Waterproof coat - Do they actually get tested?

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » 10 Feb 2016, 17:23

Recently had a new waterproof coat (short one) after the one I've been wearing for a number of years (the longer one) was on it's last legs.

I ask because the cords to tie the hood are too short.
I know they stretch, and once I have eventually made a knot, it's too tight round your face.

DB1100 · Post by **DB1100** » 10 Feb 2016, 18:23

Yes,they are rigorously tested by office workers who found them ideal for getting from their cars to the office.

wannabeek · Post by **wannabeek** » 10 Feb 2016, 18:29

Yes, and it kept the chill off them for the 90 seconds required to perform that function. Therefore they must surely be adequate for 5 hrs on delivery.

The coat is absurd. I bought my own a few years back. Expensive but worth the outlay in my opinion as the RM issue is not fit for purpose.

Pharox · Post by **Pharox** » 10 Feb 2016, 18:35

What coat did you get? Looking to get one myself as the RM 'stormproof' coat is not really that stormproof

DB1100 · Post by **DB1100** » 10 Feb 2016, 18:42

Pharox wrote:What coat did you get? Looking to get one myself as the RM 'stormproof' coat is not really that stormproof

I got a decent one from "Mountain Warehouse" quite cheap,100% waterproof but you do get a bit of condensation inside but not enough to mither about.

wannabeek · Post by **wannabeek** » 10 Feb 2016, 19:05

Sorry I'm going to be lazy cos tea is nearly ready and just post a link to my wishlist, the coat I got is on there:

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=72297

Post by **97gaz** » 10 Feb 2016, 19:07

Pharox · Post by **Pharox** » 10 Feb 2016, 19:20

wannabeek wrote:Sorry I'm going to be lazy cos tea is nearly ready and just post a link to my wishlist, the coat I got is on there:

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=72297

That's great, thanks :)

dtyssmshdchrb · Post by **dtyssmshdchrb** » 10 Feb 2016, 19:25

97gaz wrote:Are you sure it's supposed to be tied? The shorty coat I have has clamps on the cords. Slide them down until the hood is tight enough.

And marvel at the design feature that lets you be whipped in the face by them any time the wind picks up!

meercat · Post by **meercat** » 10 Feb 2016, 21:13

Silly question really. Royal Mail has been in operation for hundreds of years and has been sending people out in all weathers during that time. So OFCOURSE all outdoor issue weather-proofs are rigorously tested. Then tested again and again. Each time the uniform fails to keep water out for more than a few minutes....but that doesn't stop the testing.

datasaint · Post by **datasaint** » 10 Feb 2016, 21:47

If you wash the RM Stormproof with Nikwax Techwash and treat it with Nikwax spray it's as waterproof as anything else. The only bad thing about it is the tiny hood which seems to be size small regardless of what size your jacket is.

People who don't wash their waterproofs the grime on the surface allows the water to sit on the fabric and soak through, instead of running off like it should.

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » 10 Feb 2016, 22:06

97gaz wrote:Are you sure it's supposed to be tied? The shorty coat I have has clamps on the cords. Slide them down until the hood is tight enough.

Perhaps they aren't supposed to be tied, but I couldn't work out what to do with them!
I can't work out what you are supposed to do with the cords

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » 10 Feb 2016, 22:08

Pharox wrote:What coat did you get? Looking to get one myself as the RM 'stormproof' coat is not really that stormproof

The short thick waterproof.
The one it is replacing is longer, which I thought was better.

peshwaarinaan · Post by **peshwaarinaan** » 11 Feb 2016, 05:43

dtyssmshdchrb wrote:
97gaz wrote:Are you sure it's supposed to be tied? The shorty coat I have has clamps on the cords. Slide them down until the hood is tight enough.
And marvel at the design feature that lets you be whipped in the face by them any time the wind picks up!

Ooh that happens to me and it hurts like hell! I only got my coat in July and it's not waterproof. I have been drenched down to my underwear on several occasions. It's rubbish.

wannabeek · Post by **wannabeek** » 11 Feb 2016, 05:56

norm wrote:If you wash the RM Stormproof with Nikwax Techwash and treat it with Nikwax spray it's as waterproof as anything else. The only bad thing about it is the tiny hood which seems to be size small regardless of what size your jacket is.

People who don't wash their waterproofs the grime on the surface allows the water to sit on the fabric and soak through, instead of running off like it should.

If you use those products on any coat it will make it become waterproof. The point is that the RM stormproof is not waterproof when brand new. Yours is now only because you have waterproofed it yourself.

I used those products to waterproof a RM fleece once, which was quite useful until I got a proper waterproof coat.