Gore-tex, worth the money ?

[~Stef~]

After 5 years my Belstaff sheltex lined jacket has started to leak, thats proper leaking. In heavy rain I can feel water running down inside the left sleeve.

So I'm in the market for a new jacket, question is, is a Gore-tex lined jacket worth twice the price of other waterproof textile jackets ?

 

[John Armstrong]

Probably not if you don't use it every day / on long journeys. IMHO I tend to go for Gore-Tex clothing as I feel (rightly or wrongly) the Mr Gore won't let his label be put on any sh1t.

 

[~Stef~]

Ive been using my Belstaff every day and on long journeys including some sub zero Higland runs in the dead of winter. Its always performed brilliantly.

I was thinking more about breathability, for those wet humid days.

 

[John Armstrong]

IMHO the "breathability" is a marketing gimmick. How often have you got wet from sweating whilst sat on the bike? Not very often I'd guess, and you still get hot and sweaty with gore-tex, it just might be a little less after an hour or two compared to a non-breathable suit.

And if it's really humid outside, I'd guess you won't get much sweat passing through the gore-tex.

All the above IMHO BTW

 

[Mav]

IMHO the "breathability" is a marketing gimmick. How often have you got wet from sweating whilst sat on the bike? Not very often I'd guess, and you still get hot and sweaty with gore-tex, it just might be a little less after an hour or two compared to a non-breathable suit.

And if it's really humid outside, I'd guess you won't get much sweat passing through the gore-tex.

All the above IMHO BTW

Not sure I agree with you John -

If you don't wear the right wicking base layer, then yes you will still get damp inside... but compared to non-breathing kit, the amount of moisture build up is massively reduced. On my Rallye jacket, you can see how much moisture collects on the plastic pocket and yet I'm still dry inside.

As for it being humid outside, the issue is more related to the temperature difference. If it's hot and humid then yes, the breathability will be reduced. But it it's that hot, you're not really gonna care about being damp.

However, I do agree about the Gore brand - I'm pretty sure that any product that using Gore-tex also has to be reviewed and approved through Gore as well as the manufacturer. They also provide an additional guarantee over the manufacturer

Just my two penneth

 

[ricardo]

I've had some non-goretex mountaineering gear that's been very good, but I've had some others that have let me down.

I've not yet had anything Goretex let me down.

 

[Shep]

I've not yet had anything Goretex let me down.

I could have said the same, until I bought a pair of BMW summer rain gloves with gortex. Not waterproof at all now.

Shep

 

[MIKA]

IMO the Gore Tex is worth it.

I have been wearing a Dainese Gore Tex jacket for the past 8 years and there is still no sign of it letting in water, normally the outer shell is only washed once a year with Tech Wash and that is it.
Been wearing Hein Gerike Cruise trousers for the last 3 years without there being any sign of water coming in, however the zip broke at almost two years old and took them in for repair. After two weeks they weren't back so when I questioned how long it was going to take I was told to come in to the shop and get a brand new pair, can't ask for better than that. Once the Dainese gives up will probably change to the Cruise jacket which if I remember correctly came out well a couple of years ago in Ride tests for abrasion resistance, plus you will probably get interest free credit with HG. FYI I have used the HG shop In Great Western Road in Glasgow.

Suppose the whole point I am making about Gore Tex products is that in the past I have used others that claim to be the same as Gore Tex but in my experience they have lost their waterproofness within 18 months of use, think the 5 years you have had from your Belstaff is pretty damn good.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Another one here who's tried other versions of Gortex and have now returned to it for all the reasons posted above

Ditto using it with a decent 'technical' top - makes a big difference!

Andres

 

[orstonwill]

reading with intrest ! had a few coats and boots with gore tex ! bit of a sucker for names, not all motor bike stuff, and not really been impressed ! just looked on mycoat hooks and saw the gore tex liner from my rally 2 suit ! just took it to the sink to test it must have half a gallon in a ball shape fastened with a cable tie ! Its working so far ! no sign of water ! might be worth the money after all !

 

[Shep]

reading with intrest ! had a few coats and boots with gore tex ! bit of a sucker for names, not all motor bike stuff, and not really been impressed ! just looked on mycoat hooks and saw the gore tex liner from my rally 2 suit ! just took it to the sink to test it must have half a gallon in a ball shape fastened with a cable tie ! Its working so far ! no sign of water ! might be worth the money after all !

