Essential Gear Care: Proper Drying Techniques for Gloves, Outerwear, and More

Once you've done a few runs on the slopes, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your outerwear getting wet will prevent you from doing more!. Taking care of your outdoor gear can take more steps than initially thought. It doesn't matter if you're an occasional skier or a die-hard skier; having the proper gear maintenance in mind can make you more prepared than ever. The most significant part of caring for your outdoor gear is ensuring each piece stays dry so the insulation works well. Boston Ski + Tennis is here to give you all the tips regarding effective ways to dry ski gear. Read on for more!

Common Drying Mistakes to Avoid

A big thing about drying your gear in the wrong way is risking if it ends up getting mold or mildew. With ski gear in general, it's common knowledge these pieces will get wet. Your job is to make sure you have the proper drying technique when it comes to gear care for skiing. Here are some mistakes that a lot of frequent skiers make that may seem minuscule at the time but can really be quite significant.

Direct Heat to Warm Materials

Your instant thought when getting your ski gear wet is to put them toward heat. Sometimes, people can put these materials on heaters or near an open flame that actually ends up hurting them rather than helping. Heat like this can warp the materials as well as damage the waterproof coatings or insulation. Simply leaving it hung or open to some well-ventilated inside air will do just fine!

Leaving Gear Under the Sun

Another way to dry up your gear in the most effective sense is to leave it under the sun or in a well lit environment. The only thing not to do is to keep your gear under the sun or UV rays for a long amount of time.  Prolonged UV exposure can fade colors and weaken the material.  Make sure to watch how long your gear dries in the sun and put them in a well-ventilated space so that you don't give things like mildew or mold chances to grow.

Forgetting About the Zippers and Pockets

From gloves to outerwear, remember the small places too! This can include the pockets, zippers, and, with gloves, the finger holes. These areas actually collect the most moisture in some situations and can damage the entirety of your outerwear just from being neglected in drying them out. Open things up, and let the fresh air flow. If you can separate linings, do so.

Not Wringing Out Excess Water

After all of these steps, you should be in good shape. One of the last tips to remember is to make sure any excess water is taken care of. This can go for smaller gear like socks, gloves, and more. If the excess water isn't taken out, it can make your outdoor gear have pretty bad odors and just delay the time it takes to dry out, which no one wants. Just shaking, twisting or any other technique to remove excess will help the gear dry out faster.

Proper Drying Techniques for Your Gear

Now that we've talked about what not to do, here are some techniques you can do to help dry out your gear.

Air Drying

The simple technique is air drying. If you leave your gear out on a flat, clean surface for a certain amount of time, more than likely, this will do the trick. A good trick with this is to make sure you turn the gloves and socks inside out so that the interior dries out properly.

Low Heat Sources

If you need your outdoor gear dried faster than just simple air drying, you can use a low heat setting on a dryer or even something as portable as a hair blow dryer. Just make sure you're turning down the heat so that it's gentle on your fabrics. Delicate fabrics can sometimes warm or even burn under a certain amount of heat sources. Also, having a space heater is great to speed the drying process up.

The Right Hanging Methods

Hanging your ski jacket or pants anywhere to dry isn't always the best method. Make sure when you're hanging either clothing mentioned, you're making sure to use wide, sturdy hangers or velcro straps to keep the garment's shape. If you hang these clothing pieces wrong, you can risk stretching or mishaping. Also, after you hang your clothing item, put a towel down underneath it so any water drippings can fall onto it, and you won't have to worry about floor damage.

Why Proper Drying Matters

If you care about your outdoor gear enough, you'll want to know why proper drying matters. Quality outdoor gear for skiing can get pretty expensive, but making sure you take advantage of your investment, you'll need to make sure it lasts as long as possible. To do this, keeping your gear dry and warm can avoid things like damp insulation, wet fabric, or even mildewed pockets. Wet outdoor gear can feel uncomfortable and heavy while also not retaining enough heat. It is important to take out the extra time that's needed to dry your gear properly. Otherwise, you're wasting your money and will need to find new gear in the near future.

Keep Your Gear Adventure-Ready with Boston Ski + Tennis

When it comes to outdoor adventures, well-maintained gear can make all the difference. At Boston Ski + Tennis, we know the value of a warm pair of gloves and the importance of a dry, perfectly fitted jacket. That’s why we’re here to help, from premium-quality equipment to expert advice on how to care for it.  If you’re looking for more tips or need guidance on keeping your gear in peak condition, please check out our website. Stay warm, stay dry, and happy adventuring!