Nikwax all the way.

“Cleaning your GORE-TEX® garments regularly will extend the life of the product. It will also keep them breathable as dirt and oil can clog the GORE-TEX® membrane over time.
It is critical to wash jackets. Natural oils can damage the GORE-TEX® tape and adhesives causing a peeling effect.
Machine wash warm. Do not use fabric softener or bleach.
Remember to zip all pockets and close all Velcro cuffs before washing to prevent any damage caused by the machine.
Tumble dry on warm setting making sure not to use a high heat setting. Drying on warm will actually reactivate the DWR coating.”

 

I always use a delicate type laundry liquid rather than the hard core Tide/Gain/Cheer stuff. I agree with the Nikwax treatment as well. Good stuff.

 

We use Gore-Text drysuits down here. They get soiled with fish slime and often need cleaning. I'm particularly happy with how well Nikwax Tech Wash cleans Gore-Tex and other breathable fabrics.

Gore-Tex shouldn't need a DWR treatment and it might even clog the pores.

 

My Sitka jacket is a few years old (heavy use) I’ve never treated or even washed it and I haven't ran into problems.... yet.

 

Do not use regular detergent - it can ruin the gore-tex membrane.

warm water, hang dry.

Nikwax tech wash followed by their wash in treatment. Most outdoor stores carry the combo pack or its on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Nikwax-Hards...x-Hardshell-Clean-Waterproof-DUO-Pack/dp/B000PGOOIS?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_2597377011

 

I treat mine with disdain.

And Nikwax.

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I am with him....Gore-Tex is great for tourists

For serious stuff...check out what the loggers and hard core hikers are wearing.

 

Wash with NikWax, according to the directions. DO NOT wash the jacket with normal laundry detergent, no matter how gentle you think it might be. That detergent will clean the jacket, sure, but it's highly likely it will also adversely affect the DWR treatment of the exterior jacket material.

If the jacket is still repelling water, you don't need to apply DWR treatment.

Remember, the Goretex is a membrane sandwiched in between material. When you wash the jacket, you are primarily cleaning the outer layers. The material on which you see water beading off the jacket is s facing material to protect the GoreTex. When the material starts to no longer repel water, wash the jacket and apply a DWR treatment, whether spray-on or wash-in. NkkWax is the tried and true provider of these products, but there are s lot of options out there.

 

I too have used the Nikwax products for many years. Here's an article from REI about caring for Goretex:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/washing-goretex-outerwear.html

 

+1

 

My jacket started leaking and I treated it after a wash with a spray on product, but don't remember what it was, but it worked.
I live on the dry side and only need a rain jacket once every couple years. Plus I'm getting old and can't remember my own name sometimes

 

Usually mad amounts of BO, some gas, chew spit, spilt beer and then NikWax

 

Tx direct. The wash in is the lazy man's way and it works. The spray on after washing in tech wash is the kit. A couple coats then into the furnace room.

 

I said what you just wrote, info I believe I obtained on the web, to some NikWax reps at REI, and they told me just the opposite. The recommend wash-in.

I use both - wash-in, and the later touch up high exposure areas with spray on.

 

I never wash my gortex anymore cause as mentioned above started leaking. I do have a spray - can't even remember the name that I rarely use.

 

After the spay on is applied, don't they recommend then putting it in the drier?
It has been years since I did it, but if I recall correctly those were the instructions back then.
Revive-X or something like that was the brand.
SF

 

https://www.gearaid.com/products/revivex-water-repellent-wash?variant=12133533450309

This stuff....wash in, tumble dry.

 

SERIOUSLY....once you get off the trail it don't work.

 

So like in the woods it works but it doesn’t in the city? Please elaborate. I guided for 10 years and Gore-Tex (especially pro-shell) is the ONLY thing that works.

 

SERIOUSLY.....

 

I have discovered a product called Revive and it made my old Simms jacket waterproof again. I used the spray on version. You spray in on liberally so its really wet and put in the dryer on medium heat. presto it really works

 

Lots of good info here. I'll probably go with the Nikwax wash and treatment.

