Failed Foulies

[Bad Obsession]

I have a Henry Lloyd coastal foul weather jacket. It has very limited use and it looks almost brand new. It is only a few years old.

The other day it was raining buckets around here so I put that jacket on. Much to my disbelief the jacket started leaking. It leaked on a seam along my back and my back was wet very quickly.

While I am glad that this didn't happen when I was sailing and I needed it most, I am very irritated that a like new jacket with little wear leaked. I sent an email to Henry Lloyd and I have not heard back, maybe because of the holidays. Still, I don't think that they will do much.

If the off chance that I need to get a new jacket, what is a good brand that won't crap out in a short time? I guess I am saying what is the best bang for your buck?

 

[Jackdaw]

Well Henri Lloyd IS a good brand. Its hard to say what happened to your jacket. Do you think the seam seal failed, or was never sealed? One of those two are mostly likely. Its hard to say if you will get any satisfaction on the jacket... it will be hard for them to tell how much use you gave it, that's why they do not warrant things on the number of times you use it. They will only know its several years old. I use a fair amount of HL gear and in several years it get a tremendous amount of wet weather use. Everyone is different. Oh, and they all eventually leak. ;^\

 

[justsomeguy]

Sounds like your jacket just needs a little maintenance, AKA Seam-Sealer.

 

[Mark Maulden]

You can buy a little tube of seam sealer. Works well

 

[Parsons]

I've had great success with my Henry Lloyd; your mileage may vary. Crew on my boat swear by the WM third reef house brand for cheaper occasional use foulies, but I wouldn't go all day in them. Remember, a plastic bag will keep you dry from rain, what you're paying for is ventilation and durability.

 

[Skipper]

I use a Patagonia rain shell very similar to this:
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-torrentshell-waterproof-rain-jacket?p=83801-0
Although mine is a couple sizes too big, so that I can put more clothes on under it if needed.
This is a great layer system, for it's not always cold when the weather is foul. But if it is, you can dress accordingly.
Oh yeah, and I bought it in the 80's, for motorcycle use. Then transferred it to boating/sailing later. Still in the hanging locker. Perfect condition.
I can't vouch for their current line, as who knows what changes have been made, but it's a well known brand in the outdoors sectors.
PS check the video in the link. Very detailed description.

 

[dlochner]

I've had great success with my Henry Lloyd; your mileage may vary. Crew on my boat swear by the WM third reef house brand for cheaper occasional use foulies, but I wouldn't go all day in them. Remember, a plastic bag will keep you dry from rain, what you're paying for is ventilation and durability.

At least in the past, who ever made HL also made WM Third Reef foul weather gear. I have a HL jacket and my wife a WM. While stowing them one day I noticed a few construction similarities. Upon closer inspection the jackets were nearly identical, a few new features on the WM, but that was a newer jacket. However, the patterning, seaming, and finishing were identical.

Seams will leak eventually. If you can get to the seam apply some seam sealer following the directions.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Yep...it was made in China. I saw it the other day when I was looking at the coat

 

[gettinthere]

I have had very good dealings with HL. Give them a chance before going off...

 

[woodster]

I just bought a rain defender ....storm defender from carhartt we will see how it does

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Eventually they all need some sealer on the seams

 

[Bad Obsession]

What brand/type of sealer would you suggest for the seams?

 

[gettinthere]

What brand/type of sealer would you suggest for the seams?

Nothing, until you talk to HL!

 

[Bad Obsession]

This is true, I intend to talk to them this week, if they are in!

 

[Maine Sail]

Couple of thoughts on limiting these types of failures.... (not saying this is what caused it but what can or could)

#1 Do not dry these garments in a clothes dryer! This can cause the heat sealed seams to un-seal. If you absolutely must use the lowest heat setting you can.

#2 Never put on one of these garments after applying, of having applied, bug dope! The DEET will delaminate and destroy these garments in short order.

#3 Use only approved re-waterproof coatings such as Nikwax TX Direct etc.. Never use anything containing silicone.

#4 Do not wash these garments with detergent. Dreft or Ivory Snow or a product from companies such as Nikwax...

I have Gore-Tex gear going back 25+ years and have never had a single failure of a seam, waterproof or decreased breathability with the exception of a bug dope incident which I learned the hard way back in 1989......

 

[Bad Obsession]

I heard back from Henry Lloyd today. This is the email that I received:

"Thank you for your email regarding your jacket. We apologize for the inconvenience you have experienced as a result. If you would like to return the gear to us for inspection under our warranty process, please follow these instructions:

1) All gear must be CLEAN when returned to us for evaluation. If gear is received soiled or dirty, your warranty will not be processed and the shipment will be returned to you. It is mandatory that garments are CLEAN when submitted for warranty evaluation. Our repair vendor will not accept or handle soiled or dirty garments.

2) Please ship to our address listed below:

Henri Lloyd North America, Inc.
Attn: Warranty Department
250 Hembree Park Drive, Suite 118
Roswell, Georgia 30076

We strongly recommend that you return all items via an insured, traceable method such as UPS, Fedex or US Priority Mail. Henri Lloyd is not responsible for packages received without proof of delivery or lost in transit.

3) Please make sure you enclose a note with your gear listing the following information:

Your Name
Contact Information (phone number and email address)
Address (must be physical street address, no PO Boxes)
Style, size and color of each item
Age of each item
Proof of Purchase (credit card statements are not acceptable, no credit available without original proof of purchase)recommended but not required
Description of complaint or defect

Please be advised that we do not perform any repairs on-site. The warranty evaluation process normally takes a minimum of three weeks from the date we receive your gear. In some instances, the process may take up to six weeks if additional testing or evaluation is required.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us directly via email."


I am probably going to send the jacket to them. Of course, I don't have a receipt.

I will try to keep you guys posted as to what happens.

 

[gettinthere]

Dont agonize over the clean requirement. But do insure it. I scored big when mine was stolen by fedex!

 

[Gunni]

What Maine Sail said...#1 cause of failure for outdoor technical gear is user error, especially incorrect laundering. Nikwax Tech Wash followed by TX.direct wash in waterproofing. Line dry all this gear. I know plenty of sailors who never launder their foulies.

 

[jibes138]

If you want to know what foul weather gear to buy go ask a guy on a lobster, shrimp, or fishing boat. They don't wear fancy retail marine store brands. They wear stuff that works day in and day out in all kinds of weather. If still in doubt take a trash bag poke a hole for your head and two for your arms, works great. A large ziplock bag for your head and VOILA

 

[Maine Sail]

If you want to know what foul weather gear to buy go ask a guy on a lobster, shrimp, or fishing boat. They don't wear fancy retail marine store brands. They wear stuff that works day in and day out in all kinds of weather. If still in doubt take a trash bag poke a hole for your head and two for your arms, works great. A large ziplock bag for your head and VOILA

Ah yeah, I was a commercial lobsterman, and my Grundens worked to limit the fish smell and save the clothes I had on underneath from bait stench.. They DO NOT keep you dry, and in fact make you wetter, they are horribly uncomfortable, and they DO NOT breathe hence why they are wet and extremely uncomfortable.....

Commercial fishing gear would be my absolute last choice unless I was handling bait...