Our products are subject to statutory warranty rights. For new goods, the statutory warranty period is generally two years from receipt of the goods. 

However, this does not mean that a product may not show any signs of use or wear over two years. The decisive factor is whether an actual material, production, or manufacturing defect exists. 

A warranty claim may exist in particular if there is a material, production, or manufacturing defect. 

This may include, for example:  
• seams that come undone unusually early or are faulty 
• zipper defects occurring unusually early under normal use 
• recognizable material defects 
• faulty workmanship 
• other defects not caused by normal wear and tear, improper care, or external influence 

Every claim is reviewed by us on an individual basis. 

Clean and durable workmanship is part of our quality standards. 
Should a seam come undone unusually early under normal use, we take this seriously and will investigate the cause. 
If it is a production or manufacturing defect, we will naturally provide an appropriate solution within the framework of the statutory warranty. 

We use high-quality components in our products and, depending on the product, branded zippers from YKK, among others. Even with high-quality components, a defect can occur in individual cases. We take any unusually early zipper failure under proper use seriously and will investigate it. This is to be distinguished from
damage caused, for example, by heavy mechanical stress, jamming, foreign objects, forceful pulling, falls, or other external impacts.

Modern sports and functional apparel consists of very different materials and material constructions. A very light, elastic, and highly breathable cycling jersey, for example, has different properties than a heavy cotton T-shirt or a particularly robust outdoor fabric.

Light, soft, elastic, breathable, or loosely structured functional fabrics can be more sensitive to friction as well as contact with rough or sharp-edged surfaces. High functionality, low weight, and a high level of comfort therefore do not automatically imply unlimited resistance to mechanical stress.

Velcro fasteners can damage delicate, lightweight, or textured functional fabrics in particular. Open Velcro surfaces can roughen the material surface, pull out fibers, or cause snags. This effect is significantly more visible on sublimated fabrics, which are white by default. Such mechanical damage caused by Velcro fasteners is fundamentally to be distinguished from a material or manufacturing defect. Therefore, when washing, also ensure that any existing Velcro fasteners are completely closed. 

Especially when mountain biking, gravel biking, trail running, and other outdoor sports, contact with branches, thorns, brush, stones, or other objects can occur. 

Snags, roughened surfaces, tears, or 
holes caused by this are mechanical damage and are fundamentally to be distinguished from a material or manufacturing defect. 

The same applies to damage resulting from a fall or accident. 

Sportswear is a utility product and is sometimes subjected to considerable strain. 

Depending on the duration and intensity of use, the following may occur, for example: 

• Abrasion in areas subject to particular stress 
• Changes to the material surface 
• Pilling due to friction 
• Gradual loss of elasticity 
• Wear and tear on cuffs and hems 
• Wear and tear on seat pads 
• Changes due to intensive use and frequent washing 

Normal wear- and age-related changes must generally be distinguished from defects in material, production, or workmanship. 

Yes. Especially when participating in outdoor sports, clothing is sometimes exposed to sun and UV radiation for many hours. 

Long-term or intense UV exposure can, among other things: 
• cause colors and shades to change or fade 
• affect fibers and material surfaces 
• accelerate the natural aging of materials 
• change the properties of elastic materials 

In particular, materials with elastane content can lose elasticity and recovery over time due to the interaction of UV radiation, heat, sweat, use, and natural aging. 

Such wear- and age-related changes are fundamentally different from a material or manufacturing defect. 

During sports, sun, sweat, heat, and other environmental influences are unavoidable. However, unnecessary additional stress after sports can be reduced. Therefore, do not leave sweaty or damp sportswear crumpled up in a gym bag for longer than necessary.

We recommend:  
Wear → clean → dry completely → store in a dry place
protected from light. 

After washing and drying completely, the clothing should ideally be stored in a closet or another dry place protected from direct sunlight. 

Avoid, in particular, long-term storage:
• on a sunny balcony or terrace
• directly by a window exposed to strong sunlight 
• for long periods in a vehicle
• in other places permanently exposed to UV light and heat 

This will help preserve the colors, elasticity, and material properties in the long term. 

Please always check the care label of the respective product first. 

