Everything paddlesports enthusiasts need to know about the new era of technical dry suit performance and durable water repellency.
If you have purchased a new dry suit recently from industry leaders like Level Six or NRS, you might have noticed that the fabric feels a little bit different than older suits. Terms like "DWR treatments" or "PFAS-free" are becoming standard across technical outerwear.
The paddlesports industry is undergoing a major transition. This guide explores exactly what these technical changes mean and details the essential steps required to keep your gear performing at its best so you stay dry and comfortable on the water.
DWR stands for Durable Water Repellent. This is a specialized coating applied to the face fabric (the outermost layer) of your dry suit or technical paddling gear. A functioning DWR coating causes water to bead up and roll away from the garment, preventing moisture from soaking into the outer layer of the material.
When a DWR coating fails, the suit experiences what is known as "wetting out," meaning the face fabric becomes saturated with water. Wetting out causes two distinct performance issues:
Historically, high-performing DWR treatments were manufactured using PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). These are synthetic chemicals characterized by highly stable carbon-fluorine bonds. This chemical stability makes them exceptional at repelling water and oil, but it also means they do not break down naturally, accumulating over time in the environment, waterways, and living organisms.
The paddlesports and broader outdoor industries are actively phasing out forever chemicals, with major manufacturers transitioning to 100% PFAS-free DWR formulations. This transition protects global waterways, oceans, and ecosystems.
In tandem with environmental benefits, legal regulations are taking effect globally to restrict or ban the sale of textiles and apparel containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals.
To prevent your new dry suit from wetting out, implement this routine three-step care process. PFAS alternatives require regular cleaning and heat activation to perform correctly.
Dirt, body oils, and salt compromise PFAS alternatives. When these contaminants clog the pores of the fabric membrane, breathability drops and the suit wets out.
Procedure: Inspect the suit and scrub away heavily soiled areas. Machine wash on a normal, cold cycle using a dedicated technical wash like Granger's Wash. Avoid standard household laundry detergents entirely. Ideally, use a front-loader or a machine without a center agitator to prevent structural damage.
Note: After washing, hang the suit upside down to allow water to fully drain out of the socks and lower entry points before drying.
Unlike old chemical treatments, PFAS-free DWR coatings rely directly on heat to reset and re-orient their water-repelling fibers.
Procedure: Once the suit has drained completely, place it in a home dryer and run it on a low to medium heat cycle. This process reactivates the outer fibers, restoring the factory water-beading effect.
Note: Remove the suit immediately after the cycle ends, turn it inside out, and hang it to finish drying. This prevents interior seam tape or adhesives from sticking together or degrading.
Over time, the original DWR treatment will wear down past the point where heat reactivation can restore it. Monitor the fabric's performance to know when to reapply the coating.
Procedure: Turn the clean suit right side out and apply an even layer of a direct spray-on re-waterproofing agent, such as Granger's Repel, directly to the exterior fabric. Wash-in formulations are also available, but these must be added during the initial washing cycle rather than after drying.
Fabric care is only part of maintaining dry suit safety. Other technical components require inspection and maintenance throughout the paddling season.