How to maintain wet weather gear for longevity

For a range of activities, both recreational and professional, having access to high-quality wet weather gear can be absolutely critical. Not only is it no fun spending time outdoors while damp and cold, but it can also pose a serious health risk.

While part of the solution to this is buying the right wet weather gear, another part is making sure that you look after your wet weather clothing properly so that it lasts as long as possible. With that in mind, here are a few maintenance tips to keep you dry no matter the weather.

Invest in high-quality specialist gear

As mentioned above, the first step to getting wet weather gear that will last is to buy a high-quality option. Make sure that you check specialist suppliers such as Stormline as well as your standard high-street suppliers. You’ll often be able to find items that are specifically designed to cater to specific uses, often meaning that these items will last far longer than your standard rain jackets and trousers.

Don’t forget to wash your gear

While some people avoid washing their wet weather gear, based on the idea that washing clothes can wear them out, this is often a counterproductive approach to take. 

Not only can dirt negatively affect the performance of wet weather clothing, but certain fabrics such as GoreTex actually need washing and tumble drying in order to reactivate the waterproof properties. As always, check the care instructions of the item that you’re washing, so that you can be sure to use the right products and techniques.

Store your wet weather gear properly

It’s crucial that you store your wet weather gear properly if you want it to last. That usually means cleaning it before packing it away, but it also means making sure that it’s completely dry, and that it’s kept in a cool, dry place. Putting your garments away while they’re still wet can result in mould developing, which could potentially damage the fabric.

Don’t fold things up

While it might look neat to fold up your wet weather gear when you put it away, this can be damaging to the fabric. Continually folding it along the same lines can result in weak points developing, eventually compromising the waterproofing and even resulting in delamination.

Instead, where possible it’s best to hang items up on a thick hanger that doesn’t put pressure on a single spot. If you can’t hang the item up, then it’s best to loosely crumple it up, so that you don’t recreate any of the same folds each time you put the item away.

These general pointers should be able to help you look after your wet weather gear for years to come. Of course, it’s important that you also check what the manufacturer of specific items advises. Some of the tips listed above could be entirely inappropriate for more delicate items, or they could be over the top for other more durable pieces. By doing a little research on the garment itself, you can make sure that your approach is adapted to that specific fabric.