Talk to me about wet-weather walking?
Discussion
I walk in all weathers and would recommend a decent lightweight waterproof coat that fits you and a pair of waterproof trousers. Keep them for wet weather only and don't wash them and they'll wick away the water beautifully. I've found if I buy just one coat and wear it every day when it's cold, or I wash a coat (which has to happen eventually if you wear it every day in winter), it'll always lose its waterproof barrier coating and nothing I try will bring it back.
Regarding shoes, I just wear my usual shoes and take a spare pair of socks with me on long walks. Has anyone tried those walking shoes with a liner in them? I've always been worried that my feet would sweat and the lining would rub, so I'd be interested in people's experiences.
Regarding shoes, I just wear my usual shoes and take a spare pair of socks with me on long walks. Has anyone tried those walking shoes with a liner in them? I've always been worried that my feet would sweat and the lining would rub, so I'd be interested in people's experiences.
RobM77 said:
. I've found if I buy just one coat and wear it every day when it's cold, or I wash a coat (which has to happen eventually if you wear it every day in winter), it'll always lose its waterproof barrier coating and nothing I try will bring it back.
Nikwax Techwash followed by their TX Wash-in Waterpoofer works pretty well. I always do all my bike kit and walking gear in it.RizzoTheRat said:
RobM77 said:
. I've found if I buy just one coat and wear it every day when it's cold, or I wash a coat (which has to happen eventually if you wear it every day in winter), it'll always lose its waterproof barrier coating and nothing I try will bring it back.
Nikwax Techwash followed by their TX Wash-in Waterpoofer works pretty well. I always do all my bike kit and walking gear in it.I guess you followed the standard instructions on the back?
I had a similar thread over in Sports talking about mountain kit. Lots of the same stuff talked about here. I found after endless research that Decathlon stuff is very good and well priced. I got a waterproof jacket in there, 15,000mm hh (very waterproof), RET=6 (good breathability), under arm vents, hood, taped seems, £80. Equivalent Bearghaus etc was over £200.
RizzoTheRat said:
RobM77 said:
. I've found if I buy just one coat and wear it every day when it's cold, or I wash a coat (which has to happen eventually if you wear it every day in winter), it'll always lose its waterproof barrier coating and nothing I try will bring it back.
Nikwax Techwash followed by their TX Wash-in Waterpoofer works pretty well. I always do all my bike kit and walking gear in it.RizzoTheRat said:
RobM77 said:
. I've found if I buy just one coat and wear it every day when it's cold, or I wash a coat (which has to happen eventually if you wear it every day in winter), it'll always lose its waterproof barrier coating and nothing I try will bring it back.
Nikwax Techwash followed by their TX Wash-in Waterpoofer works pretty well. I always do all my bike kit and walking gear in it.xx99xx said:
Tumble drying (if recommended on the label) helps to improve breathability whilst the spray/wash in waterproofer will top up the Durable Water Repellency. DWR is important as once a jacket starts holding water, it is less breathable. The waterproof membrane keeps you dry though, if a little humid on the inside.
Beat me to it. Just tech washed, re-proofed & tumbled my Gore Tex Pro jacket as it was letting in a small amount of rain. Beads up lovely again now rather than wetting out. 
LordHaveMurci said:
xx99xx said:
Tumble drying (if recommended on the label) helps to improve breathability whilst the spray/wash in waterproofer will top up the Durable Water Repellency. DWR is important as once a jacket starts holding water, it is less breathable. The waterproof membrane keeps you dry though, if a little humid on the inside.
Beat me to it. Just tech washed, re-proofed & tumbled my Gore Tex Pro jacket as it was letting in a small amount of rain. Beads up lovely again now rather than wetting out. popeyewhite said:
LordHaveMurci said:
xx99xx said:
Tumble drying (if recommended on the label) helps to improve breathability whilst the spray/wash in waterproofer will top up the Durable Water Repellency. DWR is important as once a jacket starts holding water, it is less breathable. The waterproof membrane keeps you dry though, if a little humid on the inside.
