The importance and benefits of DWR water repellent treatment

When hiking, mountaineering, mountain adventures and other outdoor activities, protection from the elements is one of the priorities to make the hours spent outside safe and enjoyable, not painful and even dangerous . Whether you're climbing a mountain, hiking, or just moving around town on your daily routine, the key to comfort and safety often lies in the ability of your clothing and footwear to keep you dry and warm.

DWR (from the English Durable Water Repellent) is an indispensable, but often misunderstood technology of modern waterproof clothing, shoes and equipment!

In order to dispel myths, educate and, hopefully, improve the experience of using equipment purchased from us, we will introduce you to the most important basic principles of waterproofing and water repellency.

In this article, you'll learn what DWR is, why it's important for waterproofing, and what you can do to keep your hiking clothing and gear water-resistant even after long-term use. We will explore the benefits and properties of DWR treatment, as well as touch on the sustainability aspects of these procedures, highlighting the efforts of leading brands to prevent the impact of harmful chemicals on the environment and people.

What is a durable water repellent coating (DWR treatment)?

Outdoor enthusiasts know how important it is to stay dry and comfortable no matter the activity or the weather. This need has fueled the development of various waterproofing technologies, with the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment standing out as a notable advance in this field.

DWR is a coating applied to fabrics to make them water repellent . This treatment prevents water from absorbing into the material , causing water molecules to compact and roll off the surface.

The main advantages of DWR treatment

Improved water resistance

DWR treatment does not allow the fabric to absorb water. This is important to extend the waterproof life of the products, as well as to improve comfort by preventing the materials from getting wet, which makes them heavy, cold, unpleasant to the touch, and also significantly limits or completely eliminates their thermal insulation ability.

Durability and service life extension

Materials treated with DWR are generally more durable and withstand harsh weather better, making them ideal for outdoor clothing, footwear and gear.

Dirt repellence

DWR-treated materials stain less because they prevent dirt from penetrating the fabric fibers.

If you have worn shoes treated with DWR, then you must have experienced the situation that after a wet hike, muddy shoes miraculously do not look so dirty after drying. That's because the mud from the DWR treatment just falls off!

Easier cleaning

Since DWR provides an invisible protective layer on the material, heavily soiled, muddy, salt-covered shoes can simply be rinsed with water without the use of detergents or rubbing, thus keeping them always clean, preventing material degradation and extending the life of the products.

What do waterproof membranes have to do with DWR?

Understanding the relationship between waterproof membranes and DWR treatment is critical to getting the most out of your expensive, high-tech raincoats and Goretex hiking boots , and to avoid the frustrations that can result from not understanding the relationship.

If you've ever had to climb a mountain in the rain with a raincoat, then you must be familiar with the situation that you stay wet from the inside because of the sweat, because the film does not breathe and does not release moisture, thus creating a greenhouse effect, which increases the body temperature even more, thus sweating and causing more more sweat and moisture.

Waterproof membranes , found in technologies such as Gore-Tex, Mammut DryTechnology and Patagonia H2No, are designed to prevent water from entering through the fabric while allowing moisture (sweat) to evaporate to the outside, providing both waterproofness and breathability . So the membrane is the main protection against water ingress .

But the role of DWR in this system is equally important . While the waterproof membrane prevents water from penetrating the interior of the fabric, the DWR treatment on the outer fabric layer prevents the fabric from absorbing water and becoming heavy and wet . Wetting the membrane fabric can significantly reduce its breathability. If the outer fabric is saturated with water, the moisture vapor from the inside (sweat) cannot evaporate as efficiently, creating moisture inside the jacket - similar to the rain film example above.

With DWR, the inside of a membrane jacket that is not treated with DWR stays wet, giving the impression that the jacket has lost its water resistance, but it is actually sweat that cannot evaporate because the fabric is soaked.

Therefore, if you have a membrane jacket that supposedly "does not hold water", then do not be angry with the manufacturer, but try to treat the jacket with DWR, for example Toko Textile Proof.

It is important to note that the loss of DWR effectiveness does not mean that the garment has lost its water resistance. The membrane continues to block water penetration. However, without an effective DWR treatment, the breathability of the garment is compromised, which contributes to the accumulation of moisture released by the body.

DWR longevity, care and maintenance

It goes without saying that the production technologies of membrane fabrics are complex and the preservation of their functions does not end when they are released from the factory, so an understanding of their proper care and preservation of functions is required.

DWR treatment is an essential component in extending the life and performance of outdoor clothing and accessories. However, it's important to understand how long a DWR treatment lasts on materials, how it can wear off, and proper washing and retreatment techniques.

