About gear failures?

With regards to rain gear, people often report both DWR and true membrane "failures". A lot of new people think their rain gear is "failing" because they see the nylon face fabric wetting out, when this is really a normal part of rain garment wear and maintenance, but there are also a lot of membranes don't hold up either.

My Montane Minimus rain pants with Pertex Shield+ membrane failed in all senses of the term pretty quickly. The thin membrane was not longer waterproof after a few dozen uses as water would quickly soak through the knee and thigh areas and soak my pants underneath. After a few more dozen uses the membrane was badly bubbling and falling off the inside of pants. Now only about 50% of the membrane even exists.

"Any thoughts?"

Yes, Reader Beware.

Often you can read between the lines and figure out what is going on. If that particular situation is of value, you can always ask for clarification.

But if folks don't understand how a garment should behave, they won't know the difference between wetting out and getting wet from the inside and having an outright membrane failure.

That's when you get to step up, guide a little bit, and ask (polite) pointed questions. They will learn mechanics and vocabulary, you will learn what "failed".

[My eVent jacket Failed. I could see sparkles of daylight through the fabric, and the see the water saturating my shirt.]