DWR Coating: Everything You Need to Know

DWR, which stands for Durable Water Repellent, is a special coating that is applied to fabric to improve its water resistance. DWR coating is typically added at the factory during the manufacturing process and is found on rain jackets and other technical outerwear pieces that are meant to be used outdoors. To get a bit more technical, a DWR is a polymer-based coating applied to fabric that is resistant to liquids. In outerwear and gloves, DWR coatings are combined with breathable waterproof membranes to create garments which keep you dry but can still release moisture and sweat from the body.

• What is DWR coating used for?
• The History of DWR Coating
• How does DWR work?
• DWR Ratings
• DWR and the Environment
• DWR and Burton

What is DWR coating used for?

DWR coating is most often found in jackets and pants, but as its application has gotten easier and less expensive in recent years its versatility has increased as well. Some popular uses of DWRs now include:

• Bags and luggage
• Mittens and gloves
• Footwear

In fact, almost anything that would benefit from additional waterproofing and is made from fabric could potentially benefit from a DWR coating.

The History of DWR Coating

The concept behind DWRs is nothing new. Adding a coating to something to make it more water-resistant is a practice that dates back hundreds of years. One example: Early explorers discovered that the addition of linseed oil to ship sails significantly improved their ability to shed water and remain dry and the custom soon migrated to tents and clothing with the same results.

But with the introduction of GORE-TEX® multilayer fabrics, waterproofing technology went mainstream and the first chemical-based Durable Water Repellent was released shortly thereafter in 1969. To this day, DWR coating continues to evolve through research and development, with recent improvements in the chemical composition (to make it safer for people) and the application process (to make it safer for the environment).

How does DWR coating work?

DWR is applied as an ultrathin layer on the outside of fabric and works by preventing the fabric from absorbing water. The coating essentially forces moisture to bead up and roll off instead of soaking into the fabric. At a microscopic level, DWR coating increases the contact angle between the fabric’s surface and the exterior moisture particles, which reduces the surface tension of the fabric so water droplets can move easier and roll of the surface (with just a little help from gravity).

Overall, DWRs are an effective and cost-efficient method of improving the water-resistance of clothing and other fabrics. The main downside? The water-resistance is temporary. Normal wear, chemicals like sunscreen or insect repellent, and common household detergents can all wear away a DWR coating over time. Fortunately, it’s easy to reapply DWR at home with products like Grangers.

So, if your gear starts getting soggy or you’re feeling damp, it may be time to treat it again.

DWR Ratings

Some products with DWR feature a rating. This rating system is not universally recognized but can be helpful in understanding the longevity of the coating. Typically, the rating will include a percentage and a number of washes. The percentage number is used to indicate the amount of cloth that remains dry once the garment has been completely soaked and the number of washes indicates the number of times the garment can be washed and still maintain the listed percentage dry. In general, the higher both numbers are the better the DWR coating is.

DWR and the Environment

It would be irresponsible of us to not mention the fact that there are some issues associated with DWR treatments and their impact on the environment. Unfortunately, many factory-applied DWR and aftermarket (do-it-at-home) DWR products rely on perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which have been shown to affect growth, development, and reproduction in some tests.

Which is why Burton has dedicated significant resources over the years to the development of a more sustainable DWR coating.

DWR Coating and Burton

In the past, some Burton jackets used a C8 DWR coating composed of long-chain carbons. At the time it was the best option available, but after we learned about the toxic byproducts of C8 chemistry and their impact on the environment, we made the switch to C6 DWR. And since C6 DWR is composed of shorter carbon chains, there was less environmental impact associated with the manufacturing process.

In 2016, Burton was one of the first companies to completely transition to short-chain C6 DWR. When combined with high-performance fabrics, C6 DWR provides the maximum performance for our technical outerwear. And while C6 DWR is a more responsible option than C8 DWR, Burton continues to develop products that eliminate PFC-based DWR chemistry.

As of 2021, 74% of water-resistant Burton products use a C0 PFC-free composition, and Burton continues to increase C0 DWR use wherever possible for its preferred human health and environmental impacts. Additionally, Burton continues to engage in research with various industry partners to develop more environmentally friendly coatings that also meet our stringent on-snow requirements for performance shells and outerwear.

Burton has been using DWR for decades to keep people around the world warm and dry. Our approach is to balance the benefits of this technology with its impact on the environment so you can have the best possible day on the mountain. If you’re interested in our other sustainability initiatives, please visit the sustainability page.