Waterproofs!

Golfmmad

Golfmmad

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Sorry if this has been done before.

After getting absolutely soaked the other week in a comp, I'm thinking of replacing waterproofs - well, not so waterproof any more. Why are they not called keep you dry suits? :rolleyes:

As I was dragged round Marks& Sparks this evening by HID,was looking at the golf clothing and saw a really nice waterproof suit. Waterproof,windproof and breathable with water tight zips as well. Cost £89 and thought was very good value.

My question is, do you think it worth only paying £89 knowing that some will cost £250-£300? I'm a great believer in, "You get what you pay for". But at the same time with M&S returns policy, probably worth taking a chance,
What do you think?

Golfmmad.
 
Unless you're going to play in the rain every week, I can't see the point in paying Galvin Green prices. They are the best - no doubt but spending £500 on keeping dry?

I'd go for it - as long as its breathable.
 
I had a rain suit from there about ten years ago. It did the job great for about six months before starting to leak. I think you can pick up some pretty good suits these days without the need to break the bank on Galvin Green although if money was no object......

I rate the proquip gear highly and have been using my suit in really bad weather for a year now and its still as good as gold. I got it here

http://www.clubhousegolf.co.uk/acatalog/Complete_Suit_Deals.html

and they seem to still be doing some decent deals.
 
I use Galvin Green waterproofs and weather gear and it is definitely the best. You can get a Galvin suit for a lot less than you think. You just have to shop around as stores do have reductions on it sometimes. There is also Ebay as well which has some good buys on it if you know what you are looking for try and make sure you buy from a recognised Golf seller on there though as there are a few fakes flying around.
 
hi there, im now on my 3rd set of waterproofs in 4 years and ive gone for galvin green gortex and i wish id bit the bullet and gone for them in the first place because i feel i would have only had to shell out once.I would definatley reccomend you pay the extra and get some good wet weather gear
 
Is Gortex all its cracked up to be, wore a J Lindeberg Paclite jacket this morning and it was just light rain for 6 holes but when i took it of it was soaked right thru now i only worn it half a dozen times because my Galvin Green jacket leaks due to age ?.
 
I have just Nikwax treated my old Sunderland waterproofs. They are now great in the rain again. The Nikwax blurb states that the cause of leakage is down to dirt building up in the material, so you tech wash them first. If they have been washed using detergent this will also contribute. I washed the washing machine first, to eliminate detergent, then used the tech wash, then the waterproofing.
It is worth the £12 to see if you can save the expense of a new set of waterproofs.
 
I played 9-holes this morning, it was throwing it down, coming from all angles in the wind.

I went into the clubhouse, took off my Galvin Greens and was bone dry underneath. More than can be said for many others in there.

Worth every penny.
 
I've been looking for decent waterproofs for years (originally for walking/climbing but now for golf). Have bought cheap & have bought expensive but always got (eventually) wet.

But have not been wet in the nether regions since I bought my Galvin Green overtrews.

As to the question about Goretex - I've always thought it's been over sold. Yes, it keeps water out, but it's marketed on the fact that you don't get wet due to sweat (ie that's why it's supposed to be better than wearing a plastic bag). But when it's raining you have vapour pressure of 100% outside, and vapour pressure of 100% inside (due to sweat) therefore no benefit. It's great as a windproof but I've never been convinced as a waterproof
 
Is Gortex all its cracked up to be, wore a J Lindeberg Paclite jacket this morning and it was just light rain for 6 holes but when i took it of it was soaked right thru now i only worn it half a dozen times because my Galvin Green jacket leaks due to age ?.
Click to expand...
I thought Galvin Green had a lifetime warranty?
 
As I understand it from my yachting days. Gore-tex breathable membrane basically works due to the temperature difference betwen the inside of the suit and the outside. Which is why in yachting kit, it's not used in the seat area. As when sat on a warm, wet deck in a very warm climate, it reverses the process and actually lets water into the suit.

Gore-Tex works best when you have the suit all zipped up, not undone or with the zip half way down. It also helps not to wear natuaral fibres underneath it, ie cotton particularly, (chinos, t-shirts etc), as this just retains moisture and soaks it up like a sponge. Gore-Tex won't even work with heavy cotton clothing.

Unless you're prepared to purchase or already have the correct clothing to wear underneath Gore-Tex, I'd probably say that you're wasting your money.

Personally, I think that Gore-Tex Pac-Lite is too light weight.

I've used Gore-Tex for years on the water, and I wouldn't use anything else. Yes it is expensive, compared to some, but it's generally worth it. It just depends if you're a run back to the car if it starts raining, or carry on playing type of person.

Essentially there are two different ways to prduce a waterproof / breathable suit.

The Gore-Tex method places the Gore-Tex membrane between an outer fabric, and an inner scrim fabric. These two outer layers provide protection to the Gore-Tex membrane from the outside world and from internal abrasion from you (elbows pareticularly). When an older waterproof suit 'wets out' (ie the water doesn't bead off the garment like a recently waxed car), it doesn't mean to say that the suit isn't waterproof anymore. As it's the middle membrane that's actually the waterproof part.

The other method is to take an outer fabric (normally nylon), and spray a waterproof agent over the fabric. Waterproofs made this way are generally cheaper, and less breathable.

All watereproofs should be tape seamed. Which means that a waterproof tape is applied to all th seams in the suit. It's the seams, and their stitching holes that can let in a lot of water. The best suits are tape seamed on every seam. The cheaper suits might only be tape seamed in critical areas, ie across the shoulders, but may not be under the arms. The easy way to tell, is to gently fold about half an inch either side of the seam. The edges of the taping should be quite clear. Or if the item is not lined, justlook inside.

Sorry to have gone on. (Apologies for any spelling errors!)


For Gore-Tex's own words, here you go.

http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellite/content/how-does-it-work
 
Hi golfmad I purhased a set of Proquip waterproofs 2 years ago absolutely superb paid approx £140 from my local American Golf store,recommend them to anybody
 
Thanks to all for feedback, it's much appreciated.
As I'm on a limited budget it looks like it's between the M&S suit and the Proquip one. Although I like the idea of re-waterproofing, the zip areas won't be waterproof.
Finally, thanks to Hapless for the in depth report of Gore-Tex fabric, interesting.

Golfmmad.
 
just about the re proofing your kit done it a few times with wailking and climbing gear never seems to work to well and make the washing machine smell a bit (wife not happy with this part)
 
I just ordered the new galvin green ashford jacket, had the Akin one for a year and cant see me ever going away from GG, they are awesome. ok they are expensive but i wear mine to the football, out walking etc etc easilly got my monies worth.
 
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