raingear

[finlander]

We both took a bath on Murray today. :x :? The Coleman gear we bought before our first trip to Canada 4 years ago did not hold up under the constant rains. My long sleeve shirt sleeves under the jacket were soaked. I really wanted to fish more. Gas and time it takes to travel is not cheap. What does everyone use? Frogg Toggs has been mentioned on other sites in the past. I really don't want to Scotchguard my jacket, but don't have $100 to spend on raingear either. The forcast was not good for today but I thought the fish would be cooperating. I want to fish more this year because of the boat, don't want to stay at home because of rain. What does everyone use when the skies open up? Thanks, Bruce.

[Will Schultz]

Is the Coleman gear waterproof/breathable? Scotchguard might be all you need to make it like new. There's also a wash-in poduct that is available at Gander that does the same thing. All companies use a coating on the nylon to help the goretex or other product work better. Columbia suggests using scotchguard after a gentle hand washing.

[finlander]

I am going to go look at the label on the coat. Funny thing is the pants seemed to repel the water. She stayed drier but her back was into the wind. I was driving and was open to all the moisture. Sleeves did not repel just absorbed. Vicki just said we have never washed the Coleman stuff. Thanks for the quick comeback. Another thing is I don't want to seal the coat with a product that won't let it breathe. Tried Scotchguard on a tent years ago and condensation dripped on our faces at night. :? Bruce

[Cyberlunge]

When it gets dirty it stops working. I wash my columbia stuff two or three times a year. Use powder detergent in a gentle cycle you will be amazed at the difference. The powder is because the liquids have a tendency to stay in the fabric (so I was told) .
Kevin

[Will Schultz]

The scotchguard won't bother the breathability at all, you simply want to get a little water out of the nylon. The problem is that if you put pressure on ANY waterproof breathable material you can push water through it. If the nylon is soaked in water you'll be more likely to force water through the waterproof layer. The problem you had with the tent is that you coated the fabric directly, when you scotchguard a raisuit it would be like putting scotchguard on the rainfly of the tent but not the tent itself.

The problem is that the waterproof fabric isn't "smart" is doesn't know that we only want water to go one way. The holes in the fabric are very small and only water vapor should pass through, unless forced. This usually happens on a knee, elbow, shoulder, etc. where the nylon pushes against the waterproof fabric.

I could go on but it would only be more boring...

[finlander]

What doesn't this man know??? Anyways, the Coleman stuff os 100% nylon shell, withe a 100 % polypropelene coating? Does this mean there is a plastic coating inside the coat? preventing any breathing from occuring? The jacket also has a 'mesh lining' inside. (to keep the coat off the wearer?) The tag says wash in cold water on gentle. Like I said before, had them four years and no baths yet. Don't use them much, but I have worn the jacket to work in spring, summer and fall when it's raining. Will, do you know the name of that product at Gander? I'm not planning any trips, other than fishing, to GRR in the near future. Thanks, Bruce.

[Cyberlunge]

Hey Bruce,
I use a product called tekwash that I used to get at eastern mountain sports the stuff at Gander is probably similar.
Kevin

[Chuck S.]

All good advice it seems to me. But I'd find out what "McGiver" would do and that's gotta be the ultimate solution!

[Will Schultz]

Anyways, the Coleman stuff os 100% nylon shell, withe a 100 % polypropelene coating? Does this mean there is a plastic coating inside the coat? preventing any breathing from occuring?

Yep, that's exactly what it means. Scotchguard might help but it's likely that the areas that are leaking are just worn out. If you've worn it often you are lucky to get four years out of it. The pants will last much longer than the jacket and you might make life easier by keeping an eye open for a deal at Gander on a new Columbia, Stearns or Gander Guide Series jacket.