Your snowboard jacket keeps you dry on the mountain, but over time, it stops working like it should. The water-repellent coating wears off, and suddenly you’re soaking wet after a few runs.
The good news? You can fix this at home without spending money on expensive cleaning services. Most people think washing technical gear will ruin it, but the opposite is true.
Dirt and body oils actually break down the waterproofing faster than proper washing ever will. Here’s how to bring your mens snowboarding jackets back to life with simple steps that protect the membrane technology inside.
What Makes Your Jacket Stop Repelling Water?
The outer fabric of your jacket has a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating that makes water bead up and roll off.
When you wear your jacket, dirt, sweat, and oils from your skin stick to this coating. These contaminants make the fabric absorb water instead of repelling it.
Here’s what happens: the waterproof membrane underneath is still working fine—it’s just the dirty outer layer that’s failing. Think of it like a window covered in grime.
The glass still blocks wind, but you can’t see through it anymore. Cleaning restores the DWR coating’s ability to do its job.
Most jackets lose their water repellency after 10-15 days of riding, depending on conditions. If you notice water soaking into the fabric instead of beading up, it’s time for a wash.
The Right Way to Wash Your Snowboard Jacket
Start by checking the care label inside your jacket. Most technical outerwear can handle machine washing, but you need to follow specific rules to avoid damage.
Preparation steps you should take:
Close all zippers, including the main zipper and pit vents. Fasten any velcro straps. Turn the jacket inside out if possible—this protects the outer coating from abrasion during the wash cycle.
Empty all pockets completely. Check for lift tickets, chapstick, or anything else that could cause problems in the wash. Remove the powder skirt if your jacket has a detachable one.
Choosing the Right Detergent
Regular laundry detergent contains additives that coat fabric fibers. These additives clog the pores in your jacket’s membrane and destroy the DWR coating. You need a technical wash product designed specifically for waterproof gear.
Products like Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash are made for this purpose. They clean without leaving residue. A single bottle costs around $10-15 and lasts for several washes.
Never use fabric softener, bleach, or powder detergents on technical outerwear.
The Washing Process
Set your washing machine to a gentle cycle with warm water (not hot). Hot water can damage some membrane technologies. Use about half the amount of technical wash you’d use for regular clothes—roughly two tablespoons for a front-loading machine.
Run the jacket through the full cycle. When it’s done, run an extra rinse cycle to remove any remaining soap residue. Soap left in the fabric will prevent the DWR from working properly.
Drying Your Jacket the Right Way
How you dry your jacket matters as much as how you wash it. Heat actually helps reactivate the DWR coating, but too much heat can melt the membrane.
You have two options:
Tumble dry on low heat for 40-60 minutes. Throw in a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls—they’ll help fluff up the insulation and prevent clumping. Check the jacket every 20 minutes to make sure it’s not getting too hot.
Air dry first, then apply heat. Hang your jacket in a well-ventilated area until it’s completely dry. This can take 24-48 hours.
Once dry, put it in the dryer on low for 20 minutes or use a handheld iron on the lowest steam setting (place a towel between the iron and jacket).
The heat reactivates the DWR chemicals bonded to the fabric. You’ll see water start beading up again almost immediately.
When You Need to Reapply DWR Treatment
Sometimes washing and heat-drying isn’t enough. If your jacket is several years old or heavily used, the original DWR coating might be worn away completely. You’ll know this is the case if water still soaks in after a proper wash and dry cycle.
DWR spray-on treatments and wash-in treatments both work, but they’re different. Spray-on products like Nikwax TX.Direct Spray are easier to apply and won’t affect any insulation.
Wash-in treatments coat the entire garment, including the inside, which can reduce breathability slightly.
For spray-on application: hang your clean, damp jacket outside or in a well-ventilated room. Spray evenly across the entire outer surface from about 6 inches away.
Let it sit for two minutes, then wipe off any excess with a damp cloth. Let it dry completely, then heat-activate it in the dryer or with an iron.
| Treatment Type | Best For | Application Time | Cost Per Use |
| Spray-On DWR | Spot treatment and full coverage | 15-20 minutes | $2-3 |
| Wash-In DWR | Full garment refresh | 45-60 minutes | $3-5 |
One application usually lasts 10-20 days of riding, depending on conditions.
Common Mistakes That Damage Your Jacket
Washing too frequently breaks down the DWR faster than necessary. Only wash your jacket when it actually needs it—typically 2-3 times per season for most riders. Spot clean small stains with a damp cloth instead.
Using regular detergent is the fastest way to ruin technical gear. The residue clogs membrane pores permanently. If you’ve already made this mistake, wash the jacket two or three times with technical wash to remove the buildup.
Storing a dirty jacket lets contaminants break down the fabric over summer. Always clean your gear before putting it away for the season.
Testing Your Jacket’s Water Repellency
After washing and drying, spray some water on the jacket’s shoulder or chest area. The water should form tight beads that roll off easily. If it spreads out and soaks in, you need to reapply DWR treatment.
This simple test tells you everything you need to know about your jacket’s condition. Do it before each season starts and after every wash to track performance.
Your snowboard jacket represents a significant investment in your comfort and safety on the mountain. Taking 90 minutes a few times per season to wash and restore the DWR coating properly will extend its lifespan by years.
The waterproof membrane technology inside these mens snowboarding jackets can last 10-15 years if you maintain the outer layer correctly. Clean gear works better, keeps you drier, and makes every day on the slopes more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do men’s snowboarding jackets stop repelling water?
Ans: Dirt, sweat, and body oils build up on the DWR coating, causing the fabric to absorb water even though the waterproof membrane underneath still functions properly.
Can you safely machine wash mens snowboarding jackets?
Ans: Yes, most can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with warm water using technical detergent, as proper washing removes contaminants that degrade waterproof performance.
What detergent should you use for a snowboard jacket?
Ans: Use a technical wash made for waterproof gear, since regular detergents leave residue that clogs membrane pores and damages the DWR coating.
How does heat help restore water repellency?
Ans: Low heat from tumble drying or ironing reactivates the DWR chemicals bonded to the fabric, helping water bead up and roll off again.
When should you reapply for DWR treatment?
Ans: Reapply DWR if water still soaks into the fabric after washing and drying, indicating the original coating has worn away from heavy use or age.
