How to Break In and Care for Fallout Joggers and Lounge Bottoms
By Official Bethesda Gear Store | Bethesda Video Game Merchandise | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Tips & Care
A practical washing, drying, and pilling routine for Fallout joggers and lounge bottoms, with fit checks and fabric notes so your game-day gear stays comfortable.
Quick answer
Turn your joggers inside out, wash them cold on a gentle cycle with like colors, and tumble dry low or hang dry to protect the brushed fleece and prints. For pilling, use a fabric shaver or sweater stone on a flat surface, then store folded rather than hung. Check the size chart before first wear, because cuffed legs and an elastic waistband should sit comfortably without needing a hot wash to shrink.
Know what you are caring for before the first wash
The Fallout New Vegas Jogger uses brushed fleece on the inside for warmth and an all-over print on the outside. That combination means you are caring for two different surfaces at once: a soft, lofted interior that can mat down with heat, and a printed exterior that can crack or fade with harsh detergent or high dryer temperatures. The jogger also has cuffed legs, practical pockets, and an elastic waistband, so the goal is to keep the fabric relaxed without stretching the cuffs or waist. If you own the Fallout Howdy From New Vegas Tee or the Fallout Warning: Deathclaws Ahead Tee, those are printed on the front and wearer’s left side, so the same low-heat, inside-out approach applies to them as well.
Set up a low-risk wash routine
Sort by color and fabric weight. Heavy joggers should not tumble against zippers, Velcro, or rough canvas because that friction is what causes surface pilling and print wear. Use a mild liquid detergent without bleach or fabric softener; softener leaves a coating on brushed fleece that reduces breathability and can make the inside feel slick rather than cozy. If you are washing a printed tee in the same load, keep the water cold and the cycle gentle. A mesh laundry bag is optional for the joggers but useful for the tees if you want to protect the printed artwork from rubbing.
Step-by-step jogger care routine
- Check the fit before washing: Try the joggers on before the first wash. The elastic waistband should sit flat without rolling, and the cuffed legs should end at or just above the ankle. If the fit is close but slightly loose, do not plan on a hot wash to shrink them; heat can damage the brushed fleece and print without giving you predictable shrinkage. If the waist or cuffs feel tight, size up rather than trying to stretch them in the wash.
- Turn inside out and empty pockets: Turn the joggers inside out so the brushed fleece faces outward and the printed surface is protected. Check the practical pockets for keys, coins, or earbuds, because a forgotten item can snag the interior or bang against the drum. Zip or button nothing, since the joggers have no hardware, but keep them away from garments that do. A quick pocket check prevents most accidental snags and noise during the cycle.
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle: Use cold water and a gentle or delicate cycle with a mild liquid detergent. Do not use bleach, fabric softener, or dryer sheets. Wash with similar colors and similar fabric weights; heavy towels or jeans create friction that encourages pilling on the joggers and can dull the print on any tees in the load. When in doubt, wash joggers separately from towels and denim.
- Dry low or hang dry: Tumble dry on low heat, or hang the joggers to dry if you want to minimize wear on the brushed fleece and elastic. High heat is the main cause of a matted interior, a shrunken waistband, and cracked prints. If you hang dry, reshape the cuffs and waistband with your hands first so they dry without creases. If the joggers still feel damp at the waistband, air them another hour rather than adding heat.
- Fix pilling with a fabric shaver: Lay the joggers flat and run a fabric shaver or sweater stone gently over pilled areas, usually where the thighs rub or where the cuffs meet shoes. Use short, light passes rather than pressing hard. A single pass is safer than repeated passes over the same spot, which can thin the fabric. Test on a hidden area near the inside waistband before treating a visible spot.
- Store folded, not hung: Fold joggers and lounge bottoms rather than hanging them by the waistband. Hanging stretches the elastic over time and can leave hanger marks in the fleece. Keep them in a dry drawer or shelf away from direct sunlight, which can fade the all-over print and any printed tees stored nearby. If you must hang them, use a clip hanger on the cuffs and rotate the clip position each time.
Product facts that affect care
- Fallout New Vegas Jogger: Brushed fleece on the inside; cuffed legs, practical pockets, and an elastic waistband; all-over print recycled fabric. The brushed interior can flatten with high heat, so dry low or hang dry. The elastic waist and cuffs should not be stretched in a hot wash, and the all-over print needs a gentle cycle to avoid cracking.
- Fallout Howdy From New Vegas Tee: Print on front of tee and wearer’s left side. Turn the tee inside out before washing to keep the printed areas from rubbing against other garments, which helps the artwork stay sharp.
- Fallout Warning: Deathclaws Ahead Tee: Printed artwork on front and wearer’s left side. Same inside-out rule applies. Avoid ironing directly on the print; if you must iron, use low heat on the reverse side only.
