What to Do When Your Snowboarding Gear Gets Soaked on a Trip

Hey, fellow rider! So you’ve been out there truly #SHARETHEWILD, and now you’re dealing with the classic mountain dilemma: wet gear. Maybe a surprise spring slush storm caught you, you took an enthusiastic dive into powder, or your gear just absorbed a day’s worth of sweat. Don’t sweat it—this happens to all of us who live for the ride. The trick isn’t just getting dry; it’s doing it right so your gear lasts season after season. Here’s your friendly, step-by-step guide to reviving your snowboarding kit.

First Things First: The On-Mountain Triage

The moment you realize your gear is soaked, your next moves matter.

1. Shake It Off, Literally: Before you even get on the lift down, give your jacket and pants a good shake. Knock off any loose snow or slush. Less moisture carried into the lodge means an easier dry.
2. Avoid the Heat Rush: I know—the temptation is real. Your first instinct might be to drape everything over a roaring fireplace or a hot radiator. Resist! Intense, direct heat can damage technical fabrics, melt seams, and ruin waterproof coatings. It’s the fastest way to shorten your gear’s life.

The Lodge or Cabin Recovery Protocol

Back at your home base for the night. Here’s how to set your gear up for success.

1. The Initial Hang: Find a well-ventilated spot—a gear closet, a bathroom with a fan, or even a corner of the room. Use wide, padded hangers for your jacket to help it keep its shape. Turn out all pockets and open all vents, pit zips, and main zippers. For pants, hang them from the hem or cuff, not the waistband, so air can circulate through the legs.
2. The Towel Trick (A Pro Move): For heavily saturated items like gloves or liners, gently press—don’t wring—them in a clean, dry towel. The towel will soak up a huge amount of moisture. You can even roll the item up in the towel and press down. This is a game-changer for speeding up dry time.
3. Stuffing Salvation: Never store wet gear in your backpack or a stuff sack overnight. That’s a one-way ticket to mildew city. If you have to pack it for a move, pull it out and hang it again as soon as possible.

The Art of the Proper Dry-Out

Now for the main event. Patience is your best tool here.

1. Air Dry is King: Steady, room-temperature air circulation is the gold standard. A simple fan oscillating in the room works wonders. If you have a boot dryer, use it on its no-heat or very low-heat setting only for your gloves and boot liners. The goal is gentle evaporation.
2. The Dryer: A Careful Ally: Check your gear’s care labels first. Many technical shells and insulated items can tolerate a no-heat tumble dry. Throw in a couple of clean, dry towels to help absorb moisture and bounce the gear around. A short, gentle cycle can reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) finish on many fabrics. Never use high heat.
3. Boots Need Special Love: Remove the liners immediately. Dry the liners separately as described above. For the outer shells, stuff them loosely with crumpled newspaper (the old-school hack that still works!). The paper will draw moisture out. Change it every few hours. Never put plastic ski boots near a direct heat source—it can warp the shell.

The Next-Day & Long-Term Gear Love

Your gear is dry—awesome! But our job isn’t quite done. We’re about being enduring, right?

1. The Smell Test & Inspection: Before you pack it up for another day, give it a sniff. Any lingering dampness or funky odor means it needs more time to air out. Check seams and high-wear areas.
2. Re-Waterproofing is Part of Life: Getting soaked can mean your gear’s DWR coating is wearing thin. That’s normal. At the end of the season, consider refreshing it with a technical wash-in or spray-on treatment designed for performance fabrics. This restores that “bead-up” effect that sheds water so well. A well-maintained jacket is built to handle this refresh and keep performing.
3. Storage for the Win: When the season is finally over, never store gear damp. Give everything one final, complete airing out. Then store it in a cool, dry place—not crammed in a tight bag. Let it breathe.

The Wildhorn Mindset: Adventure, Prepared

We build gear to be your reliable partner out there. We believe in being adventurous and spirited, but also grateful and smart about the tools that enable our fun. Part of the journey is knowing how to care for your equipment so it’s always ready for the next mission—whether that’s chasing a fresh line, finding a secret trail, or just sharing laughs with friends in the great, wide open.

Getting caught in the elements isn’t a failure; it’s proof you’re out there doing the thing. With a little know-how, you can ensure your gear is just as ready for the next adventure as you are. Now, go get after it.