best women's down jacket

1. Keeping Your Jacket Waterproof: 8 Tips to Repel The Rain Is your favorite jacket looking a little soggy lately? Don't resign yourself to a damp winter. With some simple maintenance, you can revive and enhance the best women's down jacket waterproofing to stay cozy and dry. Your jacket's outer fabric is the first line of defense against wet weather. But over time, dirt, oils, and regular use degrade durable water-repellent (DWR) coatings. Raising the waterproof quotient requires cleaning, reproofing, and smart preventive care. Follow these 8 tips to make your jacket more impervious to rain and snow.

2. 1. Wash and Re-DWR Regular laundering removes dirt, sweat, and contaminants that compromise DWR coatings. Use a technical wash formulated for waterproof fabrics. Nikwax Tech Wash is a top choice. After washing, restore lost DWR with a spray-on waterproofer like Nikwax TX Direct. This adds an invisible layer of hydrophobic protection without changing the feel or breathability of your jacket. Wash and re-proof once or twice per season depending on wear. Take extra care with down coats to preserve insulation. 2. Seal Leaky Seams and Zippers Seam tape and zipper seals wear over time. Inspect these high-abrasion areas for leaks or cracks. Many technical garments allow you to re-seal seams with adhesive strips. SeamGrip and McNett Seam Sure are top brands. Use a specialized zipper lubricant like Zip Tech to keep water out of teeth and maintain smooth operation. This protects interior layers from drips. 3. Spot-Clean Spills Don't wait for a full soak to wash your jacket. Spot clean spills immediately with a damp cloth and mild detergent. For food, grease, or oil stains, use an absorbent cleaner like Carbona Stain Devils or Shout. Rinse thoroughly. This prevents deep-set stains and buildup. 4. Store Properly Minimize jacket compression during storage. Hang on a wide hanger or lay flat. Don't jam it in a stuff sack. This maintains the loft and water resistance of down and synthetic insulations.

3. Before storage at the end of the season, clean thoroughly and reapply DWR treatment. This preps your jacket for next fall. 5. Add a Shell Layer Layering is your friend in extreme wet weather. Adding an outer shell atop your jacket provides an extra barrier against driving rain. Look for an emergency rain shell or poncho that fits over your coat. These pack down small to stash in your pack or car. 6. Weatherproof Exterior Fabrics Today's technical jackets use tightly woven face fabrics that repel moisture without a DWR finish.

4. But you can further enhance their protection with a BEFORE-STORMTM treatment. This unique formula soaks deep into fibers for lasting water- beading action. Use it to bolster older jackets or reinforce problem areas like shoulders. 7. Ditch the Detergent Skip the fabric softener and dryer sheets when laundering your jacket. These leave residual films that counteract DWR coatings. Stick to basic powder or liquid detergents, and always thoroughly rinse twice. This removes all traces of soap that compromise water resistance. 8. Re-Treat Often The more you wear your jacket, the faster you'll need to reapply DWR. Heavy use in winter requires re-proofing every few weeks. Even light use calls for re-treatment every 2-3 months. Mark your calendar to wash and re-apply waterproofing regularly. With some timely TLC, you can keep your trusty jacket performing like new for many seasons. Implement these tips to maintain exceptional water and weather protection no matter how hard you wear it. Stay cozy and confident in the rain with a quality jacket and proper care.