Ray's website says that they have figured out a secret proprietary way to make silnylon more waterproof (so no misting comes through in heavy rain) - without adding a coating that can wear off, or making it any heavier...

Sounds too good to be true. Does anyone have any experience with Ray's silnylon versus Thru-hikers, or OWFINC's ?

Thanks.

No experience with Ray's silnylon, but I have heard of "calendaring" fabrics to make them tighter. I believe that is where it would be essentially hot-ironed to flatten the ordinarily round woven filaments after weaving, and before siliconization. Anybody know if that's what Ray is up to? You would be able to see this with a microscope I believe.

hmm... i dont buy it. it's probably the same thing everyone uses now. maybe a while back it was better, but i doubt it is now or other companies would be using it. in my opinion, ray is just a little overzealous about his products and techniques. claiming he "invented" half the things on his website and to tell everyone to refer to it as ray-way this or that and it is the best way to do things. im obviously not a huge fan, although i do appreciate what he has done for lightweight hiking. to get back on point though, im not positive, but if there was some way to make silnylon better without making it heavier i bet most people would be doing it.

Edited by derekcox on 04/14/2008 12:48:50 MDT.

There are sil-nylons that are waterproof and some that are not....that are supposed to be. At least if Ray can guarantee his waterproofness that's a step ahead. There is bad sil-nylon on the market - at least in terms of it's waterproofness. Do it yourselfers should test the waterproofness of fabric before buying quantities of it.

I've used his silnylon. It's absolutely identical to what I've bought through other reputable outdoor dealers in recent years.

Back when he first stocked it though the market was a crap shoot. Back then it was hard to ensure you had a good stock.

I think the difference is that he found a reliable textile place that would apply a good coat to it in the first place. Other outdoor shops followed suit by demanding better quality so it's now identical to what places like thruhiker are stocking.

Having purchased various stuff from his site, I honestly recommend you look elsewhere. The fabric is the same but you'll be treated much better elsewhere.