Bushwalk Australia

My latest rain jacket has not lasted long before the Pertex lining has begun seriously degrading. I bought it in 2019, but between lockdowns, good weather, and other factors, it really hasn't been worn many times at all.

I'm a bit sick of buying gear that doesn't last, and contributing to the mountain of synthetic waste.

So, I'm after any recommendations for rain protection that will last 10+ years. Is there any? How do you find it?

Hi Stevage
Snowgum does a couple, good quality and very inexpensive.
Durable but heavy, full length cut
https://snowgum.com.au/products/snowgum ... y&Size=3XS
Light three layer, shorter cut
https://snowgum.com.au/products/snowgum ... ate&Size=S
John

Goodness me.
Stuff isn't made the way it used to be, and so darned well at that.

I occasionally dig out my (very) old red/black Mountain Hardware GoreTex coat that was bought from Snowgum in Bendigo waaaay back in 1991! It has been around the world with me in packs, cars, on bikes and shopping bags, keeping me dry and warm in the wilds of Tasmania, Queensland, Western Australia and New Zealand. There are no holes, scuffs, tears or stains, although the elastic at the hem and in the hood will need changing. Maybe even a re-proofing? It begs the question: why is it a raincoat made 30+ years ago outshines in longevity many of today's raincoats? If materials are supposedly better today than back then, but failures and shortcoming still occur, what is happening? QC in Asia??

I'm sure there are very reliable marques out there worth investigating e.g. Arc'Teryx, Mont (especially!), Mountain Designs, Paddy Pallin, RAB, OR (Outdoor Research)... the only considerations setting so many offering apart are the features, weight and cost.

Hi Stevage,

When you say that the Pertex lining has begun "seriously degrading" what do you mean? What is actually happening to it?

Many different "Pertex" fabric too

The 30 year jacket probably has PFAS in it.

3 layer jackets are heavier and more durable.
I have found either 3 layer or 2.5 layer Goretex more durable, alot of the other cheaper jackets eventually peel and flake.
10 years is a reasonable lifespan for a goretex or Pertex jacket used regulary. my last Marmot Goretex 2.5 layer lasted 10 years and so did the pertex Marmot that preceeded it. I do wash them and reproof them occasionally.
But when you get seriously wet after bushwalking in the rain for a day its time to replace them.

Dave95 wrote:Hi Stevage,

When you say that the Pertex lining has begun "seriously degrading" what do you mean? What is actually happening to it?

The lining is completely falling apart, such that there are big holes in it, around the shoulders. No longer usable as a rainjacket.

I'm seriously considering an oldschool oilskin Japara (eg https://everythingaustralian.com.au/oil ... black.html). Is that a crazy idea?

stevage wrote:
I'm seriously considering an oldschool oilskin Japara (eg https://everythingaustralian.com.au/oil ... black.html). Is that a crazy idea?

Possibly not. I have a very old japara that I use very occasionally. Does the job. But have tried it only for brief periods. E.g. one hour at most. Not sure how comfortable it would be if worn all day.