After a hard season in the backcountry, your pack has likely seen its fair share of dirt, sweat, and blood. In the video below, we walk you through the process of washing your K4 Pack System to ensure it stays in peak condition for years to come.
We cover everything from the initial breakdown and rinsing to using specialized cleaners like Nikwax Tech Wash to preserve the technical fabrics and DWR finishes…
Preparation & Washing
Start With A Spray
The best first step is to hinge the bag away from the frame, exposing the load shelf area, and then spray down the entire pack system. This initial rinse will help remove loose debris and surface-level dirt, blood, and sweat. A hose nozzle is fine, but avoid using a high-pressure washer with a powerful tip.
Pack Breakdown
How much you disassemble the pack is up to you, but a basic breakdown is recommended to ensure you can clean the hidden areas where sweat and salt accumulate. For best results, we recommend removing the bag from the frame, as well as removing the hip belt and shoulder straps from the frame panel. The pack breakdown will also help you fit the components into a smaller tub or cooler for soaking.
The Strategic Soak
Add your pack components to a tub of cold water. For blood or heavy grime, we have had the best results adding ice to the water. This soaking process will help break down the gunk that we are trying to remove. The longer you have let grime build up in the pack, the longer this soak will need to be.
Soap & Scrub
The ideal soap is a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash, which is specifically designed to clean technical fabrics without stripping the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating. It also contains no optical brighteners or added scents. Avoid household soaps and detergents with strong chemicals or scents.
Once you have added your soap to the soak, agitate the pack components to help distribute the cleaner. If needed, use a soft-bristled brush or a washcloth to gently scrub stubborn spots. Avoid anything abrasive that could damage fabric.
Rinsing & Drying
Thorough Rinsing
Once you feel that the soaking process is complete, thoroughly rinse all components multiple times until the water runs completely clear and no soap bubbles remain. It is critical that this rinse thoroughly removes all soap and detergent from the materials.
Time To Dry
Hang the pack components in a well-ventilated area to air-dry — ideally outdoors, with some natural air flow and sunlight. Hang components with zippers facing down, allowing moisture to escape from the pockets and compartments. Pack components with foams can be gently squeezed or “wrung out” to remove water before hanging to dry.
We do not recommend machine-drying components or using heat sources, which can damage the specialized foams and technical fabrics.
While the fabric is drying, wipe down the carbon fiber frame stays with a damp cloth to remove any dust and grit.
Pack Assembly
After you have ensured that the foams and fabric are completely dry, you are ready to put your pack back together.
As a reference, here is a video that details the completed breakdown and assembly process for K4 Pack Systems. (Check out the video chapters, which make it easy to skip to the relevant parts of the assembly process that you need to reference.)
What to Avoid
- Harsh Detergents — Avoid using standard laundry detergents, especially those with perfumes, UV brighteners, or heavy chemicals. These can strip the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating from the fabric.
- Abrasive Scrubbing — Do not use stiff-bristled brushes or anything abrasive on the fabric, as this can fray the Cordura or damage the waterproof coatings. Use a soft-bristled brush, cloth, or sponge instead.
- Direct High Heat — Do not use a high-heat source, such as placing the pack near a fire or space heater, or using a high-heat dryer. Heat can shrink the fabric and damage the foam in the hip belt and shoulder straps.
- Storing While Damp — Do not reassemble or store the pack until all components are 100% dry. Storing a damp pack leads to mildew, odor, and degraded life of the materials.
- Bleach or Solvents — Never use bleach or industrial solvents to remove blood or stains, as these will permanently break down the fibers of the pack, in addition to causing discoloration.
A Little Care = A Long Life
Do not be afraid to get your pack sweaty, dirty, and bloody on the regular. But after you do, this simple cleaning process will prolong the life and performance of your pack system.
If you have any questions, let us know.