I actually tried using Grangers, a rumored brand that is both hassle-free and effective, to care for my waterproof and breathable clothing and hiking boots. [Gear Maintenance Practical Guide]

Waterproof, breathable, and water-repellent clothing and gear such as rainwear and hiking boots will lose some of their performance after repeated use due to dirt and scratches.

For this reason, I'm sure you're all well aware that maintenance is important to keep your outdoor gear performing at 100% and to extend its lifespan. Outdoor Gearzine has spoken about this several times in articles and at events. Furthermore, with the recent shift to PFAS-free materials in many products, there's no doubt that, for better or worse, the need for frequent maintenance has increased even more than before.

Although we understand this, maintenance is difficult to do frequently because it is "troublesome" and "takes time and money."

So this time, we Grangers which are rumored to be the least time-consuming and most effective , to actually care for waterproof clothing such as rainwear and hard shells, as well as hiking boots with waterproof and breathable membranes.We will report on the actual steps and tell you about the advantages compared to other products, as well as any concerns we had.

I think this will be useful not only for those who don't really know or have forgotten how to do it properly, but also for those who want to make their expensive tools last longer and more effectively.

Grangers is the world's first aftercare brand to receive the Bluesign® certification.

Grangers is a British brand that develops maintenance care products and was founded in 1937. They create highly functional products that can withstand the harshest environments and weather conditions around the world, including Everest, the Antarctic, and the Arctic. They were the first to produce water-based protective products in 1947 and were the first aftercare brand in the world to receive bluesign® certification, the world's most stringent environmental standard for textile products. Grangers' water repellents use a proprietary acrylic polymer that does not contain fluorocarbons, and they also prioritize environmental protection by using 100% recyclable bottles instead of virgin plastic for their containers.

Maintenance supplies used this time

This time I used the " Shoe Care Twin Pack " and " Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel ".

The Shoe Care Twin Pack combines Footwear + Gear Cleaner and Footwear Repel Plus , a dedicated gear cleaner and footwear water repellent bottle set. Hiking boots vary in materials, from all-leather and synthetic leather to nylon and polyester, making choosing the right care products a daunting task. The Shoe Care Twin Pack is a versatile cleaning product that can be used on a wide range of materials. Footwear + Gear Cleaner offers excellent cleaning power and is gentle on the skin. Its main ingredient is a non-ionic surfactant, also used in lotions and emulsions. It provides powerful cleaning without damaging the material, and its water-based formula is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. It's also compatible with GORE-TEX materials, and the spray-type cleaning bottle can be used to clean not only shoes but also backpacks.

Footwear Repel Plus is a water repellent agent made with a single component acrylic polymer that is environmentally friendly and does not contain fluorine carbon. It can be used on all-leather, nylon, and polyester/leather combinations. It provides water repellency without impairing breathability, and its leather preservative and moisturizing effects extend the life of the leather. It is a spray-on water repellent agent that can be used on many waterproof and breathable shoes, including GORE-TEX shoes.

Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel combines a water-based cleaner and a water repellent in one bottle. In the past, washing and water-repellenting rainwear required soaking it in a harsh-smelling solvent, rinsing, and washing it yourself, rather than using a washing machine. However, Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel is machine washable. It's a 2-in-1 solution that washes and water-repellents in one step. The cleaner's main ingredient is a non-ionic surfactant that has excellent cleaning power and is gentle on the skin, while the water repellent is a single-component acrylic polymer that is fluorocarbon-free and environmentally friendly, making this a hassle-free cleaner and water repellent.

The importance of water repellency and breathability, which loses performance when water repellency decreases

Whether it's hiking boots, rainwear, or hard shells, clothing made with waterproof and breathable materials can perform at their best because they have high water repellency.

Basically, clothing and shoes made with waterproof and breathable materials are constructed with a waterproof membrane and a layer of water-repellent fabric on top, with most having a two- or three-layer structure. The water-repellent performance of waterproof and breathable clothing and shoes does not last forever, no matter how expensive it is, and its performance will gradually deteriorate with use. The main cause of this is "dirt," and not only visible dirt such as mud but also invisible dirt that adheres to the surface of the fabric, and the adhesion of human sebum can also cause a decrease in performance.

Water repellency has decreased. Water remains in the fabric, reducing its breathability.

Waterproof and breathable clothing and shoes whose water-repellent properties have been reduced due to dirt, etc., become wet when exposed to rain or rough roads, forming a film on the surface of the fabric. When a water film forms, the fabric's breathability is no longer fully realized, causing it to become stuffy. Even with waterproof materials, if water remains on the surface of the fabric and pressure is applied, it can penetrate the interior and cause direct water intrusion. Having a strong water-repellent fabric surface prevents water from remaining on the garment, allowing the garment to perform at its best.

