Even the toughest adventurers crave a hot shower after a big trip—your jacket is no different. It’s built to handle harsh conditions, but to keep performing at its best, it needs a little care too.
A key part of this is the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, which helps your jacket shed water instead of absorbing it. Before we dive into care instructions, let’s break down what DWR is and why it matters.
Understanding DWR or Durable Water Repellant coating
Just like all high-end waterproof jackets, the outer layer of our material is treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating. While the membrane inside the jacket acts as the real barrier against water, it relies on the DWR-treated outer layer to function properly.
When the DWR is working, water droplets bead up and roll off, preventing the fabric from becoming saturated. This keeps the jacket breathable, allowing sweat and moisture to escape. But when the DWR wears off, the outer layer soaks up water instead—creating an impermeable barrier that traps sweat inside. Imagine trying to breathe through a wet towel—not great, right?
A wet outer layer also adds weight and makes it easy to mistake your once-trusty jacket as “worn out” when, really, it just needs a little TLC.
How to Check If Your DWR Needs Help
A quick test: Drip some water onto your jacket.
- If the droplets bead up and roll off after a shake, your DWR is still doing its job.
- If the fabric darkens and absorbs water, the DWR has taken the day off—or maybe retired completely.
The good news? You don’t need a new jacket. With a few easy steps (outlined below), you can restore your DWR and keep your jacket performing like new—saving your gear and your wallet.
Washing and day-to-day care
Dirt, sweat, and oils can build up on your jacket’s outer surface, gradually reducing the effectiveness of the DWR coating. The good news? A simple wash is all it takes to keep your jacket performing at its best.
✅ How to Wash Your Jacket:
- Use a gentle cycle at low temperature (around 30°C).
- A liquid detergent works best—avoid powders that can clog the fabric.
- For a specialized cleaner, try Nikwax Tech Wash, designed specifically for outdoor gear.
- No bleach. No fabric softener. Just keep it simple.
✅ Drying:
- Tumble dry on low heat to help reactivate the DWR coating.
- No dryer? Air drying works too—just make sure the jacket is fully dry before storing it.
Regular care keeps your jacket breathable, waterproof, and adventure-ready for years to come.
Reactivation
Reactivation might sound complicated—like that impossible yoga pose or a vague KPI your boss threw at you—but it’s actually super simple. In fact, it starts with something you’ve already done: a good wash (see above).
In most cases, when a jacket seems to be failing, the DWR is still there—it just needs a little wake-up call. Here’s how:
✅ Tumble Dry Method – Pop your jacket in the dryer on low heat for 20 minutes. Simple as that.
✅ Ironing Method – No dryer? No worries. Set your clothes iron to warm (not hot) and skip the steam. Place a thin cloth between the iron and your jacket, then gently run the iron over it.
And that’s it! Your jacket is back in action, ready for the next adventure.
Reproofing
If your jacket is still struggling after reactivation, don’t panic! This is especially common in high-wear areas like the shoulders if you’ve been hiking with a backpack. Over time, abrasion can wear away the DWR coating completely—but the good news? Reproofing is an easy fix.
What Is Reproofing?
No, it’s not some mystical outdoor gear ritual—it’s simply reapplying the DWR coating. But before we get to that, make sure you’ve followed the washing steps above to start with a clean jacket.
How to Reproof Your Jacket
There are different ways to do this, but we’re big fans of the wash-in method:
✔️ Add a DWR treatment (like Nikwax TX. Direct Wash-In) to a regular machine wash.
✔️ It’s quick, easy, and ensures even coverage over the entire jacket.
✔️ No need to reactivate or dry the jacket beforehand—just wash and go!
For step-by-step instructions, check out Nikwax’s website, but in short: you’ve just mastered technical gear care, saved yourself some money, and gotten your jacket ready for the next adventure.
