Montane Featherlite - best product to re-waterproof it?

daniel_b

So I bought one of these puppies probably about 4 years ago, and it server me fine on my 2 mile commute to work, although in recent years it pretty much allows me to get soaked to the skin, but kept some of it off.......

I now commute 19 miles each way, and if I am going to use it, I need it to do a job, otherwise there is no point.

Is there a good way to re waterproof it, ie should I look for somehting I can put it in the wash with, or do I need to look at some kind of spray or paint that I can apply to it?

I'm pretty sure it is a pertex jacket.

Or should I just MTFU and let my skin get wet?

Many thanks

Dan

godders1

I use Nikwax TX direct wash on my Paramo Fuera smock (which is a pertex type material) and that does a good job of making it showerproof. It won't cope with a persistent donwpour though (pertex isn't "waterproof" per se).

meanredspider

I only use mine if I'm stopped (ie bike repair or similar). The best proofing stuff I've come across is the Granger's wash-in stuff - you do need to have access to a tumble drier. The good news though is that tumble drying it will reactivate the proofer for 5 or 6 times before it needs redoing.

nich

Nikwax innit

tc345

As i understood it the featherlight was wind and shower proof and not meant to be waterproof. Mine isnt, it keeps the worst at bay and stops me getting too cold. Perhaps you have a different one to me.

walkingbootweather

My featherlight is quite waterproof, but I have found it a bit tight. Perhaps you have a different one to me?

vorsprung

Daniel B wrote:

So I bought one of these puppies probably about 4 years ago, and it server me fine on my 2 mile commute to work, although in recent years it pretty much allows me to get soaked to the skin, but kept some of it off.......

I now commute 19 miles each way, and if I am going to use it, I need it to do a job, otherwise there is no point.

Is there a good way to re waterproof it, ie should I look for somehting I can put it in the wash with, or do I need to look at some kind of spray or paint that I can apply to it?

I'm pretty sure it is a pertex jacket.

Or should I just MTFU and let my skin get wet?

Many thanks

Dan

The Montane Featherlite has the advantages that it is cheap, has a tiny pack size and is very light.

The disadvantage of it is that it isn't actually water proof in any real sense. With the correct long sleeved base underneath it it would resist rain for a minute or two. It isn't really windproof either.

If you want to reproof it then Nikwax tx direct spray is the way to go. But I wouldn't bother! Either don't carry a coat or carry one that actually works!

davmaggs

As the other posters above have said, Pertex isn't designed to be waterproof. It is to take reduce being cold as it is for blocking wind chill.

UndercoverElephant

Go Outdoors have all Nikwax products on at half-price at the moment.

daniel_b

Ah ok, my mistake, I think I am going with the reviews at the time I bought it, and the fact it did keep me bone dry for the first few months, so it seemed as if the waterproofness, or water resistanceness wore off.

It's served me well, and I have nothing to lose, but also no tumble dryer, so I may have a look at the Nikwak as recommended on here.

Cheers guys,

Dan

jimmypippa

vorsprung wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

So I bought one of these puppies probably about 4 years ago, and it server me fine on my 2 mile commute to work, although in recent years it pretty much allows me to get soaked to the skin, but kept some of it off.......

I now commute 19 miles each way, and if I am going to use it, I need it to do a job, otherwise there is no point.

Is there a good way to re waterproof it, ie should I look for somehting I can put it in the wash with, or do I need to look at some kind of spray or paint that I can apply to it?

I'm pretty sure it is a pertex jacket.

Or should I just MTFU and let my skin get wet?

Many thanks

Dan

The Montane Featherlite has the advantages that it is cheap, has a tiny pack size and is very light.

The disadvantage of it is that it isn't actually water proof in any real sense. With the correct long sleeved base underneath it it would resist rain for a minute or two. It isn't really windproof either.

If you want to reproof it then Nikwax tx direct spray is the way to go. But I wouldn't bother! Either don't carry a coat or carry one that actually works!

I think the "Featherlite Velo H2O" is waterproof. The "featherlite Velo" isn't.

I'm surprised you say it isn't really windproof. There are vents, but for me it provides pretty good protection from the wind.

There are a couple of other advantages for the non-H2O version.
Because it isn't waterproof it is far more breathable than waterproofs.
It dries very quickly if you do get caught in showers, and it does cut down on windchill...

daniel_b

walkingbootweather wrote:

My featherlight is quite waterproof, but I have found it a bit tight. Perhaps you have a different one to me?

I completely missed this one

daniel_b

I do indeed see that Go outdoors have Nikwax products at half price, however it seems that you need a £5 card to get that price, and they want £5 for delivery, which makes it far more expensive than everywhere else!

Does anyone know if you need this 'discount card' to get the price instore?