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 it’s time to ensure your expensive gear performs like newHave you ever bundled yourself up in the early winter, trudged outside to shovel your walk or clear off your car from the first storm of the season, and found yourself soaking wet? Your waterproof-breathable shells, sleeping bags, gloves, boots, insulation, and soft shells all need regular cleaning and maintenance to keep protecting you from cold, wet conditions. Retreating your gear may sound intimidating, but it’s actually really easy to do and will extend the life of your expensive equipment. Let me walk you through the process of maintaining your gear, item by item.How to Clean and Re-Waterproof Technical Shells

Think of your rain jacket or ski shell like a sandwich. The face fabric, or the outermost layer, is like the bread. It’s coated with a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment that helps bead water and stop it from penetrating the outer layer. The waterproof-breathable layer is the good stuff: the veggies, meats, and condiments in the middle.

The waterproof-breathable membrane features tiny pores that keep water out and let your sweat evaporate from within at the same time, keeping you dry. The DWR and membrane work together to form an effective barrier against the elements, so long as you don’t let them wear out. Dirt, oil, smoke, and other contaminants can clog the pores and prevent the material from breathing. Overtime, the DWR coatings on those face fabrics can wear off. When they do, precipitation and sweat will saturate the fabric.Soft shells—wind-and water-resistant garments that go without the aid of a membrane—rely entirely on that DWR to protect you from precipitation. Allowing it to wear off, or become compromised by dirt, smoke, sweat or other contaminants will eliminate a soft shell’s ability to shed weather.

You should be cleaning and reapplying DWR to your technical shells regularly.

“The best rule of thumb is, if your jacket or item looks dirty or is no longer repelling water, clean it,” explains Heidi Dale Allen, the vice president of marketing for Nikwax, which makes a variety of detergents and treatments for all varieties of outdoor gear. “If after cleaning, the item is still not repelling water, it is time to re-waterproof.”

Allen says you can also test your technical shells for function. Simply run them under a tap, and if the water soaks into the material rather than beading up and running off, then it’s time to clean and take care of them. You may also notice a lack of water beading while wearing your gear outdoors.The first step is to take note of any item’s unique care instructions. The care label sewn into any piece of clothing will tell you if it needs to be be hand or machine washed, what temperature water to use, and if you should hang or tumble dry it. Depending on the fabrics and technologies used in each garment, the instructions will vay—even for articles made by a single brand.

Should I Be Afraid of Damaging My Garments in the Laundry?

“If you follow the care instructions from the brand and use the proper types of cleaners and waterproofers, then you absolutely will not ruin it,” reassures Allen.

But she does caution that you can only reapply DWR to clean shells, saying, “You wouldn’t wax a dirty car, so do not try to waterproof a dirty piece of gear.”

Once you’ve assessed each item’s care instructions, you can then wash them using a detergent designed specifically for technical apparel.Don’t use a regular household detergent. These can leave behind residues that attract moisture and clog porous membranes, ruining the item’s ability to keep you dry. Allen recommends Nikwax Tech Wash. I’ve been using this detergent for years; I can tell you it works. Tech Wash does not contain UV brighteners, so you can safely apply it to hunting gear without turning yourself into something animals will perceive as an illuminated billboard.

Once clean, you can choose to reapply a DWR coating. Allen says to do this if the item has lost the ability to bead water, or once every three to five wash cycles.

Nikwax uses a DWR that’s free from harmful PFAs. Because it’s water-based, it needs to be applied while the garment is wet. If machine washing, simply add a treatment like Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In to the detergent dispenser, and start a new cycle. If you’re hand washing, hang up or spread out the still-wet item, and evenly coat it in a spray-on waterproof treatment like Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On. Then hang or machine dry according to the care instructions. Unlike older treatments that use PFAs, these detergents don’t require heat to activateHow To Clean And Re-Waterproof Down Insulation And Sleeping Bags

The reason so many outdoorspeople love down is for its ability to create a ton of heat-trapping loft while being light and efficient to pack. Sweat, body oils, smoke, and dirt can cling to down clusters, reducing that loft. Today, most down insulation is treated with a DWR to enable it to dry faster. DWR increases the insulation’s reliability and safety in extreme conditions, because wet down won’t loft. But DWR can wear off down just like it does on a shell fabric.“We like to say that cleaning and waterproofing at least once a season is a best practice,” says Allen.

Caring for down insulation is similar to maintaining a technical shell, but you need to use a detergent that won’t strip away down’s natural oils. I use Nikwax Down Wash Direct for an initial wash cycle. Then, I’ll reapply DWR to both the down and its shell fabric using Down Proof. Just add Down Proof to the detergent dispenser for the second cycle.

