Wash it, dry it warm, re-proof it once a season. Ingrid Solheim on keeping a shell beading for years.
By Ingrid Solheim
A waterproof shell rarely fails because the membrane gives up. It fails because dirt, sweat and sunscreen clog the face fabric, the water stops beading and the jacket starts to feel clammy. The fix is simpler than most people think.
Wash it more often
Close every zip, loosen the cuffs and wash at 30 degrees with a technical cleaner. Skip ordinary detergent and never use fabric softener: both leave a residue that attracts water.
Dry it warm
Twenty minutes in a tumble dryer on low reactivates the water-repellent finish. No dryer? A warm iron over a tea towel does the same job.
If water soaks in rather than beading, your shell does not need replacing. It needs a wash.
Re-proof once a season
When a wash and a warm dry no longer bring the beading back, it is time for a fresh durable water-repellent treatment. Spray-on is best for lined jackets; wash-in is fine for unlined shells.
Mend it early
A small nick from a ski edge becomes a long tear by the end of the week. Patch it straight away, or bring it to us.
Book yours
The Fit & Repair Studio at 48 Timberline Road offers re-waterproofing, zip and seam repair and patching. Choose a service, pick a date and we will confirm your slot.
