When Does Your Jacket Need Re-proofing? Do the Drop Test
By TaVare · updated 2026-07-27
You do not have to guess whether your jacket needs re-proofing. A simple drop test gives the answer in half a minute: if water beads off, all is well – if it soaks in, the water-repellent finish is worn. Here is how to do the test and what to do with the answer.
How to do the drop test
The test takes under a minute and needs nothing more than a little water.
- Use a clean jacket – never test a dirty one, as dirt gives a false answer.
- Sprinkle a few drops of water on the shoulders and upper arms, where wear is greatest.
- Wait a few seconds and look: does the water bead and roll off, or soak in and darken the fabric?
- Beading = still good. Soaking in = time for a wash and fresh proofing.
What the answer means
If the water beads, the water-repellent (DWR) finish is still fine. If it soaks in and darkens the fabric – known as 'wetting out' – the DWR is worn. That does not necessarily mean the jacket is leaking; the membrane may be intact, but the jacket breathes worse and feels clammy until you re-proof it.
Test the shoulders and arms, not the hem
Wear is greatest where backpack straps, seatbelts and elbows rub. If you test the hem, where the fabric is as good as new, you get a misleading answer. Test where the jacket actually takes hard use.
Next step: wash first, then re-proof
If the test shows it is needed, the jacket should be washed before proofing – new DWR will not bond to dirt. Use a technical wash (no fabric softener), re-proof, and activate with a little heat. See the separate guides on washing before proofing and on re-proofing a shell jacket.
Unsure or an expensive jacket? Send it to us
If the jacket is expensive or technical, or you are unsure, we clean and re-proof it according to the garment and its care label. You order online, and you see the price before you order.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I do the drop test?+
When the jacket feels clammy or heavy in the rain, or a couple of times a season. It is the test, not the calendar, that decides.
Does 'wetting out' mean the jacket is leaking?+
No. Usually only the water-repellent surface is worn, while the membrane is intact. Fresh proofing solves it.
Where on the jacket should I test?+
On the shoulders and upper arms, where wear is greatest. That gives the most realistic answer.
Can you re-proof the jacket for me?+
Yes. We clean and re-proof according to the garment and its care label. You see the price before you order.
Ready to fix it?