As a general rule, we recommend:
• observe the specified washing temperature 
• turn clothing inside out 
• close zippers 
• fasten Velcro fasteners completely 
• do not use fabric softener 
• use a suitable detergent 
• wash delicate functional clothing in a laundry bag 
• do not wash with open Velcro surfaces or sharp-edged components 
• do not use aggressive bleaching agents 
• dry only according to the care label 

A laundry bag can provide additional protection for delicate textile surfaces against zippers, Velcro fasteners, and other mechanical influences during the wash cycle. 

Fabric softener is not suitable for many technical functional materials, and in particular for clothing with elastane content. 

The ingredients in fabric softeners can deposit on fibers and material surfaces and permanently impair the properties of elastic and functional materials.

Products and product areas with a high elastane content can be particularly affected, for example: 
• Cycling shorts and bib shorts
• Cycling shorts and bib shorts
• Elastic leg grippers 
• Flexible sleeve cuffs 
• Elastic waistbands 
• Close-fitting jerseys made from flexible fabrics 
• Elastic inserts and mesh materials 
• Other stretch and compression materials 

A typical consequence can be that the material loses tension and recovery, becomes baggy, or no longer returns to its original shape after a comparatively short period of use. Furthermore, fabric softener can impair the functional properties of technical textiles, such as moisture management. 

Therefore, the following applies to DOWE functional clothing: do not use fabric softener and always follow the care instructions on the product. 

Can we determine whether fabric softener has been used? 
As part of our product and material testing, we can, if necessary, also examine submitted items for residues of fabric softener. This can be particularly relevant in cases of damage where elastic materials have lost their tension or recovery unusually early. Such a finding is taken into account in our root cause analysis along with the condition of the material, the design, the age, and the usage of the product. Damage that is demonstrably attributable to care contrary to the care instructions is to be distinguished from a material, production, or manufacturing defect. 

Damage resulting from improper care or treatment contrary to the care instructions must fundamentally be distinguished from a material or manufacturing defect. 

This may include, for example, damage caused by the following influences: 
• excessively high washing temperatures 
• destroys wind- and water-repellent membranes in vests and jackets very quickly 
• unsuitable washing or drying cycles 
• open Velcro fasteners during washing 
• mechanical damage caused by other laundry items
• use of fabric softener 

We recommend special sports/delicate detergents. Therefore, always observe the care label of the respective product. 

Sweat, salt, chlorine, heat, and other environmental factors can strain functional materials and, in particular, elastic fibers over the long term. Clothing should therefore not be stored damp or uncleaned for extended periods after intensive use or contact with chlorine or salt water. Clean the product according to the respective care instructions and then let it dry completely.

Yes, please send in worn clothing for inspection strictly cleaned and completely dry for hygienic reasons. This also makes it easier to assess the material, seams, and workmanship. 

Upon receipt, the item will be inspected by our product quality team. If there is a valid warranty claim, further processing will take place in accordance with statutory warranty rights. Depending on the nature of the defect and legal requirements, this may involve repairs or a replacement delivery. 

We will subsequently inform you of the inspection results and the next steps. 

No. A complaint does not automatically mean that an item must be replaced. First, we examine the cause of the damage and whether there is a material, production, or manufacturing defect. 
Normal wear and tear, material aging, as well as damage due to external mechanical influences or improper handling must be distinguished from a product defect. 

Not every instance of damage has to mean the end of a high-quality piece of sportswear. Even outside of warranty cases, we are happy to check whether a repair is technically and economically feasible. Whether this is possible depends on the individual product, material, construction, and nature of the damage. Insofar as there is no statutory obligation to repair for the respective product, repairs outside of the statutory warranty are a voluntary service provided by DOWE. 

Repair instead of discard.  

With this, we would like to contribute to extending the service life of our products and conserving resources. 

Have you identified a possible material, production, or manufacturing defect? 

Please send the cleaned and completely dried item, including your contact details and a brief description of the defect, to: 

DOWE GmbH 
Product Quality Department 
Erzgebirgstr. 4 | 73466 Lauchheim - Germany 

Upon receipt, we will inspect the item and get back to you.