I have some 10yr old Extremities Winter Gloves? that tend to leak thus making my hands cold. I'd like to re-proof them but I want to do it succesfully. I really like the gloves and do not want to replace them. The gloves are a long length winter glove with leather fingers/palms, a pile-like lining and a Porelle membrane/layer to keep the water out.
Can I proof them and what is a good product to use? Thanks
If they're actually leaking, then it's unlikely any of the DWR treatments will stop that; it suggests that there are holes in the fabric, or the Porelle membrane is fractured/punctured.
You could find the holes by taking out the liner and filling the glove with water, and then use SeamGrip to try to block the holes, but I think it would only be a temporary measure.
Alternatively, you might use bits of iron-on seam seal tape to make repairs; turn the gloves inside out and iron the tape onto the inside. Oh; they're gloves, not mitts. Right, the only place for tape is the outside, and that's unlikely to stay put very long, given the rough handling gloves get.
The way I understand reproofing is that it doesn't make the glove / jacket / whatever waterproof. Rather, it encourages water to bead, thus delaying wetting out (from the outside) and condensation inside.
If the membrane of your gloves itself has holes (probably not surprising after 10 years), proofing won't mend that.
CP - I can't pull the liner out as its behind the sewn-in pile material. i probably didn't explain that very well
I'll do the fill them with water and squeeze to see if any water comes out trick. I'm sure they just get saturated over time but they are very old now and probably should be retired
