Lifespan of waterproof jackets?

I've got waterproof ski gear (pullover and pants) over 30 years old that are still good.

Also have a Mt Hardware gortex shell and a 3/4 length hooded gortex jacket that are both over 5 yrs old w/minimal wear.

Even have a pair of light vinyl fold away pants that'll fit in your pocket that are well over 20 yrs old.

I think it all depends on how much and how hard you use your gear. Mine gets pretty light use which accounts for its longevity. Sounds like you are just harder on yours.

amandaeve wrote: »

I should add all 3 are fine in light rain, it's only in the heavy downpours that I have problems.

What can I say?

I also have a 30 yr old two piece gortex motorcycle riding suit made by Aerostich that has been thru some torrential storms.

Still useable to this day. It would get a little wet in the crotch in heavy storms where water puddles, if I didn't remember to seal the seams but no problem if I did.

mine's pretty meh. i have a pair of tough-as-hell rain pants from taiga that must be at least five years old, and they're still my go-to. in a really serious deluge they'll start to leak along the zippers - i actually think the rain finds its way between the teeth of the zipper itself, not through the fabric. but other than that they are good.

the mec goretex never did much for me iirc, except for one of those long-ago bike jackets with the rubberized coating on the inside. however that one didn't have pit-zips and i gave it after the first year because of how wet i was getting it from the inside, with my own sweat.

my current jacket is from stormtech, and i'm not very impressed. i don't believe it's more than a couple years old and nah, it's barely even water resistant by now. my problem is i live in a rainforest so i don't think my hopes were ever high that in the first place. if you live here, you are going to get wet whatever you do if you go outside.

i'm trying out layering this year, i guess. something that claims to be waterproof, topped with another layer of something that claims to be waterproof, and on some days a poncho on top of all that. interesting thing about the poncho was that i collected a lapful of rain riding with the front pinned to the handlebars, so i guess it is waterproof after all. same goes for the jacket, kind of. i end up wet my own self, but the pockets are clearly waterproof because they collect and hold rain if i've forgotten to pull the zippers.

i think when you're on a bike and your body is moving the rain finds its own pathways to get where it wants. so unless you seal yourself in with tire-repair glue for each ride, you just have to resign yourself to getting some version of damp.

Mine last varying lengths of time depending how well I treat them...

If I wear them with a backpack a lot then the shoulder seams start to leak sooner. Also bits of the back where the pack rubs. And if I carry a handbag with them regularly then one shoulder goes first.

If I don't wash them fairly regularly then I find they stop being so waterproof. Mine get washed about once a year (or when I've been rolling in mud), cold wash, non bio liquid, no softener and then, apparently importantly, into the dryer on low. If the seams are starting to go, apparently putting waterproofs in the dryer can help the seam sealant work back INTO the seam when it gets hot!
I use a spray re-proofer after washing. No, the water never quite beads up on the surface again like it did when new, but it seems to work.

I've tried specific tech washes - can't tell a difference and I don't like the smell.
I've tried wash in waterproofers and I'm not convinced.

If I get 5 years out of something, I'm pleased. I expect a bit more from my gore tex items.

amandaeve wrote: »

So far there are responses from never to 30 years. So I'm averaging the feedback to say it's reasonable to expect 5 years, it should be laundered regularly, not have other items rub on it, and Gore-tex is still the best fabric.

Gortex is indeed the best fabric.

It's not Gortex unless the garment has a label on it saying so. You'll also know by the price. If the garment doesn't cost at least $100 more than anything else like it, it's not Gortex.

No part of my body covered by Gortex has ever gotten wet in any kind of rain, light or torrential. Other cheaper fabrics claiming to be as good as or "like" Gortex are hit and miss. Just because there's a label on a garment that says "waterproof" doesn't mean it is. In this case, it really is worth paying the price for the real thing.

As for longevity, I still think it's dependent upon what kind of use and treatment it gets.

As for the waterproofing, NOT washing it must make a difference because I almost never wash mine. If you do wash it, use no or minimal soap in cold water on the delicate cycle and air dry. Treatment w/Scotchguard after washing if you do also seems to help.

5 yrs is a safe estimate for wear and tear but I have many jackets both waterproof and non that have lasted longer than that.

Again, I think that mainly depends on use but buying the best brands makes a difference.

If you know anything about tailoring, you'll see certain tip offs to the quality and durability of construction. Things like rolled and sealed seams and double stitching. Again, this is reflected in the price.

I have paid outrageous prices for my Gortex garments but I have never regretted it because I have never had to buy another garment like it again.

I had an Arc'teryx jacket replaced due to a failed seam AND they gave me matching pants because my old ones (which were fine) didn't match the new jacket. I don't recall them asking for any proof of purchase. I was lucky to be able to go direct to the manufacturer's location in Vancouver, BC, so that might have helped.

I'd give it a try.

Eight weeks??!?

As a customer, I've always assumed part of the reason they're so expensive is the lifetime warranty and that it would be honored with no questions. I hope they do right by you, and a lot faster than they said.