Jackets Permanently Waterproof All Weather Jacket?

Ken H

Ken H

Joined
Dec 15, 2004
Messages
358
Location
Liberty Hill, TX
Bike
2011 BMW R1200GS
I have a First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket that I have had for about 5 years now. Until a significant rain event I rode through last fall it has been a good jacket through all kinds of conditions. For the first time ever I got wet in the jacket. I have been in other rain events previously in the Kili and never got wet. This may be some naivety on my part but I did not know the jacket would eventually lose its ability to keep me dry. I thought it would always repel water. First Gear advises to treat it with Scotch Guard to make it waterproof again. I am going to try that but I have some doubts about how effective that will be in the long run. The situation sort of has me considering replacing the jacket. If I do that I was wondering if anyone has had a jacket that will not lose its waterproofing characteristics and the ability to keep the rider dry. I dont want to wind up with another high dollar jacket that is still in good shape after several years use that I wont discover isnt waterproof anymore until in the middle of a downpour.

And while I am at it, does anyone have any recommendations for any other product to treat a jacket to make it waterproof again?
 
Good question, I also have the First Gear - Killi jacket. Did the water come through joints and the stitching? I have had mine for five years also. I thought there was some type of barrier (Goretex?) liner inbetween the outer shell and the inner liner. I haven't got wet in it yet. If I do, I'll consider the Aerostitch Darien setup. As far as spray on waterproofing, try the stuff that works on tents. That's what I'd do if mine started to leak. The stuff you spray on boots I think would eat the stitching after a while.
 
I have the First Gear Hypertex pant. The claim was to be waterproof. They are not close. Rode 30 miles in the rain and I had a damp butt. I use a rain suit for the severe stuff. On the plus side, they are toasty on the 35 degree days.
 
Each time I wash my Stitch, I spray it with Campdry and it works pretty good. The only time I didn't use the Campdry, it leaked at the zippers on the legs and that was a during Texas toad strangler.
 
I'm on my second Killi, and they've been excellent for weather protection. Both the jacket and my HT overpants have been as waterproof as any waterproof/breathable garment I've ever owned.Tthe pants are going on 10 years old now. I hand wash every spring and treat with Nikwax Direct. Re-treating is a must or the outer Cordura shell will eventually loose it's ability to shed water and sponge up enough to be an issue. Once the shell becomes saturated, no laminate will be completely waterproof.

A few points on the jacket. All of the vents must be completely closed and the flaps well secured or the zippers will leak. This is especially true of the biceps vents. The only 100% permanently waterproof jacket, to quote Peter Egan, is one that's made out of the same material as a child's wading pool....but then you poach in your own sweat.
 
skidlid1300 said:
Good question, I also have the First Gear - Killi jacket. Did the water come through joints and the stitching?
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It wasnt just the stitching. The whole jacket got wet and soaked through. According to the First Gear website, they dont list Gore Tex as a component but instead their product description of the current Kili jacket lists "330 denier nylon Hypertex? / Waterproof, breathable membrane"

I also have the FG Hypertex Overpants and they soaked through also on that trip as well.
 
motomac said:
Each time I wash my Stitch, I spray it with Campdry and it works pretty good. The only time I didn't use the Campdry, it leaked at the zippers on the legs and that was a during Texas toad strangler.
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"Texas toad strangler?" :crackup :crackup :crackup :crackup
Good One!
 
Killtimer said:
I'm on my second Killi, and they've been excellent for weather protection. Both the jacket and my HT overpants have been as waterproof as any waterproof/breathable garment I've ever owned.Tthe pants are going on 10 years old now. I hand wash every spring and treat with Nikwax Direct. Re-treating is a must or the outer Cordura shell will eventually loose it's ability to shed water and sponge up enough to be an issue. Once the shell becomes saturated, no laminate will be completely waterproof.

A few points on the jacket. All of the vents must be completely closed and the flaps well secured or the zippers will leak. This is especially true of the biceps vents. The only 100% permanently waterproof jacket, to quote Peter Egan, is one that's made out of the same material as a child's wading pool....but then you poach in your own sweat.
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Killtimer, are you saying that if the jacket has lost its ability to repel water treating it now will not do any good? I agree, it has been a great jacket and until I got wet I have had no issues with it. I did have the zippers and flaps closed on the day I got wet so that was not a contributing factor in my circumstance.
 
