If your waterproof-breathable jacket is “wetting out”, it is time to clean it. Nearly all outdoor brands and manufacturers use a hyper-thin DWR coating on the outside face fabric of their waterproof jackets; this coating is what causes water droplets to bead up and roll off. There are...
Windproof: Any waterproof jacket is also windproof. That makes sense when you consider that a barrier designed to block driving rain would also block the wind that's pushing the rain. You will also find jackets with windproof technology, typically some type of laminate, that are only considered...
Windproof:Any waterproof jacket is also windproof. That makes sense when you consider that a barrier designed to block driving rain would also block the wind that's pushing the rain. You will also find jackets with windproof technology, typically some type of laminate, that are only considered ...
Waterproof gear is expensive. It’s a big investment to get a nice rain jacket or pair of pants, the sort of investment that makes you want to take as good of care as possible of your gear. But what’s the point of owning nice gear if you don’t use it? And no matter how caref...
We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Read more about us. We get this question a lot: What’s the difference between a hardshell and a rain jacket, and which one is best for me? Although both rain jackets and hardshells are waterproof, there are notabl...
Caring for your GORE-TEX jacket is as easy as giving it a wash from time to time. Cleaning keeps your jacket performing its best. Washing a GORE-TEX, eVent, or any waterproof breathable rain jacket is remarkably simple. Follow these three steps to a clea
Our step-by-step guide and video will show you how to wash a GORE-TEX jacket and how to re-waterproof your GORE-TEX jacket so you're always ready to get outdoors. Covered in mud? Less waterproof than it used to be? The daily commute left a mark? Whether it's after a day or a...
What do you wear under a rain jacket? 2. Cuff the hem of your hiking pants and shirt sleeves underneath your rain paints and jacket. It's important to keep your non-waterproof layers from sliding out underneath your shell, as they will quickly start to absorb water. Which chemical is use...
An example of what re-applying DWR with spray can do. The dreaded “wet out” on the left, the same rain jacket after treatment on the right. Dirt, movement, sunlight, and your washing machine are all working to break down the DWR on your favorite pieces of waterproof gear. ...
bet at long-term fixes to softshells and non-waterproof fabrics is to sew them up, carefully. Learn a few basic stitches like the whip stitch for all-purpose fixes, a running stitch for seams that won’t be tensioned, and a back stitch for patches that will see quite a bit of stress...