Rain suit

[Duayne]

Straight from the Gore-Tex site:

First introduced in 1978, GORE-TEX® fabric is created when we laminate our patented GORE-TEX® membrane to high-performance textiles, which are then used by authorized garment manufacturers to make outerwear, accessories, and footwear.

[Duayne]

What's the life expectancy of a GORE-TEX® garment?

It really depends on you. The GORE-TEX® membrane won't deteriorate with time, and our garments are guaranteed to be durably waterproof and breathable. Just use common sense and wear your garment for its intended use; i.e, don't wear a lightweight cycling jacket on a backcountry camping trip. And obviously, a ski instructor who wears his or her garment every day will need to buy a new one sooner than a skier who takes his or her garment out twice a year will. If you maintain your garment properly, you can expect it to last.

[Duayne]

Why do GORE-TEX® garments need seam tape?
The holes made by needles in seams may be small, but they can cause leaks. That’s why even the most waterproof, breathable, windproof fabric won’t keep you dry and comfortable if the seams are not completely sealed.

For absolute weatherproofness, GORE-TEX® garments rely on the Micro GORE-SEAM® tape technology. Seam tape is used to completely seal every tiny hole created by sewing machine needles when GORE-TEX® fabric is made into garments.

No other fabric manufacturer goes to such lengths to ensure total weather protection. In addition to manufacturing our own GORE-SEAM® Tape, only Gore consistently tests finished garments to ensure they pass our meticulous quality and performance standards.

[Duayne]

How can I restore my garment's water repellency?
You can totally restore a GORE™ product's durable water repellency (DWR) by using a topical DWR treatment product for outdoor fabrics, available at outdoor retail stores. (Note: We do not recommend wash-in treatments.) These special treatments help maintain and restore the DWR on the outer shell fabric of the product so that it remains water and stain repellent. Anyone can properly maintain the DWR on a GORE™ product.

When water no longer beads on your garment's outer fabric, simply apply a topical DWR treatment product according to its directions.

[psvec]

thanks guys just placed my order with bass pro shops

[Oldlures]

Guys, Thanks for the posts on Gore-tex care and re-furbishing; I have learned a lot . . very informative! I have a Cabelas Winter Gortex-tex set of Guidewear that I bought in '97 and I need to wash them and apparently re-coat topically. I also have Bass Pro Shop Gore-tex rain suit I have washed them every year and also put them in the dryer when I come home . . this seems to keep them repellent.
I guess what I am trying to add to what I have learned is . . that everyone needs to read and ahere to the instructions on the tag in the garment.

[alycat]

Reviex also makes a spray on treatment that will work also depending on the care instructions of your suit. It's made by the McNett corp. They also make cleaning soloutions for washing the suit. What was happening was called "wet out",where the water didn't bead up anymore. " Outerwear sheds water thats it's job. But even under normal conditions, the coating on outerwear eventually stops sheding water. Reviex water repelent restores your garment's original coatings so water beads up and runs off. It's part of a comprehinsive line of care products from Gear Aid." As quoted from the label on the bottle. All I can say is after 5 hours of fishing in the rain yesterday I was dry on the ride home.