Maintenance Tips for Waterproof Hunting Clothing: Extend the Life of Your Gear

When you invest in high-quality waterproof hunting clothing, you’re not just buying comfort—you’re buying performance and protection when the weather turns against you. Whether it’s a sudden downpour during a backcountry elk hunt or hours spent glassing in sleet, your waterproof gear is your shield. But to keep that shield strong season after season, regular maintenance is essential.

In this guide, we’ll cover exactly how to care for your waterproof hunting gear so it continues to keep you dry, quiet, and focused in the field.

Why Proper Maintenance Matters

Even the most advanced rain gear won’t last forever if it’s neglected. Over time, dirt, sweat, body oils, and camp grime can clog the fabric’s pores and degrade waterproof membranes. Add in improper washing or storing, and you’re left with gear that might soak through or fall apart when you need it most.

Here’s what proper maintenance helps you do:

• Preserve waterproof and breathable performance
  
  
• Prevent wear and tear
  
  
• Eliminate odor buildup
  
  
• Extend the life of high-cost garments
  
  
• Ensure consistent comfort during hunts
  
  

Post-Hunt Care Essentials

Cleaning Waterproof Gear

You don’t have to wash your rain gear after every hunt, but once it’s seen heavy use, been exposed to mud or blood, or starts to feel sticky or clammy, it’s time to give it a proper clean.

Do:

• Use a technical wash like Nikwax Tech Wash or Granger’s Performance Wash.
  
  
• Choose cold water and a gentle or hand-wash cycle.
  
  
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap and residue.
  
  
• Wipe down zippers, seams, and Velcro patches to prevent buildup.
  

Don’t:

• Use standard laundry detergents, bleach, or fabric softeners—they can strip the waterproofing and leave residue that attracts water.
  
  
• Wash with other gear that may have dirt or oils.
  

Pro Tip: Close all zippers and fasten cuffs or straps before washing to prevent snags.

Drying the Right Way

After washing, drying is just as important. Most waterproof gear is safe to tumble dry on low heat, which can help reactivate DWR coatings (more on that later). Always check the label first.

If air drying:

• Hang your gear in a well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight.
  
  
• Use a drying rack for pants and bibs to ensure airflow reaches the inside.

Avoid:

• High heat (which can damage membranes)
  
  
• Campfire drying or heaters, which can melt or weaken the outer layers
  
  

How to Restore Water Repellency

Your outer shell isn’t just waterproof because of the membrane inside—it’s coated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) that causes water to bead up and roll off the fabric. Over time, this coating wears off from abrasion, dirt, and washing.

Signs your DWR is failing:

• Fabric feels heavy or saturated when wet
  
  
• Water soaks into the surface instead of beading
  
  
• You feel cold or clammy even when the jacket is technically "waterproof."
  
  

How to reapply DWR:

1. Wash your gear thoroughly.
   
   
2. While still damp, apply a spray-on or wash-in DWR treatment.
   
   
3. Tumble dry on low heat to set the treatment (if the label allows).
   
   

Popular options:

• Nikwax TX.Direct
  
  
• Granger’s Performance Repel
  
  
• Gear Aid Revivex
  
  

Repeat every 1–2 seasons or as needed based on use.

Storage Tips to Prevent Damage

Once the season is over, don’t just stuff your rain gear in a bin and forget about it. Improper storage is one of the fastest ways to ruin expensive outerwear.

Best practices:

• Always store gear clean and dry—even slight moisture can lead to mildew.
  
  
• Hang jackets and pants in a cool, dry closet.
  
  
• Avoid compression or folding for long periods—this can damage membranes.
  
  
• Store in breathable bags (like mesh garment bags)—avoid airtight containers or plastic bins.
  
  

Pro Tip: If humidity is a concern, toss a silica gel pack or moisture absorber into your gear closet.

Field Care & Damage Prevention

Taking care of your gear doesn’t stop in the laundry room. A little awareness in the field

can go a long way in preventing damage.

Do:

• Shake off water and mud before packing your gear
  
  
• Roll, don’t stuff your jacket into a pack
  
  
• Carry patch kits for small rips or abrasions
  
  
• Avoid bushwhacking or crawling over rocks unless necessary
  
  

Avoid:

• Standing too close to campfires (embers can melt your gear)
  
  
• Sitting directly on rough logs or stone—use a seat pad
  
  
• Letting zippers drag in the dirt or freeze with moisture
  
  

When to Replace or Retire Gear

Even the best-maintained gear eventually wears out. Here’s how to know when to repair or replace:

• Peeling or delaminated membranes that can’t be patched
  
  
• Persistent leaks even after DWR re-treatment and seam checks
  
  
• Broken zippers, frayed cuffs, or fabric so thin it's nearly translucent
  
  

If repairs cost more than 50% of the replacement price—or the gear is no longer performing in the field—it’s time to upgrade.

Conclusion

Proper care for your waterproof hunting clothing isn’t complicated, but crucial. By taking a few extra steps before and after your hunts, you’ll preserve the performance, comfort, and value of your gear for years to come.

Remember:

• Use the right cleaners
  
  
• Reapply DWR when needed
  
  
• Store gear properly
  
  
• Handle it with care in the field
  
  

Need gear built to last? Explore SKRE Gear engineered for extreme conditions and made to stand up to the hunt, season after season.