Delamination
Delamination is the waterproof membrane separating from the fabric it was bonded to, visible as bubbling or peeling on the inside of a jacket.
It is the normal end of life for a laminated shell and it cannot be repaired. Once the bond fails, the membrane no longer sits flat against the face fabric, and the affected panel stops performing.
What it looks like
Turn the jacket inside out. Delamination shows as blistering, rippling or a papery texture where the inner surface has lifted away. It usually starts in high-flex, high-sweat areas: the shoulders under pack straps, the inside of the elbows, and around the collar.
It is distinct from the protective print wearing off a 2.5-layer jacket, which looks like patchy loss of the textured coating rather than a lifted layer.
What causes it
Age, heat, body oils and repeated flexing, roughly in that order. Adhesives degrade over years regardless of use. Heat accelerates it sharply, which is why tumble drying and drying on a radiator shorten a shell's life so much. Salt and body oils attack the bond from the inside, which is an argument for washing a shell occasionally rather than never.
Can it be fixed
Not economically. Small areas can be patched with repair tape from the inside to slow water ingress, but the bond cannot be restored and the delamination will spread. A jacket with widespread delamination is finished as waterproof kit, though it may still serve as a windproof layer.
The preventable version is heat damage. Air dry, wash cool, and keep shells away from radiators.
Related terms
- Membrane vs coating: the construction that can delaminate
- How to wash a waterproof jacket: heat is the main accelerant
- 2-layer, 2.5-layer and 3-layer shells: which builds resist it best
- Glossary: all terms