Here to squash the rumor that you should avoid washing your technical garments. Even if your down jacket, shell, or padded gear doesn’t look dirty, you need to wash and re-proof them once in a while. Salt (sweat), dirt, and oils clog up the material and, after a while, impact both water repellency, breathability, and insulation ability. It also damages the fabric over time. But don't you worry, we're here to help you out!