Waterproof gear doesn鈥檛 last forever. Thankfully,听it鈥檚 easy to revitalize, says Lindsey Stone, operations manager at Seattle-based , which re-waterproofs about 5,000 products every year. Here are some of her tips for getting your old gear to work like new.
Wash It
Two main features keep your gear in waterproof condition. A waterproof (often also听breathable) membrane听and a durable water-repellent听coating (DWR),听which causes water to bead听up on the outside. Dirt, oil, smoke, and other contaminants will clog the membrane鈥檚 pores and affect听its ability to breathe, so you need to wash it听often鈥攅very five or six uses. You also need to wash your waterproof gear before reapplying a DWR because contaminants on the surface will prevent the treatment听from sticking. Rainy Pass Repairs uses ,听but Stone also trusts products from Nikwax and Granger鈥檚.
Dry It
Heat reactivates water-repellent treatments, so you can throw a jacket or rain fly in the dryer. Just听read the manufacturer鈥檚 label first. If it doesn鈥檛 offer clear directions, place the item听in a medium-low heat cycle听for 20 minutes. If that doesn鈥檛 fully dry your gear, hang it on the line.
Use a Spray-On听DWR Treatment
If your jacket, rain fly, or boots soak out immediately, it鈥檚 time to reapply a DWR. Rainy Pass uses a spray-on DWR treatment听rather than a wash-in formula, because you want DWR only on the outside of the jacket鈥攕omething you can鈥檛 control in the wash.听
Let the DWR Dry
Stone says people often听spray on DWR right before using the gear, but DWR needs time to dry. If you鈥檙e applying it to a jacket, you can throw the jacket in the dryer (read the instructions on the DWR first to know how long and at what temperature). If you鈥檙e applying DWR to a tent, Stone suggests setting up the tent in the sun听and then letting it dry outside for 24 hours. Be sure to stay away from trees鈥攏eedles and听leaves will stick to the coating as it dries.听
Check the Seams
A leaky seam will ruin your hike or camping trip. Jacket and tent seams can be repaired with听.
Know When听It鈥檚 Time to Say Goodbye
If your听waterproof jacket or rain fly is delaminating, it鈥檚 time to replace it. Bubbling or flaking on the inside of the material are signs that it鈥檚 starting to come apart and can鈥檛 be fixed.