Klim jacket has lost water resistance :-(

[Losttheplot]

Got caught in a heavy rainstorm yesterday, only to discover that the sleeves on my Klim jacket no longer keep the water out.

Is the jacket knackered? Or does it just need 're-proofing? Very reluctant to chuck it as it is in good condition.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Got caught in a heavy rainstorm yesterday, only to discover that the sleeves on my Klim jacket no longer keep the water out.

Is the jacket knackered? Or does it just need 're-proofing? Very reluctant to chuck it as it is in good condition.

Should not need re proofing as it is gore tex (i assume it is anyway) which jacket is it as the badlands has 4 vents on the sleeves that if not fastened up let water in

send it back !!!

 

[tuftywhite]

On some waterproof jackets, such as Gore-Tex stuff, when it gets dirty the pores in the fabric that allow it to breathe can get blocked up and this can lead to transfer of water going the wrong way.

It could be it just needs a good clean (following manufacturers instructions) and possibly a precautionary re-proofing.

RTFM and see what it says.

 

[Timpo]

Google gives:-



Reproofing Waterproofs to Enhance Performance
Washing and reproofing your waterproof items will improve their performance and longevity. This should be the use of gentle cleaners so that the weatherproofed coatings are not stripped off (with DWR) and so pores stay unclogged (as with membranes such as GORE-Tex and e-Vent).



You should retreat your waterproof garments every 4-6 months, depending on usage. Washing and applying heat (either via a tumble dryer or iron) revitalises the water repellency of the treatment.




Waterproof garments can be treated with a wash-in product in the washing machine, or a spray-on solution. Sprays are best suited for coatings, whereas wash-in treatments work best with membranes.




Cleaning agents need to be non-detergent based, in order not to affect the waterproof coating on the fabric.



Nikwax Tech Wash
It is a non-detergent soap that will clean the fabric without affecting the coating it has on it.


Nikwax TX-Direct Wash-In
TX 10 is a wax-like elastomer suspended in water.


Granger’s Extreme Wash-In
It contains a flouro-chemical and is water-based. It’s recommended by GORE-TEX products. The garment is washed and then treated with the products in the washing machine.



The treatment is fixed and activated by heat so the garment is finished by either tumble-drying or ironing on a low setting.

 

[Dr JM]

There was a known problem with the sleeves on some Klim jackets a while ago. Both mine and Martins jackets were affected. Both replaced with new ones, no quibble. Suggest you talk to wherever you bought yours.

 

[Losttheplot]

There was a known problem with the sleeves on some Klim jackets a while ago. Both mine and Martins jackets were affected. Both replaced with new ones, no quibble. Suggest you talk to wherever you bought yours.

Well i dropped my jacket back to the KTM centre in Hemel 7 weeks ago now, and i still haven't heard anything about it, despite chasing them.

The klim kit i've used so far has been good apart from this issue with the jacket. if this is typical of the service you receive when there is a problem i think i'll be looking elsewhere for my riding kit

 

[Losttheplot]

Result at last!

Spoke to the guys at the KTM centre this morning, who were very helpful.

Despite numerous attempts to contact Gore over the water ingress issues and not getting a reply, Klim are sending out a traverse jacket to replace my leaking valdez parker as an apology for the inconvenience and hassle.

I just hope this one doesn't leak!

 

[Packer]

......... Klim are sending out a traverse jacket to replace my leaking valdez parker as an apology for the inconvenience and hassle.

I just hope this one doesn't leak!

That's the air mesh jacket popular in the Baja racing scene

 

[Losttheplot]

That's the air mesh jacket popular in the Baja racing scene

is that with or without the vents done up?

 

[Mav]

Google gives:-



Reproofing Waterproofs to Enhance Performance
Washing and reproofing your waterproof items will improve their performance and longevity. This should be the use of gentle cleaners so that the weatherproofed coatings are not stripped off (with DWR) and so pores stay unclogged (as with membranes such as GORE-Tex and e-Vent).



You should retreat your waterproof garments every 4-6 months, depending on usage. Washing and applying heat (either via a tumble dryer or iron) revitalises the water repellency of the treatment.




Waterproof garments can be treated with a wash-in product in the washing machine, or a spray-on solution. Sprays are best suited for coatings, whereas wash-in treatments work best with membranes.




Cleaning agents need to be non-detergent based, in order not to affect the waterproof coating on the fabric.



Nikwax Tech Wash
It is a non-detergent soap that will clean the fabric without affecting the coating it has on it.


Nikwax TX-Direct Wash-In
TX 10 is a wax-like elastomer suspended in water.


Granger’s Extreme Wash-In
It contains a flouro-chemical and is water-based. It’s recommended by GORE-TEX products. The garment is washed and then treated with the products in the washing machine.



The treatment is fixed and activated by heat so the garment is finished by either tumble-drying or ironing on a low setting.

This all seems to be things that will help with breathability... Shouldn't change waterproofness... right?

 

[johnnyboy]

This all seems to be things that will help with breathability... Shouldn't change waterproofness... right?

The guidelines/instructions posted would improve both breathability and waterproofness.

 

[Timolgra]

This all seems to be things that will help with breathability... Shouldn't change waterproofness... right?

No, it helps with waterproofness too, have a look at Paramo outdoor clothing, it's not like a conventional breathable waterproof and requires regular washing and reproofing (as Timpo posted) but for mountaineering etc. I found it much better than Gortex

 

[Mav]

The guidelines/instructions posted would improve both breathability and waterproofness.

I get it for breathability (unblocking the pores) but not for waterproofness... So how does it help? The membrane is a physical barrier to water - how would washing it change that?

No, it helps with waterproofness too, have a look at Paramo outdoor clothing, it's not like a conventional breathable waterproof and requires regular washing and reproofing (as Timpo posted) but for mountaineering etc. I found it much better than Gortex

The paramo stuff is good - I used to use a ventile smock, way more breathable and when treated plenty waterproof. But that material is not inherently waterproof - the combination of material, weave and treatment is what makes it waterproof.

So I get the principle of treating it, I just don't understand why it should help with goretex...

 

[Timolgra]

So I get the principle of treating it, I just don't understand why it should help with goretex...

Because detergents damage the fine 'standy up fibres' which cause the outer to wet out, it then can't breath and saps heat.

 

[Mav]

And here are the instructions from Gore themselves - they make no reference to stopping it leaking, just that it helps with increased water repellency. In fact it specifically states that it is not leaking, even when it needs retreating...

http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellite/content/care-center/restoring-water-repellency

 

[Mav]

Because detergents damage the fine 'standy up fibres' which cause the outer to wet out, it then can't breath and saps heat.

Sapping heat is bad... but still not leaking...

Like I say, I get the value in retreating, just not how it stops it leaking...

 

[Timolgra]

Sapping heat is bad... but still not leaking...

Like I say, I get the value in retreating, just not how it stops it leaking...

Pffft .... if it wets out the heat cannot drive the moisture away so it wicks inward.....like osmosis

 

[Mav]

Pffft .... if it wets out the heat cannot drive the moisture away so it wicks inward.....like osmosis

Osmosis - That's the most plausible explanation I've heard