Gear Care

Protect Your Investment

Hunting Rainwear Gear Care

How to service your rainwear

Your rainwear is one of the most technical pieces of hunting gear you
own. Whether you're pushing through wet matagouri, crawling into range, or
glassing in alpine rain, your jacket and overtrousers are working hard.

At Stoney Creek, our rainwear is purpose-built for New Zealand’s toughest
conditions. But even the best gear needs proper care to maintain waterproof
performance, breathability and long-term durability.

This is your complete guide to keeping your rainwear performing season
after season.

Modern hunting rainwear is built in layers:

Understanding How Rainwear Works

1. Durable Outer Fabric:

Handles abrasion from bush, scrub and pack straps.

2. Waterproof/Breathable Membrane:

Stops rain getting in while allowing moisture vapour to escape.

3. Internal Backing:

Protects the membrane from internal wear and contamination while improving comfort.

4. Durable Water Repellent (DWR) Coating:

Causes water to bead and roll off the surface.

 Learn More

When rainwear “fails” it is typically due to one of two causes:

  1. The membrane has been physically damaged (punctured or worn), or
  2. The outer fabric is contaminated, reducing breathability and flattening the DWR.

If your jacket feels clammy but is not leaking like a sieve, it is usually a breathability (MVTR) issue caused by contamination, not a failed membrane.

Stoney Creek Top Tip

If your jacket feels damp inside but rain is not pouring through, it is almost always contamination blocking breathability. A proper technical wash often restores performance.

After Every Trip

Immediate Post-Hunt Care

Remove Surface Contamination

As soon as possible after your hunt:

• Shake off debris
• Brush off dried mud
• Rinse blood and saltwater with cold water
• Clean cuffs, collar and hems thoroughly

The quicker you remove blood and grime, the less chance they have to damage coatings or stain fabric.

Stoney Creek Top Tip

Never leave your rainwear scrunched up in the boot overnight after a wet hunt. Warmth and moisture accelerate breakdown and cause odour build-up.

Washing Your Hunting Rainwear Properly

One of the biggest myths in hunting is that you should not wash rainwear. The opposite is true. Dirty rainwear performs worse than clean rainwear.

When to wash

  • Water stops beading
  • Fabric looks dull or dirty
  • After heavy sweat sessions
  • Mid-season if used regularly
  • If noticeable odour has developed, contamination has likely built up and washing is overdue.

Correct Washing Procedure

Preparation

  • Close all zips
  • Fasten Velcro
  • Empty pockets
  • Loosen drawcords

Use
A technical cleaner such as Nikwax Tech Wash, Atsko Sport Wash, Storm Clothing Wash or similar.

Avoid

  • Standard laundry detergent
  • Fabric softener
  • Bleach
  • Powder detergents

Settings

  • Warm wash (30°C) – Warm enough to remove body oils and dirt that block
    breathability, but safe for membranes and adhesives
  • Gentle cycle or Sports/Outdoors setting
  • Extra rinse recommended
  • Front loader preferred

Stoney Creek Top Tip

Run an empty rinse cycle first to remove detergent residue from your machine. Even small amounts of household detergent can reduce waterproof performance.

Best Practice

Drying Correctly

Drying properly helps reactivate DWR.

  1. Air dry until slightly damp
  2. Tumble dry on low heat (if care label allows)
  3. 15–20 minutes is usually sufficient
  4. Low heat helps re-set the water-repellent finish.

Stoney Creek Top Tip

Avoid prolonged exposure to harsh direct sun. Do not hang your jacket on a hook on the back porch long-term. UV slowly degrades technical coatings over time.

Restoring Water Repellency (Reproofing)

If water no longer beads and the outer fabric darkens quickly, it is time to restore the DWR.

What Is “Wet-Out”?

Wet-out occurs when the outer fabric absorbs water instead of beading it off. The jacket can feel cold and clammy even though it is not leaking.

Signs You Need Reproofing

  • Fabric wets out in steady rain
  • Jacket feels heavier when wet
  • Water absorbs instead of rolling off

How to Reproof

Spray-On Treatment (Recommended for 3-Layer Rainwear)

Best for technical 3-layer hunting jackets. Allows targeted treatment on high-wear zones like shoulders, chest and hood.

  1. Apply evenly to clean, damp garment.
  2. Follow with low heat tumble dry (if permitted) to activate.
  3. Wash-in treatments are not recommended for 3-layer rainwear, but may be suitable for softshell or fleece garments.

Stoney Creek Top Tip

Shoulders often wet out first due to pack pressure and direct rainfall. Spot treating these zones mid-season can extend performance without a full reproof.

Blood, Animal Fat & Tough Stains

Hunting creates unique contamination challenges.

Blood

  1. Rinse immediately in cold water
  2. Never use hot water first
  3. Wash within 24 hours

Animal Fat

  1. Apply a small amount of technical cleaner directly
  2. Gently brush
  3. Rinse thoroughly

Cold water works well for an initial field rinse. However, a warm wash (30°C) at home is more effective at removing body oils and lipids that block breathability.

Stoney Creek Top Tip

Removing protein contamination early prevents permanent staining and long-term performance loss.

Waterproof does not mean sweat-proof

Maximising Breathability in the Bush

Waterproof does not mean sweat-proof. Breathability (MVTR) relies on a pressure difference: warm and humid inside, cooler and drier outside. When both sides become equally wet, the driving force drops and moisture movement slows.

To reduce internal moisture build-up:

  • Keep the garment clean
  • Wear moisture-wicking base layers
  • Prepare early before climbs, remove a mid-layer or open zips before pushing up a steep grind
  • Introduce airflow early rather than trying to dry out afterwards

Once the internal environment becomes saturated, removing wet layers or increasing airflow is the fastest way to restore comfort.

Stoney Creek Top Tip

Managing moisture starts with layering. A quality moisture-wicking base layer helps your rainwear perform at its best.

Inspecting & Maintaining Hardware

After washing and drying:

  • Check seam tape for lifting
  • Inspect zippers for grit
  • Clean zipper teeth gently
  • Ensure drawcords move freely
  • Check cuffs for wear

Early attention prevents bigger failures in the bush.

Stoney Creek Top Tip

After saltwater exposure, rinse zippers and hardware thoroughly. Salt crystals accelerate corrosion.

Storage Best Practice

Before storing off-season:

  1. Wash thoroughly
  2. Fully dry
  3. Reproof if needed
  4. Hang in a cool, dry location

Avoid:

  • Storing damp
  • Leaving in hot vehicles long-term
  • Compressing tightly for months
  • Plastic bags

Stoney Creek Top Tip

Hanging rainwear maintains fabric structure and reduces stress points in the membrane.

In Summary

Your rainwear is performance equipment, designed to protect you when the weather turns. Keeping it clean helps maintain breathability, restores water repellency, extends the life of the garment, and ensures it performs as intended in challenging conditions. Look after your gear, and it will be ready to look after you when you need it most.