Note that you shouldn’t wash down items in a top-loading machine fitted with an agitator. The central column can tear the fragile face fabrics used on ultralight down items and can even break apart the down clusters themselves. If you have one, consult its instructions to see if the agitator can be removed, or plan on visiting a laundromat.

The tricky thing with down isn’t washing or treating it, it’s drying. Down clumps when soaked, becoming time consuming to fully dry (which you absolutely must do before storing it). Any clumps need be fully broken up to evenly distribute the down.

Consult the care label before proceeding, but most down garments and bags can be tumble driedHow to Clean and Re-Waterproof Gloves and Boots

Gloves and boots are often made from a mix of materials, including various types of natural and synthetic leathers, shell fabrics, and waterproof-breathable membranes. They’re a challenge to clean and care for, which can be frustrating, because gloves and boots are often exposed to mud, snot, salt, and other contaminants much more frequently than other items.Allen recommends to start by keeping gloves and boots clean. Caked on mud and dirt can draw moisture out of leather and abrade fabrics. Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel can help; it preserves DWR coatings and won’t harm leather or synthetic fabrics. Nikwax also makes a product called Fabric and Leather Proof, which applies a DWR to both types of material with an easy spray-on application.

For all or mostly-leather items, Allen recommends applying a leather conditioner if the material looks dry, then a waterproofing wax as is necessary.

For suede or rough-out leather footwear, I also swear by Nikwax’s Suede Proof spray. Now I tromp through puddles and snow without worrying about your my suede shoes’ appearance and texture. To apply that, I just start by brushing boots clean, then saturating them with the spray. The suede boots I’ve protected with Suede Proof are many years old and have experienced the worst of winter weather in big cities, but still look like new.

Some victories are measured by finish times. Others are defined by the obstacles overcome simply to reach the starting line.

For American Paralympic swimmer Ali Truwit, completing the New York City Marathon represented far more than covering 26.2 miles. It was the culmination of an extraordinary journey of survival, resilience, and unwavering determination that began with a life-altering shark attack just two years earlier.

On a crisp November morning in 2025, Truwit crossed the iconic finish line wearing a carbon-fibre running blade, fulfilling a promise she had made while recovering in a hospital bed after losing her lower left leg. The emotional milestone marked another remarkable chapter in one of the most inspiring comeback stories in modern sport.

The road to that unforgettable finish began only days after Truwit celebrated a major personal achievement. In May 2023, she completed her first marathon in Copenhagen alongside her mother. Just ten days later, while enjoying a graduation trip to Turks and Caicos with former Yale swimming teammate Sophie Pilkinton, tragedy struck.

While the pair were snorkelling, a shark attacked Truwit, severely injuring her left leg. Displaying remarkable courage, the two swam approximately 55 metres back to their boat, where Pilkinton—then a medical student—quickly applied a tourniquet that stopped the bleeding and ultimately saved Truwit's life.

Doctors were forced to amputate her lower left leg on her 23rd birthday.

Even in the darkest moments of recovery, Truwit's determination never disappeared. Reflecting on having recently completed her first marathon, she joked with one of the first responders that at least she had managed to run a marathon before the attack. The responder's simple but powerful reply would remain with her throughout rehabilitation: "You'll run another one."

Those words became a source of hope during the long and demanding road back.

Only weeks after surgery, Truwit began learning to walk on a prosthetic limb before gradually returning to the swimming pool. The process was anything but straightforward. The water that had once been her sanctuary became a source of painful memories, yet she refused to allow fear to define her future.

Her relentless work ethic soon produced extraordinary results.

Less than 16 months after the attack, Truwit represented the United States at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, producing a sensational performance to claim both silver and bronze medals. Standing on the Paralympic podium was a powerful reminder of how far she had come in such a short period, and she dedicated those achievements to everyone who had helped save her life.

Still, another dream remained unfinished.

The New York City Marathon carried deep personal significance. It was not merely another endurance event but a symbolic return to the city where her life had changed forever. On November 2, 2025, she lined up in Staten Island accompanied by 13 family members and close friends, all proudly representing her nonprofit foundation, Stronger Than You Think. Among them was Pilkinton, the friend whose quick thinking had preserved her life on that unforgettable day in the Caribbean.

Together, they covered every mile of the marathon before celebrating an emotional finish that Truwit later described as being "over the moon."

Completing a marathon on a carbon-fibre running blade presents challenges far beyond those faced by able-bodied runners. The prosthetic demands greater strength from the hips, core, and remaining leg while requiring exceptional balance, coordination, and endurance. Truwit's preparation combined months of disciplined training, patience, and mental resilience as she effectively taught herself how to run again.

Her story extends well beyond medals and marathon finishes.

