Arc'teryx Care & Maintenance: How to Make Your Gear Last 10+ Years

Arc'teryx gear is an investment. With proper care, a good jacket can last 5, 10, even 15+ years. Neglect it, and you might be replacing it in 2-3 years.

In this guide, I'll cover everything you need to know to keep your Arc'teryx gear in top shape — from washing to storing to repairing.

The Short Version

1. 1Wash regularly with technical wash (not regular detergent)
2. 2Dry properly — low heat for most gear
3. 3Reproof annually with DWR treatment
4. 4Store properly — clean, dry, and uncompressed
5. 5Repair instead of replace — patch holes, fix zippers

Washing Different Types of Gear

Gore-Tex Shell Jackets

How often: Every 10-20 uses, or when visibly dirty

Step by step:

1. 1Close all zippers and velcro
2. 2Brush off loose dirt
3. 3Use Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash
4. 4Wash on warm (30°C / 86°F) on gentle cycle
5. 5Rinse twice to remove all detergent
6. 6Never use fabric softener, bleach, or regular detergent

Drying:

• •Tumble dry on low heat (reactivates DWR)
• •Or line dry in a well-ventilated area
• •Never use high heat

Down Jackets

How often: Once or twice a season

Step by step:

1. 1Close zippers and velcro
2. 2Use Nikwax Down Wash Direct (not regular detergent)
3. 3Wash on cold (30°C max) on gentle cycle
4. 4Use a front-loading washer if possible
5. 5Rinse twice

Drying:

• •Tumble dry on LOW heat (no exceptions)
• •Add 2-3 clean tennis balls to fluff the down
• •Be patient — can take 2-3 hours
• •Break up clumps every 30 minutes
• •Make sure it's completely dry before storing

Synthetic Insulated Jackets (Atom series)

How often: Once or twice a season

Step by step:

1. 1Close zippers and velcro
2. 2Use Nikwax Tech Wash
3. 3Wash on cold on gentle cycle
4. 4Rinse twice

Drying:

• •Tumble dry on low heat
• •Or line dry

Fleece and Midlayers

How often: As needed

Step by step:

• •Wash in cold water with regular detergent (no fabric softener)
• •Tumble dry on low or line dry
• •Wash separately from cotton items (lint sticks to fleece)

Pants

How often: As needed

Step by step:

• •Follow the care label
• •Most Arc'teryx pants can be washed in cold water with technical wash
• •Tumble dry on low or line dry

Reproofing (Reapplying DWR)

When to Reproof

Test your jacket by spraying water on it:

• •Water beads up: DWR is working, no need to reproof
• •Water soaks in: Time to reproof

Typically, you need to reproof every 1-2 years, depending on use.

How to Reproof

1. 1Wash the jacket first (as above)
2. 2Apply DWR treatment:
- Spray-on: Nikwax TX.Direct Spray - Wash-in: Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In
3. 3For spray-on: Spray evenly on wet fabric, wait 2 minutes, remove excess
4. 4For wash-in: Add to washing machine, run on gentle cycle
5. 5Tumble dry on low to activate the DWR

Storing Your Gear

Shell Jackets

• •Store on a hanger in a cool, dry closet
• •Loosely zipped
• •Away from direct sunlight
• •Don't compress in a stuff sack for long periods

Down Jackets

• •Store on a hanger or loosely folded
• •Never store compressed (loses loft)
• •In a cool, dry place
• •Make sure it's completely clean and dry

Synthetic Jackets

• •Store on a hanger or loosely folded
• •Can be compressed more than down, but still avoid long-term compression
• •In a cool, dry place

Pants

• •Fold neatly or hang on a clip hanger
• •In a cool, dry place

General Storage Tips

• •Never store wet gear — it will mildew
• •Keep away from direct sunlight — UV damages fabrics
• •Don't store in plastic bags — gear needs to breathe
• •Store clean — dirt and sweat can break down fabrics over time

Repairing Your Gear

Small Tears and Holes

Use Gear Aid Tenacious Tape:

1. 1Clean the area around the hole
2. 2Cut a piece of tape slightly larger than the hole
3. 3Round the corners of the tape
4. 4Apply smoothly, pressing out air bubbles

For down jackets: Patch both inside and outside to prevent down from escaping.

Zipper Issues

Stuck zipper:

• •Clean with a toothbrush and soapy water
• •Apply zipper lubricant (like Gear Aid Zipper Lubricant)

Broken zipper:

• •This is usually a warranty issue if it's a manufacturing defect
• •If not, a professional repair shop can replace it

Seam Tape Peeling

• •This is often a warranty issue
• •If not, you can re-tape with seam sealant (like Gear Aid Seam Grip)

Velcro Not Sticking

• •Clean the velcro with a toothbrush to remove lint and debris
• •If still not working, it can be replaced

When to Repair vs Replace

Repair if:

• •Small tears or holes (patch them!)
• •Zipper issues (can often be fixed)
• •Seam tape peeling (can be re-taped)
• •Lost DWR (reapply it)
• •Velcro not sticking (clean or replace)

Replace if:

• •Fabric is worn through in multiple spots
• •The membrane is delaminating extensively
• •Zippers are completely shot and can't be replaced
• •The fit is wrong or you need something different
• •The gear is 10+ years old and showing its age

Common Care Mistakes

1. Using Regular Detergent

Regular detergent damages technical fabrics. Always use a technical wash.

2. Never Washing Gear

Dirty gear doesn't breathe as well and wears out faster. Wash your gear regularly.

3. Using High Heat

High heat melts seam tape, damages membranes, and ruins down. Always use low heat.

4. Storing Wet

Wet gear mildews. Always make sure gear is completely dry before storing.

5. Compressing Down Long-Term

Down loses loft when compressed for long periods. Store it loosely.

Final Tips

1. 1Wash regularly — dirty gear doesn't perform as well
2. 2Use technical wash — not regular detergent
3. 3Dry on low heat — never high heat
4. 4Reproof annually — when water stops beading
5. 5Store properly — clean, dry, and uncompressed
6. 6Repair instead of replace — patch holes, fix zippers
7. 7Use the warranty — Arc'teryx has an excellent warranty for defects

A well-cared-for Arc'teryx jacket can last 10+ years. That's an incredible value, especially when you buy it at outlet prices.

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