How to Rewaterproof Your Outdoor Gear (And Why You Need to Do It More Often)
A new era of waterproofing means a new relationship with your gear. Here's everything you need to know.
There's a quiet shift happening in the outdoor industry, and if you own a waterproof jacket, it affects you directly. The chemicals that once made DWR (Durable Water Repellency) coatings so long-lasting have been phased out across the board. Brands like Patagonia, Rab, The North Face, and Fjällräven have already made the switch to PFAS-free alternatives, and that's truly great news.
But it comes with a trade-off worth understanding: PFAS-free DWR treatments don't last as long. Your jacket needs rewaterproofing more often than it used to.
We know that might sound like a hassle. But here's how we think about it: caring for your gear is part of being a responsible outdoors person. Your jacket has taken you to summits, through downpours, and back to the trailhead wet but smiling. A little maintenance is the least you can do, for the gear and for the planet that made those adventures worth having.
Want to understand the full story behind the chemistry change and what it means for the gear you buy? We've written about that here.
What This Means for Your Maintenance Routine
Under the old chemistry, rewaterproofing once a season (or less) was often enough. With PFAS-free DWR, you should plan to treat it with a waterproofing treatment every few washes, or whenever water starts soaking in rather than beading up.
The simple test: sprinkle some water on your jacket after a trip. If it beads and rolls off, you're good. If it soaks in and darkens the fabric (that's called "wetting out"), it's time to treat.
The good news is that modern PFAS-free waterproofing products are excellent, easy to use, and better for the environment than anything that came before. We're proud to carry Storm, a brand that has been at the forefront of sustainable waterproofing chemistry since 2002.
About Storm: 20+ Years of Doing It Right
Storm was founded with a mission to bring more sustainable chemistry to outdoor care, and they've spent over two decades proving it doesn't mean compromising on performance. Their products are PFAS, PFOA, and PFC free, independently rated best-in-test for breathability and water repellency, and packaged in 100% recycled aluminium bottles. They're working toward carbon neutrality by 2030.
Storm's philosophy of "repair, don't replace" is exactly how we think about gear stewardship. The longer you keep your jacket performing at its best, the less ends up in landfill. Good aftercare is sustainability in action.
The Storm Products: Which One Do You Need?
Storm Eco Proofer Wash
The simplest route to clean, waterproofed gear. Storm's Eco Proofer Wash restores water repellency and breathability in a single machine cycle, leaving a patented abrasion-resistant coating on your fabric. Suitable for all textiles including Gore-Tex, Sympatex, and eVent.
How to use it:
- Shake the bottle first.
- Pour 75 ml (2.5 oz) into your machine's fabric softener compartment.
- For best results, use Storm Clothing Wash in the detergent compartment at the same time, cleaning and reproofing in one cycle.
- Wash following the garment's care label guidelines.
- Allow to drip dry, then finish in a tumble dryer. The heat cures the treatment and bonds it to the fabric fibres. This step is essential.
When to use it: Whenever your jacket needs a wash and the DWR is starting to look tired. This is your go-to for routine maintenance.
Storm Eco Proofer Spray
Sometimes you don't need a full wash, you just need to hit the high-wear areas. Storm's Eco Proofer Spray uses air-cure technology and a high-concentration, PFC-free formula to restore DWR precisely where it's needed most: hoods, cuffs, shoulders, and seams. Works on Gore-Tex, Sympatex, eVent, cotton, and synthetics.
How to use it:
- Make sure your jacket is clean first. You can't proof over dirt.
- Empty pockets, close zippers, and loosen drawstrings.
- Spray evenly and liberally from about 15 cm away, paying close attention to hoods, cuffs, and seams.
- Rub over the garment with a clean cloth dampened with proofer to ensure an even finish.
- Hang and allow to fully air-cure before heading out.
When to use it: Between washes, or when only specific areas need attention. Great for targeted top-ups after a big trip.
Storm Footwear Proofer Spray
Waterproof footwear loses its DWR too, and wet feet make for miserable adventures. Storm's Footwear Proofer Spray restores water repellency and breathability on both leather and synthetic materials. PFC, PFAS, and PFOA free, air-cured, and it also provides oil and stain resistance. Apply to the outer surface after cleaning and allow to air-cure.
Buy Storm Footwear Proofer Spray
Storm Tent and Gear Proofer Spray
Your tent fly works just as hard as your jacket out there. Over time, the DWR ages, weakens, and starts letting water cling to the surface instead of rolling off. Storm's silicone-based Tent and Gear Proofer revitalises DWR back to original performance and can even help restore colour faded by UV exposure.
To check if your tent needs it: drip some water on the fly. If it runs off cleanly, you're fine. If it clings or darkens the fabric, it's time.
Buy Storm Tent and Gear Proofer Spray
The Golden Rules of Gear Care
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Clean before you proof. Dirt, body oils, and sunscreen all prevent waterproofing treatments from bonding to the fabric. Always wash first.
- Heat cures the treatment. Tumble drying on medium heat is what activates and bonds the DWR in wash-in products. If you don't have a dryer, a warm iron through a cloth will work. Keep it moving to avoid scorching.
- Test before you go. Sprinkle water on your gear at home before a big trip, not halfway up a ridge when it starts raining.
- More often, not harder. Frequent, gentle care is the new normal. Think of it like oiling a cast iron pan. A little attention after each adventure keeps everything in top shape.
The Bigger Picture
Taking care of your gear is a small, tangible act of stewardship. It extends the life of your gear, keeps it out of landfill, and keeps you dry on the trails, ridgelines, and riverbanks you love.
A small price to pay for a long future of going out to play on this planet we call home.
Explore the full range of Storm products in-store or online. From clothing wash to odour control, Storm has thought through every aspect of technical gear care. Shop Storm with the link below or ask one of our team members which products are right for your kit.