As mentioned at the beginning, there is no product that can maintain its performance forever, so the only way to maintain the water-repellent performance of waterproof and breathable clothing and shoes is to perform regular maintenance. However, if it were a difficult task, regular maintenance would be a pain, and no one would want to do it if it were too much of a hassle. We want to make necessary maintenance as easy as possible. That's where the Shoe Care Twin Pack and Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel come in. We'll explain the steps for shoe care for hiking boots and washing and water-repellent treatment for rainwear as we actually try them out.

Remove dirt and maintain performance! Maintain your hiking boots with the "Shoe Care Twin Pack"

Until now, I'd only cleaned the mud off the soles of my shoes and given them a light brush, but this time I tried proper shoe care for the first time. My hiking boots were so much cleaner before and after maintenance that it was unrecognizable. The water-repellent properties were also restored. The items I prepared for the maintenance were a bucket, a brush, and a rag (an old cotton T-shirt).

All I prepared was a bucket, a brush, and some old cloth to wipe it down.

Specific methods for shoe care

1: Use a brush to remove dirt

Remove the shoelaces to thoroughly clean the shoes

the Footwear + Gear Cleaner, first remove the shoelaces and insoles and use a brush to remove any large dirt. Mud stains are easier to remove when dry than when wet, so remove any stuck-on mud first.

I had been taking care of my shoes lightly, but I was surprised to find that a surprising amount of dirt had accumulated in the shoelace grooves, which I usually try not to look at. This dirt reduces the water-repellent performance, so I made sure to thoroughly remove it.

Brush off any dirt before using the cleaner

2: Clean with Footwear + Gear Cleaner

Spray from about 15cm away

Once the major dirt has been removed, the Footwear + Gear Cleaner and start cleaning. It does not contain any irritating odors or ingredients that are harmful to humans, but you should work in a well-ventilated area. The ingredients may have settled, so shake well and then spray the entire surface from about 15 cm away to loosen the dirt. If the dirt is stubborn, use the brush provided to remove it.

The Footwear + Gear Cleaner can also be used to clean shoelaces and insoles, so I washed them together.

Shoelaces can also be cleaned. Spray the cleaner on the shoe and rub it in to create a lather, then rinse thoroughly.

3: Thoroughly remove detergent

After cleaning with a brush, be sure to thoroughly rinse off the detergent. Wiping is also fine, but rinsing with water is more effective as it ensures that the cleaner ingredients are removed thoroughly. When rinsing with water, be careful not to let water get inside the shoes. Be careful as waterproof shoes are difficult to dry once the inside gets wet.

4. Apply water-repellent treatment with Footwear Repel Plus

After washing, Footwear Repel Plus to apply a water-repellent finish. If you dry the shoes after washing and then apply the water-repellent finish, it would take another day, but since Footwear Repel Plus is water-based, you can apply the water-repellent finish while they are still wet after washing. Footwear + Gear Cleaner, spray the entire shoe from about 15cm away. Since it is a milky white liquid, wipe off any that does not blend into the surface of the shoe (be careful, not wiping it off may cause stains). Spray it on the shoelaces as well.

5: Dry in a place away from direct sunlight

All that's left is to let it dry thoroughly and it's done. It will dry faster if you dry it in a sunny place, but it's best to avoid direct sunlight as this can cause uneven coloring and stains, and dry it in a well-ventilated place.

Shoe Care Summary: No unpleasant odors, just 4 easy steps to maintain your shoes

Some cleaning agents and water repellents for outdoor clothing have a strong smell, which I found a little unpleasant, but Granger's Footwear + Gear Cleaner & Footwear Repel Plus was easy to use and had no pungent smell. It took about 30 minutes for one pair of shoes. The process wasn't difficult at all, but I didn't think it was effortless. Although it was simple, it did take time. However, this effort is necessary to make your equipment last longer, and I felt it was something that anyone who enjoys mountain climbing should have.

Hiking boots are the item that is most likely to get dirty during a mountain climb. Just thinking about removing the shoelaces and caring for them every time you use them can seem like a hassle, but this kind of maintenance not only removes dirt, but also allows you to check for any abnormalities in your shoes. The hiking boots I cared for this time were over five years old, but I noticed that the toe part of the sole was starting to peel off.

If I had gone out into the field without noticing, the condition might have worsened and the sole might have peeled off. I realized that regular maintenance is essential not only to maintain and restore the water-repellent performance, but also to ensure long-term use.

Complete the hassle of washing and water-repellent treatment in one go! Easy care with "Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel"

The Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel combines cleaning agent and water repellent agent in one bottle, allowing you to wash and repel water in one load, reducing the hassle and increasing efficiency. It can be used on a wide range of waterproof and breathable garments, including GORE-TEX materials. I was worried that cutting out the process would reduce the water-repellent performance, but the water-repellent properties after treatment were excellent. It even restored the water-repellent properties of a hard shell jacket that had been used for nearly five years and whose water-repellent properties had deteriorated.

After applying the water repellent treatment, I walked on a rainy trail for about two hours, and it repelled water well.

