Scared to wash your waterproofs? Lack of care is the most common cause of gear failure. Overtreated your boots? Yes, on occassion too much fussing can be detrimental also. Plan ahead and groom your gear before your departure, and you may discover things that may have been overlooked otherwise. If gear needs repairing by a professional then hopefully you'll have more time up your sleeve for this. Imagine equipment failure in a remote location ruining your holiday or putting you in danger. A little time spent now could save you from much grief later, and save you money.
Footwear may degrade from lack of use or over immersion with treatments, whereas waterproof shells have historically been under washed, to their detriment. There are some simple rules for use, cleaning and storage that will prolong your equipment's life expectancy. The following articles provide a rough guide for the care of your equipment. However, its important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for product care as these will be specific to the combinations of materials used.
