Waterproofing older rain gear and outerwear

bard

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 2, 2013
Messages
132
I got older Kuiu gear. Guide jacket, attack pants, and Chugach rain coat and pants. I have never treated them with any water proofing sprays or washes in the past. Just wondering if its worth the time and if so what works for others.
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
4,867
Location
Colorado
I also use the NIKWAX tech wash and the TX direct for my outerwear at the start of every season. I think I have been doing this for 6-7 years now. So far it has been working well.
 

Wrench

WKR
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Messages
5,665
Location
WA
If the membrane is compromised, it's done. If it's just dirty, washing will help and retreating with dwr spray will add some shedding abilities. I choose revivex by gear aid based on the reviews I found and it worked as expected.
 

dtrkyman

WKR
Joined
Oct 2, 2014
Messages
2,974
I have had some old Gander Mountain rain gear stashed in my friends boat for years, went fishing last fall and was like oh no, total wash out for two days and figured I would be drenched.

Bone dry fishing all day in steady rain to down pour.

I have used nikwax on my other rain gear and it works well.
 
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
4
The 2 part NIKWAX works well when you follow the directions, they also have a spray version of the TX Direct.
 
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,037
Location
oregon coast
I have an original kuiu chugach (has to be 10yrs old) and I still wear it winter steelhead fishing when fishing mobile, the membrane is compromised and has some small holes from rubbing, but I scotch guard it heavily and it works pretty well for the purpose, when water quits beading, I treat it again… I would not consider it suitable for anything stationary in the rain, but it sheds water pretty well if I’m moving

I am finally retiring it because I have a kutana jacket that’s in decent condition, and I will do the same thing to it

I would wear it hunting mobile in bad weather, but wouldn’t use it for stationary hunting in the rain
 
Joined
Sep 28, 2018
Messages
1,737
Location
VA
I have an original kuiu chugach (has to be 10yrs old) and I still wear it winter steelhead fishing when fishing mobile, the membrane is compromised and has some small holes from rubbing, but I scotch guard it heavily and it works pretty well for the purpose, when water quits beading, I treat it again… I would not consider it suitable for anything stationary in the rain, but it sheds water pretty well if I’m moving

I am finally retiring it because I have a kutana jacket that’s in decent condition, and I will do the same thing to it

I would wear it hunting mobile in bad weather, but wouldn’t use it for stationary hunting in the rain

AAAAH PLEASE STOP "refreshing" your rain gear with scotch guard.

scotch guard is literally PFAS...
 
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