Proper ski race suit storage is essential to preserving the suit’s shape, stretch, and technical performance between races. Avoid careless packing or damp environments, which can lead to fabric damage, mildew, and reduced durability over time.
• Clean and fully dry the race suit before storing it for the off-season.
• Inspect for Repairs: Promptly fix snags or tears with stretch fabric repair tape or a ski gear specialist.
• Store in a breathable garment bag if possible or in a cool, dry space to protect it from dust and humidity.
• Lay Flat or Hang: Store your race suit on a wide hanger to avoid fabric creasing.
• Do Not Compress: Do not store under heavy gear or in tight bags.
• Keep Dry: Ensure the suit is fully dry before storing to avoid mildew or material breakdown.
• Avoid Velcro & Rough Surfaces: The fabric can snag easily, store away from gloves, gear, and backpacks with Velcro or rough edges.
EXPERT GUIDE
How to Care for Your Ski Race Suit
For many people, a race suit is a significant investment, and proper care of your Spyder race suit ensures optimal performance, longevity, and comfort. Follow these steps to keep your suit race-ready throughout the entire season.
EXPERT GUIDE
How to Care for Your Ski Race Suit
For many people, a race suit is a significant investment, and proper care of your Spyder race suit ensures optimal performance, longevity, and comfort. Follow these steps to keep your suit race-ready throughout the entire season.
Why Proper Care Matters for Ski Race Suits
Why Proper
Care Matters for
Ski Race Suits
Ski race suits are engineered from specialized fabrics designed for aerodynamics, moisture management, and flexibility. Neglecting care can lead to fabric damage, loss of elasticity, and diminished water repellency, negatively impacting your speed and comfort during races. To maintain peak performance, it’s essential to care for your ski race suit like any other piece of high-performance gear.
Over time, exposure to sweat, sun, snow, and repeated movement can wear down the suit’s technical properties. Proper cleaning, drying, and storage not only extend the lifespan of your suit but also help retain its race-ready fit, responsiveness, and breathable ski fabric characteristics, giving you every advantage on the course.
Ski race suits are engineered from specialized fabrics designed for aerodynamics, moisture management, and flexibility. Neglecting care can lead to fabric damage, loss of elasticity, and diminished water repellency, negatively impacting your speed and comfort during races. To maintain peak performance, it’s essential to care for your ski race suit like any other piece of high-performance gear.
Over time, exposure to sweat, sun, snow, and repeated movement can wear down the suit’s technical properties. Proper cleaning, drying, and storage not only extend the lifespan of your suit but also help retain its race-ready fit, responsiveness, and breathable ski fabric characteristics, giving you every advantage on the course.
Washing Your Ski Race Suit
Washing Your
Ski Race Suit
Wash Only When Necessary: Race suits are made of technical fabrics that don’t require frequent washing. Wash only when visibly soiled or after multiple intense uses. Always follow the manufacturer’s care label instructions, but here are general tips for washing ski race suits:
Wash Only When Necessary: Race suits are made of technical fabrics that don’t require frequent washing. Wash only when visibly soiled or after multiple intense uses. Always follow the manufacturer’s care label instructions, but here are general tips for washing ski race suits:
HAND WASH (PREFERRED):
• Fill a tub or sink with cold water and mild detergent.
• Gently agitate and soak for 10–15 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with cold water.
MACHINE WASH (GENTLE CYCLE):
• Turn the suit inside out to protect logos, prints, and reflective details during washing.
• Use cold water only (30°C / 85°F or lower).
• Use 2 tablespoons of mild, technical detergent (no bleach, fabric softeners, or scent boosters).
• Avoid washing with rough or heavy items like zippers or Velcro that could snag race suit fabric.
Drying Instructions
Drying Instructions
Wash Only When Necessary: Race suits are made of technical fabrics that don’t require frequent washing. Wash only when visibly soiled or after multiple intense uses. Proper drying techniques are crucial to preserving the performance fabrics and fit of your ski race suit, avoid shortcuts that can damage stretch, coatings, or aerodynamics.
Wash Only When Necessary: Race suits are made of technical fabrics that don’t require frequent washing. Wash only when visibly soiled or after multiple intense uses. Proper drying techniques are crucial to preserving the performance fabrics and fit of your ski race suit, avoid shortcuts that can damage stretch, coatings, or aerodynamics.
