I recently cleaned and re-proofed my Karrimor Goretex Paclite jacket using Nikwax,its 5 years old so I've done this a few times during this period. After I bought it I was a bit annoyed to find out that these jackets aren't really waterproof and need a DWR coating applied to them to make them waterproof,bit of an advertising con really.

However on todays wet road ride the proofing wasn't working too good and I ended up getting a bit wet.

Does this fabric have a life ? ie. After so long its useless and re-proofing won't do anything anyway?

I might try the Nikwax again but wondering whether to get another jacket,I'm due one anyway.

chuck it in the tumble drier on cool for 20 mins...

Iron it, same as drier principle - heat activates coating.

You did clean the detergent out of the dispenser before washing and proofing though?

Yes and I've used the iron before but prefer the tumble drier.

It may be that I didn't shake the proofer in the bottle before putting it in the washer.

Failing that perhaps continually packing and unpacking may be wearing off the DWR?

When I get it out the drier in 30 minutes I'll soak it and see what its like,if its improved then I think I'll pack it and leave it.

Its not moisture build up,water isn't sitting in droplets on the fabric like it should and is soaking in.

Nikwax TX direct wash in.

Hi, I think you'll find that all Gore Tex products have a life as the Gore Tex laminated membrane will wear through and then leak. DWR type stuff should help to prolong the useability of the jacket but the membrane may already be damaged. Packlite consists of a lite outer shell with the membrane bonded to it on the inside. Anywhere where there is a crease will wear prematurely and damage the membrane. There are heavier grades of Gore Tex that are a sandwich with the membrane in the middle, but these will be too warm for biking. Gore Tex works best where there is a temperature differential which is why it's so good in the mountains.

I might be talking out of my *rse now, but if the outside is not "beading" (ie just wet)with droplets, then how can the moisture pass through the membrane?

I'm currently using Gore Packlite, or a Paramo Velez on cold wet days (too warm for general use but absolutely waterproof). Entrant next time or whatever seems best by then.  

I understand that keeping items clean help the "moisture transfer" process through the membrane as it less likely to be clogged with stuff.

I've re-proofed the jacket so I'll see what happens next time.

Interesting bit about the laminate,the jacket has been folded in storage for some time,I don't use it very often,only in the wettest of weather so perhaps that could be the problem then? Looks like it might be time for a new jacket.

“Wet out” can put a real damper on your day. That’s when liquid saturates your garment’s outer fabric, leaving you feeling damp and clammy as if your garment were leaking, even when it’s not.

To prevent wet out, all GORE-TEX® shell fabrics are treated with an ultra thin treatment called DWR, a durable water repellent polymer that is applied to the outermost fabric layer. DWR penetrates the fibres and lowers the surface tension of the fabric, causing water to bead up and roll off the outer layer of fabric, instead of being absorbed.

DWR is not permanent though. Regular wear and tear, plus exposure to dirt, detergents, insect repellent and other impurities can shorten its lifespan. The good news is that restoring the water repellency of your GORE-TEX® shell is extremely easy.

GORE-TEX® outerwear:
Just wash it, rinse it and put it in the dryer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The washing removes contaminants and the heat from the dryer helps redistribute the DWR treatment on the fabric surface.

If water fails to bead up on the surface of your cleaned and tumble dried garment, its DWR treatment has reached the end of its useful life. But don’t worry y ou can restore the garment’s water repellency by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

I give my eVent jacket (previously paclite) a 'proper' wash & reproof once a year with Grangers and it's always been fine.

You don't NEED to do owt if it's still waterproof but some prefer preventative maintenance.