[Dog Welder]

Is an outer shell made with Gore Tex that much more better than one made with Conduit or any other waterproof breatheable membrane?

Example The North Face shells all got Gore Tex where as Mountain Hardware uses Conduit.

 

[partsbara]

you ll probabally find that 'conduit' is just mountain hardwares version of gor-tex... the patent has been expired for a while... i m sure either jacket is good... mtn hardware is one of the best imho...

edit - i m not sure about these particular jackets, but overall i like mtn hardware...

 

[PatBranch]

I have a Mtn Hardware sleeping bag. They make really good stuff.

 

[partsbara]

i know one thing, i ll never buy another seirra designs tent... that thing was spendy AND it was a POS... rei return thanks very much...

 

[Wumpus]

Northface had/has awesome customer service. I ripped the large panel on the back of my shell, and they replaced it for $40. They fixed it, returned it and then sent the bill.

 

[jonKranked]

Northface had/has awesome customer service. I ripped the large panel on the back of my shell, and they replaced it for $40. They fixed it, returned it and then sent the bill.

did you know what the repair costs were gonna be up front?

 

[geargrrl]

You are pretty safe if you stick with any of the main top brands. They all do their own version of waterproof breathables but they are NOT Goretex unless it says Goretex. The main differences are slight variations in the performance; variations in resistance to water permeability ( water resistance) and moisture vapor transfer (breathability)

For example, Conduit is more waterproof and less breathable than Goretex.

Several important factors.
1. all these fabrics are designed to work better in a dry alpine climate than in a wet, humid climate
2. you need to keep it clean, and renew the DWR at least once a year. DWR is a surface treatement on the actual fabric, it is something totally different from the laminate or WPB coating on the inside.

geargrrl

 

[Wumpus]

did you know what the repair costs were gonna be up front?

I think they said it wouldn't be about $60 or so. I know I was surprised that it wasn't as expensive as I thought it was going to be and cheaper than they quoted.



The piece they replaced was in the top center of the back -- connected to the sleeves and shoulder area about 24"x18".

 

[Dog Welder]

You are pretty safe if you stick with any of the main top brands. They all do their own version of waterproof breathables but they are NOT Goretex unless it says Goretex. The main differences are slight variations in the performance; variations in resistance to water permeability ( water resistance) and moisture vapor transfer (breathability)

For example, Conduit is more waterproof and less breathable than Goretex.

Several important factors.
1. all these fabrics are designed to work better in a dry alpine climate than in a wet, humid climate
2. you need to keep it clean, and renew the DWR at least once a year. DWR is a surface treatement on the actual fabric, it is something totally different from the laminate or WPB coating on the inside.

geargrrl

How do you renew it? I got a 10 year old North Face Jacket that I've never retreated. I notice that water no longer beads off but smears.

 

[partsbara]

you can get spray on water repellants, seam sealers etc.. that should do the trick...

 

[SkaredShtles]

Nikwax has a wash-in DWR product as well.

 

[Wumpus]

How do you renew it? I got a 10 year old North Face Jacket that I've never retreated. I notice that water no longer beads off but smears.

http://www.thenorthface.com/na/contact-us.html#jackets

 

[geargrrl]

Nikwax has a wash-in DWR product as well.

Nikwax is good, also Grangers' makes excellent stuff.

It is a two step process - wash it, and then re do the DWR with the second step.
Nikwax it's Tech Wash then TX Direct,
Granger's it's G-was followed by Wash-in Waterproofing.

Do not use Scotch guard, use products specifically formulated for waterproof breathables.

In case you are wondering how I know all this stuff
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/about/whatis.asp

I am factory authorized for non-warranty work by the North Face and other companies.

gg

 

[fuzzynutz]

Some of the people who started the North Face, left because the North Face blows now and started Mountain Hardware. That's why some of Mountain Hardware stuff is so nice, like the old North Face stuff used to be.

Gore-tex is heavy. Heavier than pretty much everything else. And usually more expensive.

 

[geargrrl]

North Face is now owned by Vanity Fair corp, they've moved an awful long way from their mountaineering roots. VFC also owns Lee, Wrangler, Riders, Rustler, Vanity Fair, Vassarette, Vans, and Jansport to name a few.

They've got a lot riding on a brand name.

My favorite brands for technical outerwear are Arcteryx (worth every penny) Patagonia, Marmot and MH. There are other good ones too.

gg.

 

[buildyourown]

For outer shells, Marmot has pretty good features/ quality for your dollar.
I have a MH, but the Marmot was half the price and 90% of the garmet.

Also, REI house brand is pretty good. It's no good if you're a brand whore, but the stuff is a great deal.

 

[geargrrl]

Yep, REI house brand is good value. One nice thing about REI is that they really do have a lifetime warranty. You can take just about anything back for replacement, with no "product lifetime" clause to worry about.

 

[fuzzynutz]

North Face is now owned by Vanity Fair corp, they've moved an awful long way from their mountaineering roots. VFC also owns Lee, Wrangler, Riders, Rustler, Vanity Fair, Vassarette, Vans, and Jansport to name a few.

Exactly. Which is why now all their stuff is garbage.

 

[geargrrl]

But it's so cheap! You can get it at Costco and Sports Authority! Plus I found a great deal on ebay....

Forgeries of TNF are rampant. I wish I had a buck for every one that came through my shop. The forgers are so good they have #800 numbers and answer the phone, "North Face".

Story - I'm with a ski patrol that does a huge swap every year. Two years ago, someone brought in 200 "North Face" coats that didn't look right, so the guy checking them in called me down to take a look at them. Total crap forgeries. They called in the sherriff, confiscated them, the guy is crying that he spent his college tuition on them blah blah blah.... he bought them out of a container on a Seattle dock, duh.