Beat me to it. Just tech washed, re-proofed & tumbled my Gore Tex Pro jacket as it was letting in a small amount of rain. Beads up lovely again now rather than wetting out. xx99xx said:
If it's mud and general fresh dirt, a wipe/hose down is sufficient. It's the ground in dirt that necessitates the washing machine. I only wear mine occasionally (few times a week) in the winter and it probably only needs 1 wash a year. Collar and cuffs are the worst bits, but then I don't generally treck around rural areas or fall over in piles of mud to need more frequent washing. Even my extremely breathable (apparently) gore Tex shell is too hot to wear in summer rain so I tend to just use an umbrella or no protection when it's warm.
Ah, Ok. I don't get my jackets (hiking, skiing) very dirty at all, it's mostly rain and snow and I think I've only ever washed my Gtx shell after sweating post-running. Might have a look at my skiing jacket now. Or buy a new one 
Easternlight said:
I know it's a big high end name brand, but I like Paramo gear.
Bought far too much of it really but it generally does what it says, at the end of the day it's just using Nikwax waterproofing, but it is nice to wear.
I tend to wear their Bentu windproof and fleece combo a lot as it's light and versitile.
https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-rang...
https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-rang...
I also use an Altar 2 Jacket and their cascada waterproof trousers, but they are warm and only really any good when its pretty cold.
I'm bit of a Paramo fan boy Bought far too much of it really but it generally does what it says, at the end of the day it's just using Nikwax waterproofing, but it is nice to wear.
I tend to wear their Bentu windproof and fleece combo a lot as it's light and versitile.
https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-rang...
https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-rang...
I also use an Altar 2 Jacket and their cascada waterproof trousers, but they are warm and only really any good when its pretty cold.
After spending many years and thousands of pounds on various eVent and Goretex jackets, my brother gave me one of his old Paramo MRT jackets and it was a revelation.All my Goretex and eVent jackets would eventually get wet inside from perspiration, as you'd expect when working hard, but once wet inside they stay wet. Paramo is the opposite. Yes, you'll get wet from sweat, but the Analogy fabric will actually wick the moisture away and dry you out. I've put a Paramo jacket over a wet base layer and it's been dry after about 15 minutes.
On a fairly mild wet day I'll wear Paramo on its own with nothing underneath. On a cold day (down to low single figures) I'll wear a wicking base layer too. Anything near or below zero I'll chuck on a fleece and/or a gillet as well.
You can repair your Paramo kit with a needle and thread and it will still work as intended, no patches/glue required. Reproofing is easy using Nikwax stuff, but I seldom need to do it. You can send it back to Paramo for reproofing if you'd rather which is FOC for life IIRC.
I also like the hoods on Paramo jackets, loads of adjustment and I can always get it just right, regardless of what hat/helmet I'm wearing. Because Analogy fabric is soft and silky, the hood moves with your head and doesn't effect your vision, unlike some Goretex jackets which are like having your head in a stiff plastic bag.
I can't be doing with their trousers though. I wear Mountain Equipment Ibex pants which are shower proof, and throw on a pair of Berghaus Deluge waterproof over-trousers if it's really chucking it down. I don't tend to get sweaty legs though.
Like I said, bit of a fan boy. I now spend thousands of pounds on Paramo jackets, baselayers and gillets instead
Trying to avoid creating a new topic just for this, so I'll bump this one.
Anyone wear Dedrikson gear?
I was in Blacks, or maybe Cotswold Outdoor, or somewhere like that and tried on a Dedrikson Kenny parka. Like it especially as I'm having difficulty finding proper, full length, warm & waterproof coat - but at £250 I want to be certain. I fear it may be too warm/hot for down here in the South, except for maybe one or two days a year.
Anyone have direct experience you care to share?
Ta
LordGrover said:
Trying to avoid creating a new topic just for this, so I'll bump this one.
Anyone wear Dedrikson gear?
I was in Blacks, or maybe Cotswold Outdoor, or somewhere like that and tried on a Dedrikson Kenny parka. Like it especially as I'm having difficulty finding proper, full length, warm & waterproof coat - but at £250 I want to be certain. I fear it may be too warm/hot for down here in the South, except for maybe one or two days a year.
Anyone have direct experience you care to share?
Ta
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