Product Care
How to care for your BlackStrap layers.
Your BlackStrap layers are built to keep up with every hike, lap, and long day outside—but even the toughest technical apparel needs a little TLC to stay at its best. We’ll guide you on how to wash, dry, and store your balaclavas, base layers, sun shirts, fleece, and more, so they last longer, perform better, and smell a whole lot fresher. The payoff? Layers that work like new, season after season, so you can focus on what really matters: chasing stoke and making memories outside.
The Benefits of Proper Care
- Proper care keeps fibers from breaking down prematurely.
- You’ll get more seasons of performance out of your layers, which saves money and reduces waste.
- Moisture-wicking: Harsh detergents and softeners clog fabric channels, reducing sweat-wicking ability.
- Breathability: Proper washing keeps airflow intact so apparel doesn’t trap heat or odor.
- Stretch & shape retention: Gentle care prevents sagging, shrinking, or losing fit.
- UPF protection: Avoiding chemicals and high heat preserves sun-protective coatings.
- Fabrics stay soft, light, and flexible instead of stiff or scratchy.
- Reduced buildup of sweat, salt, and sunscreen means apparel feels fresh every time you wear it.
Technical synthetics can trap odor if not cared for properly. Washing with the right detergents (and airing out between uses) helps fabrics resist stink.
- Extending the life of your apparel reduces the need for frequent replacement, lowering your environmental footprint.
- Skipping harsh chemicals also means less environmental runoff.
When you’re on the trail, slopes, or water, you need gear that works as intended. Proper care ensures your apparel is ready to perform when conditions get tough.
Care Tips For All
For the best life and to ensure color vibrancy, we recommend the following care instructions and reference care labels.
- Wash less, air more: Let your gear breathe after use. A quick hang-dry outdoors refreshes fabric without extra washing.
- Cold water only: Heat breaks down technical fibers. Always wash in cold water.
- Mild detergent, no softeners: Skip bleach, softeners, and harsh detergents—they clog fibers and reduce performance.
- Low & slow drying: Air dry whenever possible. If you use a dryer, tumble dry low. High heat shortens the life of technical fabrics.
- Skip the iron: Heat can damage synthetic fibers and stretch materials.
- Skip the velcro: Do not wash with outerwear that has velcro. Velcro is abrasive and can cause pilling.
Balaclavas & Neck Gaiters
- Wash after heavy use, especially if exposed to sweat or sunscreen.
- Use a mesh laundry bag to protect lightweight fabrics.
- Air dry flat to keep the shape and stretch consistent.
Base Layers
- Wash every 2–3 wears to preserve fabric integrity.
- Turn inside out before washing to reduce pilling and wick away sweat build-up.
- Store folded, not hung, to avoid stretching.
Midlayer Fleece
- Wash less frequently; spot clean when you can.
- Wash inside out to minimize pilling.
- Never use dryer sheets; they coat fibers and reduce breathability.
- Tumble dry low or hang dry to keep fleece plush.
Gloves + Liners
- Wash only when needed—over-washing reduces elasticity.
- Always air dry (never on a heater or radiator).
- Store in a cool, dry place so they’re ready when temps drop.
Sun Shirts & Technical Hoodies
- Rinse with fresh water after saltwater or heavy sunscreen use.
- Wash inside out to protect UPF coatings and printed graphics.
- Avoid fabric softener—it can reduce sun-protection performance.
Nuyarn® Merino Pro
- Wash cold, wash gentle: Use cold water on a gentle cycle or hand wash.
- Skip softeners: They coat the fibers and reduce performance.
- Air dry is best: Lay flat to dry; avoid hang-drying, which can stretch the fabric.
- No heat, no bleach: Heat weakens merino fibers, and bleach breaks them down.
- Refresh naturally: Merino resists odor—often all it needs is a quick air-out between wears.
Have questions? We are here to lend a helping hand.