While some Colorado resorts expect their elevators to spin again before the end of the season, it's safe to say that the season is over for most winter adventurers, interrupted by the corona virus. That means it's time to switch from your wardrobe to sport in warm weather. But don't hurry: there are a few easy steps to maintain, inspect and upgrade your winter adventure gear before summer storage. Industry leaders say these are the best ways to clean, repair, and store your equipment - from boot liners and bras to poles and packages. So when the next snow flurry comes, you can shred.
dress
Hard jacket and pants
Professional tip : wash outer clothing and hang up in a closet; Avoid packing it in plastic containers
"Cleaning stains with plain soap and warm water is a great way to keep your gear cool between washes," said Pia Halloran, designer and developer at Strafe Outerwear . However, for thorough cleaning, we recommend "washing in cold water (if your equipment is really dirty, wash it in lukewarm water) on a gentle cycle with a detergent specially designed for outerwear." Never use liquid detergent or hot water, as both can destroy the membrane and the adhesive that holds the sewing tape. We recommend Grangers, which offers a wide range of products for all types of technical equipment. ""
Wearing and washing a garment ultimately undermines the fabric's water-repellent treatment, DWR (long-lasting water repellency). "To revive the DWR after washing, throw the garment in the tumble dryer on low heat for about 10 minutes and then hang it up to dry." Apply DWR again with a detergent or post-wash treatment.
Padded jacket
Professional tip: do not crush Quetschjacken (and suffocate)
"If the polyester fibers or springs remain compressed for a long time, they cannot recover and become as high as when they were new. The loft between the fibers keeps you warm. So don't leave your fool in the bottom of your bag or in your storage bag for the summer, "explains Halloran." If you've already made this mistake, you can try stuffing it by placing it in the tumble dryer over low heat; and with a tennis ball when it's down. "Insulators and hard covers follow the same washing and drying steps, but you need a special detergent for down and polyester jackets. To repair cracks, we recommend using cloth patches with glue (not heat) instead of the treatment from sewing the tear that Can create holes, "she says.
Base layers and socks
Professional tip : wrap cedar in the base layers and clean socks made of merino wool
"The bacteria that cause the smell are absorbed by the merino wool fibers and prevent them from multiplying or growing on the surface of the fibers. Therefore, merino wool can be used for days without having to be washed," says Maggie Meisinger. , Smartwool Communications Manager . "But if you need to keep your thicker merino winter coats for the lighter merino summer coats (or vice versa), make sure your clothes are clean: butterflies are attracted to body odors and eat."
Some professional storage tips: return your socks and clothes. Machine wash in a gentle cycle with warm or cold water (hot water shrinks wool) with mild soap and air drying to extend the life of the product. Then, for your protection, keep the clothes flat (not rolled into balls) in vacuum bags or boxes. As a precaution, add cedar to keep butterflies at bay.
equipment
Gloves
Professional tip : do not wash or dry gloves and extend the life of the leather with a balm
"Please don't put your gloves in the washing machine!" exclaims Marc Cutilletta, Hestra's national sales manager, who specializes in the manufacture of ski gloves and outer areas, many of which have leather outer and fleece linings. To clean the gloves, wash the outside by hand with warm water. "You can clean the stains with a paper towel and mild dishwashing detergent, which will easily remove dirt and grime from the surface. Disinfect and deodorize the inside of your gloves with a spray. Never put your gloves in a dryer - hang them upside down for best results. When using a specific glove dryer, we recommend the "low and slow" heat. ""
Leather gloves also need care treatment to stay soft, flexible, and protected. "The most important time to protect your leather gloves is at the end of the season before you put them away for the summer. I use a small amount of our natural Hestra leather balm, "says Cutilletta. If your tears are heavy, take your gloves to a local shoe repair shop. Lay the gloves flat for storage, at room temperature and not in danger. ""
helmet
Professional tip : Never immerse your helmet in water and do not drop it like on a garage shelf
Check your helmet before cleaning to make sure it's suitable for the upcoming winter season. "There is a misunderstanding that helmets designed for use in snow are multiple impact helmets. A helmet needs to be replaced after a severe impact, regardless of whether it was worn during the impact or from the storage box on the roof of your car fell on the complex parking lot, "said Casey Garrity, marketing director of the North American Sweet Protection Office . "Any lump larger than a penny in diameter and deep enough to grip your fingertip should be a problem. No cracks or separation from the outside. Helmets are generally a single, continuous structure, so cracks impair functionality and safety A snow helmet needs to be replaced approximately every three years due to the environment, weather conditions and user impact.
