Does Your Gear Need Replacing—Or Just a Good Wash? | SKI

Stop replacing gear, clean it instead.

Ski jacket in washing machine.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}">Download the app.

I used to be afraid that washing my ski jacket would ruin it. Same with my sleeping bag. So I just didn’t. For years. I’d hang things up after a trip, let the funk settle, and convince myself that smelling like campfire and body odor was just part of being outdoorsy. I loved my gear, but I wasn’t taking care of it because I didn’t understand how it worked.

Then, a few years ago, a ski buddy suggested I try Nikwax. My puffy had gone from cozy to crunchy and had lost is warmth and waterproofing. I figured I didn’t have much to lose since I was already considering replacing it with something new. What I didn’t expect was how much new life it gave to my old jacket. After one wash (during which I paced nervously in the laundry room), my jacket came out cleaner, loftier, warmer—and waterproof again. I was sold. I’ve been using Nikwax ever since.

What helped it all click into place for me was a little elementary science: Someone explained that the waterproofing layer on technical gear is like millions of tiny umbrellas. When the fabric is clean, those umbrellas are popped open, shielding you from water. But when dirt, sweat, and grime build up, they weigh the umbrellas down. They collapse. And that’s how moisture gets in. Washing your gear clears the gunk, allowing the umbrellas to perk up and pop open again, and brings the protection back. Neat, right?

The catch is that you can’t just use your regular detergent. Regular detergent can actually clog the fabric and make performance worse. You need a specialty cleaner made for down and technical materials—something that restores water repellency and insulation without leaving behind residue. Nikwax Down Wash, for example, is PFAS-free, non-flammable, and works in a standard washing machine. (I also really like Hex Gear Wash for my workout clothes and any next-to-skin layers.)

So yes, washing your gear will keep you from smelling like a thru-hiker when you show up to work Monday morning. But more importantly, it helps your equipment last longer, something that matters beyond just our wallet. According to the most recent data from the EPA, in 2018, the U.S. alone produced 17 million tons of textile waste, most of which ended up in landfills. That number has most certainly gone up since. Longevity can help offset that waste, and is a huge key to sustainability. Every wash that extends the life of your jacket or (sleeping bag) delays the need to replace it and keeps your old jacket out of the landfill. That’s good for you and the planet. Need I say more?

Our gear was made to weather the elements. But, like all good relationships, it needs proper care and a little bit of maintenance to keep you supported, protected, and ready for what’s next.