I’ve tested a lot of rain gear and in the process I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes rain gear effective. In other words, the balance between design intent and proper maintenance. In fact, rain gear can be flat out useless if you don’t clean it on a regular basis. Additionally, that light weight set of breathable rain gear is not going to survive a month of brush busting, continual downpours as well as a burlier set of rain gear.
As part of my testing I push gear pretty hard, utilizing a combination of field and controlled tests. I bring in a few other testers to help me out and we feel that our combined efforts provide a fairly reliable analysis of a given product. Then I read a forum post from someone claiming that my favorite rain gear is complete junk and they hate it. It’s hard for me reconcile the opposite experiences.
I’ve had several conversations with both fellow outdoor adventurers and manufactures as to why this might be. Sometimes, a bad product does slip through, but in general two common themes seem to arise. One, the gear is used beyond its design intent and two, proper care of the gear was ignored. This is not always the case, but it’s a fair general observation. When selecting and buying outer wear I find that there is a tough balancing act between price, weight, durability, and design intent that must be matched to your assumed usage. More often than not too much emphasis is placed on one or more variable, and the end result is dissatisfaction.
To maximize performance one must tailor the right product to the right activity, and then properly take care of the chosen product(s). This article attempts to highlight the need for a thoughtful selection process and point out the outright requirement of proper maintenance practices.
The very fact that these fabrics are breathable should clue us in to the fact that there are pores in the fabric. Proper maintenance keeps these cores from getting clogged. Clogged fabrics reduce performance. As such it is critical that we follow the care and maintenance labels on our outerwear. Some fabric technologies, like Gore-Tex, are used in multiple manufactures so what may work for the garment from Brand X may not work for Brand Y. Gore-Tex’s website is a great resource for the proper care and maintenance of their fabrics, and any serious adventurer needs to spend some time educating themselves on how to protect and maximize their gear.
Before you clean your outerwear take a few moments and inspect it. Zip up all zippers and fasten any 
snaps, straps, flaps, etc. Confirm the pockets are empty and closed. Pay particular attention to any Velcro and ensure it is securely fastened so as not to cause damage to the gear. If there are any tears, rips, or worn spots; consider the impact washing may have. You can buy repair kits from a variety of sources. This is a great field repair option, but for a permanent solution it is best to have the gear professionally repaired by an Authorized Repair Center, like Rainy Pass. Additionally it is generally best to wash your garments right side out, unless specifically told not to on the garment instructions.
While washing your gear is important, ensuring it rinses free of detergent residue is critical to maintaining performance. General suggestions are to machine wash warm (105º F/40º C) on a permanent press cycle / setting using a small amount of liquid detergent. While the manufacturers do not provide specific detergent examples, it is critical that the detergent does not contain fabric softeners, brighteners, conditioners, bleach, stain removers, etc. as these additives will affect performance. Rinsing your garment 2-3 times helps ensure detergent residue is not left in the pores. Gore recommends that you rinse at least twice, but minimize spinning. Gentle rinse cycles are a must. In no instances should you use a chlorine bleach on your outerwear. Most detergents are highly concentrated, less is more when washing technical fabrics.
There many detergent options to choose from, both at the grocery store and the sporting goods store. Personally I have always used a technical fabric specific wash just to be safe. For example, First Lite suggests using Nixwax Tech Wash. I have also used detergents targeted at hunters that champion UV elimination and scent control. One such product is E1 DDW by Dead Down Wind. While E1 DDW is probably ok, I prefer the Tech Wash for my outwear as it is specifically designed to maximize performance of breathable, durable water-repellent (DWR) treated fabrics. In my opinion, products like E1 DDW are best utilized in non-technical fabrics
To dry the garments it is recommended to either line dry, or tumble dry on a warm, but gentle cycle. If you line dry it is critical to tumble dry the garment for ~20 minutes to reactivate the DWR. If you are unable to tumble dry you may iron. This seems like a bad idea to me, but if you are the brave sort it is an option. Iron the dry garment on a gentle setting (warm, no steam). Placing a towel or cloth between the garment and the iron will help ensure you don’t burn the garment. This effort will help reactivate the DWR treatment.
Home laundering is typically the recommended best practice. However if professional dry cleaning is necessary you need to request special treatment. The cleaning service must use a clear distilled hydrocarbon solvent for rinsing, and then spray DWR treatment on the fabric before drying.
As the fabric ages the factory applied treatment will eventually lose the ability to be reactivated. At this point, apply a new water-repellent treatment. These treatments can found as both spray or wash-in options.
Regular maintenance of your outerwear is key to its success long term durability. Be thoughtful and intentional in your maintenance practices so that your gear is clean and ready to go for your next pursuit. If EVER in doubt call the manufacturer.
These are general tips and suggestions that I have pulled from various manufacture’s websites, and combined with my personal experiences and research. ALWAYS be sure to follow the garment manufacturer’s instructions to ensure maximum performance.
If your gear is suffering from serious performance issues Nikwax offers a unique solution; a rehabilitation service to renew your gear. I have not used this service, but it’s a good option to have if you need it.
Additional Resources:
Rainy Pass, Inc. – The leading specialist in the care and repair of outdoor technical fabrics and equipment.
Nikwax Products
Nikwax Waterproofing
How Nikwax Works
McNett Gear Aid/Repair Products
McNett Clean / Deodorize Products
McNett Waterproofing Products
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