KIT & GEAR
TECHNICAL FABRIC MAINTENANCE
on the market these days and most can be ordered easily
online, so check out brands like Grangers, Nikwax, Storm,
Red Wing, Rockin’ Green, and Gear Aid.
These brands create environmentally sustainable
treatments used to clean, waterproof and care for fabrics
and the majority can be used in the same wash cycle.
You’ll also find bespoke products for down, merino, and
base layer care products to keep all of your gear tip-top.
These products offer high performance cleaning, water
proofing and after-care treatments that let you refresh and
restore the performance of your gear, ensuring your kit
delivers the same protection it did when you bought it.
The first step is obviously to clean your garments and
to do this you need to ensure that first and foremost you
follow the manufacturer’s care guidance that’s given on
the label you’ll no-doubt find inside the garment. Most
garments, including hard shell, can be popped in the
washing machine and by using a dedicated wash product
you can make certain that no harm is going to come to
your beloved gear so it comes out all sparkly and fresh!
Once your garment has been cleaned, you should clean
out your washing machine’s detergent tray. This is a similar
step for washing but you’ll want to clear out any remnants
of your washing product. Get yourself some wash-in
proofer (unless your garment has a hydrophilic (water-
loving) lining which is used sometimes to help transfer
internal moisture, in which case use a spray on proofer
to the outer face as directed!) then simply follow the
instructions for volume and temperature settings before
setting the washer. Let the cycle run with the proofer and
once completed, allow the cycle to repeat and remove
excess moisture. Re-proofers usually activate with heat
so if your garment allows you to tumble dry it the heat
will help activate the replenished coating and then you’re
good to go all over again.
All of your clothing system will benefit form a good
wash and clean and again, products like base and mid-
layer washes will help your clothing system in its entirety.
These wash products are specially formulated to work with
both natural and synthetic “thermal layering and next to
skin” garments to retain and improve performance and
aid in effective moisture wicking, enhancing the overall
effectiveness of your entire clothing system.
And if, god forbid, you do tear your jacket or pant
don’t despair as most of the brands mentioned also offer
a products for repair, often in the form of patches. The
patches provide a simple and easy method of sealing holes
and tears, as well as providing an excellent protective
solution. Most repair patches are made from tough, matte
finish, abrasion resistant, elastomers that resist punctures
and tearing, combined with an aggressive adhesive
formulated for high bond strength. The patches expand,
absorbing force on impact and always return to their
original shape and size. This flexibility allows the patch
to conform to irregular surfaces without restricting the
movement of the repaired material.
With an emphasis on preservation and eco projects, it
appears that even care product manufacturers are “going
green” for the sake of the environment too! A huge
91% of discarded plastic isn’t recycled and it has been
predicted that by mid-century, the oceans will contain
more plastic waste than fish, ton for ton (https://news.
nationalgeographic.com)! To do their bit, companies have
introduced new, easily-recyclable product containers.
Using plastic-free packaging, you can now buy products
that are not only great for your gear, but also great for the
environment.
THE BALANCING ACT
It’s always precarious balancing act when you put
technologies together in a garment with a lining fabric
and an outer face fabric that will ensure long term
durability whilst not degrading performance and when
you then add thermal mid-layers and fast-wicking base-
layers it becomes trickier still! All these fabrics are chosen
with extreme care and tested for all kinds of heat, cold,
flex and abrasion. Not maintaining these garments to the
best of your ability simply means that you’re not getting
the levels of performance you have invested in and this is
something you can be doing at home right now.
The fact of the matter is that many people find
performance garments expensive but at the risk of being
blunt, they must have no real conception of what is
going on behind the scenes! When you’re paying for a
performance garment you’re getting “Formula 1” levels
of performance and that doesn’t come cheap. Of course,
you can always buy a cheap “hatchback” but if your
enjoyment, and ultimately even your life, may end up
depending on the performance of your clothing system I
have to ask the question “how much is too expensive”?
Use your time wisely now while you have it, and get your
gear prepped and ready for new airsoft adventures as
soon as we’re allowed back
out to play! AA
www.airsoftaction.net
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