Specific methods for washing and water-repellent treatment

The process is simple as the cleaning and water-repellent treatment can be done in one wash, but we will also tell you about things to be careful of and recommended methods to make the process more efficient.

1: After checking the care instructions, close all zippers on the garment, wet it, and then put it in the washing machine.

Before starting to wash, check the care label on the garment. Be careful not to try to wash garments that cannot be washed in a home washing machine, as this could cause damage.

Check the care label before washing

Zip up all the clothes to prevent detergent residue from remaining inside the pockets and damaging the garment. Once zipped up, you can put the garment in the washing machine as is, but I prefer to wet the garment beforehand. If I put the garment in the washing machine without wetting it, it will float and just spin on the surface of the water, so I recommend wetting it beforehand. I recommend wetting it lightly with water and rinsing it, as this will remove even the most general stains.

Wetting the clothes beforehand will help you start washing more smoothly. It is also effective to rinse them in the shower or soak them in a bucket to remove any major dirt.

It's a hassle to rinse your clothes with water beforehand, but if you're going to do it anyway, you want to thoroughly clean them and apply a perfect water-repellent coating, so we recommend taking the time to do so. If you're concerned about damage to your clothes during washing, be sure to have a laundry net ready to prevent this.

2. Add Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel according to the number of clothes you want to wash.

After loading your clothes into the washing machine, Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel . Shake well to distribute evenly, then measure out the required amount and pour it into the washing machine. One capful contains 50ml, so for 2-3 loads of clothing, add 150ml of detergent for every 20L of water.

The washing machine I use is a drum type, so I put detergent in through the detergent inlet at the top. If you use a vertical washing machine, you can put it directly into the washing tub.

Like Footwear + Gear Cleaner and Footwear Repel Plus, Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel does not have the pungent odor that is typical of water repellents, so I had no qualms about using it in a home washing machine.

One bottle holds 300ml, so it can wash and water-repellent approximately six items, making it more economical than products that use separate water-repellent and detergent combinations. Running costs are also important when it comes to frequent maintenance. If a single water-repellent treatment costs a huge amount of money, regular maintenance becomes impossible. Clothing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel is cheaper than products that use separate cleaners and water-repellents, making it an economical option for regular maintenance.

3: Select the washing machine course and start washing.

Set the washing machine's cycle and start the wash. Be careful when spin-drying waterproof and breathable clothing, as this can damage the garment. Be sure to check the washing instructions carefully before setting the cycle. Waterproof and breathable materials can leave water pooling in one spot after washing, and spin-drying in this state can increase the load caused by centrifugal force, which can damage the garment or cause damage to the washing machine drum. Therefore, we recommend waiting until the wash cycle is complete to check that there is no water pooling in the garment before spin-drying.

First, I washed the garment on the wash and rinse cycle, then checked to make sure there was no water in it, and then just ran it through the spin cycle. By adding a dry towel to the garment during the spin cycle, the towel will absorb the water, making the spin cycle even more effective.

4: Let it dry

If using an iron, place a cloth over the iron and apply heat at a low setting.

After washing, dry it. You can leave it to dry naturally, but Grangers recommends adding heat to maximize the water-repellent properties. If your washing machine has a dryer, start the drying cycle right away.

Many water repellents recommend applying heat to enhance their water repellency, but to be honest, this process is a pain. However, it is true that applying heat improves the water repellency of the fabric, so even though it is a pain, we carefully apply heat to maintain performance and ensure a comfortable mountain trip.

Heat can be applied using a dryer, iron, or hair dryer. When ironing, be careful of the temperature and place a cloth such as a towel over the garment before ironing. After applying heat, hang the garment in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight and allow it to dry completely.

Summary: Maintain performance and extend life with frequent maintenance! Grangers care products are also recommended and economical

Even though the strength and durability of water repellency have varied slightly depending on the ingredients in the water repellent used, both in the past and present, there is no clothing or shoes that can maintain their performance forever without maintenance. Although I know that I should do it regularly, maintenance was a time-consuming task, but after using Grangers care products this time, I realized that it has become much easier than it used to be.

Do you let your gear wear out in a few years without maintenance, or do regular maintenance to make it last as long as possible? As someone who has enjoyed outdoor activities for a long time, I choose the latter. In today's world where environmental issues are becoming more serious, I believe that making your gear last longer and continuing to use it as long as possible also has a significant impact on the environment. For that reason, acquiring the knowledge and skills to maintain your gear so that it can last for a long time is essential to enjoying mountain climbing and hiking. With the change of seasons, the end of summer marks the beginning of the winter season. Why not try using Grangers to maintain your favorite gear before the season ends and begins?

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Yosuke.C

People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient.

From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver.

A freelance writer who has been enjoying the outdoors for over 20 years and enjoying the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on my experience writing articles for more than dozens of outdoor web media, I will be sharing my own experiences and tools that I have been using.

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