How waterproof is your anorak? (3 Viewers)

[scampo]

I would second what you wrote concerning Nikwax. It does a pretty good job of reproofing the outerlayer. I think most gore-tex items while keeping you dry because of the membrane layer lose waterproofing on the outside layer. Nikwax does seem to help here.

Mike

They're available in the US, too, then, Mike? It's good to think that a small British company is prospering in such a tough market! But they do have a particularly innovative and good product.

 

[Andrew]

Scampo,
I have actually had a demonstration and try of the Paramo coats in an independent specialist retailer who was pretty clued up and was very impressed but the price made me go away and think. That was last year and I have saved up as well as experienced the final straw when my Regatta got soaked on the outside. I was impressed with the Nikwax too. The dealer usually gives me a healthy discount too so that will be a factor when I look tomorrow.

Diane,
Thanks for telling me that. Should have used the words stair rods, that is 'real' rain!

 

[Edward woodwood]

Birders? Anoraks? perish the thought

I use Phoenix Gore-tex shell coat
cost me £125 about 17 years ago.
It's the business and has been everywhere with me
windproof too and mega light

 

[Andrew]

Hi Tim,
Tried Googling Phoenix and got a lot of crap, hard to track them down. You got a link handy?

 

[trealawboy]

trelawboy,
The Keela on Birdnet so well modelled by tom mckinney (I think) looks the biz and seems quite functional but I need to see one and wear it before buying it. It is a bit of a gamble for me to buy one over the net and could be that I don't like it. I hope Tom chips in with a few words on this model.

That was my philosophy too. Keela sent me a list of UK stockists. I phoned the one up in Brecon and as it happened they were ordering from Keela that day. I ordered one on a non-commitment basis.

A week later the jacket was in the shop. I tried it on an it fitted a treat, size large. It fits well, the fabric is great. Maybe a tad heavier than a County Innovations jacket, but certainly very comfortable, and I've worn it for three full days in the filed in the wind and very, very heavy rain. It has zippers for a inner fleece if required and a number of outher nice touches. Its easily as good if not better than the likes of Berghaus etc.

I really like the front pockets for those notebooks and filedguides though. That's what set me onto this jacket in the first place after seeing one in the Birdfair. I actually got a carbon/black rather than the greenish one on Birdnet.

 

[trealawboy]

trelawboy,
The Keela on Birdnet so well modelled by tom mckinney (I think) looks the biz and seems quite functional but I need to see one and wear it before buying it. It is a bit of a gamble for me to buy one over the net and could be that I don't like it. I hope Tom chips in with a few words on this model.

That was my philosophy too. Keela sent me a list of UK stockists. I phoned the one up in Brecon and as it happened they were ordering from Keela that day. I ordered one on a non-commitment basis.

A week later the jacket was in the shop. I tried it on an it fitted a treat, size large. It fits well, the fabric is great. Maybe a tad heavier than a County Innovations jacket, but certainly very comfortable, and I've worn it for three full days in the filed in the wind and very, very heavy rain. It has zippers for a inner fleece if required and a number of other nice touches. Its easily as good if not better than the likes of Berghaus etc.

I really like the front pockets for those notebooks and filedguides though. That's what set me onto this jacket in the first place after seeing one in the Birdfair. I actually got a carbon/black rather than the greenish one on Birdnet.

 

[Edward woodwood]

Hi Tim,
Tried Googling Phoenix and got a lot of crap, hard to track them down. You got a link handy?

Hi Andrew
the company was bought out by Karrimor in 93
they only got the name though!
the people respnsible carries on as these http://www.omegaperformance.co.uk/history.htm

Phoenix was at the forefront in the development of specialist, high quality backpacking and mountaineering tents before becoming one of the very few pioneers in the use of Gore-tex fabrics in clothing. Hot air Seam taping had not even been invented then, seams were sealed with glue often from the outside leaving a fairly unsightly mess.

In clothing the Phoenix Crystal, Magma, Opal and Diamond jackets became industry standards for climbers and walkers and Phoenix Gore-tex fabric skiwear became the brand to aspire to for any dedicated skier. The British Alpine and Freestyle Teams were sponsored for the longest time in their history with superb innovative clothing also available to the keenest skiers. Phoenix became synonymous with high quality, reliable cutting edge products like the Black Diamond, and the company employed up to 150 people at this stage.

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP

Karrimor International acquired Phoenix in 1993 but by 1996 the company had reduced in size by about 90% with the brand all but invisible, the workforce almost gone and production almost all moved offshore.

Not surprisingly Ken, Alan and Pam left and began Omega Outdoor where the long held principles of quality British manufacture have been re-established.

 

[michaelboustead]

They're available in the US, too, then, Mike? It's good to think that a small British company is prospering in such a tough market! But they do have a particularly innovative and good product.

