For best performance:

With any new waterproof, we advise you to wash the product with the appropriate tech wash and reapply a fresh DWR to activate the technology and achieve the best performance from day one.

How does waterproof technology work?

Modern waterproof technology often uses a waterproof membrane sandwiched between layers of fabric and a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) on the outer material.

What is 'wetting out', and how does it affect my waterproof?

DWRs commonly get worn down from contact, whether with your backpack or your fingertips. When the DWR wears down, your waterproof product may begin to 'wet out', meaning the water stops beading off the surface and starts to soak in instead.

While the waterproof membrane will prevent the jacket from leaking or water from getting inside, when your jacket wets out, moisture (from sweat or condensation) can build up on the interior, causing it to feel moist.

There's a common misconception that, when this happens, the product is faulty because people believe the waterproof membrane is leaking. However, this is most likely not the case; you simply need to clean your jacket and reapply the DWR.

The easiest way to spot when this is happening is to see if water beads off the material's surface or soaks in.

PFC/PFAS usage in modern waterproof and DWR technology

Most modern DWR technology avoids the use of PFCs/PFAS chemicals.

PFC-free means perfluorinated chemical-free. Companies such as Gore-Tex® are also beginning to eliminate these harmful chemicals in their waterproof membranes with technology like Gore-Tex® ePE.

What are PFC/PFAS chemicals?

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are also known as forever chemicals and cause environmental harm, similar to PFAS.

PFAS means per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl; these are a group of industrial chemicals that also cause detrimental harm to the environment, often through product and garment manufacture.

These chemicals can't break down, so once they reach nature (usually via factory water waste), they stay in the ecosystem and contaminate living organisms, working their way up the food chain. PFAS and PFCs are suspected carcinogens and have been known to affect mammal reproduction and hormone production. Therefore, many leading brands in the outdoor industry are now prioritising cutting out the use of these chemicals entirely to contribute to a more responsible manufacturing process.

How to care for a new waterproof product

PFC/PFAS-free waterproof products still perform effectively. However, they will require more frequent care (washing and reapplying a DWR) to ensure consistency. We stock various care products for this, which you can browse here. If this is your first time doing this, check out our easy how-to guide by clicking here.