Nikwax for windstopper soft shell

Has anyone on here used nikwax for waterproofing a non waterproof softshell? i currently have a light windstopper soft shell that I LOVE but I would love even more if it was waterproof. my current rain gear is falling apart so it would be great if i could just use my soft shell and buy some rain pants seperate.

my main concern is it being fully waterproof. i work as a bike messenger so sometimes i am in the rain for up to 8 hours. i cant afford to have something that is water resistant and the water gets through after a few hours.

i called nikwax and they assured me that it would be fully waterproof. but i would love to hear from someone who has actually used it. anyone on here?

thanks


steve

I have used Nikwax products on fleece and I own Gore Windstopper clothing but I have never used Nikwax on Windstopper. Based on my personal experience, it's very hard for me to believe that any Nikwax product is going to make any fleece, even Windstopper, "fully waterproof". At least not my definition of "fully waterproof". I wouldn't want to wear a windstopper garment in 8 hours of rain regardless of how it was treated.

yeah, its hard for me to believe too. although my windstopper jacket is not fleece, its a thin soft shell so if it were waterproof i doubt that it would be uncomfortable in the rain. to be specific it is the mountain hardwear transition jacket which i have found to be IDEAL for biking.

maybe ill just shell out the cash and get more rain gear that doesnt last....seems to be an ongoing battle for me....

NikWax, must be a dependable product since it comes recommended by Osprey packs. I just bought a new Argon 85 from Osprey and after they'd already shipped it to me I found their recommendation for using Nicwax. I did a bit of research and NicWax comes recommended by others also. I'm having my wife bring me some of the NicWax products back when she returns to the states for a visit.

Nicwax suggestion at Osprey: http://www.ospreypacks.com/PackTech/PackCare/

One thing to consider... on the Nicwax site they mention that you should use ONLY their waterproofing SPRAY ON product called TX.Direct SPRAY ON on any clothing with wicking liners. The TX.DIRECT WASH IN and other NicWax products reduce the wicking ability of wicking liners.

http://www.nikwax.com/en-us/products/productdetail.php?productid=265&activity=

Brum

Except for maybe the NikWax spray-on intended for coated nylon (I think it is called tent and gear proof), none of their products will make a Windstopper soft shell waterproof. Even if there were some miracle spray that would achieve this goal, the garment would still leak like the proverbial sieve because the seams aren't taped.

And yes, you could make your jacket totally waterproof using home methods, but then you wouldn't have a breathable jacket any more after you finished with the seam sealing and the fabric coating.

Carter, I did that once, melted bees wax and pump sprayed it on my worn out rain jacket. Yeah, it repelled the rain, but I slapped bees and wasps for hours. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Guess they were drawn to the honey still in the wax. I won't even mention how much sweat I produced in that homemade non-permeable jacket! Brum

Patagonia makes rain gear that lasts, and their warranty is superb. After about ten years, the coating on my Storm Jacket started to disintegrate, and they sent me a new one. Same thing with some circa 1992 Gore-Tex Super Pluma pants that were starting to delaminate.

I use nikwax tent and gear proof on an MEC windshirt regularly. I dunno how well it'll work on a soft shell...

I've put Nikwax on a windstopper softshell and it really helped for short term protection. I was out the first day in a downpour for 45 minutes to an hour and stayed dry and comfy. At some point I'm sure it will wet through but I don't know how long it will take.

For me Nikwax wears off pretty fast and needs to be re-applied often, but that seems to be true for all the waterproofing products at some point.