how do i re-waterproof my REI rain jacket

[crazycow94]

I have a REI brand waterproof rain jacket. It is a couple years old. Lately, I have noticed that it seems like water is starting to stick and soak into the coat a little bit when I wear it in the rain. The water does not seem to seep through it yet, but you can tell that it feels damp.

I have heard there is a way to re-waterproof it, but I wanted to ask you directly how to do so.

Are there any recommended products or procedures to do so?

Thanks!

[REI-JohnJ]

@crazycow94 Thanks for reaching out!

The steps for this process are pretty straightforward:

1. If the durable water repellent (DWR) hasn't degraded too much over time, you may just need to revive the water repellency. To do this, wash the jacket with a washing agent specifically designed for gear and technical apparel. Then put the garment in the dryer on a low or medium heat setting for 15 minutes.
2. If that doesn't take care of the issue, then its time to re-apply a DWR treatment. You can do that with a product like Nikwax TX.Direct Spray On Water Repellant Treatment or Nikwax TX.Direct Wash In Water Repellant Treatment. 

We have a great Expert Advice article on this very topic! It is called Rainwear: Durable Water Repellent (DWR) Care. It will walk you through the steps needed to revive the water repellency of your rain jacket. Additionally, you can check out more of the products you may need here. 

Hope this helps!