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 covered up by gunk. That's why washing usually brings it back.
How to Wash Without Ruining Everything?
Most people wash their jackets wrong. They either use regular detergent or don't wash them at all because they're scared of damage.
First, close all zippers and flaps. Turn the jacket inside out if it has delicate details on the outside. Check the pockets because you don't want to wash your lift pass.
Use a technical wash made for outdoor gear. Regular laundry detergent leaves residue that clogs the fabric pores and suffocates the DWR. Powder detergents are especially bad. Fabric softener is your enemy here—never use it.
Set your machine to a gentle cycle with warm water (not hot, around 30°C or 86°F works well). Use about half the amount of technical wash you'd normally use for regular clothes.
Run an extra rinse cycle. This gets rid of all soap residue. Any leftover soap will block the fabric's breathability and prevent the DWR from reactivating.
You should wash your jacket 2-3 times per season if you ride regularly. More if you're sweating heavily or riding in wet conditions. Don't wait until it's visibly dirty.
Getting That Water Repellency Back
After washing, the DWR needs heat to reactivate. This is the part most people skip, and it's probably the most important step.
Tumble dry your jacket on low heat for about 20 minutes. Check it every few minutes to make sure it's not getting too hot. You want warm, not scorching. The heat causes the DWR molecules to stand back up and start repelling water again.
No dryer? You can use an iron on low heat with no steam. Put a thin towel between the iron and the jacket. Move the iron constantly—don't leave it sitting in one spot. Focus on the shoulders, chest, and arms where water hits most.
After heat treatment, spray some water on the jacket and watch what happens. If it beads up and rolls off, you're done. If it still soaks in, you might need to apply new DWR.
When You Need to Add New DWR?
Sometimes washing and heat don't bring back the water repellency. That means the DWR coating is actually worn away, not just dirty.
You can buy DWR spray or wash-in treatments. Spray-on is easier to control and works well for spot treatment. Wash-in coats the entire jacket evenly but uses more product.
For spray application: hang your jacket outside or in a well-ventilated area. Spray evenly from about 15cm away. Don't drench it—you want a light, even coat. Let it dry completely, then apply heat the same way you did after washing.
Wash-in treatments go in your machine. Follow the bottle instructions carefully. You usually apply it after washing while the jacket is still wet, then tumble dry to activate.
New DWR treatment lasts about 10-20 washes depending on conditions. If you ride in wet weather constantly, you'll need to reapply more often.
How to Store It Properly?
Bad storage kills jackets faster than wearing them. Most people stuff their jacket in a bag or leave it crumpled in a closet all summer.
Hang your jacket on a wide hanger. Wire hangers are too thin and create pressure points that can damage the shoulders. Make sure it's completely dry first. Any moisture trapped inside leads to mildew and that gross smell that never comes out.
Keep it somewhere cool and dark. Heat and UV light break down the waterproof membrane over time. A closet works fine. Your garage or attic probably doesn't—they get too hot in summer.
Don't compress it for long periods. If you travel with it, that's fine for a few days. But storing it stuffed in a bag for months damages the insulation and can stress the seams.
What About the Rest of the Jacket?
Zippers need attention too. Dirt in the zipper teeth makes them stick and eventually break. Brush them out with an old toothbrush after each season. You can run a zipper lubricant stick along them if they're getting stiff.
Check your seams regularly. Seam tape can peel off over time, especially around high-stress areas like pockets and cuffs. If you catch it early, you can reapply seam sealer yourself. Wait too long and water will leak through.
Ventilation zips (pit zips) are often the first place waterproofing fails. They get opened and closed constantly, which wears the DWR faster. Give these areas extra attention when you're reapplying treatment.
How Long Should Your Jacket Last?
With proper care, a quality jacket should give you 5-7 seasons of solid performance. You'll need to wash and retreat it regularly throughout that time.
Signs it's actually done: the fabric feels thin or papery, seam tape is peeling off everywhere, the waterproof membrane is delaminating (you'll see it bubbling or flaking on the inside), or zippers are beyond repair.
But most jackets get replaced too early. People think they're worn out when really they just need a good wash and DWR treatment.
Try restoring your current jacket before buying a new one. You might be surprised how well it can perform again with the right care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my snowboard jacket soaking instead of repelling water?
Answer: Most likely the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating is dirty or worn. Dirt, body oils, sunscreen, and smoke block the DWR, causing water to soak in.
How do I wash my jacket without damaging it?
Answer: Use a technical wash for outdoor gear, avoid regular detergent or fabric softener, wash on a gentle warm cycle, and run an extra rinse. Close all zippers and turn delicate jackets inside out.
How do I reactivate the water repellency?
Answer: After washing, tumble dry on low heat for about 20 minutes or use a low-heat iron with a towel in between. Heat helps the DWR molecules stand back up to repel water.
When should I apply new DWR treatment?
Answer: If washing and heat don’t restore water beading, the coating is worn away. Use a spray-on or wash-in DWR treatment, then activate with heat. Reapply every 10–20 washes or more often in wet conditions.
Comments
Post a Comment