Maintaining outdoor clothing: practical tips from Millet & AlpinStore

Maintaining outdoor clothing: clear advice from Millet and AlpinStore

You want your jacket, down, and shoes to last season after season? We understand: we are a team of seasoned users. Since 2016, AlpinStore has been selecting and testing gear in the field. Here, we provide practical, no-nonsense advice for maintaining outdoor clothing, extending their lifespan, and keeping technical performance.

First of all: read the label. This is fundamental. The manufacturer's specific instructions take precedence over any general advice. But after thousands of hours on trails and walls, here’s what we systematically recommend.

The golden rules, simple and effective

• Close zippers and Velcro before washing: this prevents wear and snags.
• Wash at 30°C for most technical pieces; clear water, non-aggressive detergent or specific product.
• Prefer natural drying: no direct heat source, no aggressive spinning.
• Re-waterproof membranes after several washes or when water repellency decreases.
• Store in a dry place, away from sunlight and prolonged humidity.

These rules cover the majority of cases, but each piece of equipment has its specifics: shoes, bags, ropes, down, and waterproof clothing require dedicated care. We detail just below, staying practical.

How to wash and dry according to use

Have you invested in a selection of winter and summer clothing? Perfect. Treat them according to their material: synthetic, fleece, down, membrane. For technical textiles, avoid fabric softeners and choose an appropriate detergent. For items containing down, use a special down detergent and consider dryer balls to avoid clumping during low-temperature tumble drying.

Here’s a quick summary table to help you out:

Products and actions according to equipment

• Shoes: clean by hand with a soft brush and lukewarm water. For soles and treatments, let air dry in the shade. To prepare for a technical hike, choose high-performance outdoor shoes and take care of them before each season.
• Backpacks: remove dust, clean stains by hand, and avoid the machine. Air dry and check seams and buckles before a big trip.
• Ropes and straps: wash with clear lukewarm water, no aggressive products, dry in the shade. Store them away from light and humidity.
• Sleeping bags: ventilate regularly, dry completely before storage. For synthetic models, apply gentle washing; for down, follow the method above.

For children, whom we love to take everywhere, we also have practical advice: the collection of technical underwear for children and the winter fashion jackets for children require gentle washing, often at 30°C, and hanging to dry to maintain shape and insulation. Thin and durable tights, like the children's multisport tights, can go in the washing machine but on a delicate cycle and in a laundry bag to protect them.

If you want to buy a men's summer jacket, remember to check its composition: does it have a membrane? A water-repellent treatment? These elements dictate maintenance. For a women's winter Nordic jacket in down or synthetic, apply the same rules as for sleeping bags: specific detergent and gentle drying.

For runners and trail runners, the collection of trail t-shirts and tank tops is designed to wick away sweat: wash them quickly after exertion, no fabric softener, air dry. And for summer outings, the mention buy men's summer jacket will help you choose a lightweight cut that is easy to maintain.

Recommended maintenance products and environmental commitment

To facilitate maintenance, we work with NST. NST offers a range of detergents, waterproofing agents, and disinfectants dedicated to functional clothing and shoes. Their products are tested and formulated to limit environmental impact: no PFCs, no aerosols, biodegradable. We recommend using these solutions when water repellency decreases or after several intensive washes.

We prioritize sustainable actions: repair before replacing, re-waterproof rather than repurchase, choose more responsible materials. This is our commitment to keep outdoor activities accessible for future generations.

Quick FAQ: questions we are often asked

Can all technical jackets go in the dryer? No. Check the label. Many membranes can go in the dryer on a low temperature to reactivate water repellency, but others must air dry.

When to re-waterproof? When water no longer beads on the surface and it soaks in. If you notice that your outer layer is absorbing water, that’s the sign.

Are anti-odor products useful? Yes, to keep trail textiles fresh. Use formulas compatible with membranes and technical materials.

Conclusion: we take care to enjoy more

Maintaining outdoor clothing is not a chore: it’s a way to respect your gear and the mountains. By applying simple actions: appropriate washing, gentle drying, re-waterproofing when necessary: you extend the effectiveness and lifespan of your equipment. We encourage you: test these routines, adapt them to your outings, and share your feedback with the AlpinStore community. We are passionate, we speak the truth, and we want your gear to hold up... or the slope.

Need personalized advice? Contact our team: we are athletes, we respond like climbing buddies.