Bushwalk Australia

I have been walking in a gortex performance hardshell jacket and more recently a Macpac Event hardshell.
Every time I've walked, here in Qld and in Tassie I have ended up wet underneath the jacket. Not sure whether the jacket is not waterproof (even with the new jacket) or if I just sweat too much while walking and carrying a pack. Problem is when I stop walking I chill very quickly. A bit worrying when walking in Tassie where the weather can change for the worst very quickly.

I walked with others who stay dry under their hardshells...... this seems to elude me.

It does concern me as I am planning to walk the south coast track in February. I'm sure we'll experience rain and cold during the walk and I really just want to stay dry.....

Do you manage to stay dry while walking in a hardshell?

hi 112, what you experience is common. Im the same, many (especially larger) blokes are. The colder the weather the better the shell fabrics work. For anyone who sweats a lot, cold enough conditions would be rare in most seasons and most of Australia. Its something that runners get, to feel the cold when starting out, but many don't seem to apply a variation of the same thought to the walking conditions they are about to attempt. I would suggest wearing very little (singlet for comfort perhaps) under your jacket and keeping a small towel/warm layer handy. The event jacket is likely working ok, perhaps wetting out if it hasn't been washed or has been exposed to grime? macpac recommend frequent washing. Detergent will do up until the stage where you need to reapply the DWR coating (you will then need a non-detergent soap, try nikwax) hope this helps?

Thanks Nuts
Good to read that allot of other walkers have this experience. Didn't think I'd sweat soooo much while walking.... but I must do! Though my friend stayed dry in her gortex pro-shell jacket meant for sailing (heavy but good hardshell) so I questioned the waterproofness of my jacket. Good advise regarding less undergarments, will wear merino t-shirt and keep long sleeve layer handy.

I have purchased Nikwax and will ensure I regularly wash my hardshell. I suppose the real test will be on the track....

regards Sonja

Hi Sonja, we take people on walks and this is just something noticed 'in general'. Weve used most of the gore fabric blends and recently event. Just be sure that it isnt your jacket causing the problem (as most (smaller) females do seem to be able to stay reasonably dry at a steady pace). Once you have washed the event jacket it is likely a good idea to reapply the DWR (outer coating) using ie. nikwax TX. Your jacket should not be leaking water through but it will feel that way (clammy and more 'sweaty') if the DWR is not intact or reapplied (nikwax recommend doing so after every several washes)

As well as the outside temperature that Nuts mentioned - the breathability is far less effective in warmer conditions, and I think warmer is above about 12 degrees but it might be higher, they work much better zipped right up so the air can't get in. Mine generally keeps me dry, and did a pretty good job in walking in 5 out of 7 days of rain last year, but I don't tend to overheat so much these days (a bonus when it's hot, like the one day of summer we had yesterday). You could always test the waterproofness of it by putting a hose on it!

Thanks Taure-rana. Makes sense.
Took your advise and put a hose on the jacket and its waterproof!

Sorry Srforum112, but aren't you from Queensland. Did you need to use the hose?

Yes.....and I have been wearing the hardshell allot over the last couple of days!
The rainfall has been phenomenal
Sonja