Lifetime of DWR treatment

The life of a DWR treatment is affected by several factors, including the quality of the treatment, the frequency and intensity of use of the product, and how well the product is cared for.

Typically, the DWR treatment on products such as rain jackets and Gore-Tex hiking boots can last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years. However, regular use in harsh conditions can accelerate the wear and tear process.

! Special care should be taken when shoes are exposed to salt. Salt has a destructive effect on DWR, so after walking around the city in winter, when the sidewalks are heavily sprinkled with salt, it is recommended to rinse your shoes every time you come home, and also to renew the DWR treatment regularly. For synthetic and nubuck leather shoes, it is most convenient to do this with spray products, but smooth leather shoes will be grateful for waxes or balms that can be applied, such as Toko Leather Balm or Toko wax for leather .

How DWR wears off

The DWR treatment wears down mainly due to friction (for example, DWR rubs off on the shoulder area of ​​a rain jacket in contact with the backpack straps), dirt, oils and exposure to detergents. Over time, this can lead to the fact that the fabric does not repel water, but on the contrary - absorbs it! This phenomenon is called "wetting out".

Washing and reuse instructions

Washing: To maintain the effectiveness of the DWR treatment, it is very important to properly clean or wash your gear. Use a detergent specially designed for membranes or other equipment without enzymes, stain removers, bleaches and other aggressive substances and do not use fabric softeners, as they can clog the pores of the membrane.

Wash the product according to the manufacturer's instructions - usually in the delicate cycle, at a water temperature of no more than 40 degrees. When washing membrane fabrics, minimize the spin speed and do not dry the product on heat sources such as radiators. Wash your shoes by hand, not in the washing machine.

Re-application of DWR

Before every hike or trip to the mountains, make sure that your rain jacket, shoes, sleeping bag, tent, backpack and other equipment repel water. To do this, splash a little water on the product to make sure that the drops run off the material or, on the contrary, soak into the fabric. If the fabric gets wet, it's time to reactivate the DWR or apply a new DWR treatment.

The DWR treatment of relatively new textile products can be reactivated by placing them in a (dry) tumble dryer on the gentlest setting. If water still soaks into the fabric after this procedure, it's time to apply a new layer of DWR.

For clothing and textiles, several products are available, including products that can be poured into the fabric softener compartment during washing, such as Toko Wash In Proof , as well as spray products: Toko Textile Proof and Toko Softshell Proof .

Use Toko Shoe Proof&Care for shoes, and Toko Tent&Pack Proof for tent, backpack, shoes and other equipment.

The DWR treatment must be applied to clean and dry material, so follow the washing instructions on the product.

Regular maintenance and proper storage

Regular, proper maintenance can significantly extend the life of your DWR treatment. If the equipment has become dirty, wash it and dry it thoroughly before storing it to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.

Remove the tent and sleeping bag from the compression bag, dry thoroughly and store uncompressed in a breathable bag such as the Mammut Storage sack (read more about proper tent care here: 3 things you need to know to avoid damaging your tent ).

Clean the shoes with a soft brush and lukewarm water, remove the soles, put newspapers or tissues inside to prevent shrinkage and under no circumstances dry them on radiators, as the heat can cause them to shrink.

Environmental impact of DWR treatment

Although DWR treatments offer significant benefits, there are growing concerns about their environmental impact. Traditional DWR treatments often contain perfluorocarbons (PFCs), which are harmful to both humans and the environment. That's why responsible brands are switching to PFC-free DWRs.

Leading brands and their sustainable practices

That what

Known for its eco-friendly approach, Toko offers a PFC-free DWR treatment with a focus on sustainability without compromising performance.

Mammoth

This brand is committed to phasing out PFCs in their products, offering high-quality, eco-friendly outdoor gear.

Sea To Summit

Known for their innovative outdoor gear, Sea to Summit now includes PFC-free DWR in their product lines.

Patagonia

As a pioneer in sustainable outdoor clothing, Patagonia emphasizes the use of safe, long-lasting DWR agents.

Fjällräven

Fjallraven have developed their own PFC-free DWR treatments, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Conclusion

Regular renewal of DWR not only prolongs the water resistance of the products and ensures the effective functioning of the waterproof membranes, but also cares and protects the materials, prevents them from staining, facilitates maintenance and extends the service life, as well as improves the comfort and safety of the user. Modern DWR products do not contain substances harmful to the environment and people.

We hope this article was useful for you! If any question remained unanswered, feel free to ask it in the comments! We would appreciate it if you would share your experiences (both positive and negative) in the comments to educate other travelers as well.