And, if gor-tex makes me a tourist, then so be it. I have a set of HH rain gear that I'll wear when conditions merit it, but I like the flexibility and breath-ability of gor-tex. It's more than durable enough for most of the fishing I do. There's nothing wrong with my coat, no rips, tears or leaks; I just want to keep it functioning well into the future. thx

 

Ok....try two....SERIOUSLY. That bottle of wine didn't help and lost the whole posting....before hitting post.

So here goes....There is a difference between "working" in the woods and being a tourist. The Forest Service issued a great Gore-Tex jacket with fleece liner. Everybody wore it in field reviews...... standing around in the rain and talking. Emphasis on "standing".

Link one...my history and view on "outdoor clothes". This give you background....

http://usbackroads.blogspot.com/2012/11/usbackroads-destination-woodburn-oregon.html

Link two....over garments

http://usbackroads.blogspot.com/2010/08/over-garments.html

Link three...under garments

http://usbackroads.blogspot.com/2010/08/under-garments-for-backroads.html

Link four....omni-heat jacket

http://usbackroads.blogspot.com/2011/04/omni-heat-jackets-columbia-sportsware.html

IF it works for you....stick with it. IF Gore-Tex works for you and you don't need anything more...go for it.

As a Forester, Gore-Tex didn't work for field work. It works fine for fishing and hiking trails or standing around talking.

I don't take it bird hunting....that is too much like work except for the brush.

Wear the appropriate clothes. IF all your doing is playing tourist, don't over do it. There is no reason.

I guess given my work history I am much, much more cautious about clothes in adverse environments, particularly as I get older.

 

Recommending Columbia pretty much negates any credibility you had. Nothing speaks tourist more than Columbia.

 

Really?! Carhartts and cotton? From an industry that plans on getting in their truck parked at the job site?

 

I worked in the Western WA weather for the better part of 40 years. When I was single it was off to Forks on friday night. I worked in the mountains and many construction projects. Many of those years were before Gore-Tex. Most of us wore high quality rain gear, Helly Hansen, Mustang or Gudmanson(?). The Gore-Tex wasn't cost effective, and too fragile. About the time I retired the Iron Workers started wearing Filson 'oiled tin' pants and cruiser jackets (very spendy). They would complain about the HH 'not breathing'. Way back in the old days if a logger showed up in rain gear the 'bull of the woods' would stay "are you here to work or stay dry?" Do 3 1/2 years at Satsop, you'll figure out what works.

 

Do 3 1/2 years at Satsop, you'll figure out what works.

Care to elucidate? I'd love to hear - really. I grew up in different conditions.

 

My comment was in the context of outdoor recreation: fishing, hunting, backcountry river trips, etc. Running a saw in the brush all day is vastly different. I’ve done both (trail work in the Bob Marshall and guiding/recreating all over the west).

For recreation, a pro-shell jacket is the cats meow. And the only thing that will keep you as comfortable as you can be in wet and cold conditions that the PNW and Alaska can dish out.

After seeing the performance of Arcteryx in AK, I gave in and bought one after having numerous mid-range jackets. Wish I woulda just spent the money up front.

 

Wow, this is an interesting thread, but let's recap..

I asked for recommendations for washing and treating my goretex jacket. The thread is now about whether or not goretex sucks and is only for people who pose in the woods.

Not complaining, I know where I stand (or pose as it were). Keep em coming.

Meanwhile I just ordered the nikwax wash and treatment for our goretex jackets.

 

If

Wow, this is an interesting thread, but let's recap..

I asked for recommendations for washing and treating my goretex jacket. The thread is now about whether or not goretex sucks and is only for people who pose in the woods.

Not complaining, I know where I stand (or pose as it were). Keep em coming.

Meanwhile I just ordered the nikwax wash and treatment for our goretex jackets.

If you have major issues with it, give Simms a call. If that doesn't work, call gore-Tex directly. All gore products carry a lifetime guarantee.