You have spent your money on a snowboard jacket of the highest quality. It is also rugged, waterproof, and well-manufactured to keep you warm in the slush, wind, snow, and so on.
The best equipment, however, requires maintenance. Take proper care of it, and your jacket will last as long as you wear it; lose it, and performance, comfort, and waterproofness will be things of the past.
This is how you can wash, store, re-proof (and generally pamper) your snowboard jacket in order to make it last longer and perform better.
Why and How to Wash Your Snowboard Jacket?
A dirty jacket is much less efficient than a clean jacket. Washing takes away oils, sweat and grime, which degrades the fabric and the waterproofing. But the thing is to make it clean.
- Check the care label first: Each jacket will require different care requirements, and acting as per the recommendation of its manufacturer will avoid cases of unintentional damage.
- Prep before washing: Unzip, undo Velcro straps, loosen drawcords and empty your pockets. This prevents snags and allows the jacket to wash on an even basis.
- Use the right detergent: Wash without the normal laundry powder or fabric softeners, which will clog the cloth and remove waterproofing. Rather, apply a special cleaner for technical outdoor equipment.
- Wash on a gentle cycle: Generally, the best is a 30-40 °C sluggish spin. Due to harsh cycles, stress is put on seams and coatings.
- Rinse thoroughly: You can, hopefully, run a second rinse cycle to ensure you are not leaving any residue of detergent behind.
- Dry with care: Other jackets, like an Anorak snowboard jacket, can be washed in the tumble dryer at the low setting to reactivate the DWR coating, though it is always advisable to check the label.
Re-Proofing Your Jacket
No matter how carefully you care for your jacket, its waterproof treatment will eventually wear off. When water no longer beads on the surface but begins to soak in, especially on high-wear areas like shoulders or sleeves, it is time to re-proof.
Re-proof may take place in two ways:
- Spray-on products allow you to spot certain areas, and this comes in handy when you only need specific parts of your jacket to wear out. Simply spray and apply on the outer shell following the washing, and then heat up if there is any need.
- Wash-in treatments cover the entire garment in a single application, thereby providing a uniform layer. They work well with shell jackets, but can be inappropriate when it comes to insulated jackets, so you must always read the instructions on the product.
Once re-proved, reapply the coating with heat (where permissible) either by tumble-drying at low temperature or by applying low-level heat with an iron or a hairdryer. Even if you have a grey snow jacket, you should keep it like this.
Storing Your Jacket
The way you keep your jacket safe when not in use or in the off-season also impacts its lifespan.
- Always store it clean and dry: A little dampness may cause mould, unpleasant odours, or destruction of cloth.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Fabrics and waterproof surfaces are dissolved by UV rays with time.
- Don’t cram it away: Months of folding it may crease and stress the material. Rather, place your jacket on a wide and strong hanger to maintain the shape.
- Keep it cool and dry: A breathing wardrobe or gear cupboard is much better than a warm, stuffy loft or a rainy garage.
Final Thoughts
One of the most important bits of your snow kit is the snowboard jacket. It will make you dry and warm and prepared to face whatever the mountain throws at you.
When you wash it, re-proofread it when necessary and keep it in good condition by taking care of it, you will see that it will be in good condition all through.
Capelin Crew is committed to making jackets that serve and protect you like the rest of the time you are out there hustling. And be good to your jacket, it will be good to you.
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