| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| tahir |
Waterproof trousersWhere can I get a pair that'll last? Bought a pair in millets last year, ripped in several places already. |
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| Gervase |
Army surplus kit - Silverman's or your local surplus store will sell you British, German or Belgian waterproofs which are cheap enough to knacker and will keep the weather out. The newer British stuff is Goretex, so isn't so likely to introduce you to Betty Swollocks. 
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| tahir |
Didn't think of that, will nip down to Silverman's when i get the chance | ||
| dpack |
my trews are german with braces ,
only cute in a twisted way but very practical spray with goretex waterproofer for best performance especially the front knees . 2000 pattern british is ok but will rip on barbed wire etc breathatex is soft sympatex is good goretex comes in 3 grades .get the tough one new is silly prices ,2nd user is ace anchor supplies do web sales , jj 's in sheffield or local or web |
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| dougal |
Gimme detail ! I thought you couldn't get "ReviveX" in the UK? |
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| RichardW |
Go sheep shearing in any old pair of troiusers & they will be very water proof by the end of the day.
Justme |
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| dpack |
imho to maintain breatheable waterproofs
wash with gentle setting when dry treat with a water emulsion spray of "waterproofer for breatheable fabric" fronm the local outdoor shop or treat with silicone waterproofer either by dipping or spraying mutton fat will probably work
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| dougal |
Not so sure about the mutton or lanolin... 
But thanks for the rest! It has been suggested to me that my just slightly leaky goretex jacket needed to be washed in soap not detergent. (I *know* NO fabric conditioners...) but it seems to me that ironing and treating (not nec in that order) with some breathable fabric waterproofer is likely to be more effective. I read that the ironing re-establishes the outer surface coating... (knew it had to be useful for something) |
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| wellington womble |
PARAMO, PARAMO, PARAMO!
I know I've plugged them before, but they are absolutely the best waterproofs I've ever had. Had mine for five years, and they are a bit worn around the ankle, because I'm really short, so they rub, bu himself's are holding up fine. Just to give you an idea of the wear ours get, I have am on my third pair of walking boots in this time, and himself on his fourth (or possibly fifth!) Waterproof, breathable, washable, re-waterproofable (wash in stuff) full length vents, and in my very considered opinon worth their weight in gold. About 80 quid, so not cheap, but worth every single penny. Paramo will reapair them and they are made by women in Brazil on a rehousing project who are paid a fair wage. Buy some. I know they're costly but you never regret handing over the cash, and you'll never buy anything else. |
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| Gervase |
I love Paramo kit, but there's no way I'd use it for fencing, hedging and all the sort of work that guarantees it'll get shredded. For that it's the Army surplus cheapo stuff (with some of the seams held together with gaffer tape!) for me. | ||
| sean |
Tahir's in Essex, it never rains anyway.
Wear shorts. |
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| ian1 |
NEVER RAINS ! Ive been trying to finish a outside redec for the past 3 weeks , should have taken a week and a half , but it seems like every time i turn up here comes the rain , this in the blooming dry-est village in the county 
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| Behemoth |
I've tride the 'just in soap flakes' route and unfortunately they don't get the coat clean. Alternative routes is a bit of a faff but has worked: Wash in conventional powder. Then clean the powder tray of the machine and run a cycle of the hottest wash with nothing in it to clean the machine (worth doing everynow and then to stop crud building up). Then wash in TecWash to get soapy crud a residue out of the garment. http://www.nikwax.co.uk/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=4&activityid=1 Then wash again in this to restore the proofing: http://www.nikwax.co.uk/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=3&activityid=1 Once restored you can just ro the last one or two steps everynow and then. |
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| dougal |
Thanks - I now have a shopping list! | ||
| JB |
The only problem with Paramo is that their jackets seem to be designed for people with improbably long arms. Which is fine if it's bad enough to pull the cuffs in but if you want the cuffs loose for ventilation then they are constantly falling down. |
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| kaz |
OH bought a pair of waterproof trousers back from America - wore them for fishing off the rocks in the pouring rain and realised that having a zip fly on them was a major design fault - next time he will have to wear a longer coat 
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