If your helmet is still safe, remove the lining and wash it by hand with mild soap and warm water. Air dry or heat dry to avoid shrinking or destruction. Use a microfiber cloth with warm water and mild soap to clean the case. "Soaking a helmet can destroy [material] connections and make the helmet dangerous," says Garrity. Wait for the helmet to air dry before storing it in a hard case at room temperature. "It's okay to keep it in a helmet bag, but keep it away from sports equipment or anything else that might touch it. Make sure there is nothing on the helmet that could cause shock or compression, "he says.
safety goggles
Professional tip: Air dry to prevent mold, deformation, permanent fogging or odors
"Use a microfiber cloth or goggles to clean the outer and inner lenses, but avoid touching the inner lens as this is where anti-fog treatment can and will be applied," explains Garrity For Storage (Daily and Remove in Summer Protective goggles from the helmet to reduce the stretch of the strap or the distortion of the lens and frame. Store in a hard case. "If you only have a soft case, keep your goggles together with other soft objects such as base layers storage that the glasses are completely dry. Moisture can lead to permanent fogging of the glasses and moldy facial foam, "he says. Avoid storage in locations that are exposed to moisture, extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.
Skis and snowboards
Base
Pro tip : repair simple shots before adding wax and reheat brittle wax after summer
"In areas such as Colorado and other states with high temperatures and low humidity, it is a good idea to treat your base before your board or your sticks for the summer to create ," says Nate Dumais of Weston backcountry . First step: scrape off excess wax or glue to flake the skin. Clean the surface with a basic cleaner (substitutes are acetone and paint thinner). Check the base to see the main shots. "You don't want to fill a carrot with wax, which makes it difficult to repair later," he says. Let the base dry and fill the core with epoxy or P-Tex. After drying, smooth out with a metal scraper, bastard file or sandpaper. and continue with the summer wax treatment. ""
Rub a warm base preparation wax (yellow or red) onto the base. Then use a wax plate to run over a second layer of wax. "Make multiple passes from top to bottom on the ski or board and then iron the wax. Keep the base hydrated in the dry summer months, extend the life of the base, and make it less prone to damage in the first bends next Season, "explains Dumais.
edge
Professional tip : Don't let rusty edges get infected all summer
Use an edge adjustment tool for the edges "to clean and adjust the side and base bevels," says Dumais. "Most skis use a 2 degree side slope and a 0.5 or 1 degree base slope. Snowboards are generally a 2 degree side slope and a 0.5 degree base slope. Use a Scotch-Brite or SOS scratch guard and elbow grease to remove the surface oxidation at the edges. If it is all summer, there may be corrosion next fall. If it doesn't get cleaned up, you should use a file or have the edges edited in your local store. ""
links
Pro tip : remove snowboard bindings to relax materials
"When the snowboard bindings are mounted on the board, the base is raised," says Dumais. Therefore, you should remove the bindings for summer storage. Glue the dashboard screws and washers to the fasteners so that they are not lost. "Tighten your high heels. Don't be afraid to add a wire brake or Locktite to your outfit. For DIN ski bindings, it's not a bad idea to refuse them. Then keep your skis and snowboards in a good atmosphere in dry weather. Combine skis not with a strap, especially if they are bent. It is good to put the equipment in a pocket as long as it is dry when it goes in, "added Dumais.
Ski and snowboard boots
Boots
Professional tip : Dry ankle boots and boots up close to prevent them from warping
First, check the condition of your boots to make sure they're suitable for the next season. "Are the liners packed?" In this case, you may need to replace it. Are toes and heels used in ski boots? You can also replace them. Are the laces of your snowboard boots still in good condition? If not, replace them now before they break the mountain, "advises Potter Seybolt, director of the Apex Ski Boots Demo Center. Then dry the coatings. "Remove the liner and insoles and let them air dry in a warm place. You can also buy a shoe dryer to speed up the process, "says Seybolt.
