{"id":38126,"date":"2022-11-18T13:25:36","date_gmt":"2022-11-18T12:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-01.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/care-instructions-how-to-wash-your-hardshell-jacket-properly\/"},"modified":"2023-01-12T14:43:51","modified_gmt":"2023-01-12T13:43:51","slug":"care-instructions-how-to-wash-your-hardshell-jacket-properly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/care-instructions-how-to-wash-your-hardshell-jacket-properly\/","title":{"rendered":"How to wash your hardshell jacket properly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hardshell products are little technological miracles. They\u2019re not only lightweight and waterproof, but also quiet, soft, breathable, windproof, robust and for the most part, nice to look at. But, when it comes to washing, most of us become hesitant. I, too, have been under the assumption that the complexity of a jacket corresponds to how time-consuming the washing cycle is or how many mistakes there are to make whilst washing (uh, yeah\u2026). And just like that, your new \u00a3300 jacket is ruined. Great, thanks for nothing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, in actuality, washing a hardshell isn\u2019t all that difficult. I\u2019d even go so far as say it\u2019s child\u2019s play, provided you keep a couple of little details in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some care instructions for the three most popular membranes: Polartec, GORE-TEX and Sympatex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How these membranes work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to know how to wash a particular membrane, it is important to know how each one works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Gore<\/a>
GORE TEX’s special technology<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

GORE-TEX membranes have countless little pores. If the temperature is lower<\/strong> outside the jacket than it is on the inside and the water vapour creates a certain amount of pressure on the jacket\u2019s interior, water vapour molecules will pass through the little pores.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An individual pore is just big enough for a water vapour molecule to pass through. Since water molecules (rain) are larger than water vapour (sweat<\/a>), vapour can get out but water can\u2019t get in. Thus, the jacket is waterproof.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go with the flow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Polartec Neo Shell<\/strong> works a bit differently. The openings in this membrane are relatively large. Thus, not only is the permeability to water vapour significantly higher, but the water vapour can also pass through much more easily. This also makes the material much softer and more elastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the membrane\u2019s permeability, lots of fresh air can seep into the jacket. As the person wearing the jacket moves, the air inside the jacket stays in constant motion and is regularly exchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neoshell<\/strong> has a hydrostatic head of 10,000 mm<\/strong>, which may be less than other membranes, but it is still sufficient!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the chemistry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What make Sympatex<\/strong> membranes different is the fact that they don’t have any pores, but instead work on a purely chemical and physical principle<\/strong>: the membrane\u2019s hydrophilic components absorb moisture and transport it to the outside so that it can then evaporate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact that the membrane doesn’t have any pores makes it not only waterproof<\/strong> but also pretty low-maintenance<\/strong>, but more on that in a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washing instructions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a rule, you should always<\/strong> read the washing instructions for your product before getting started. Every jacket always seem to have something special about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, there are a few things that apply to all jackets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n