Question:
Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time?
Despite all the attempts at political humor….a majority of Texans don’t appreciate Gore…so using "Gore" and "Tex" in the same brand name would normally be fighting words 
That being said, I bought a GT rainsuit in Scotland in ‘91, I still use the pants…the jacket is fine, except that last year I washed it at the wrong temperature and the red dye bled into the white portions…not real pretty….I re-purchased a nice GT jacket from the USGA store earlier this year and I expect it to last at least 8 years….a good buy in my mind. Make Birdies, Not Spam. Mark Ex-President, Patron, RSG Clique
Response:
I read a bit of that review. It doesn’t appear to be durable enough for any regular use, but it sure is a lot cheaper!
The more durable of the two flavors sounds like it would be great for stuffing in a garment pocket. The kind of lies I have to play from (under trees, in bushes) are probably comparable to the light backpacking the author said it was suited for! I’d probably go another route if I played A LOT in the rain, but playing in the rain for me is generally an accident. Dave Clary/Corpus Christi,TX RSG Clique-Associate Member http://www.geocities.com/~texasp38 RSG Roll Call http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/claryd.htm
Response:
Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time?
Yes, but I don’t know about their longevity. An alternative is micro-fiber and it usually cost a little less. The purpose of Gore-Tex is that is allows your body humidity to escape, called breathability, while stopping wind and rain from penetrating. Many micro-fibers also do this. The advantages of these materials is that you have a wind breaker and rain coat all in one. I’m a backpacker and you always try to lessen the load when ever possible, Gore-Tex and micro-fiber garments have made this luxury possible. Stay away from anything that doesn’t breath, such as PVC coatings. They trap your body humidity and while they’ll keep you warm you’ll sweat as if you’re not wearing rain protection at all. David Laville Charter Member, RSG Clique
Response:
Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? Yes, but I don’t know about their longevity. An alternative is micro-fiber and it usually cost a little less.
Actually, Gore-Tex works because of its microscopic texture (porosity), and as long as you keep it clean and the outer fabric is treated with water repellent, it will last a very long time. Microfiber works on the same general principle except that you get less water resistance for more breathability and flexibility. The purpose of Gore-Tex is that is allows your body humidity to escape, called breathability, while stopping wind and rain from penetrating. Many micro-fibers also do this. The advantages of these materials is that you have a wind breaker and rain coat all in one. I’m a backpacker and you always try to lessen the load when ever possible, Gore-Tex and micro-fiber garments have made this luxury possible. Stay away from anything that doesn’t breath, such as PVC coatings. They trap your body humidity and while they’ll keep you warm you’ll sweat as if you’re not wearing rain protection at all.
This is true, but for many activities (backpacking isn’t one of them), I hardly sweat at all, and a little care in adjusting the ventilation of the jacket will make a PVC coated suit very versatile under most conditions. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – David Laville Charter Member, RSG Clique
Response:
Gore-Tex? Did they decide to share? I must’ve missed that. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I understand that some last only four years while others can last eight years. Don "Felicity Lodge" wrote … Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? We’d really appreciate it if you’d quite all this political talk. Randy 
Response:
I understand that some last only four years while others can last eight years. Don Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? — F. Blaine Dickson Kelowna BC Canada
Of course, there’s always the model from Shawinigan, Quebec. Very expensive, and seems to never go away! Must be the Teflon coating! 
SteveP One of Weir’s Weirdos
Response:
Yes, but I don’t know about their longevity.