Inspired by her own recovery, Truwit founded Stronger Than You Think, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping individuals overcome physical and financial barriers following limb loss. Recognising that sports prosthetics can cost tens of thousands of dollars and are often not covered by insurance, the foundation provides financial assistance for prosthetic devices, supports water-safety education, and promotes opportunities within Paralympic sport.

The organisation has already helped provide more than 11 prosthetic limbs, delivered nearly $200,000 in direct support, and funded over 4,000 hours of water-safety lessons benefiting more than 700 young people.

Throughout her journey, Truwit has remained refreshingly honest about the emotional challenges that continue to accompany recovery. She has openly acknowledged that healing is an ongoing process and that grief can still come in waves. Rather than portraying an effortless comeback, she has demonstrated that resilience is built through persistence, even on the hardest days.

Her remarkable transformation resonates far beyond elite sport. While few people will ever experience the trauma she endured, countless runners and athletes understand the frustration of injury, disappointment, or rebuilding after adversity. Truwit's journey serves as a powerful reminder that recovery is rarely linear and that courage is often measured by the willingness to keep moving forward despite uncertainty.

Now looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, Truwit continues to redefine what is possible. She is no longer known simply as the swimmer who survived a shark attack. She has become a Paralympic medallist, marathon finisher, advocate, and symbol of resilience whose story continues to inspire athletes around the world.

Her journey proves that while life can change in an instant, so too can the strength of the human spirit. Sometimes the greatest triumph is not returning to the person you once were, but discovering someone even stronger than you ever imagined possible.

Sprint and hurdles superstar Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has entered an exciting new chapter in her remarkable life, welcoming her first child with husband Andre Levrone. The four-time Olympic champion and women's 400m hurdles world record holder announced the birth of their daughter, Savannah Michelle Levrone, who was born on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

The couple shared the joyful news with an emotional message celebrating the arrival of their daughter and expressing gratitude to everyone who supported them throughout the pregnancy. Sydney described Savannah as "our blessing and our joy," while expressing excitement and faith for the future that lies ahead for their growing family.

The announcement marks a deeply personal milestone for one of the most accomplished athletes of her generation. Renowned for redefining the women's 400m hurdles through a succession of record-breaking performances, McLaughlin-Levrone now embraces a new role beyond the track as a mother.

The timing of the announcement adds another layer of significance. Just days earlier, Sydney reflected on the 10th anniversary of qualifying for her first Olympic Games at only 16 years old—a breakthrough that launched one of the most decorated careers in modern athletics. Ten years later, her journey has come full circle with another life-changing milestone, underscoring that her greatest moments continue to extend beyond sporting success.

The arrival of Savannah Michelle Levrone has been met with an outpouring of congratulations from athletes, fans, and the wider sporting community, who have celebrated the couple as they begin this new chapter together. As Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone steps into motherhood, the athletics world will undoubtedly continue to follow her inspiring journey—both on and off the track.

Ethiopia's Tsige Gebreselama produced one of the standout road running performances of the season on Sunday, storming to victory at the prestigious Boilermaker Road Race 15K in Utica, New York, with a sensational course record of 47:29.

From the opening kilometers, Gebreselama controlled the race with remarkable composure and precision, maintaining a relentless pace that ultimately erased the previous course record and secured one of the fastest performances ever recorded on the historic course. Her commanding display further reinforced her reputation as one of the world's leading road and distance runners.

The Ethiopian celebration continued as Melknat Wudu crossed the finish line in second place in 47:44, completing a dominant one-two finish for her country. Kenya's Priscah Cherono claimed third in 48:14 after a determined effort, rounding out a world-class podium in a race featuring some of the finest distance runners on the international circuit.

The battle behind the podium remained fiercely competitive. Kenya's Everlyn Kemboi finished fourth in 48:28, narrowly ahead of compatriot Selah Busienei, who clocked 48:31 for fifth. Ethiopia's Netsanet Desta and Alem Nigus Tsadik followed in sixth and seventh respectively, while Kenya's Mercy Cherono secured eighth place.

American athletes also delivered encouraging performances on home roads. Veteran Stephanie Bruce finished ninth in 50:40, with Jackie Gaughan completing the top ten in 51:02 to cap a strong showing for the host nation.

