I wonder how the wash and dry thing "reconditions" breathable rain gear. I can understand that the breathability would be enhanced by opening up the "pores". ... how are those too small to allow water in microscopic openings helped by clearing them out ?  Does the dirt somehow act as a conduit and wick moisture in?  Anyway, I guess I'll put my gortex-used-german army suit through the hot wash/cold rinse routine and then through the dryer,and wear it on a long walk in the rain. I'll probably treat the seams with Thompson's Water Sealant (silicone) (just like my tent and tarp) and then treat the whole suit with one of the reconditioning products sold in Campmore.  The first time I wore this thing on a wet and cold trip in May my upper body got soaked right where the shoulder seams (pack straps) were,and through my upper chest when I could not stop paddling hard into the wind, rain, and viscious waves long enough to pull the zipper all the way up. I figured out  how to pull my zipper up before heading into the wind,sealed my seams,and since then haven't had any problems (-and, of course I know better than to" mess around with Jim."...).  I do always take along a nylon poncho as insurance, but as of yet haven't had to go through a multi day monsoon that saturated everthing . I wonder if just treating that shoulder area the same way you would your tent ,would'nt keep an otherwise good piece of equipment in the game? Might make that area a little stiff and maybe a little less "G-Q",but who's lookin?