So I was at Second Ascent, a local climbing store, when I saw some softshell wash and softshell waterproof and etc. etc. etc. It cost a lot, and I supposedly needed multiple products. I have made the mistake of washing my softshell jacket and pants in the wash with detergent, and they aren't as waterproof as they used to be. Not significantly, but they don't bead as well.

How would you recommend re-waterproofing my clothing? And what about jackets such as the Marmot Driclime and a synthetic belay coat, can I do anything to make them more water resistant?

I just don't want to waste money where it is not necessary.

-Mark

I used Revivex on my Goretex jacket.
It seemed to work well enough to help extend the life of the jacket. It was about 10 bucks for a bottle and I usually could get 3-4 uses out of it. Not sure how well it works on other materials.

I find Nic wax soft shell soap to get rid of the detergent and then soft shell proof to re-water proof. Works great for me. Same with their down was and down proof and Tech wash and TI Direct for shells.

As per the bottle directions, be sure to heat it up in the dryer after it's treated.
I used to use wash in, and now use spray on DWR treatments after using a "tech-wash" type of product. In washing in the DWR, you make the inside of the fabric hydrophobic as well as the outside, which is not ideal on a piece like the driclime for instance. If someone can prove me wrong please do, but that's what I believe to be true.

8kclimber wrote:I find Nic wax soft shell soap to get rid of the detergent and then soft shell proof to re-water proof. Works great for me. Same with their down was and down proof and Tech wash and TI Direct for shells.

Same here. On newer pieces, less than 1-2 years old, I often don't need the re-treatment, just the tech wash and 5-10 minutes low heat in the dryer. Your original DWR is still there, just being masked by the normal clothes detergent you used last wash...

8kclimber wrote:I find Nic wax soft shell soap to get rid of the detergent and then soft shell proof to re-water proof. Works great for me. Same with their down was and down proof and Tech wash and TI Direct for shells.

That is exactly what I was recommended at Second Ascent.

So is it better to use spray-on or wash-in waterproofing? I do want my clothing to be as breathable as possible, because I have a tendency to overheat sometimes.

-Mark

A lot of people say that the wash-in will decrease the breathability. I've never tried it, but can attest to ReviveX working well. Good product. Same with Tech Wash. I got out some really deep grunge on my gf's shell with relative ease using it, plus cleaning my own stuff. I also thought the Down Wash worked well, if you've got any down garments/sleeping bags that are getting nasty. Don't forget the tennis balls if you do any down, and never use a washer with a center column agitator as it'll tear out your baffles.

1) Do not use harsh/liquid detergents. Some liquids are okay, such as the liquids sold by revivex and nikwax. Just no Tide or Cheer type products. if you're not using a technical-fabric specific wash, then just get some basic laundry soap powder.

2) When deciding between wash-in and spray-on fabric treatments, consider if there is any kind of inner wicking layers that you will be affecting with the wash-in. If so, use a spray-on instead.

3) most treatment products call for a dryer cycle to 'set' the finish. If, like me, you are loathe to put your technical garments through the dryer and typically just hang-dry them, don't worry. Most of these fabrics can handle occasional machine drying, but check the label to be sure.

So it is okay to machine dry them then?

Since I don't have Tech Wash yet, I've been washing my clothes in the washing machine without detergent. It's better than nothing. I hope this is okay.

-Mark

if you wash with regular soap double rinse. It will probably strip the DWR (beading effect) So retreat with revivex or nicwax. Throw it in the dryer on med heat. Check to see if your garment can be dried. If it can't you should have bought a better jacket.

yeah the label on your garment is the final word on using the dryer.