the future of waterproofing?

[DuctTape]

cuben and silnylon seem to be all the rave now and some still like their urethane coatings. However, what will the future bring? I recently read about this concept in Popular Science so I looked up the company online, here is a page that speaks about textiles:

http://www.p2i-labs.co.uk/performancetextiles.html

So, if this really works, and is economically viable, what is the lightest/strongest material that we could waterproof with this technology?

We could even use it on the hammock body as well. I wonder how pressure affects its performance?

[Narwhalin]

I hope it is true, but I have heard that song and dance before...namely when I bought my $200 rainsuit!

[6 feet over]

Right there with you. I think Gore Tex is HIGHLY overrated. Does it allow sweat vapor to pass through while keeping rain out? I guess, but you still get the damp feeling inside the gear. Is it better than a rubber suit? I'd say so, but not nearly as good as the ads would have you believe.

[oldsoldier]

I too fell into the Gore Tex myth. Myself, I sweat, alot. Just my metabolism I guess. Well, when Gore Tex was the wonderfabric, I thought, wow, something that will keep me from sweltering!!! Well, not so much. It works GREAT below freezing temps; anything above that, and I have every vent open I can (one has to wonder how a material that "breathes" would need so much venting?). I have since used the Frogg Toggs, as they do what they are supposed to, do cost too much, and are light. MY gore tex gear is reserved for winter now.
Changing material at the molecular level sounds like a neat idea...almost like a smart fabric. I'd be interested to try something like that out...imagine, a shirt you put on, that breathes when you need it, and truly keeps rain out!

[NCPatrick]

Here's a link about nanotech waterproofing for airplanes... maybe some of this technology will filter down over time to fabrics?

[koaloha05]

IMO GoreTex the way it is manufactured for clothing is definitely way overrated in regards to breath ability. Pit-zips, Thigh/Hip-zips, required.
Sure hope something that actually breaths as freely as an untreated fabric comes along. Feathered Friends has a nano (NanoSphere) fabric option that supposedly is moisture resistant. Use of nanoparticles to enhance water resistance.

[eugeneius]

I've heard great things about the performance of eVent technology, supposedly it breathes far better than GoreTex without the clammy feeling inside gear. I know Feathered Friends uses it on their expedition level bags as does Kayland for their boots. There are a lot of water"proof" fabrics out there now besides Goretex, every company seems to have their own proprietary product, we'll see what happens in the next couple years.