You’ve probably been there – heading back from the pump tracks or hiking trail sweaty and covered in mud. Now, how do you best get your clothes cleaned up and care for them in the long term? It may sound like a no-brainer but always follow the instructions on the care label, since that’ll help your garment retain form and function longer. Plus, you’ll extend its lifespan, giving you more time to enjoy your fave gear. That’s a smart move, both for your wallet and the environment. Check out our guide below for more tips on how to launder and care for your outdoor gear like a pro.
Don’t wash clothes made of functional materials too often, since this causes them to wear out more quickly.
Wash new clothes with similar colors to avoid discoloring of other garments
Close any zips, buttons or velcro flaps before washing and use a mild, environmentally friendly detergent.
Avoid using fabric softener and never use it on shell garments or any other clothes treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR), since this plugs the pores of the fabric and impairs its ability to ventilate.
Never tumble dry or iron your outdoor clothes, since functional materials are sensitive to heat and this may damage them and cause them to wear faster.
• Bamboo boxers and hipsters can be washed in 60°C but dark prints will retain their colour better when washed in 40°C.
• Don’t tumble dry, since bamboo is susceptible to shrinking and the heat damages the elastic.
• Since clothing made out of wool or bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-odour, it doesn’t need to be washed as frequently as other garments. A lot of times, airing it out outside for a while is enough.
• Wool should be washed in 30°C, preferably using a wool or delicate wash cycle.
• Don’t tumble dry, since wool and bamboo are susceptible to shrinking.
• Wash inside out to prevent the fabric from pilling.
• Fleece and other midlayers should be washed with similar colours in 40°C.
• Let your midlayers air dry – never tumble-dry or iron.
Our outdoor jeans are made of functional, water repellent Hypershell® Denim™ fabric. The water repelling properties of the fabric will wear off over time, so avoid washing them too often.
• Try to wipe off dirt and mud instead of washing the garments.
• When wiping doesn’t do the trick, wash with similar colours in 40°C water.
• Let your outdoor jeans air dry – never tumble-dry or iron, since functional materials are sensitive to heat.
• Don’t use fabric softener on your outdoor jeans, since this plugs the pores of the fabric and impairs its ability to ventilate.
The trousers, jackets and shorts in our Nordwand and GPx collections feature water repellent Hypershell® Reinforced™ fabric and are made of a cotton/polyester mix combined with other functional materials. As with all clothes made of functional materials, less is more when it comes to washing.
• Try to wipe off dirt and mud instead of washing the garments.
• When wiping doesn’t do the trick, wash with similar colours in 40°C.
• Let your clothes air dry – never tumble-dry or iron, since functional materials are sensitive to heat.
• Don’t use fabric softener on your water repellent outdoor apparel, since this plugs the pores of the fabric and impairs its ability to ventilate.
Our waterproof pants and jackets feature our premium Hypershell® Pro™ or Hypershell® Performance™ fabric, have taped seams and are made of functional materials. To extend the water repelling ability and longevity of your waterproof garments, don’t wash them unless it’s really necessary.
• Try to wipe off dirt and mud instead of washing the garments.
• When wiping doesn’t do the trick, wash with similar colours in 40°C.
• Let your clothes air dry – never tumble-dry or iron, since this may destroy the taped seams and cause the waterproof fabric to deteriorate.
• Don’t use fabric softener on your waterproof outdoor apparel, since this plugs the pores of the fabric and impairs its ability to ventilate.
Our softshell outdoor garments feature a water repellent Hypershell® Core fabric and are made of functional materials. The water repelling properties of your softshell garments will wear off over time, so avoid washing them too often.
• Try to wipe off dirt and mud instead of washing the garments.
• When wiping doesn’t do the trick, wash with similar colours in 40°C.
• Let your clothes air dry – never tumble-dry or iron.
• Don’t use fabric softener on your water repellent outdoor apparel, since this plugs the pores of the fabric and impairs its ability to ventilate.