Dry top test this weekend...water soaking through??

[perspective7]

hey all...just got to try out my new all conditions immersion research dry top this weekend on Richland (awesome day for boating!), and my arms were wet the whole trip. I swam a few times, but this wasn't the cause. It happened before any dunking, and it soaked right through the material. It's a used top, but it's like new and the gaskets are excellent! What would cause this? Thanx in advance...

[okieboater]

you might check into some of the aftermarket spray on products to renew or refresh the material.

I had to do that to a stohquist dry top after a couple years.

[RomanLA]

I've heard good things about the spray on Nikwax.

[GutIt]

Is this a Goretex or any other kind of breathable top? Could this be a non-breathable sweat issue? Leaking seams?

Nicwax is good, RevivX is what Gore recommends for its products. They also make some cleaner to use in the wash. Never use liquid soap on your Goretex. Powdered soap is supposedly okay. Instructions are on the bottles, but with the ReviveX you wash the garmet, apply the spray while the garmet is wet, they dry it on a gentle setting in a clothes dryer. If you have some seams leaking, I use Seam Grip or Aqua Seal.

That is about all you can do for breathable products that I know of. The factory lamination wears thin and they start to "wet out". Still shouldn't leak since the Goretex is a membrane instead of a fabric treatment, but if you try to re-laminate you run the risk of messing with the products breathability.

[perspective7]

No, this thing just has lost is water replant properties. Water doesn't pour in, it just seeps through. I got some 303 fabric guard on-line and doused the thing, but I haven't got to try it out yet on the river....

[Fish]

I've used Nikwax before with mixed results. It dried and peeled off of one top I had, but did OK on the other.

- Fish

[ScottH]

all conditions immersion research dry top ...and my arms were wet the whole trip.

That is the way it is designed. At least that is what I concluded. I bought one, and exchanged it 3 times through warranty before just giving it back to IR and telling them to keep it. They were shocked I did not think they were cool and would not take another one. Every one of them would seep on the arms.

I purchased for retail and they would only refund me the wholesale cost. Needless to say I do not buy IR.

Scott

[okieboater]

Kokatat gore tex Rogue
You pay more up front, but it works for years and lasts thru a bunch of latex replacements

I started out with Kokatat, wore it for years and years
finally wore down the fabric on the sleeves and gave it away to a just starting out kayaker who may still have it
went thru several Stohlquist and other designs
got tired of buying a dry top every other year (did the revivex treatments etc etc)
saved my money and just purchased a Kokatat Rogue
Life is indeed good.

[RandyJ]

I've never had any IR gear. Looks to be great quality and construction, but have seen and heard of the seepage you describe.

Drytop Care:
A bunch of years ago, I picked up a Stohlquist dry top at Sierra Trading Post. Guess it was a discontinued model...made of Gore-Tex...which Stohlquist doesn't use any more in their gear. I'm going in to my 6th season with it. I'll probably need to replace it within the next year, but will probably keep it as a spare or loaner. It has a couple of very small wear points at the wrists that I've remedied with a thin coat of Aquaseal. Otherwise, I wash it in warm water a couple of times a year, and have been very inconsistent in using 303 on the seals.

The other thing I do is that I keep it on a beefy plastic hanger I bought at a local dive shop. The hanger is wide enough that it lets the top dry out better after use. I use the hanger for both storage and transport. I've hardly ever put the top in my gear bag or tub - always on it's own hanger. I'm now pretty convinced that this has made all the difference in the life of this top, FWIW...

[perspective7]

The 303 fabric guard (at $20 shipped) seems to have done the trick. I used almost the whole bottle and tried er out today. There were a few spots where water went through, but it beaded up everywhere else. One more thin coat should do the trick I think.d Thanx guys!

[Sir Kayakalot]

Just my 2 cents worth here, I've been using
Atsko brand silicone water-guard I get at wal-
mart in the camping section. I swear it works
better than 303 and only costs $5 per can.

Tommy

[Jeremy M]

Since its new, more than likely the DWR finish just needs reviving, this can actually be accomplised without the use of a spray on product. Low Heat Iron the garment. This will reactivate the DWR...since its new...but like Scott said, it could just be that its an IR...good luck.