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How to Take Care of Your GORE-TEX Outerwear – With GORE-TEX Brand Ambassador Adam Campbell
Mountain athlete Adam Campbell on how looking after his GORE-TEX Gear has helped keep his adventures in the outdoors going.
Adam Campbell’s life in the outdoors has been one of extreme highs and lows. The renowned Canadian mountain athlete and GORE-TEX Brand Ambassador has achieved multiple podium finishes in prestigious ultramarathons such as Hardrock 100 and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. He’s also made an extraordinary comeback after a life-threatening accident in 2016, where he fell nearly 100 feet while attempting a technical climb in British Columbia.
Through it all, Adam’s resilience and spirit have remained unwavering. Given everything he has experienced, it should come as no surprise that he understands the critical role that high-quality, reliable equipment plays in safety and performance in mountain conditions. Here he stresses the importance of maintaining your GORE-TEX Gear through regular wash and care, while also emphasizing his love of bad weather.
“I live in one of the rainiest and wettest parts of Canada. This can mean miserable days out if you’re not dressed properly. Some of my favorite memories of being in the outdoors are days when it has snowed 30 plus centimeters and it continues to just nuke snow. You put on your protective armor, you bring out the powder boards, you call some friends and you go and smash snowflakes together.
“GORE-TEX Products are by far the highest performing and most reliable for inclement weather protection. We all love the pictures of blue skies in the mountains, but those days are so cherished because they are not the norm. I get a special satisfaction from being out in bad weather, and GORE-TEX Gear allows me to stay out that little bit longer.
Dryer for longer
“The weight and packability of my jackets is super important to me. I am more likely to bring with me a jacket that is lightweight and packs down small than one that’s bulky and heavy. Several of the GORE-TEX Garments I have fit that bill perfectly. On other days, I might look for rugged durability depending on the activity I’m doing. It’s about making sure you have the right gear for the occasion, and that it performs reliably when you need it most.
“I clean my GORE-TEX Gear several times a month. It really depends on use, but after about a week of wearing it I tend to wash it. Sometimes more if it gets any sort of contaminant on it, like dirt, sweat, or sunscreen. I always make sure to follow the GORE-TEX Brand’s wash and care instructions for all my outerwear. Proper care and maintenance are vital for keeping your gear performing at its best, and regular washing restores the DWR (Durable Water Repellency) which allows you to stay dry for longer.
Part of the game
“Your outerwear is a critical piece of kit in preventing hypothermia and other moisture or cold related injuries. I never go out into the mountains without a protective layer of some sort. I also train a lot in the rain or in heavy snowfall—it’s a reality of coastal Canadian living! I wouldn’t be able to train or play in the mountains as often as I do without a solid protective layer.
“All athletes have to properly care for and maintain their gear. It’s part of the game. We also all want to reduce our footprint as much as possible, which means using and consuming less. The better you care for your GORE-TEX Gear, the longer it will last and the harder you can play.”
For more wash and care tips visit the official GORE-TEX Products wash & care instructions.
