How Often Should You Re-proof Your Jacket?

Use the drop test, not the calendar

The surest sign is how the jacket behaves in water: if it beads off, the proofing is good; if it soaks in, it is time for another round. Do the drop test on the shoulders when the jacket starts to feel clammy, so you avoid re-proofing either too early or too late.

What wears out the proofing?

Proofing is not worn by time, but by use. The most common causes:

• Rubbing – backpack straps, seatbelts and elbows.
• Dirt and body oils that settle on and in the fabric.
• Washing – each wash wears the DWR a little (but a dirty jacket is worse than a washed one).
• The wrong detergent and fabric softener, which clog and counteract the surface.

How to make the proofing last longer

Keep the jacket clean – dirt breaks down the water repellency faster than washing does. Use a technical wash without softener, and reactivate the DWR with a little heat (a short tumble or ironing with a cloth) before re-proofing if needed. A well-maintained jacket needs a full re-proof less often.

After washing? A refresh is often needed

Because washing wears the DWR, technical shell garments often need a heat activation – or fresh proofing – after washing. Do the drop test after each wash, and refresh if the water stops beading.

Leave the expensive and technical ones to professionals

For expensive or technical garments we clean and re-proof according to the garment and its care label, so the treatment is correct. You order online, and you see the price before you order.

Frequently asked questions