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How to waterproof your outdoor clothing

31.10.2023

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

If you spend time outdoors in autumn and winter, rain and snow are pretty much guaranteed. Time to waterproof your outdoor gear! Here’s what to look out for.

As soon as you take your autumn and winter clothes out of the wardrobe, it’s a good idea to prep them against the elements. There are countless water-repelling products out there. Some you put in the washing machine, others you spray on. Some are biodegradable and water-based, others give off a chemical smell and have a number of health warnings printed on the packaging. With so many options, it can be difficult to make an informed choice.

To keep your clothes water-repellent this autumn and winter, I’ve put together a few top tips with the help of Kai Nebel, an engineer for textile process engineering and sustainability officer at the Texoversum at Reutlingen University.

What makes clothes waterproof?

Waterproof clothing is characterised by fabric that’s covered with an impermeable film. One example is Oilskin (link in German). This type of jacket, which is made of thick, rubber-like material, and is usually bright yellow or dark blue, was particularly popular in the 70s and 80s. However, breathable it is not.

By contrast, today’s water-repellent and breathable materials aren’t completely waterproof. Each fibre of the fabric is made or coated in a way that increases the surface energy between the water and the fabric. This makes it repel rain. Thanks to a small-pored membrane, these fabrics maintain their breathability. However, the coating on the fibres can wear off. This also reduces the surface tension that prevents water from penetrating the fabric. By reapplying water repellent, the surface energy of your item’s fabric is increased again.

When is time to re-waterproof?

«State-of-the-art outdoor clothing retains its waterproof qualities for quite a long time,» says Kai. Unless you machine wash it. At worst, together with bras and other items of clothing with hooks and eyelets. Not to mention adding fabric softener. This will completely destroy the water-repellent coating and breathability. You should also avoid scrubbing water-repellent pants and jackets with a brush. «Otherwise your garment will let you down in no time,» says Kai.

So lesson number one is to wash your outdoor clothing as little as possible. At most, wipe it down with a damp cloth every now and then. But if a real wash can’t be put off any longer, you should re-impregnate it. «Once you’ve started doing this, you should apply repellent regularly after every wash,» advises Kai. This is because the reapplied waterproof coating doesn’t last as long as the first one.

Which water-repelling agent should you use?

Some water repellents contain fluorocarbons. «Outdoor sports enthusiasts should definitely stay away from these. I only recommend them for use in special operations carried out by fire fighters, the military or the police force,» says Kai. «In these cases, they’re necessary, because water or oil penetrating the clothing can exceed the boiling point and cause serious injuries.» Kai adds that for people who enjoy exercising or spending time outdoors, water-based and biodegradable waterproofing agents work well and are completely sufficient.

Ideally, the water should roll off the outside of the jacket and not seep through.
Source: Siri Schubert

Spray or liquid water repellent?

«Liquid repellents you add to a wash cycle are generally quite good,» says Kai. «Unless your garment is lined or has a fur collar, for example.» That’s when spray is more suitable. The same goes for shoes. Make sure you don't neglect the seams on your clothing. But less is also often more when you’re waterproofing your outdoor gear. «Large amounts of repellent don’t increase their effect,» says Kai. Manufacturers of waterproofing agents often provide detailed instructions on how they should be used. «You should definitely follow those,» says Kai. In any case, you have to give up on the idea that breathable clothing can be completely waterproof at the same time. «I think it’s safe to say that it’s not the end of the world if your clothes get a little damp,» says Kai. And when it rains, the clothing loses its breathable due to the water on the surface, he adds. In other words,
it’ll always be a compromise.

What about snow?

Snow stains can’t be avoided, explains Kai. However, they’re easy to wipe off with a damp cloth. What’s more, stains on your shoes are usually caused by salt and not dampness. And waterproofing them won’t change that.

What about environmentally friendly alternatives?

Depending on the leather, there are certain types of wax for shoes that provide great protection for leather. You can also get special waterproofing wax for outdoor clothing like from Fjällräven, for example. «But when temperatures rise, the wax might melt, so it’s not always an ideal solution,» says Kai. He adds that there's no need to overcomplicate things. If you’re just going for a walk, you can simply use an umbrella in addition to your rain jacket.

Header image: Siri Schubert

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Siri Schubert

Senior Editor

Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.ch

Research diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.

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How to waterproof your outdoor clothing

What makes clothes waterproof?

When is time to re-waterproof?

Which water-repelling agent should you use?

Spray or liquid water repellent?

What about snow?

What about environmentally friendly alternatives?

These articles might also interest you

Chopping boards: wood or plastic, that is the question here

Quagga mussel problem: How to clean your SUP when changing waters

Things to bear in mind before ditching your non-stick pans

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