Ever feel like your waterproof jacket looks like it’s getting wet? Well, that’s because it is likely getting wet — on the outside anyway. Here’s why: Your jacket’s DWR (durable water-repellent) finish is worn out. All waterproof, breathable jackets (and pants) include a DWR coating, even when they feature a waterproof, breathable membrane like GORE-TEX.
First, it’s essential to understand that there are two types of waterproof clothing: Good old-fashioned rubberized rain gear like you’d wear on a fishing boat and modern, waterproof, breathable outerwear like we wear for backcountry skiing and hiking that features a membrane to seal out moisture.
The rubberized rain gear variety does not need a DWR coating because it’s rubberized on the outside and designed to shed water without breathing. However, the waterproof, breathable outerwear used for skiing and hiking relies on a laminated construction with an internal waterproof membrane like GORE-TEX (or one of the many alternative waterproof, breathable membranes on the market) to seal out water. You can learn more about different types of GORE-TEX in our guide to GORE-TEX.
In other words, your fancy waterproof jacket and pants can look wet because the outer fabric layer could, in fact, be wet. As mentioned, waterproof, breathable gear is made by laminating a waterproof, breathable membrane between an outer fabric and an inner lining of one sort or another. The laminate construction means the outer fabric layer is not waterproof. In fact, it needs to be breathable to allow the GORE-TEX membrane to work its magic. The outer layer — or face fabric as the product people call it — is only water-resistant; that is where the DWR finish comes in.
What is a DWR Coating – Durable Water Repellency
When a jacket or pants are brand new, the factory DWR coating offers robust water resistance and keeps your fancy waterproof, breathable gear looking and working as intended. As a jacket’s DWR finish wears out, its waterproof, breathable membrane becomes less efficient — imagine the wet outer layer blocking the breathability. Maintaining the DWR finish helps the waterproof, breathable membrane be as effective as possible.
A high-quality factory-applied DWR finish can last a couple of seasons, depending on how much you use your gear and how rough you are on it. Stuff like wearing a backpack shortens the DWR lifespan due to the friction of straps and the back panel rubbing against your jacket, as does extended exposure to intense sun extended sun or dirty environments.
The shoulders and back are likely the first place you will notice a jacket’s DWR finish starting to wear out. They are the high-impact zones with a pack and typically the areas on a jacket that see the most direct snow and water. Similarly, your pants’ knee, thigh and seat areas are likely the first places for pants to lose their DWR finish.
Interestingly, modern DWR treatments are a bit less effective than those of five-plus years ago because they have evolved to feature PFC-Free formulas for environmental reasons. PFC-Free DWR treatments work but are generally less durable than the older, more toxic formulas.
The good news is that refreshing the DWR coating on your jackets and pants is easy.
How to Renew DWR Durable Water Repellency
Renewing the DWR finish on your gear is as simple as doing laundry, explicitly doing laundry with Nikwax Tech Wash and TX.Direct wash-in DWR treatment. I’ve been using Nikwax products for years. Washing and treating my shell, pants and some mid-layers with the Nikwax Tech Wash and TX.Direct combination is part of my preseason ritual (read more about preseason gear prep).
The idea is pretty simple. You want to wash your gear first so all the pores and surfaces are as clean as possible. Then, you treat it with TX.Direct. The Tech Wash is specially formulated for washing techie, synthetic outerwear, and TX.Direct is a wash-in DWR durable water repellency treatment you can do at home. Both products are 100% PFC-Free. In fact, the full Nikwax product line is PFC-Free.
There are some basic tips for making the most of the Nikwax DWR durable water repellency renewal products. You buy it by the liter, but it’s most commonly sold in the smaller 300ml size. The smaller bottle will clean and treat up to three items.
Tips for using Nikwax Tech Wash and TX.Direct
- Clean any soap residue from the detergent container on your washer (if applicable)
- Zip up all zippers on your garments
- Set washer to Gentle or Easy Care setting
- Select a water setting (Low) that matches the number of washed articles.
- Add Tech Wash
- Leave garment in washer
- Repeat the process with TX.Direct
- Dry garments in the dryer on gentle or low heat setting, or hang them to dry if care instructions do not recommend dryer use.
Works on Softshell Gear, Too
If you wear softshell ski pants, Nikwax works great on them to refresh the DWR coating, too. TX.Direct works on all outerwear from mid layers to softshells and your trusty waterproof, breathable hardshell gear.
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