Is Your Snowboard Jacket Still Waterproof?
Your men's snowboard jacket stops repelling water after a few seasons. You've probably noticed it soaking through instead of beading up. The good news? You can fix this at home. Most jackets lose their waterproofing because of dirt buildup and worn DWR coating, not because the fabric itself has failed. What Actually Makes Your Jacket Waterproof? Two things work together here. The outer fabric has a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating that makes water bead up and roll off. Under that, there's a waterproof membrane or laminate that blocks moisture from getting through to you. The DWR is what fails first. It's a chemical treatment applied to the outside of the fabric. When it's working, water forms little balls on the surface. When it stops working, water spreads out and the fabric looks wet and dark. Here's what kills DWR: body oils, sunscreen, dirt, and smoke. These coat the fabric and stop the DWR from doing its job. The coating is often still there, just c...
