Hello all, If anyone has good experience with rain pants that stay dry around the crotch area please let me know. yesterday after getting home from a torrential downpour, my crotch was all wet. it is a nelson rigg brand which I purchased about a year ago. I've worn frog toggs, tourmasters and generic stuff. eventually they all fail in the crotch area. so other than wearing adult diapers, any other brands that I should try? thanks
the issue we find most, is leaking/water wicking in along zippers, If there are zippers the leak is bound to occur eventually....
Putting on any 'overpants' that don't have zippers, is almost impossible with boots, and other pants in place... making them a painfully difficult manouver, especially if you 'got caught' and already are a bit 'wet'...
I've had extremely good results from the "seam grip seam sealer" stuff that Aerostich sells... I always by 'extra's, as when ya need it, and ain't got it... well... it's cheap, so buy 2, use one and store one, along with external fabric waterproofer.
http://www.aerostich.com/suits/repellents-and-sealants/seam-grip-seam-seal-kit.htmlalso this, for emergency repairs... like rips.
http://www.aerostich.com/suits/repellents-and-sealants/aquaseal.htmlfor the 'seam grip stuff':
You have to completely coat the fabric, and threads along the zippers,and the 'seam' itself.. the fabric on the zipper itself also, inside and outer, it stops 80% of any water soaking thru. Yoy don't want this on the actual teeth tho, so be careful and only brush it on the fabric.. Then, coating the zippers teeth themselves, when zipped up, using a white 'plumbers candle' (let it sit in the sun for 10 minutes to soften), and crayon it full length, inner and outer on the plastic teeth, that provides the finishing touch (if you don't have a 'flap' that cover the zipper inside, you might forgo that step, so the wax stays off clothing). That also makes the zippers slide much easier...
do all the seam stuff after treating to restore the original external 'proof', using:
http://www.aerostich.com/suits/repellents-and-sealants/nikwax-tx-direct-wash-in-repellent.html they even make a nice kit..
http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-waterwerks-kit-nikwax.htmlor
http://www.aerostich.com/suits/repellents-and-sealants/revivexr-water-and-stain-repellent.htmlI double up when I do the treatment, I use the wash in, and before tossing the garment in the dryer, I use this
http://www.aerostich.com/suits/repellents-and-sealants/tx-direct-spray-on-repellent.htmlIt's worth it, believe me... especially on the "high flex" areas, and high "wear" spots, like jacket sleeve fronts, shins, seat, crotch, and front of the jacket.. where the most "water blasting" occurs..
If you want "goretex" gear, it's gonna be $100+, no matter what you buy...
kinda like this...
http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-ultralight-rain-pants-6.htmlthese actually have had the problem areas corrected, and come with pre treated zippers... Aerostich listened to our complaints for the last 20+ years, and made the corrections needed.... but, you pay for that....
"Sympatec" and a few other "types" of membrane fabrics are out there on the market, and they do work well, but the 'seam' seal integrety is not as proven as the "gore" brand seal tape that is applied... and sooner or later they all develop leaks.
Outer leg zippers in leiu of inner leg zippers seem to prevent the wet crotch better, but if the seams ain't sealed, water still wicks in thru the thread stitching during assembly..
The cheapest overpants I could find are these, membrane type breathable, no crotch zipper to fail, winner...
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-men039s-25-solid-rain-pants?a=2097607
they look pretty effective, and for the price, buy a couple of them, and save a pair (for a rainy day)..
also these:
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/columbia-mens-pfg-storm-waterproof-bib-pants?a=2154389
they should work well, but you should not 'fold them up' for storage, roll them without creasing the fabric.
hope those help...
I've "cured" the wet crotch syndrom on my Stich using these methods, and along with using a "wash in/dryer activated" surface treatment, to repair the original 'external water resistance' of the fabrics, I swear by them.