Waterproofing a hat or pack.

Shoki

Shoki

Joined
Apr 10, 2007
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I'd like to get myself a new hat and I know that money buys quality and comfort and a hat is one of those things you don't want to skimp on. Still, with a son on the way next month, cash is really tight and a hat is not something I can justify dropping any serious cash on. A gaggle of pacifiers, a carrier/seat, bibs, maybe but not a hat ;). So my question is, has anyone ever waterproofed a cheap boonie hat or a pack with wax or oil, etc? I've got a trusty old EMS rucksack that's had it's waterproof liner rot away that I'd still like to use in wet weather but fails me in the lightest rainfall. I thought about rubbing the surfaces down with a candle and then turning a hair dryer on it but I don't want to chance it and ruin an old friend. I'm not a fan of chemical sprays but if that's the only way to go then I'll give it a shot. If I'm wasting my time, feel free to call me an ass and send me a hat (kidding, of course) :D.

Believe me, I know all about the value of quality gear but I'm in a tight spot. Any experience from you resourceful woodsmen?
 
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You can always line the pack with a plastic trash bag, put your stuff in, and twist tie the top shut then close up the pack. I've done that in monsoons and it worked out just fine.

As for the hat; if it's cotton, just get a can of the Filson wax finish they sell to reproof the waxed finish coats, and use it on the hoat. It won't breath after that, but it will keep the rain off.
 
I've found the camp dry spray to work pretty good, haven't really tried anythong other than the sprays though
 
Scotchguarded jeans worked very well for several years when my parents didn't want to spend $$$ for ski pants that would be outgrown in a single season, never a leak.
 
Thanks for the responses, I just looked up Filson wax and it seems like it's what I need, just need to find a cheap cotton boonie. For my pack, I've used the trash bag method with a shopping bag for the smaller pouch but was hoping for a treatment to make the nylon at least water resistant. Thanks.
 
Thompsons water seal.

brush on, let dry. Brush on more, let dry. It will stink for a few days to a week but will repel rain VERY well.

One can also mix in filson wax with the Thompsons, and add a little boiled linseed oil. Again, works great, smeLLS FOR A WHILE.
 
Bushman5 said:
Thompsons water seal.

brush on, let dry. Brush on more, let dry. It will stink for a few days to a week but will repel rain VERY well.

One can also mix in filson wax with the Thompsons, and add a little boiled linseed oil. Again, works great, smeLLS FOR A WHILE.
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As in the deck sealer? Hmm.. It doesn't harden or anything?
 
Thompson's is basically wax mixed with a hydrocarbon solvent.
 
Blais said:
As in the deck sealer? Hmm.. It doesn't harden or anything?
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nope. Its pure hydrocarbon goodness. Makes enviro pyschos freak out! :D

you can dissolve a LOT or Filsons or similar waterproofing waxes into it. The solvent evaps and leaves behind all the waxes and chems. Use a hairdryer on the jacket after about a week and really work in the wax.
 
Neat. I'm going to have to experiment. I've got some old Levis around, maybe I'll try out a pair of waterproof jeans :D
 
I've never had much success with the oil wax route with this kind of thing. I do use Nikwax on a bunch of things, and it is the best product I've used so far, but it cannot compensate for all the limitations a fabric may have. For example; it works well at getting water to bead up and run off my bergan, but my bergan is made from a very water resistant fabric to begin with [Aztec fabric by Macpac]. Stick it on an old canvas pack and the only advantage is that will dry quicker as water finds it harder to get into the fibers, but it can't plug up the spaces between them so gear still gets wet inside. It's similar to how it works on fleece – it will add a degree of water resistance but it can't work a miracle and make it waterproof. Same with cotton hats, combat jackets and so on. About your only hope here is to have such a screen of wax you'd have done better to have bought a dedicated waxed hat to begin with, perhaps a Barbour.

Personally, I think a better and more economical hat solution would be to buy a different kind of hat completely. Here Lowe Alpine offers cheap waterproof hats that don't need messing with. Seems you can get them over there – random site

EDIT -

Mah woman's pack can't fend for itself as well as mine. Liners and that are great but not getting it wet to begin with is better. Hers is hiding under a yellow rucksack cover -

lid1.jpg
 
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i have never tried the thompsons route but i have done the snowseal thing kind of messy but i you have a day in the bush and nothing to do you can set by a fire and rub this stuff in and then set it by the fire to heat it up and let it soak in seems to work pretty well
 
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