Outerwear Care

686 OUTERWEAR CARE

The best performing outerwear is clean outerwear.

Maintaining the performance of your most critical pieces of gear is as simple as keeping them clean and refreshed. Protect your investment and guarantee its optimal look, feel, and protection from the elements for years to come.

Sustainable aftercare solutions powered by Nikwax.

Why wash?
What's Nikwax?

YOU WASH YOUR CLOTHES, RIGHT?

Your 686 outerwear is no different. Yeah, it's kind of fancy and packed with tech, but that's all the more reason to give it proper care. Every time you put on your outerwear, its performance elements are being compromised. Body oils and sweat break down seam tape and waterproof membranes, and dirt and other contaminants like sunscreen collect on the outside and eat away at its durable water repellent (DWR) finish.

In fact, keeping your outerwear clean is so important that we’ve partnered with Nikwax – the worldwide leader in high performance, PFAS-free waterproofing and cleaning solutions – to provide you with the most effective care experience possible.

AFTERCARE SOLUTIONS MADE FOR OUTERWEAR

The solutions offered by our partners at Nikwax are specially formulated to not only remove contaminants like dirt, oils and sweat, and residues left behind by household detergents, but to also revitalize DWR – the seemingly magic (but not permanent) finish on your outerwear that makes water roll right off. The result? You’re going to keep dry and comfortable in your 686 outerwear.

A combination of regular cleaning and as-needed re-waterproofing with Nikwax solutions will all but guarantee a longer performing lifetime for your 686 outerwear, giving you the confidence that your investment will maintain its optimal look, feel, and protection from the elements for years to come.

OUTERWEAR CARE INSTRUCTIONS

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 must use a top-loading machine, make sure it does not use an agitator.
• 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 must use household detergent, use a small amount and rinse twice. Liquid detergents clog your gear and mask the DWR finish which significantly reduces performance.

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 these steps 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 according to the directions on the label.
• Repeat as frequently as needed.