Opinions on Polyurethane (PU) Rainwear?

[Kosm_64]

Personally, I enjoy it. Especially some of the modern Helly Hansen stuff. It has a nice rubbery feel, while still being quite soft and conformable. It's also very enjoyable to sleep in.

I've seen mixed opinions on it from other rainwear enthusiasts, so I'm curious where people stand...

[Kosm_64]

to me its not at all the same as old rukkas , whatever they are made of

they are more shiny and more heavy. has another texture like a waxcoat

Very much agreed; It's not nearly in the same league as old Rukkas. Not everything is slick and shiny though - even PVC.

[mason]

I hate it. Full stop.

[Tiefdruckgebiet]

Better than nothing, better than the creepy Gore-Tex etc stuff à la Jakob Wolfshaut (Jack Wolfskin), TNF, Mammut and however all the "outdoor" brands are named. It's much better to see people (more women than men) with the modern variations of the classic rainslicker/Friesennerz than soaked people too dumb to dress for rainy weather conditions.

But thicker pvc coating is much better of course, gives a much better feeling.

[Kosm_64]

Better than nothing, better than the creepy Gore-Tex etc stuff à la Jakob Wolfshaut (Jack Wolfskin), TNF, Mammut and however all the "outdoor" brands are named. It's much better to see people (more women than men) with the modern variations of the classic rainslicker/Friesennerz than soaked people too dumb to dress for rainy weather conditions.

But thicker pvc coating is much better of course, gives a much better feeling.

Oh, Gore-tex is the worst. You're right in the observation about classically-styled raincoats; it seems they're mostly PU nowadays. In my observations, PVC is a rare thing nowadays, at least up here in Canada.

[spitfire617]

What is Polyurethane but a Hybrid PVC material?

From Wikipedia

The terms "PVC", "vinyl" and "PU" tend to be used interchangeably by retailers for clothing made from shiny plastic-coated fabrics. These fabrics usually consist of a backing woven from polyester fibers with a surface coating of shiny plastic. The plastic layer itself is typically a blend of PVC and polyurethane (PU), with 100% PVC producing a stiff fabric with a glossy shine and 100% PU producing a stretchy fabric with a silky shine. A manufacturer's label may say, for example, 67% polyester, 33% polyurethane for a fabric that contains no PVC; or 80% polyvinyl chloride, 20% polyurethane with mention of the polyester backing omitted.

[rainwearseeker]

it also reminds me how so many sellers will list a vinyl raincoat as rubber when they are completely different. now some vinyl raincoats do have a more rubber like feel to them however. i prefer pvc raincoats because they are usually smoother. i noticed a lot of PU raincoats have a more crinkly look to them like a shiny leather.

i hate goretex. even if it is more practical it does not have anything that resembles the iconic rainwear which is either shiny pvc or a heavy rubber.

[rbrlvr66]

Love it !! Grundens has some amazing gear in p/u. Super soft. Love putting it over rubber. Sleep in it quite often. Charles River also has some very nice p/u rain gear

[annabell-cagoule]

Have a nice charles river cagoule in red for work

[spitfire617]

Nylon raincoat and waterproof trousers if out and about.
Flexothane if out and about with a video camera as not noisy or rustling.
Swings and roundabouts really.