Yes, and they are all described in the Product Manuals.

Waterproofness of our packs. With the exception of a few packs that are essentially dry bags with shoulder straps, NO pack is waterproof. Even if the pack fabric is waterproof – which is the case with the fabrics used by GoLite (Dyneema, Velocity, and SilLite) – water will still enter through the seams (where needles have punched holes through the fabric), even if the thread used will swell when wet – there are simply too many layers of fabric and webbing to attain a surefire seal.

Waterproofing a pack's seams has limited effectiveness. The seams of packs made from Dyneema and SilLite can be better sealed than those made with SilLite. Apply McNett Seam Grip with a fine brush; do not attempt to seal all the seams in one session – you will probably end up sticking parts of your pack to other parts permanently. Seam Grip does not adhere well enough to silicone-impregnated nylons like SilLite to effectively withstand the stress and abrasion that a pack incurs.

Even if you were able to perfectly seal the seams, there are still water-entry points like zippers and roll-tops. Moreover, if your pack has moderate wear and/or UV exposure, the PU coating on the pack fabric is likely to wear off, so water will start to seep through the fabric.

How to keep your stuff dry. If you really want to keep your stuff dry, we recommend using a waterproof pack liner, which could be in the form of an industrial-strength trash bag (e.g. painter’s plastic material) or a legitimately waterproof stuff sack. You could also pack your belongings in separate legitimately waterproof stuff sacks, though that is more expensive and less conducive to equipment accessibility.

Yes and no, depending on the fabric from which the pack or shelter is made.

Packs. Water can enter packs in three ways: through the seams, the fabric, and the openings. To seal the seams of your pack, please refer to the FAQ on that subject. All of the fabrics GoLite uses in its packs (Dyneema, Velocity, and SilLite) are initially waterproof, though they start to become less so with use and UV exposure. The waterproofness of polyurethane-coated fabrics (like Dyneema and Velocity) can be partially restored by using a treatment like Nikwax Tent and Gear Proof. For the treatment to work effectively the product must first be clean, so please check out the Product Care instructions first. Unfortunately, the waterproofness of SilLite cannot be restored once the silicone-impregnation begins to break down.

Shelters. GoLite shelters are made with SilLite, except the floors, which are made with PU-coated nylon. The waterproofness of SilLite cannot be restored once the silicone-impregnation begins to break down. Thankfully this only happens with years of extensive use and/or UV exposure; and, if just a spot begins to fail, it can be patched fairly easily. The waterproofness of PU-coated floors can be partially restored using a product like Nikwax Tent and Gear Proof.

DWR (durable water repellent) finish is not a coating – it is a spray-on treatment that is applied as the fabric is manufactured. The purpose of DWR is to break the surface tension of a droplet of water, causing it to run off.

DWR finishes vary in quality and durability. When a DWR finish is new, it will cause light rain to run off the face of a garment, whereas a worn-out DWR finish will not. In heavy rain, even a garment with a new DWR finish will wet out. If staying dry is essential, you really need a waterproof-breathable Storm Shell jacket and pants.

The time it takes for the wearer to get wet will depend on the garment. For example, an insulated jacket that has a face fabric, lining fabric, and synthetic insulation with water-resistant fibers will keep its wearer dry for a longer time than will a simple one-layer windshirt, even if both have been treated with DWR.

After-market products such as Gore Revivex or Nikwax TX10 can be applied to garments in order to restore the DWR qualities.

For performance layers, the measurement is taken from the base of the back of your neck to your sleeve hem. Sizes grade up and down by one inch.

For storm shells, wind shells, soft shells, and insulated garments, the measurement is taken from the center back of the neck to the sleeve opening, and sizes grade up and down 1 ¼ inches.

• Garments are SEMI-FITTED when superior freedom of movement and comfort are desired without much excess fabric. These garments contour the body.
• Garments are FITTED when wind drag, optimal moisture management, and layering are key issues. These garments are comfortable and body-hugging, and feature no excess fabric.
• Garments are RELAXED when roomy comfort is desired, for either freedom of movement, under-layering, or loft insulation. These garments drape loosely on the body.

GoLite packs are offered in different sizes to accommodate various spine lengths. Traditional packs usually feature sizing adjustment contraptions in order to accommodate a wide range of spine lengths. To reduce weight, complexity, and cost, GoLite packs come in fixed sizes, and we simply offer several fixed sizes of each pack.

If you want a large volume pack, look at the volume of the pack. Do not consider the size, which is determined by your spine length. See the Sizing Chart for instructions and specs.

This depends on how often you intend to use your shelter and how often you will encounter heavy rain.

All shelter seams contain 4 layers of fabric (2 double layers) and are sewn with thread that swells when it becomes wet, thus sealing each stitch hole. However, you still may want to seal the seams because UV exposure will slowly weaken the fabric and thread, and general use will cause the seams to become less watertight because of the tension placed on them.

The only sealant that will stick to SilLite is silicone, either in the form of McNett SilNett (available from outdoor stores) or silicone caulking (available in hardware stores). Seal the seams in a well ventilated area, make sure your sealant overlaps the seams on either side for a watertight seal, allow to dry for 24 hours, and finally sprinkle with talcum powder to prevent the silicone sticking and pulling the sealant out of the seam.