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I remember a known resource within pilgrim community , when asked on advice on shoes, stating he recommended Salomon trail shoes as he was on his s e v e n t h p a i r , all of them lasting more than 1000 km. With knowledge of his experience level that means he has used this brand/type all his «pilgrim-life». And by that making his experience valid for him personally , but not a good advice generally. Obviously so, he has nothing to compare with.I wonder how many pilgrims use gore-tex waterproof jackets and trousers and whether they are happy with them.
I recall a post some time ago from a very experienced person who had been using the same gore-tex jacket for years and was still happy with it.
I have a gore-tex jacket which I bought probably 15+ years ago. It is falling apart as you might expect. It is still water resistant and sort-of breathable. I have two problems with it:
1. It was very expensive;
2. it is bulky and heavy.
I have tried other cheaper, less bulky and lighter jackets which were fine until it started to rain. I usually got wetter from the inside than the outside, but not always.
I would be interested in more recent experiences with gore-tex. Do many people go for it, or is the expense and weight too much of a problem?
I have had good results from gore-tex rain jackets and rain pants, but have tried a wide variety of gear using other waterproof layers with mixed success. The ones I have been most impressed with are a Mont jacket using Hydronaute Pro fabric, and a Macpac jacket using eVent fabric.I would be interested in more recent experiences with gore-tex. Do many people go for it, or is the expense and weight too much of a problem?
It is true that if the other environmental factors are present, rain forms at 100% RH. But that is going to at the height of the rain clouds, and doesn't have to be at ground level.If you are in heavy rain, humidity will be 100% and thus the moisture you produce yourself has nowhere to go.
I just completed the San Salvador and Primitivo. I had a poncho, but also packed my goretex pants and jacket, which I thought was overpacking at the time. I am glad I had them because I experienced rain every day but two with temps around 7 and winds most days. The gotetex allowed an extra layer to block the wind. I regulated body temps by wearing shorts beneath the pants and usually a short sleeved tee under the jacket. Any time I walk a Camino November-April, the jacket and pants will definitely be in my pack. Buen CaminoI wonder how many pilgrims use gore-tex waterproof jackets and trousers and whether they are happy with them.
I recall a post some time ago from a very experienced person who had been using the same gore-tex jacket for years and was still happy with it.
I have a gore-tex jacket which I bought probably 15+ years ago. It is falling apart as you might expect. It is still water resistant and sort-of breathable. I have two problems with it:
1. It was very expensive;
2. it is bulky and heavy.
I have tried other cheaper, less bulky and lighter jackets which were fine until it started to rain. I usually got wetter from the inside than the outside, but not always.
I would be interested in more recent experiences with gore-tex. Do many people go for it, or is the expense and weight too much of a problem?
Good answerCaveat: I am not a professional material scientist.
From my understanding, GoreTex (and similar membranes) works with holes that are small enough for vapor to pass thru but not big enough for water to pass thru. So in theory, you can ventilate without water getting in.
Problem with the hole thing, humidity (vapor) only goes where there is less humidity. If you are in heavy rain, humidity will be 100% and thus the moisture you produce yourself has nowhere to go. So no matter the jacket or membrane, if you work hard (eg hike uphill) in heavy rain you will get wet. Whatever you wear.
Now luckily heavy rain usually means it being cooler and thus less sweating will be happening.
The advantage of a breathable membrane is when the humidity in the air is less than 100%. That might be a light rain or if you just want to use your jacket as a wind shell.
That being said, i know many people that ditched membrane jackets alltogether and use a combination of non-waterproof or semi-waterproof jacket together with a plain (and cheap and light) rain jacket. That can be a dedicated wind jacket or a soft shell for example.
I have a gore-tex jacket which I bought probably 15+ years ago. It is falling apart as you might expect. It is still water resistant and sort-of breathable. I have two problems with it:
1. It was very expensive;
2. it is bulky and heavy.
I have tried other cheaper, less bulky and lighter jackets which were fine until it started to rain. I usually got wetter from the inside than the outside, but not always.
Many years ago when I was in a mountain rescue team in the UK I attended a lecture by Ken Ledward, who founded Karrimior, and subsequently went on to be a respected outdoor gear tester. The subject was ‘waterproofs’,Sorry, the next paragraph is a recap from what has already been said but the one after adds to the discussion.
If the fabric of your jacket or pants is soaked (wetted out) the water can work its way inside. Having a waterproof barrier like Gore-Tex or similar with microscopic holes should help prevent the water from getting inside but the water vapor inside is going to have a difficult time pushing through the water trapped in the weave and you will get wet from your persperation or the condensation of its vapor.
What is needed for equipment designed to be porous but water resistant is a durable water repellent (often abbreviated as DWR) applied to the outside of the clothing. This allows the water to bead and then flow off you rather than soaking into the fabric.
I think this video describes the problem better than I just did and explains how to reapply a DWR coating.
a smock design beat a jacket hands down for water resistance; purely because all else being equal, it had fewer seams
paint, spray or wash-on treatments which purport to refresh a fabric’s original water-repellency were good for no more than a couple of days’ wear.
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