Every Spring I re-spray my Joe Rocket jacket with Scotchgard and have never had a problem. It always restores the moisture proofing,same with the Alter-ego pants. Between the excellent weather protection of the ST and my gear I've rarely had an issue with rain or getting soaked through. Marty
 
ckhkjh said:
Killtimer, are you saying that if the jacket has lost its ability to repel water treating it now will not do any good? I agree, it has been a great jacket and until I got wet I have had no issues with it. I did have the zippers and flaps closed on the day I got wet so that was not a contributing factor in my circumstance.
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Any breathable laminate construction will wick water through if the outer layer becomes totally waterlogged. Once the water repellent nature of the outer layer is restored, the inner laminate can do it's job. I'd give it a good wash as per the instructions on the jacket and re-treat.........unless you're just jonesing for a new jacket. :) It is possible that the inner laminate has been damaged somehow. :shrug2:

There are two schools of thought on washing waterproof/breathable laminates. I always hand wash all of mine, and living where I do, that's half my outer wear, because I believe that the nature of the spin cycle *could* damage the inner laminate. The degree of road scunge affects the garments ability to breathe so regular washing is a must IMO. As always YMMV etc.
 
Killtimer said:
Any breathable laminate construction will wick water through if the outer layer becomes totally waterlogged. Once the water repellent nature of the outer layer is restored, the inner laminate can do it's job. I'd give it a good wash as per the instructions on the jacket and re-treat.........unless you're just jonesing for a new jacket. :) It is possible that the inner laminate has been damaged somehow. :shrug2:

There are two schools of thought on washing waterproof/breathable laminates. I always hand wash all of mine, and living where I do, that's half my outer wear, because I believe that the nature of the spin cycle *could* damage the inner laminate. The degree of road scunge affects the garments ability to breathe so regular washing is a must IMO. As always YMMV etc.
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Killtimer- I am not jonesing for a new jacket at all. If I could get my Kili back in shape I have been plenty happy with it. A couple of questions for you though. Exactly what are you referring to when you say inner laminate? And how could it be determined wether or not the inner laminate was damaged. Thanks for your advice.
 
ckhkjh
Make sure you use the "Heavy Duty Scotchgard Water Repellant". I treat my 'Stitch at the beginning of each season and it works great. A bit expensive but 1 can is good for 2 treatments on a full suit.
 
ckhkjh said:
Killtimer- I am not jonesing for a new jacket at all. If I could get my Kili back in shape I have been plenty happy with it. A couple of questions for you though. Exactly what are you referring to when you say inner laminate? And how could it be determined wether or not the inner laminate was damaged. Thanks for your advice.
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Here's
a link to a description of some of the different stuff out there now. I should have said "inner component" of the laminate. FG among many others use their own variant of the original GoreTex. Some are more breathable some more waterproof, it's a balancing act. The Killi is a two ply design, Cordura nylon with a layer of the membrane impregnated into the inner side protected by a lining. If you shine a light through the lining holes you'll see a shiny surface, that's the inner skin, the wonder component. With a two ply design it's almost impossible to tell if the membrane is damaged, but if you wash and re-treat with any of the products that have been suggested and the jacket still leaks, it's probably a good bet there is damage.
 
I spray my Cortech jacket and pants with Camp Dry and I stay dry.

Other that a dedicated rainsuit, the only motorcycle gear I have ever owned that claims to be "waterproof" and has remained that way without subsequent treatment is Oxtar Matrix GoreTex boots. After last year's Northeast STOC events I have lots of evidence to support that.
 
Sounds like a new jacket is in order. If you want to make sure you stay dry all the time, invest in something with goretex. I myself have Cabelas Guidewear Parka and bibs. I wear my leather underneath and you are bone dry no matter how much it rains.
 
I have been using my Belstaff now and have been in some real downpours with it. So far it has been very good to me but I clean it and NixWax it every year to keep it that way. You can tell the difference when I clean it because is is more flexible and the zippers work nicely.

FWIY

Curt
 
I've used the heavy duty camping Scotchgard on my Stich suits for years and never, ever been wet. Even when caught in a tornado in 2005 just outside Winnipeg the only wetness was from myself on the inside!

Could be the quality and materials used by Areostich but like Dave's already written, I think the heavy duty outdoor "camping grade" Scotchgard certainly helps.
 
KIlltimer is right on the money with his recommendation of Nik products. Hand wash followed by immersion is the beST way to WP.
I haven't carried a rainsuit in many years.
 
ckhkjh said:
Killtimer- I am not jonesing for a new jacket at all. If I could get my Kili back in shape I have been plenty happy with it. A couple of questions for you though. Exactly what are you referring to when you say inner laminate? And how could it be determined wether or not the inner laminate was damaged. Thanks for your advice.
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I don't think you need a new jacket just a waterproof treatment. Nicwax (wash or direct) Camp dry or Scotch proof work. You will probably need to reapply at least once a year. I do on my older courtech jacket. I have a Gortex lined, non riding, jacket that keeps me dry but the outer shell gets soaked. I use Nicwax direct to waterproof the shell.
 
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