About 5 years ago I remember there being an ad for waterproofing things that featured an occupied sleeping bag floating down a river, but I can't remember who it was for.

Has anyone used either the TX Direct (Nikax), or Xtreme Proofing (Grangers) on items other than waterproof shells (eg, Rohan backpackers for example) and how did you get on?

Cheers,

Damian.

Damian,

Years ago I used TX10 (forerunner to TX Direct I think) to waterproof an army smock thing. Worked a treat, lased quite a few washes too (even with biological powder!).

Not used the grangers stuff.

HTH.

Si(C)

I've used Grangers, TX10 & spray-on TX Direct.

Not impressed with the Grangers stuff.

The TX10 I used on a polycotton jacket. I wore that through a spring/summer of climbing in the lakes, and it was pretty much waterproof.

The Spray-on stuff has lasted very long, but that may be because I didn't tumble-dry the jacket after application. Initially it was pretty much waterproof.

BTW, I reckon you could get in an unproofed synthetic bag and float down a stream for a while - it is really diff to get a sleeping bag to sink and adsorb water when you wash them in the bath.

I've Used Nikwax on my craghoppers walking trousers and they've resisted a few heavy downpours but it was'nt completely bullet-proof.

I've used a Grangers spray (can't remember which one) on an old rucksack a few years ago, waste of time money and effort.

Not looking to make a non shell garment into a shell, more to cut down the amount of water absorbed and hopefully speed up the drying process.

Biggest issue is than one pair of trousers are great lightweight, fast-drying and comfortable, but they have got cotton pockets which soak up like a sponge, and stop my pants from drying out! Hopefully I can reduce that effect.

Think I am going to try out the Nikwax as it is slightly cheaper, and I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks for your help

Damian

Make sure you get the right one - tink there is a diff nikwax for cotton than for synthetics.

doesn't improve drying speed of things like pertex, as far as I can tell.

I was hoping someone might have an answer for how fabric specific they are, is there anybody around from Nikwax or Grangers?

Nikwax do several I believe, one that is specific for fleeces.