In cold weather, it is easier to regulate your body's heat by adding or removing a hat rather than stopping to take garments on and off.
There are a wealth of different materials on the market today, most of which are synthetic. As fibres become more technical, so caring for them can become more complicated. For example, many fabrics cannot be washed with a fabric conditioner, as this affects the ability of the product to draw perspiration vapour through its fibres.

All outdoor clothing, from waterproofs to base layers, works better when clean. As a general rule, clothes should be washed in warm water (30º-40ºC) with mild soap rather than detergents. To remove stains, first try gently rubbing the face fabric gently with a soft brush, or alternatively speak to your retailer to find out if a proprietary stain removing product can be applied without adversely affecting the material's performance. If you wash your clothing during a trip, please ensure that you use an eco-friendly soap in a bowl well away from water sources.


Some people complain that their waterproof/breathable garments lose their 'breathability' and/or begin to leak. Whilst it is possible that a very small number of items may be affected by manufacturing problems, there are more common reasons why these garments appear to fail:

  1. Absorbent clothing (such as cotton) being worn under the jacket. Perspiration is soaked up by the cotton, giving the impression that the jacket is 'leaking'. Cure: wear fast-wicking synthetic fibres that do not absorb perspiration.
  2. Dirty face fabric. This prevents perspiration from escaping. Cure: wash the jacket.
  3. Dampness around the neck, hem and cuffs. Cure: Seal these areas with the jacket's drawcords and velcro tabs to stop water dripping in or being drawn up into the garment.
  4. Dampness under the parts of the jacket in contact with rucksack shoulder straps. Cure: perspiration is unable to escape because its progress is impeded by the straps, so open the front zip and/or underarm pit zips whenever practical to help as much perspiration escape as possible.

On the outside (or 'face fabric') of new waterproof garments is an invisible water repellent coating that encourages water to 'bead' on the surface of the material. After use this coating wears down, allowing the face fabric to become saturated (known as 'wetting-out'). This affects the garment's performance and can reduce its 'breathability'. The coating can be replaced with one of a number of proprietary spray or wash in treatments. Check that the treatment does not contain a waterproofing agent that might itself further reduce the garment's breathability.
Remember that a waterproof/breathable jacket is not a cure for all ills. There are some climactic conditions when the material will struggle to perform (such as ultra-humid or ultra-cold conditions). Nor will it stop you perspiring. Regulate your perspiration output by removing layers of clothing so the perspiration does not have to pass through so many garments.