This weekend is one of our favorite weekends of the year—Quest Adventure Race Killarney! This year, unfortunately, I have to sit it out, so only Philip is taking part, along with Philip's brother and his wife. If you're doing it for the first time and need advice on what to wear or pack, here’s what we do!

Weather & Gear:

The weather forecast looks promising, with little chance of rain. For past events where rain was an issue, we typically wore hiking shell jackets. But for this race, given the forecast, we'll opt for our ultra-light shells instead.

In the picture above, Philip is wearing Sealskinz waterproof socks under his trail runners and has a Rab waterproof shell on. That’s also his trusty pack, which he brings to every adventure race.

This is exactly what I wore for Quest Killarney last year in similar weather conditions, and I was super comfortable. Here's a breakdown of my gear:

From the bottom up:

Shoes:  DYNAFIT. WOMEN'S ULTRA 100 RUNNING SHOE - HOT CORAL/BLUEBERRY. €169.95

Socks:  DYNAFIT. NO PAIN NO GAIN SOCK €22.00

Cycling bib

T-Shirt: Dynafit Running Top (sold out) but similiar this one from Rab

Jacket: Vital Windshell from Rab (sold out) but similar to this one from Columbia

Running Pack:  Alpine 8 Trail Running Vest (€125). I love this running vest. 

I love this vest! It fits like a second skin and offers plenty of space for gear, with an ingenious layout for easy access. It features two overlapping compartments with both top and bottom zippers for quick access while running. Plus, the vest has stretch pockets and a removable waterproof pocket for your phone.

Your Gore-Tex waterproof hiking jacket is a vital piece of gear, designed to protect you from the elements while keeping you dry and comfortable. Proper care is essential to maintaining its performance and longevity. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to care for your Gore-Tex jacket to ensure it lasts for many adventures.

1. Regular Cleaning

While it might seem counterintuitive, regular cleaning is essential for maintaining the waterproof and breathable qualities of your Gore-Tex jacket. Dirt, oils, and sweat can clog the pores in the fabric, reducing breathability and causing the jacket to feel damp.

• Wash Frequency: Wash your jacket with a product like Nikwax's Techwash after extended use or when it looks dirty, especially after exposure to saltwater, mud, or sweat.

• Machine Washing:

  • Close all zippers, flaps, and Velcro closures to avoid snagging.
  • Use a gentle cycle with cold water (or follow the jkt's wash instructions - a lot of them are 30 degree washes).
  • Use a mild, liquid detergent like Techwash from Nikwax. Avoid powdered detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, or stain removers, as they can damage the waterproof membrane.

• Hand Washing: If machine washing isn't possible, gently hand wash your jacket using cold water and techwash.

2. Drying Your Jacket

Proper drying is just as important as washing. It helps restore the jacket's Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish.

• Tumble Drying: After washing, tumble dry your jacket on a low or medium heat setting. The heat helps reactivate the DWR coating on the jacket’s exterior. Avoid high heat, as it can damage the fabric.

• Air Drying: If you don't have access to a dryer, hang the jacket in a well-ventilated area. Once it’s fully dry, you can use an iron on a low setting to reactivate the DWR coating by placing a cloth between the iron and the jacket.

3. Reapplying DWR Treatment

Over time, your jacket’s DWR finish will wear off. This doesn’t mean the jacket is no longer waterproof, but it may not shed water as effectively, causing the fabric to absorb water on the surface. When water no longer beads up, it’s time to reapply DWR.

• Spray-on or Wash-in Treatment: Purchase a DWR reproofing spray (we recommend TX Direct from Nikwax) or wash-in treatment from outdoor gear stores. After cleaning your jacket, apply the DWR product following the instructions provided.

• Heat Activation: Most DWR products require heat activation. After applying, either tumble dry the jacket on low or use an iron to finish the process.

4. Storage Tips

Storing your Gore-Tex jacket properly ensures that it maintains its shape and protective qualities.