DO NOT TUMBLE DRY:
• High heat can damage the elasticity, fit and coatings of your ski race suit.
AIR DRY ONLY:
• Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators.
• Store your race suit in a cool, dry place, preferably hanging to maintain its shape and prevent wrinkles.
• If you cannot hang, lay flat on a clean towel in a shaded, well-ventilated area.
Odor Control for Your Ski Race Suit
Odor Control for Your Ski Race Suit
Because ski race suits fit snugly and are worn during intense physical activity, they can quickly develop odor buildup from sweat and bacteria. Regularly maintaining your ski race suit’s odor control helps keep it smelling fresh and performing at its best race after race.
Because ski race suits fit snugly and are worn during intense physical activity, they can quickly develop odor buildup from sweat and bacteria. Regularly maintaining your ski race suit’s odor control helps keep it smelling fresh and performing at its best race after race.
• Use a technical detergent designed to break down sweat and eliminate odors without damaging the suit’s materials
• Avoid fabric softeners, which can trap odors and reduce moisture-wicking capabilities.
• After washing, allow your race suit to air dry completely to prevent mildew and bacterial growth.
• For extra freshness, consider using a spray-on odor neutralizer formulated for athletic gear, ensuring it’s safe for performance fabrics.
End of Season Care and Storage Tips
End of Season Care
and Storage Tips
Proper ski race suit storage is essential to preserving the suit’s shape, stretch, and technical performance between races. Avoid careless packing or damp environments, which can lead to fabric damage, mildew, and reduced durability over time.
• Clean and fully dry the race suit before storing it for the off-season.
• Inspect for Repairs: Promptly fix snags or tears with stretch fabric repair tape or a ski gear specialist.
• Store in a breathable garment bag if possible or in a cool, dry space to protect it from dust and humidity.
• Lay Flat or Hang: Store your race suit on a wide hanger to avoid fabric creasing.
• Do Not Compress: Do not store under heavy gear or in tight bags.
• Keep Dry: Ensure the suit is fully dry before storing to avoid mildew or material breakdown.
• Avoid Velcro & Rough Surfaces: The fabric can snag easily, store away from gloves, gear, and backpacks with Velcro or rough edges.
• Clean and fully dry the race suit before storing it for the off-season.
• Inspect for Repairs: Promptly fix snags or tears with stretch fabric repair tape or a ski gear specialist.
• Store in a breathable garment bag if possible or in a cool, dry space to protect it from dust and humidity.
• Lay Flat or Hang: Store your race suit on a wide hanger to avoid fabric creasing.
• Do Not Compress: Do not store under heavy gear or in tight bags.
• Keep Dry: Ensure the suit is fully dry before storing to avoid mildew or material breakdown.
• Avoid Velcro & Rough Surfaces: The fabric can snag easily, store away from gloves, gear, and backpacks with Velcro or rough edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my ski race suit?
Wash your ski race suit only when necessary—typically after a few uses or if it becomes visibly dirty or sweaty. Overwashing can degrade the stretch fabrics and water-repellent coatings, so use care.
What’s the best way to wash a ski race suit?
Use a gentle cycle with cold water and a technical detergent designed for performance fabrics. Turn the suit inside out and avoid bleach or fabric softeners to preserve elasticity and breathability.
Can I put my ski race suit in the dryer?
No, avoid using a dryer. Air dry your ski race suit by laying it flat or hanging it in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Heat can damage the technical materials and reduce the suit’s lifespan.
How do I store my ski race suit in the off-season?
Store your ski race suit in a cool, dry place, preferably hanging to maintain its shape. Avoid folding or compressing the fabric for long periods, which can cause permanent creasing or loss of stretch.
What should I do if my race suit tears?
Repair small rips or holes promptly using adhesive repair patches like Gear Aid Tenacious Tape, or take it to a tailor familiar with ski outerwear repairs. This prevents the damage from spreading.
How can I maintain the water repellency of my race suit?
Occasionally apply a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment to restore the suit’s ability to shed water. Only use DWR sprays approved for stretch ski fabrics and follow product directions carefully.
How do I control odor in my ski race suit?
To reduce odor buildup, use a sports-specific detergent with odor control and always air out your race suit after each use. Avoid storing it damp, as moisture encourages bacteria and mildew growth.