Kind of surprised. Nikwax is pretty much accepted as standard in US for almost all waterproofing of garments-recommended by most manufacturers. Also has a line of conditioners and waterproofing for leather, suede and whatever they make boots from nowadays. The stuff for hiking boots is VERY good.

I was a boy scout 40 years ago and I remember how heavy outdoor gear was and how it never really kept you dry. Maybe somethings have gotten better?

Stay safe

Mike

 

[Andrew]

Thanks Tim for that, I shall look them up now and keep their stuff in mind.

Basically I shall be going to every hiking shop and trying everything on to see what the best appears to be. I shall also ask the staff to run some water over the fabric. I am not keen on ordering over the net unless I have seen and tried one on myself. That is about the best I can do and we have some good hiking shops in Exeter with Dartmoor so close.

 

[scampo]

Scampo,
I have actually had a demonstration and try of the Paramo coats in an independent specialist retailer who was pretty clued up and was very impressed but the price made me go away and think. That was last year and I have saved up as well as experienced the final straw when my Regatta got soaked on the outside. I was impressed with the Nikwax too. The dealer usually gives me a healthy discount too so that will be a factor when I look tomorrow.

Diane,
Thanks for telling me that. Should have used the words stair rods, that is 'real' rain!

Good luck on the discount front, Andrew. I've been lucky but generally I think Paramo frown on the idea!

 

[scampo]

Kind of surprised. Nikwax is pretty much accepted as standard in US for almost all waterproofing of garments-recommended by most manufacturers. Also has a line of conditioners and waterproofing for leather, suede and whatever they make boots from nowadays. The stuff for hiking boots is VERY good.

I was a boy scout 40 years ago and I remember how heavy outdoor gear was and how it never really kept you dry. Maybe somethings have gotten better?

Stay safe

Mike

You're right about the Nikwax for boots - it's the best there is and also has the added benefit of making the leather that bit more comfortable. I wouldn't use anything else.

The past? I can remember being bought a new yellow cape for cycling when I was a young lad of about eleven. I loved it at the time but the merest hint of wind and it acted like a sail - which was good only if the wind was with you.

 

[Birdbrain]

The Rover jacket from Country Innovations what more can i say.

 

[JohnnyH]

I've got a Berghaus RG1 jacket, totally waterproof, no annoying cuffs, easy to fold up into a backpack & a bargain at sixty quid from Millets. If I need to add an extra layer in cold weather I combine it with a fleece.

Cheers,

John.

 

[scampo]

I've got a Berghaus RG1 jacket, totally waterproof, no annoying cuffs, easy to fold up into a backpack & a bargain at sixty quid from Millets. If I need to add an extra layer in cold weather I combine it with a fleece.

Cheers,

John.

I almost bought a similar coat - Millets can be very good on price. Sadly, they are not made for a 6'4" frame, being too short in length for us tall ones.

 

[Birdbrain]

Is there a thread on BF that is for clothing if not there should be what do you all think.

 

[Andrew]

I've got a Berghaus RG1 jacket, totally waterproof, no annoying cuffs, easy to fold up into a backpack & a bargain at sixty quid from Millets. If I need to add an extra layer in cold weather I combine it with a fleece.

Cheers,

John.

Got that one and it is a cracker, it really is waterproof with every drop running off but I need a proper winter jacket I can wear with a fleece. The RG1 does not go over my fleece too well or comfortably. It is good on it's own as a summer lightweight and esily packable jacket. Never regretted buying this one and it is the cause of despite for my Regatta.

 

[Birdbrain]

Well its something we all have to wear so why not and how much of a job it can be to find the right gear to wear.

 

[Geoff Brown]

I have an old Vaude jacket with about ten pockets in it, which was the main reason I bought it years ago. Although you can soon look completely soaked it has always kept me dry on the inside where it matters. sadly however it seems that Vaude are no longer available in this country. :C

 

[Bill@dwp]

I have a Country Innovation Falcon jacket and I find it very good. It's waterproof and windproof and doesn't rustle, although I do put a fleece underneath in very cold conditions. It's very lightweight and does fold/roll up to go into a rucksack.

My only gripe is that I bought mine just before they brought a version out for women and the sleeves are a bit long for me, despite it being the smallest size. I'm not about to go out and spend another £95 though, just for shorter sleeves. Strangely, the women's version still fastens up the men's way, though.

Hi Diane

I definitely want something that folds up as I do go walking as well. Are they easy to clean and do they need reproofing with stuff like Nikwax?

 

[trealawboy]

I have an old Vaude jacket with about ten pockets in it, which was the main reason I bought it years ago. Although you can soon look completely soaked it has always kept me dry on the inside where it matters. sadly however it seems that Vaude are no longer available in this country. :C

Oh yes they are ... and very good it is too. Try

Vaude UK - Chris Davison Agencies Ltd. Unit 6c Greensfield Park
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 2DE
01665 510660
01665 510609
[email protected]
http://www.vaude-uk.com