Will Gore-Tex lose its water-repellency after repeated washings?
I have a question regarding an older Serac Gore-Tex jacket I have: Does Gore-Tex lose its water-repellency after repeated washings? Is there something I can apply after many washings to restore repellency? If so, what do you recommend? Mike Jackson, Ohio
Nikwax TX-Direct
So as the DWR wears off or washes off, water no longer beads up. This is where your old Serac jacket finds itself. But it's very possible to rejuvenate the jacket, more or less. I've used, and like, Nikwax TX-Direct Spray-On ($12.50 for the ten-ounce bottle, enough for three or four jackets). You wash the garment, then spray with the Nikwax when it's wet. That'll keep water beading up through several more cycles of use and re-washing. Nikwax also makes a wash-in product that does the same thing, but that can inhibit the ability of the liner to wick moisture, so I'm less inclined to recommend it. Gore makes a similar product called ReviveX ($10 for five ounces), which the Gore folks claim lasts longer than Nikwax. I can't say, because I haven't tried them side by side.
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