What to use to waterproof?

Soft shell proof spray on. Can’t use a wash in on it as it’ll affect the breath ability

Definitely use a spray proofer, either Granger or Nikwax work. I absent-mindedly used a wash-in on a VR Lite once and it screwed up the liners wicking properties.

Cheers
Isn’t too bad yet
Does washing in soap flakes then tumble drying improve it without using a reproofer

No, you need a proofer. The soap flakes will strip out anything in/on the fabric in theory.

Actually proper, pure soap flakes, won’t strip or mask the DWR, so that might work, so yes, washing it in pure soap or something like the Nikwax cleaner and then tumbling or ironing at a low temp – see care instructions – might help. Normal washing stuff, Persil and the like, contains wetting agents and other additives that mask the water-repellent finish.

See Rab’s own care instructions: http://rab.uk.com/reference/love-your-rab-wear-and-care/vapour-rise-care.html

The Rab VR looks pretty similar in concept to the Paramo stuff, so I’d have thought that washing it in Tech wash them (if needed) re-proofing with Tx direct would work. You could use the spray on Tx direct rather than the wash in stuff.

You’re actually better off using wash in than spray on, whilst yes, this reduces the ‘wicking’ properties of the material, more moisture is kept in the vapour state and passes outside of the jacket, also, once a material ‘wets out’ i.e. becomes sodden from external water or wicked sweat, it will no longer breath effectively.

Give everything a wash with soap flakes first with a decent rinse cycle as normal washing stuff will mask water repellency, then wash again with proofing stuff of your choice (Nikwax, Graingers, etc.). Tumble dry on hot is good t re-activate Graingers or the original coating.

Vapour Rise works in the opposite way to Paramo – the drop lining is designed to wick rather than repel water.

Wash with pure soapflakes or tech wash, and then check if the water beading is improved. If required, then proof the outside with spray-on proofer.

Please don’t use a wash-in proofer.

Cheers
Washed it in soap flakes then tumble dried and seems to have improved.
Benman sounds like he’s talking sense.

It still won’t be ‘waterproof’ though, the DWR stops the water saturating the outside, which then removes the breathability – which then makes you wet from the inside.