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.
6 quick care tips for your RevolutionRace clothes
Wash less often
Don’t wash clothes made of functional materials too often, since this causes them to wear out more quickly.
Wash with similar colors
Wash new clothes with similar colors to avoid discoloring of other garments
Zip it up
Close any zips, buttons or velcro flaps before washing and use a mild, environmentally friendly detergent.
Say no to fabric softener
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.
Think of
Try to wipe off dirt and mud instead of washing the garments. Never iron, since functional materials are sensitive to heat.
Don’t tumble dry if you don’t have to
All garments with DWR treatment should be tumble dried on low heat for reactivation, while other garments should not be tumble dried. This is to protect the environment and save energy.
Care tips for some of our most common products and collections
Waterproof outdoor apparel
Our waterproof trousers 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.
Outdoor apparel made of softshell materials
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.
Bamboo underwear
Bamboo boxers and hipsters can be washed in hot water but dark prints will retain their color better when washed in warm water.
Don’t tumble dry, since bamboo is susceptible to shrinking and the heat damages the elastic.
Baselayers and t-shirts made of bamboo or wool blends
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.
Fleece, hoodies, sweatpants and other mid layers
Wash inside out to prevent the fabric from pilling.
Fleece and other mid layers should be washed with similar colors in warm water.
Let your mid layers air dry – never tumble-dry or iron.
Functional outdoor jeans
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.
Outdoor apparel featuring a cotton/polyester mix
The trousers, jackets and shorts in our Nordwand and RVRC GP 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.
Outdoor apparel with down & synthetic filling
Natural and synthetic down is separated and evenly distributed within the garment. Therefore, only wash it if you absolutely have to. After washing it, tumble dry on low heat together with tennis balls that ensure the filling is evenly distributed once again. Not able to tumble dry? Then we recommend you shake the garment and gently punch it so that the two different fillings separate again.
Follow these steps when cleaning your RevolutionRace shoes
1. Brush off your shoes with a dry brush. Brush the entire shoe, starting with the upper parts and working your way down.
2. Use warm water and mild detergent (dish soap / detergent) together with a soft brush. Same thing here, start with the top of the shoe and work your way down.
3. Remove the shoelaces and wash them with the same mild dish soap / detergent.
4. Rinse the shoes with lukewarm water and finish by wiping them with a dry, soft cloth or towel.
5. Let the shoe air dry.
Some extra help:
Depending on how much you use the shoes and how dirty they are: try to clean them often, they will last longer.
If you do not have a shoe brush, it works well with, for example, a toothbrush.
Remove the insole and possibly the TrimToFit sole before you start cleaning, then clean the insole in the same way as the upper parts of the shoe.
When cleaning your shoes, fill them with paper or use shoe blocks so that they retain their natural shape.