Outerwear Care

A skier in a light jacket and goggles makes a sharp turn on snowy slopes, kicking up spray. The word RIDE in bold white letters is centered over the action.

A skier in a light jacket and goggles sharply carves through fresh snow on a slope, kicking up a spray of powder, with the word RIDE in bold white letters across the image.

Your 686 outerwear is an investment. Protect it with regular maintenance to guarantee its optimal look, performance, and protection from the elements for years to come.

OUTERWEAR CARE INSTRUCTIONS

01

At the first sign of wetting out, put your gear in a gentle dryer cycle for 20 minutes—the heat will boost the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish.

02

After a few sweaty rides, obvious signs of dirt and wear, or wetting out after going through the dryer, it's time to wash your gear with Nikwax Tech Wash.

03

When washing and drying aren't enough to boost the DWR, a simple wash-in application of Nikwax TX.Direct will add to and restore the DWR finish.

A collage shows a person handling a blue jacket, placing it in a washing machine, and a close-up of water droplets beading on the jacket’s waterproof fabric.

PREP FOR WASH

• Zip all zippers (and check your pockets for anything left behind)
• Loosely fasten all Velcro, flaps, or straps
• Snap all buttons and snaps
• Loosen all bungees or cinches

WASH

• Use a front-loading washing machine. (If you have to use a top-loading machine, and one with an agitator, wash on delicate.)
• Only wash 1-2 pieces at a time.
• Wash according to the care label. Either cold or warm water may be recommended. If you're unsure, go with cold.
• Use Nikwax Tech Wash. If you have to use household detergent, use a small amount and rinse twice. Liquid detergents clog the DWR finish which significantly reduces performance. Request a Nikwax sample.

DRY

• Dry according to the care label. Either hang drying or tumble drying on low may be recommended. If you're unsure, choose to hang dry.
• Once dry, tumble dry on a low, gentle cycle for an additional 20 minutes. Doing so reactivates the DWR.
• You can perform this step any time you notice the DWR needs a boost.

REAPPLY DWR (AS NEEDED)

• If water doesn't bead up and run off after washing and drying, you'll need to reapply DWR. Always wash your gear first before applying a DWR treatment.
• Use Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In (or a similar solution) according to the directions on the label. Request a Nikwax sample.
• Repeat as frequently as needed.

More Tips

A person holds up a bright blue zip-up jacket hanging in a closet, inspecting its front pocket and material. Clothing and other items are visible nearby.

Zipper Care

• Wash your gear as recommended to prevent dirt and debris build-up.
• Use zipper lubricant to ease a "sticky" zipper and protect its integrity and ensure smooth operation. We like Gear Aid's Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant.
• Take care to properly insert the zipper pin into the box and slider before yanking on the slider. Avoid yanking on your zippers in general.
• Don't force jammed zips open—look for fabric or debris on the reverse side and take care to remove what's stuck.

Zipper Repair

• Zipper splitting on the way up? Your zipper slider is loose. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to gently tighten the sides of the slider closer to the zipper teeth.
• Broke your zipper slider? A fix is easier than you think. Ask us for a replacement.
• Have a bigger issue that needs repair? See our suggestions.

Off-Season Storage

• Consider washing one final time to rid your gear of sweat, oils, and debris.
• Space allowing, hang jackets, pants, and bibs on hangers in an available closet. Otherwise, fold them neatly and store away from direct sun exposure and extreme temps.
• Avoid compressing and do not vacuum seal insulated garments. Doing so squashes the insulation and reduces its performance.