancy stuff.

Grundens is great but I think that you will get equal service out of a quality pair of Helly Hansen or Guy Cotton or any brand the commercial fisherman wear. I know a lot of people who like the Carhartt stuff actually. It has pockets and adjustable cuffs which the other stuff doesn't have but isn't quite as heavy duty.