by Josh Lantz
Manufacturers of hunting gear are constantly releasing new products, often marketed with references to new technologies that will outperform everything else in their category. Sometimes these marketing claims are true. Other times, they fail to deliver on the hype.
As a series, Technology On the Hunt highlights unique new technologies that offer real benefits for hunters in the field.
Stay Dry or Stay Quiet?
When it comes to any apparel’s ability to keep hunters dry, the distinction between “water resistant” and “waterproof” is a tricky one. A garment’s construction typically tells the tale; “water-resistant” jackets and pants usually have a DWR (durable water repellent) finish on the exterior that repels moisture and keeps hunters dry in light rain or snow, while garments that employ a waterproof membrane or laminate barrier earn the “waterproof” descriptor.
Unfortunately, waterproof membranes are often stiff and noisy, which is a concern for hunters who must move their upper body to draw a bow or shoulder a gun. And while “breathable” is an effective marketing term, it’s also a relative one, and wearer comfort is highly variable. These waterproof garments are also at the mercy of their seams, which are common points of failure.
DWRs employed in quieter, water-resistant garments have their drawbacks as well; principally, they become less effective with age and wear.
A Better Way
Marking one of the most significant advancements in hunting apparel since ScentLok Technologies pioneered scent-controlling activated carbon technology in 1992, ScentLok has recently teamed with Rust-Oleum® to offer hunters a new, high-performance option for staying dry, comfortable and stealthy in the field without the use of stiff and noisy membranes.
For nearly a century, Rust-Oleum® has been a worldwide leader in manufacturing protective paints and innovative coatings across categories including small project paints, cleaners, primers, automotive, industrial, wood care, and now fabrics, with their remarkable NeverWet® technology.
Rust-Oleum® NeverWet® is a superhydrophobic treatment designed to create a moisture repelling barrier on a variety of substrates, and help keep fabric dry, clean, and breathable. The treatment makes water, blood and light oils literally roll right off the surface, while possessing self-cleaning properties that help dirt and debris rinse away easily.
“Hunters are exposed to a wide variety of environmental conditions, so their apparel is an ideal application for our product,” says NeverWet OEM Account Manager, Troy Wood. “With the introduction of NeverWet treated apparel, ScentLok has proven itself once again as a pioneer in the industry.”
“We owe it to our customers to provide products that deliver the highest level of performance in the field,” says ScentLok Technologies CEO, Patrick Hylant. “This fabric treatment sheds massive amounts of rain and allows hunters to stay on stand when the skies open up without the use of stiff and noisy laminates. Being a hunter myself, I firmly believe that once hunters experience NeverWet firsthand, they’ll never go back to membranes or less effective DWR finishes.
Silence is Golden
ScentLok apparel with NeverWet® should be considered headline news for bow hunters, who no longer need to choose between staying dry or staying silent. “Full Season Taktix has been created to give bow hunters every possible advantage,” says ScentLok Technologies VP Marketing, Nick Andrews, “and this incredible NeverWet treatment is a key part of that overall formula. Now, bow hunters can make the position adjustments they need to – on stand or during the stalk – and draw their bows without fear of their clothing making any noise… all while remaining dry and comfortable. That’s a really big deal.”
Long-Lasting Performance
Unlike other garments treated with temporary DWR finishes that lose effectiveness over time, NeverWet® remains effective over the full life of the ScentLok garment. “A value of 100 is a perfect rating in a standardized spray test,” says Wood. “After 45 washes, fabrics treated with NeverWet still had a rating of 80. Considering most hunters will follow ScentLok’s instructions for care of their garments and may only wash their hunting clothes once per season, it’s easy to see how effective the NeverWet treatment remains over the full life of the apparel.”
ScentLok’s new Full Season Taktix Jackets and Pants for men and women are currently the only hunting garments to feature NeverWet® technology, though ScentLok intends to expand use of the superhydrophobic coating in the near future. Learn more at ScentLok.com.
ScentLok’s new Full Season Taktix Jackets and Pants for men and women are currently the only hunting garments to feature NeverWet® technology.
