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Well ... sort of. First of all, it was the agitator in the washer that killed your son's pants-avoid them at all costs. Second, that clerk was completely wrong (unless you're talking about really cheap, low-quality stuff). It is OK to wash snowboard pants, because the DWR (durable water-repellent coating) on them won't work as well if they're dirty and greasy. When that happens, the waterproof breathable laminate inside stops working, too. They just need to be washed in a washer without an agitator, with detergent that won't clog the pores of the laminate. Then you can run it through the washer again (before drying) with something like the Nikwax treatment you showed in the photo. Once dry, the pants will work better than ever because the little 'hairs' on the fabric that make water bead up and roll off will be clean and standing at attention again!