DWR as a fabric?

What is a "dry detergent"?

Momentum just has a conventional (but very good) fluoropolymer DWR. A very thin coating of a fluoroplastic gets applied to the face of the fabric as a finishing step. This coating gets abraded in use and eventually the surfaces of the nylon fibers begin to show through and wet out. Nonpolar contaminants like oils can also accumulate and impair the function of the DWR coating.

Epic fabric is made from polyester fibers that are each completely surrounded by a thin sheath of silicone. Silicone has better mechanical properties and abrasion resistance than fluoropolymers, but it is a little less hydrophobic. The underlying polyester fibers also have a bit less free surface energy (they are less hydrophilic) than nylon, and they absorb less water than nylon, so the material wets out less than a nylon fabric even when the finish has abraded away. So, the water repellent properties of epic fabric are more durable than those of fabrics, like Momentum, that have a conventional fluoropolymer DWR.

I don't know of any other breathable fabrics that have water repellent properties that don't need occasional restoration (other than Epic).

Thank you. And now the problem is that no one really makes anything in Epic and I couldn't find any places that sell it.

I made a rain jacket with Epic from owfinc.com, but after a while it quit being very water resistant. I've heard that from others also.

I have heard that also about Epic. Kind of stinks that no one has been able to come up with a durable waterproof or water resistant layer other than a solid sheet of plastic that doesn't degrade or have to be reproofed every so often.

Burlington Performance manufactures the outstanding fabric in this category. It is called Versatech and is a machjine washable waterproof breathable and can also be found with a fire retardant finish. You can contact Burlington Industries if you a garment manufacturer and Magna Fabrics also offers some of the closeout colors from Burlington at a reduced price.

Hey Lawrence. How about some disclosure on your affiliation with Magna Fabrics?

It says MagnaFabrics in his avatar.

Ryan

I have to agree with Ken, and I think any BPL staff would agree as well (just conjecture, I don't presume to speak for them). A commercial affiliation should be mentioned in the post.

The price for Versatech is fantastic, but what does it weigh? Look at the domain name. Surely you knew we would ask.

deleted

Ryan. It is BPL policy that people disclose their affiliation with a company that is obviously trying to increase sales. Without disclosure does his post not read somewhat like spam? Weird spelling and grammar.

I would love to get my hands on some more Versatech. I hope he has an affiliation and shares it with us.

I have a winter wind suit that is incredibly breathable and members of our group have used this fabric for years – tough and somewhat light.

link: http://www.northernoutfitters.com/wind-garments/

Enjoy,

Dave

Disclosure Police –

Go get 'em….

David, all you have to do is go to the site for the business he mentioned and seems to be affiliated with. Then you can enjoy $2.50 a yard Versatech while others here moan about insufficient disclosure.

Hi Ken-

He has MagnaFabrics in his Avatar which is more disclosure than almost every other cottage mfg'er on here. (Who are here to increase sales by the way). I may have missed your reminders to those folks about the BPL policy. If so, please accept my apologies.

Ryan

"Epic fabric is made from polyester fibers that are each completely surrounded by a thin sheath of silicone."

While the polyester/nylon blend in the Malibu version of Epic is most well known to
Lightweight hikers, they also treat cotton and stretch nylons in the same method.
You could find cotton khaki pants with an Epic treatment at one time. More stain resistant
and faster drying than regular khaki.

I used Versatech in some wind pants and sleeping bag liners in the 80's and found it
pretty similar to Supplex nylon in function. A bit lighter and a bit more weather
resistant.

Full disclosure. Owareusa.com

The versatech on his website lists it as having a dwr and fire resistant. I beleive that the Versatech that I am looking for has neither as it would decrease the breathability. I could be wrong, but I had to beg northern Outfiters to send me a yard to add a Kangaroo pouch and extend the hood for the ruff.

Thanks

Dave