• Hang it up: Avoid stuffing your jacket into a backpack or storage bin for long periods. Instead, hang it in a cool, dry place with adequate air circulation.

• Avoid Compression: Continuous compression can damage the jacket’s fabric and membrane. If you need to pack it, make sure it’s loosely folded, not crammed tightly into a small space.

5. Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Certain practices can damage the delicate waterproof membrane of your Gore-Tex jacket. Here’s what to avoid:

• Don’t Use Fabric Softeners: These can leave a coating on the jacket that interferes with its breathability and water resistance.

• Avoid High Heat: Whether drying or ironing, high heat can permanently damage the jacket. Stick to low or medium settings.

• Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals: Bleach, dry cleaning solvents, and harsh detergents can degrade the jacket’s waterproof layer. Stick with mild, non-abrasive cleaning agents designed for outdoor gear.

6. Repairing Minor Damage

Even with the best care, accidents can happen. If your jacket gets a tear or hole, you can often repair it with a Gore-Tex-specific patch or repair tape.

• Gore-Tex Repair Kit: Carry a small repair kit during hikes in case you need to make quick fixes in the field. Permanent repairs can often be done with a more durable patch or by sending the jacket to a specialized repair service.

Final Thoughts

With proper care, your Gore-Tex hiking jacket will continue to protect you from rain, snow, and wind for years. By regularly washing it, reapplying the DWR treatment, and avoiding practices that could damage the fabric, you’ll preserve its waterproof and breathable qualities, ensuring that your adventures stay dry and comfortable.

Sarah and Lucy, both keen hikers, recently headed out to Gougane Barra to check out the trails.

Within the park itself, there are six Coillte walking trails to suit all levels of fitness.

The Slí an Ghaorthaidh (0.5kms, 30mins, multi-access) is a nature trail with 10 stops; Sli na Laoi (1.3kms, 1hr, moderate) is a delightful trek along the floor of Coomroe following the course of the infant Lee to the head of the valley; Slí Dhoire na Coise (1.8kms, 45mins, easy) is a gentle walk along the Lee to the lake and back; the more energetic can tackle the Slí an Easa (1.8kms, 1.5hrs, strenuous); Slí na Sléibhe (2.5kms, 2hrs, strenuous) is the most majestic of all the trails in the park – high into the mountains with spectacular views; for those pressed for time, Slí an Choim Rua (0.5kms, 30mins, moderate) gives a glimpse into the wonder of the park at the back of the forest valley.

Outside of the park there is the 11.5km Gougane Barra Loop which is a beautiful more challenging hike (boots, maps, poles, etc required). Will share details of that again soon. Posted it way back when 🙂
Remember to bring coins for the carpark (€5) and make sure to stop into the fab Gougane Barra Hotel afterward.

Last day for pre-Christmas delivery within Ireland is Wednesday Dec 13th 2023

We're recommending that all web orders are placed by the 13th of December for pre Christmas delivery. We will continue to ship after that, and our staff make every effort to get web orders out on the same day they are placed (the couriers pick up at about lunchtime so if it's after that you roll into the next day) but we can't promise anything. 

We also offer click and collect if you'd prefer to err on the side of caution. 

In summary, the 13th of December was the last day for guaranteed delivery before Christmas but we will continue shipping daily. However, we won't be able to do too much chasing of the couriers for any order placed after the 13th that doesn't make it in time. 

If you have any questions don't hesitate to get in touch!

Laurie

Black Friday is not for us! Whilst there are lots of great bargains to be had in our shop at the moment, we don't agree with the Black Friday madness. And frankly, we're much more about encouraging people to make the right purchase that suits their needs as opposed to buying stuff they don't need at an artificially deflated price. Rant over!  

Instead (and for the seventh year in a row) we are picking a charity to donate a percentage of the days sales towards. This year the charity we've picked is Pieta House.
So this year,  shop small, shop local and buy stuff that lasts. 

It's great to see so many Irish businesses thinking this way and getting behind @championgreen and #greenfriday this year. #supportlocal #pietahouse #greenfridayireland