Does rain gear degrade over time if left unused?

[ScreamingPotato]

I don't use rain gear often, try to plan not to be out in the elements but always have some with me. So I tend to buy on sale and pickup pieces I can get without paying top dollar. I had what I thought was a good set this last year and absolutely froze my tail off in an all day drizzle with some moving and a lot of sitting. I wasn't wet, but I was fully damp, so unsure if it leaked or it was just sweat but it didn't really matter I was bone chillingly cold with temps only in the 50's.

So to my question, I'm thinking of just sending it for a top dollar set I know will be best of the best with the hopes it'll last 10 years. If I do that and it's mostly unused will it still perform in 5 years, 8 years??? 10?

 

[Trapline]

If it wasn't breathable, it was just holding in moisture. I like Gortex. Just throw it in the truck for those rainy days, even if just a few when not hunting. I have watched a few of my sons track meets in full woodland gortex, driest parent at the track.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

All the stuff I've bought is supposed to be breathable, however if I understand correctly nothing is breathable when wet. So it may have just been that, I was literally drizzled on for 16 hours straight so never a chance to breathe maybe?

 

[Trapline]

Your under layers make a huge difference, i was in 38 degrees and raining last week, was using 4 layers on top, 3 layers on bottom with a pair of electric socks. Was cozy and dry.

What were you using to keep your hands dry?

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Your under layers make a huge difference, i was in 38 degrees and raining last week, was using 4 layers on top, 3 layers on bottom with a pair of electric socks. Was cozy and dry.

What were you using to keep your hands dry?

I can't remember exactly what layers I had but it was low 50's all day so I'm pretty sure it was light merino under Attack pants and light merino under a Kuiu vest under an old Kutana hybrid jacket that's not made anymore. Definitely should not have been cold with that setup. I remember all my layers being mildly damp but nothing excessively wet. Hands were in my pockets, needed them free for sudden shots so no gloves. I don't recall my hands or feet ever being cold, it really wasn't a cold day I was just damp. On that note I don't recall my socks being wet.

 

[Trapline]

Most likely your hands, once your hands are wet then its going to start getting the tips of your sleeves wet, no matter how careful you are. and under layers will keep soaking it up your arm. Your body heat going to evaporate it and trap it all under your parka with you. Pockets going to keep your hands dry for a few minutes at most till it starts running down your arms into your pocket.

I am frugal like you are, i have a frugal solution to waterproof your hands. $15ish

Get a pair of chemical gloves, any length you like, $5, this is your waterproof. Then get a pair of Military Surplus wool glove inserts, this is your warm $10. Hold your gun the entire time.

 

[JoeK]

I too am wondering this same question. Don't see much rain around here but always have rain gear in my trucks for work and in my pack because, so often, "when it rains it pours". Getting wet changes the comfort game so much,
Actually, in winter it comes down more sustained as you've described. I've been hesitant to spring on some high dollar rain gear with how seldom I do use it. I recently picked up a Paramo jacket from ebay and waiting to see how it fits/performs thinking it might be a good solution. totally different function than goretex and similar laminate membranes. Supposedly with some periodic maintenance of DWR coating the garments can function for decades. it's pricey for sure but not any more than big name hunt brands I'm gonna try out a jacket see how it performs

 

[EdP]

if I understand correctly nothing is breathable when wet.

For a breathable to breath when wet it has to bead water on the surface. Water vapor won't penetrate a liquid water layer on the outer surface. Keep it clean and treat with a DWR so it beads and it will breath (some).

 

[Poser]

Yes, it slowly degrades over time without any use. Beyond that, how you store it (left in a hot vehicle will result in expedited degradation), how you fold it (creases will degrade faster) and if it is exposed to dirt etc will also further degrade it.

Beyond that, most breathable rain gear will require a significant temperature differential to function properly: you need a pretty good difference between the temp inside the jacket and outside for your body's moisture to push through. That ~50 degree temp range, in my experience, is the worst as its just not cold enough to for this differential to work yet you still get cold from being wet.

As mentioned above, water should be beading on the exterior or it will soak through. Another problem is your pack, bino harness etc will prevent that from happening so those areas will end up soaking out and, with enough exposure, that soak starts to spread out. If you are moving enough, you can generate enough heat to remain damp, but reasonably comfortable. If you are moving and stopping, its going to be far from ideal.

 

[flathead#2]

HH Impertech will apparently disintegrate if left in a dark closet long enough.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

For a breathable to breath when wet it has to bead water on the surface. Water vapor won't penetrate a liquid water layer on the outer surface. Keep it clean and treat with a DWR so it beads and it will breath (some).

I keep circling back to this. The stuff I had this year I thought was really nice and well made, but it has sort of a flocked outer surface to keep it quite which I initially liked. That surface could be preventing a proper bead and shedding of water though and could be what led to it not breathing (if that's the culprit).

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Beyond that, most breathable rain gear will require a significant temperature differential to function properly: you need a pretty good difference between the temp inside the jacket and outside for your body's moisture to push through. That ~50 degree temp range, in my experience, is the worst as its just not cold enough to for this differential to work yet you still get cold from being wet.

This is fascinating and makes sense the way you lay it out. The only times I've ever had that bone-chilling cold was in the high 40's and low 50's with some wind/wet. I can sit and glass at 10k feet in negatives or single digits without any issues.

 

[medvedyt]

HH Impertech will apparently disintegrate if left in a dark closet long enough.

at least the price/cost will not make you crying like the one made in goretex not working anymore ...