I went fishing once, forgot that I needed boots so I gaffer taped my rukka trouser liners to a pair of daytona boots and used them as waders to get to the other side of the River Test, I wasn't hanging around standing in the water but there were no leaks, top stuff that's generally associated with quality products.

Shep

 

[Palerider]

Got a Dainese set myself of Touring Goretex. Just recently did a French Alps tour in them - we went through some rain and they were great, but we also went through some >34 Deg C heat!!

Personally I'm very impressed with the kit - it's high quality (yes, high cost too) and all the armour fits inside the suit. I tried Frank Thomas suit in the shop and before I'd taken it back off I was "boiling in the bag" so to speak.

Having said that, as soon as you introduce and water impervious barrier in place the suit/jacket/top is ALWAYS going to be less breathable than standard leather.

This stuff dries very quickly too - washed mine in tech wash and finished it off with the waterproofing agent to improve water repellency (Goretex membrane can become totally saturated and when it does it loses its breathability).

 

[Posh Pete]

You pays your money ...

You takes your choice. Two years ago, after years of various combinations of stuff, I lashed out on the twat suit. (12 mths interest free credit card. Remember those pre credit crunch days?)

All I can say is that I left Skye on Sunday and rode 250 miles in some of the worst rain I've ever ridden through. I was dry from shoulders to ankles due to the gore tex.

Would non gore tex stuff have fared as well? Maybe but I doubt it.

 

[~Stef~]

Just been up to HG in Glasgow some nice kit, some nice prices ! Tried on Gore-Tex jacket for £230. Tempted by it, but "Bike Sorce" a few doors down have a Frank Thomas with separate removable thermal and waterproof liners for a mere £110. Think i'll get a FT for now for the daily commute and it'll double as a summer jacket with the liners removed.

I'll look for a discounted goretex jacket once the new ranges hit the shops later in the year.

 

[John Armstrong]

Even if the FT kit is not fully waterproof, you could always buy the oversuit type waterproofs.

 

[Palerider]

Mate's got the FT.

He finds the material really sweaty and the armour rubs due to the material sticking around his knees.

It's a difficult choice. My Dainese put me back £500 ish, but I'd swear by it....

Having looked at the body armour too, the quality of the Dainese versions are far superior to the cheap plastic stuff is FT...

But like he said, you pays your money......

P

 

[skyenet]

Just been up to HG in Glasgow some nice kit, some nice prices ! Tried on Gore-Tex jacket for £230. Tempted by it, but "Bike Sorce" a few doors down have a Frank Thomas with separate removable thermal and waterproof liners for a mere £110. Think i'll get a FT for now for the daily commute and it'll double as a summer jacket with the liners removed.

I'll look for a discounted goretex jacket once the new ranges hit the shops later in the year.

I had Frank Thomas suit from Bike Source but it wasn't that great in Scottish downpours and was sweaty. Last year I got a Cruise Jacket from HG a few doors along from Bike Source and have been very pleased with it. Totally Waterproof and ventilation and breathability pretty good (certainly better than my North Face Goretex Mountain Jacket). Depending on temperature I wear either BMW Phase Change or Icebreaker Merino wool underwear under it and found it wicks pretty good and fine for a wander around town. I have a pair of Revitt Dakar trousers and find them good for ventilation and waterproofness though they are not goretex.

 

[Aidan1150]

I shelled out the best part of £500 two weeks ago on a new HG Goretex Tuareg suit and after over 1500 miles, some of them in very heavy rain, I am very pleased with it. With the liner removed and the vents all open it is quite cool to ride in on a warm day. Recommended.

 

[~Stef~]

Even if the FT kit is not fully waterproof, you could always buy the oversuit type waterproofs.

Ive an old Yamaha nylon over jacket, boil in the bag, but keeps you dry even in monsoon season.
Was going to check out the army surplus stores for a goretex over jacket to wear on top of my Alpinestars summer jacket.

 

[~Stef~]

Mate's got the FT.

He finds the material really sweaty and the armour rubs due to the material sticking around his knees.

I think he's not wearing his jacket right