FWIW, I have used Gore-Tex parkas and pants in mountaineering and backpacking ever since Gore-Tex first came out. The wear is incredibly good. My current parka has lasted me nearly fifteen years. The earliest Gore-Tex rainwear did have a bad reputation. Sewing punctures the Gore-Tex membrane in the fabric and early rainwear leaked badly through the seams around the neck and shoulders. They sold some liquid paint-on seam sealers for a while but they didn’t work well. Then someone cottoned on to the idea of internal adhesive Gore-Tex seam sealing tape that has solved the problem. If you look at any Gore-Tex rainwear you will see this tape on the inside. Somewhere on my clothing rack I’ve still got a non-seam sealed model. Cheers Colin Wilson RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm Trentham Golf Club: http://www.trenthamgolf.com
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I understand that some last only four years while others can last eight years. Don Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? — F. Blaine Dickson Kelowna BC Canada Of course, there’s always the model from Shawinigan, Quebec. Very expensive, and seems to never go away! Must be the Teflon coating! SteveP One of Weir’s Weirdos
That’s because they are worn by almost every person in the province of Ontario ;-) — F. Blaine Dickson Kelowna BC Canada
Response:
Gore-Tex is just a lining material that W.L. Gore licenses to outerwear manufacturers. How effectively they design the suit around it is up to them. Generally, Gore-Tex is the best for wet, cold weather where a combination of wind and water are what make you cold. It is not insulative by itself – so plan on wearing layers underneath if it will be cold. Just remember a few key things when buying Gore-Tex outerwear: – It costs a lot, so buying a ‘bad’ Gore-Tex garment is truly a waste of money – Look for a ‘guaranteed to keep you dry’ (or better a "Engineered for extreme wet weather") tag and you’ll know that it was designed well enough to not leak under storm simulation tests. One leak or poorly designed sleeve or hood will ruin the whole thing, IMO. – Gore-Tex isn’t as breathable as other, less waterproof garments. If you only ever see light rain, then you can probably be more comfortable in a water-resistant garment. You also do not want to sweat much in a Gore-Tex garment, but then again this is just golf we’re talking about. – Wind stoppage is a key to keeping comfortable. Gore-Tex is excellent at this, but Windstopper and other technologies are also more breathable and more flexible while being equally windproof. – You must keep it clean. If it doesn’t readily bead water, then it’s not breathable anymore and doesn’t offer any advantage over a plain coated waterproof garment. – Try it on. I wouldn’t ever spend those kind of $$ without knowing how well it fits and exactly what features it has by inspection. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? Thanks. — Felicity
Response:
I read a bit of that review. It doesn’t appear to be durable enough for any regular use, but it sure is a lot cheaper! Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? My experience with Gore-Tex suits is that their "breatheability" claims are way overstated. I like wearing them in really cold conditions (like going for an 8 mile run in Tonopah, Nevada in 28*F), but as a rain suit in mild weather, I’ll pass. I recently read of an option that I’m going to look into. It’s a suit by a company called Rain Shield. I heard about it on a cycling mailing list I belong to. The URL below is a link to a review of the suit done by someone considering it for backpacking. It sounds like it would be a good addition to a golf bag: http://www.backpacking.net/rainshield-review.html Dave Clary/Corpus Christi,TX RSG Clique-Associate Member http://www.geocities.com/~texasp38 RSG Roll Call http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/claryd.htm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I understand that some last only four years while others can last eight years. Don "Felicity Lodge" wrote … Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? We’d really appreciate it if you’d quite all this political talk. Randy Unless worn by people in Florida who are not sure how long they’ll last Or which size and model they actually ordered… Eliyahu
This rain gear may not work very well with all the holes punched out of it. Randy
Response:
Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time?
My experience with Gore-Tex suits is that their "breatheability" claims are way overstated. I like wearing them in really cold conditions (like going for an 8 mile run in Tonopah, Nevada in 28*F), but as a rain suit in mild weather, I’ll pass. I recently read of an option that I’m going to look into. It’s a suit by a company called Rain Shield. I heard about it on a cycling mailing list I belong to. The URL below is a link to a review of the suit done by someone considering it for backpacking. It sounds like it would be a good addition to a golf bag: http://www.backpacking.net/rainshield-review.html Dave Clary/Corpus Christi,TX RSG Clique-Associate Member http://www.geocities.com/~texasp38 RSG Roll Call http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/claryd.htm
Response:
I understand that some last only four years while others can last eight years. Don – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Felicity Lodge" wrote … Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? We’d really appreciate it if you’d quite all this political talk. Randy
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I understand that some last only four years while others can last eight years. Don "Felicity Lodge" wrote … Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? We’d really appreciate it if you’d quite all this political talk. Randy
Unless worn by people in Florida who are not sure how long they’ll last — F. Blaine Dickson Kelowna BC Canada
Response:
Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? Thanks. — Felicity
Response:
"Felicity Lodge" wrote … Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time?
We’d really appreciate it if you’d quite all this political talk. Randy
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I understand that some last only four years while others can last eight years. Don "Felicity Lodge" wrote … Are Gore-Tex golf suits the best and do they last a long time? We’d really appreciate it if you’d quite all this political talk. Randy Unless worn by people in Florida who are not sure how long they’ll last
Or which size and model they actually ordered… Eliyahu