For many skiers and snowboarders, washing outerwear is surprisingly controversial. Some riders wash their shells after every few outings, while others proudly claim they have never cleaned their jacket at all. When SnowBrains asked readers how often they wash their ski gear, the responses ranged from practical advice to outright horror stories.
The debate revealed a common misconception in the ski world: many people believe washing waterproof gear damages it. SnowBrains consulted an expert to get to the bottom of this, and according to Carolin Breintner, Quality Manager at Peak Performance, the opposite is actually true.
Breintner says regular washing is one of the most important things skiers and snowboarders can do to maintain the performance and lifespan of their outerwear. “It, of course, depends on how often you use it,” Breintner explained, “but it is really important to wash and re-impregnate on a regular base to make sure the performance of your jackets stays on the highest level possible and make your product long-lasting.”
One of the biggest misconceptions among skiers is that washing damages waterproof gear. In reality, Breintner says the opposite is true. Over time, sweat, dirt, oils, and salt accumulate in the fabric and gradually reduce performance. “You need to wash your shell garment from time to time, even if it doesn’t look dirty,” she said. “Salt from your sweat, dirt, and oils clog up the membrane after a while and impacts both water repellency and breathability. It also damages the fabric over time.”
Even clean-looking jackets can be affected, as body oils and moisture build up inside the membrane during use. If left unwashed for long periods, this can eventually lead to a breakdown in performance and even delamination of the fabric layers.
Breintner adds that the idea washing reduces waterproofing is incorrect, provided garments are cleaned properly. “That is actually not true,” she said. “Regular cleaning will, in fact, enhance the performance of your garment. Unless you wash it the wrong way.”
Most modern ski shells rely on a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, which causes water to bead off the surface. Regular washing helps maintain this system — and in many cases restores performance rather than reducing it.
So how often should skiers actually wash their gear? According to Breintner, it depends on use, but at minimum, once per season is essential. “We would recommend to at least wash your jacket after every season before you store it,” she said.
Proper technique is just as important as frequency. Technical ski clothing should always be washed using specialist detergents designed for waterproof fabrics, rather than standard household products.
Breintner recommends products such as Nikwax Tech Wash, noting that regular detergents and fabric softeners can leave residues that damage breathability and waterproofing over time. Jackets should be washed on gentle cycles, with low spin speeds, and not overloaded in the machine.
Once washed, garments should be air-dried rather than heat-treated. “Do not use heat,” Breintner said. “That’s better for the garment — and the environment.”
If outerwear begins to absorb water instead of repelling it, reproofing may be needed. This can be done either through wash-in treatments or spray-on products such as Nikwax Tx.Direct. However, Breintner notes this is only required occasionally. “Realistically, this is only needed after every 5–6 washes,” she said.
Storage also plays a role in maintaining performance. Jackets should always be washed before being packed away for the summer and stored loosely rather than compressed. “If you are storing your shell garment for the season, always wash it first, and store it on a hanger,” Breintner advised.
The takeaway is simple: regular cleaning doesn’t damage ski outerwear — neglect does. With proper care, jackets not only perform better on snow but also last significantly longer.
