Schoeller / Mammut Launch Smart Fabrics Black clothing that stays cool in the sun plus a waterproof membrane that changes structure according to temperature...
I'm currently getting some most excellent (cool climate) water-management effects with Paramo Analogy, always with a wicking baselayer, and either a belay jacket and/or a mid-layer (say Paramo Explorer). Paramo Analogy needs to be kept clean, I did make my knee a weakspot by some curry sauce accidentally dropped on the Paramo Cascada knee, and beading tends to fail first where the skin touches the Analogy fabric like around inside of the collar.
This thread highlights eVent similarly needs to be kept clean to manage it's breathability, however there is an important difference in cleaning advice, if I've been correctly following the posts.
Paramo:
Dry-clean to remove any detergent, then TechWash, then TXDirect.
eVent:
Wash in non-bio detergent, then TechWash, then TXDirect.
Did I follow correctly?
I'm looking for an eVent jacket for the warmer climates.....
Be careful using TXDirect as a wash rather than spraying the outside. Some jackets have inner liners that are meant to wick; if you use TXDirect, they will stop wicking.
for paramo, only dry clean if there are really stubborn stains that won't come out or if you need to get rid of fabric conditioner and the like that detergent won't remove.
if it's just dirtier than usual then you can use detergent, then tech wash, then txdirect wash in.
usually it's just tech wash then txdirect wash in.
Wash in non-bio detergent, then TechWash, then TXDirect.
Did I follow correctly?
I work on the basis of a TXDirect every 2 TechWashes, and a detergent wash perhaps every 3-5 TechWashes - so in practice its not much to do.
You can tell if TXDirect is needed if rain no longer beads off and rolls away, and I suspect that if you wear a long sleeved layer under an eVent jacket, this wil keep most of the skin oils away from the eVent, and your jacket might need a detergent wash less often.
As regards longevity, my Montane Quickfire eVent jacket has gone walkies with me all this year and the only sign of wear it shows is the reflective stripes on the arms are crumbling at the edges slightly - possibly due to my ironing? Importantly, the waterproofness and breathability are as good as new.
I have other long distance plans in the pipeline, and will be taking the same jacket, in complete confidence that it will last a similar distance.
No I dont think yo confused anything Judy, quite the opposite in fact.
As regards the RAB SUILVEN that started off this thread I had no problems with the breathabilility/waterproofness untill the day it failed (I.E. leaking), mind you I was in some of the worst conditions Ive ever been out on the hills in that day.
Rab put the jackets failure down to "delaminating" and therefore replaced the jacket (with a Super Dru). They informed me that the dark areas were sweat and grime. I imagine I would've been able to remove them and restore the breathability by washing in detergent then the Tech wash/TX direct. A wash in Tech wash alone before I sent it to them only removed a little of the marks. I see however that the wash instructions on the Super Dru are the new ones on Events website whereas the Suilven only mentioned Nikwax.
I really wouldnt want to put anybody off buying either a Rab jacket or an Event one from another manufacturer as it is a great fabric. Just make sure to maintain it, as Judy says an extra wash cycle every 3-5 tech washes isnt much extra.
I had the exact same problem with a "Latok Alpine"
Very visable leak areas around the pack areas, that I figured was a busted jacket (as in, severe rubbage)
Contacted RAB, their solution:
Detergent !
Yes, it's against the holy grail of waterproofing, but dear old techwash apparently just can't shift dirt in the way Ariel can. Techwash can however clean off excess detergent... so:
Detergent > Tech Was h > Direct wash in = One functioning jacket!
I had exactly the same problem with the same jacket. I had only used it in anger perhaps 6 or 7 times. It was only after I retreated it in preparation for taking it back that I noticed quite a lot of wear on the inside of the jacket. I sent it back to Rab and they replaced it for the very same reason as your own (de-laminating). However I did notice they had discontinued the line, which I found strange after only a year. The retailer I bought it from reckoned Rab usually run their kit for at least 2.
I now only use if for walking the dog as it still builds up moisture even after being replaced.
As it has been discontinued they asked me to pick two replacements in order of preference so I ended up with a Super Dru which im very happy with although haven't had much opportunity to use it in anger yet.
Event is a good fabric you shouldnt be getting a build up of moisture. If its got the dark areas try washing it in normal detergent to get the muck out of the jackets pores. I would then clean the washing M/C tray of all traces of detergent and then run the M/C empty on a rinse cycle as hot as I can to get rid of any last bits in the drum etc. Next I would wash the jacket in tech-wash then TX-direct (make sure you put the temp back down)
this should restore the DWR and clean the pores out so breathability should be much improved.
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