Boilermaker Road Race 15K – Women's Top 10 Results

1. Tsige Gebreselama (Ethiopia) – 47:29 (Course Record)

2. Melknat Wudu (Ethiopia) – 47:44

3. Priscah Cherono (Kenya) – 48:14

4. Everlyn Kemboi (Kenya) – 48:28

5. Selah Busienei (Kenya) – 48:31

6. Netsanet Desta (Ethiopia) – 48:46

7. Alem Nigus Tsadik (Ethiopia) – 48:48

8. Mercy Cherono (Kenya) – 50:23

9. Stephanie Bruce (United States) – 50:40

10. Jackie Gaughan (United States) – 51:02

The women's race combined exceptional depth with remarkable speed, as several athletes broke the 49-minute barrier in a contest that showcased the global strength of elite road running. Gebreselama's record-breaking run now stands as a new benchmark in the rich history of the Boilermaker 15K, adding another memorable chapter to one of the United States' most celebrated road races.

Kenya's Alex Matata delivered a sensational performance to claim the men's title at the prestigious Boilermaker Road Race 15K in Utica, New York, producing a dominant run that underlined his growing reputation as one of the world's finest road racers.

Matata surged to victory in an outstanding time of 42:24, mastering the demanding course with a display of strength, speed, and tactical brilliance. His commanding performance secured a memorable triumph in one of the United States' most celebrated road races, adding another significant international victory to his career.

Kenya's success was further highlighted by Kiprono Sitonik, who produced an equally impressive run to finish second in 42:53, completing a remarkable one-two finish for the East African nation. South Africa's Adam Lipschitz rounded out the podium after clocking 43:14 to claim third place following a determined effort.

The race featured a highly competitive international field, with American athletes Reid Buchanan and Hillary Bor finishing fourth and fifth respectively, while another Kenyan, Victor Shitsama, added to his country's strong showing by taking sixth place.

Matata's victory once again showcased Kenya's enduring strength in global road racing, as its athletes continued to dominate major international competitions through exceptional endurance, tactical awareness, and relentless finishing speed. His performance in Utica not only thrilled the spectators lining the streets but also reinforced the depth of Kenyan distance running on the world stage.

Men's Top 10 Results – Boilermaker Road Race 15K

1. Alex Matata (Kenya) – 42:24

2. Kiprono Sitonik (Kenya) – 42:53

3. Adam Lipschitz (South Africa) – 43:14

4. Reid Buchanan (United States) – 43:38

5. Hillary Bor (United States) – 43:40

6. Victor Shitsama (Kenya) – 44:02

7. Futsum Zienasellassie (United States) – 44:32

8. Charlie Sweeney (United States) – 44:37

9. Sam Lawler (United States) – 44:54

10. Tyler Berg (United States) – 45:08

With another major road racing title added to his résumé, Alex Matata continued his impressive 2026 campaign while reinforcing his status as one of the leading names on the international road racing circuit. The Boilermaker 15K once again delivered a high-quality contest, with athletes from across the globe producing memorable performances in one of the United States' most prestigious road races.

Eliud Kipchoge's remarkable World Tour continued on Brazilian soil as the Kenyan marathon icon completed the New Balance 42K Porto Alegre Marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:18:39 to place 12th overall during the second stop of his ambitious seven-continent global running tour.

Competing against a strong international field, the two-time Olympic marathon champion displayed the resilience and determination that have defined his legendary career. While the result was not among the victories that have made him one of the greatest marathon runners in history, Kipchoge once again demonstrated the unwavering commitment that continues to inspire athletes and fans across the globe.

Morocco's Zineddine Ouria claimed victory in a superb 2:08:49, with Kipchoge finishing 9 minutes and 50 seconds behind the race winner after navigating the demanding course in Porto Alegre.

Kipchoge began the race with controlled and confident pacing, reaching 5km in 15:34 before passing the halfway mark in 1:05:07. As the race entered its decisive stages, the pace gradually slowed, but the veteran marathoner pressed on with characteristic determination, completing the 42.195-kilometre challenge in 2:18:39.

For many, the story will be told through the finishing position. But for those who truly understand greatness, this journey is about far more than medals, records, or podium finishes. Kipchoge's World Tour is a celebration of the sport itself—an opportunity to connect with runners across every continent, inspire the next generation, and continue living by the philosophy that has become synonymous with his career: "No Human Is Limited."

The Brazilian appearance also carried added significance, coming shortly after Kipchoge was permanently honoured in Porto Alegre with his footprints unveiled at the entrance of Parque Harmonia—a lasting tribute to his extraordinary impact on distance running and his enduring legacy in the sport.

Once a champion. Forever an inspiration. Legends do not stop inspiring when the victories become fewer; they inspire because they never stop showing up. Through every stride, every finish line, and every challenge embraced, Kipchoge continues to prove that true greatness is measured not only by what an athlete wins, but by the lives they touch along the way.

With the second stop of his World Tour now complete, Kipchoge will turn his attention to the next chapter of his global adventure when he lines up at the Melbourne Marathon in Australia this October. Wherever he races, millions will once again follow the journey of a man whose legacy extends far beyond the stopwatch.