Expert advice on caring for Musto performance clothing from Musto's Materials Manager
by Musto 18 May 12:00 BST
Expert advice on caring for Musto performance clothing © Musto
Musto recently launched their new LPX collection, powered by GORE-TEX® ePE technology, representing the pinnacle of inshore racing apparel - ultra-lightweight, supremely breathable, and 100% waterproof. To keep this high-performance kit at its best, alongside any Musto waterproof garments treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR), proper care is essential.
DWR is at the heart of Musto's LPX ePE kit's weather protection. Applied to the face fabric at the mill, DWR is what causes water to bead and roll off the surface of the Musto garments.
"DWR is the unsung hero of high-performance sailing apparel," commented Suzanne Baxter, Musto's Materials Manager. "It's the treatment applied to the outer face fabric that causes water to bead and roll off rather than saturate the textile - and in the marine environment, where you're constantly dealing with spray, rain, and wave wash, that difference is critical. Without it, even a technically waterproof garment can feel cold and clammy as the outer layer becomes wet and heavy, robbing you of the breathability the membrane was designed to deliver.
"With the new Musto LPX collection, we've taken a significant step forward by adopting GORE-TEX® ePE technology. Musto has worked with GORE-TEX® for over 30 years, and ePE represents the most meaningful evolution we've seen in membrane technology in a generation.
"The expanded polyethylene membrane is produced without intentionally added PFAS chemicals - as is the DWR treatment applied to the outer fabric - so for the first time we're delivering a fully PFAS-free laminate without any compromise on waterproof performance. It's lighter than what came before, it's durable, and it maintains the 100% waterproof standard our sailors demand.
"For us in the materials team, it's an exciting development and is exactly where performance and responsibility meet," she concluded. Up to now, Musto has used PFAS free DWR in all their waterproof garments apart from the GORE-TEX® kit - this is the first PFAS free GORE-TEX® kit for Musto.
For long-lasting protection, care is key
Baxter (she is known by her last name at Musto's HQ in London, UK!), shares her expert guidance on how to care for LPX ePE garments through washing, drying, and basic maintenance. "It's really important to wash your garments when there is a buildup of dirt, a buildup of sweat, and even salt water," says Baxter. "What we want to see on a waterproof garment is a bead of water on the surface - when rain falls onto your jacket, we want to see that water roll off.
"Durable Water Repellent does what it says! It makes the fabric water repellent, but an important distinction is that it isn't designed to make it waterproof - that's another layer in the garment," explains Baxter. "The DWR helps to protect the membrane underneath the fabric and it's the membrane that gives us waterproofness."
When the DWR is compromised, by salt, sweat, or dirt, the face fabric can 'wet out', causing the garment to feel heavier and colder. Keeping DWR active is therefore critical to both comfort and performance.
Regular washing and heating the garment is essential to maintain DWR performance. After washing, the water may start seeping into the fabric rather than beading, a sure sign the DWR needs re-activating with heat.
Key care tips
- Wash garments after exposure to dirt, sweat, or salt water, following the care label
- After washing, always reactivate the DWR with heat
Musto and GORE-TEX® both recommend using Grangers Performance Wash, which can be purchased in Musto retail stores and from many outdoor shops.
Because DWR is heat-activated at the fabric mill, restoring it after washing simply requires applying heat. Baxter recommends two methods to reactivate the DWR:
- Tumble dry on a low heat for 20 minutes
- Line dry, then iron with a warm iron
For a complete walk-through on how to wash, dry, and care for Musto's LPX kit, watch Suzanne Baxter's step-by-step video guide: How to Care for Your Musto Kit.
The new LPX collection is now available online at www.musto.com