Then squeeze the ski and snowboard boots together to keep their shape while they are being stored. "Close BOA buckles, shoelaces, or rolls. Make sure the liner isn't bent in a strange way that could bend or distort it, as doing so can cause inconvenience and pressure points," says Seybolt.
Touring equipment
beacon
Professional tip : Clean corroded battery connections, remove the batteries and check the diagnosis
First, check to see if your tag (also known as a transceiver) needs a software update or an electronic diagnostic test, says Bruce Edgerly, vice president and co-founder of Backcountry Access . Then: "Examine your transceiver for physical damage you have suffered while traveling this winter. The most common errors are the On / Off and Search / Send switches. Their antennas can adjust electronically over time, which can affect their reception range, "says Edgerly.
"To check your range, stand 50 meters from a beacon (with the main axis pointing at your beacon) and walk towards it. If you don't receive a signal within 20 meters of the transmitter, your transceiver will likely need to be checked or upgraded, "says Edgerly. Also: "Check the batteries for corrosion. If you find any, clean the compartment with a Q-Tip and isopropyl alcohol. Then test the working battery label to see if it malfunctions. »Remove the batteries from your transceiver at the end of each season before storing them.
pack
Professional tip : Remove all internal parts and clean the outside with mild soap
"At the end of each season, make sure that your bag material has no cracks or tears. Remove all food and other foreign matter from the bag, as rotten items can change the material over time, "says Edgerly." If you need to clean your bag, wash it with mild soap and water and hang it dry Your bag in a cool, dry place until next season. ""
Avalanche airbag
Professional tip : Check cylinder pressure and airbags for leaks
"First, check the pressure gauge on the cylinder to make sure it is working and that the cylinder has maintained pressure since it was last filled," Edgerly says. "To maintain the longevity of a cylinder, use the refill set for consumers that comes with every floating cylinder. In this way you can replace the O-ring on the valve spindle in the cylinder head so that you can start again in autumn. »Then deploy the airbag and make sure that it remains inflated for two minutes to detect slow leaks. If everything works well, store the pouch in a cool, dry place. "Fill the bottles at a local filling center at the beginning of the next season and check the pressure for the next few months to make sure everything is working properly," says Edgerly.
Folding post
Professional tip : Dry the sticks before folding them for storage
If the posts are wet, store them disassembled at room temperature until dry. Then store your clubs in a cool, dry place, like a garage, says Edgerly. If parts are worn (handles, straps, baskets, spikes), ask the manufacturer whether you can order spare parts before storing rackets.
shovel
Professional tip : Check for damage and dry the inner shaft
"Check where the handle is attached to the blade of the blade - they tend to break here," says Ben Markhart, ski guide, skier, and skier at Colorado Mountain School . Then "take the pieces apart and make sure they are dry in the bar before putting them away."
probe
Professional tip : Check for folds and tears at the connection points
"Assemble your probe and check the length to see if it is straight. You can bend it well with carbon probes and examine each section. With aluminum probes, you generally find wear that fits the sections - small cracks the pipes form at the connection point, "says Markhart. Dry the probe before storing it in a cool, dry place like a plastic container in a garage.
radio
Pro tip : Fully charge reusable batteries or remove disposable batteries
"I fully charge everything a battery uses before I store it, including a radio. If you have replaceable batteries, I remove them to avoid the risk of corrosion, "explains Markhart. Store a radio in a cool, dry place.
Climbing skins
Professional tip : collect the skins at the beginning of the next season
"The glue deteriorates and sticks to the base of the skis, which affects slippage," says Markhart. Then it's time to put your climbing skins back on. First remove the old glue, heat it with a hair dryer and scrape it off. Use a citrus-based cleaner and scraper to remove adhesive from the base of the ski or snowboard. Then reapply the skins at the beginning of the next season by applying a new glue tube such as the Black Diamond Gold Label adhesive, "advises Markhart. Hang or fold the skins in a cool, dry place for storage with original leather protective films and a soft carrying case.
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