Waterproofing

Water repellency is important for many reasons. It reduces water absorption into the surface of clothing, footwear and equipment, and protects against cooling and weight gain.

This is especially important for breathable waterproof garments; without water-repellency they can lose up to 70% of their breathability in damp or wet conditions. The same will apply to breathable waterproof footwear if the outer fabric or leather becomes saturated.

Therefore, the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) on the outer fabric of your waterproof items must be maintained to ensure breathability and comfort. It will eventually wear off and need to be renewed with Nikwax Waterproofers.

Nikwax Waterproofers are useful for anyone and everyone, but in particular for those who spend long periods outdoors in wet or damp conditions. Nikwax is a favourite with mountaineers, walkers, cyclists, horse riders, motorcyclists, and anyone who works outdoors.

Nikwax Waterproofers are specifically designed to be safe for you and safe for your gear.

Alternative waterproofing products are often solvent-based aerosols or they may be water-based and use fluorocarbons. Aerosol products are flammable. Fluorocarbons pose a potential risk to the environment and to the long-term health of the consumer.

If you use an aerosol spray to waterproof something, you may well be exposing yourself to all of these risks. When we formulate Nikwax products we always think about the people who will use them. We don’t want you to breathe in harmful solvents, set fire to yourself, or absorb persistent chemicals.

Therefore, we guarantee that all Nikwax Waterproofers are WaterBased, non-flammable, contain no harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are fluorocarbon free.

Whether you have a high mountain tent, leather motorcycle boots, or a breathable waterproof jacket, using the right cleaning product is as important as using the right waterproofing product.

Conventional detergents leave behind a thin water-absorbent film on materials, which masks their Durable Water Repellency (DWR).

Therefore, always clean your waterproof items with a suitable Nikwax Cleaner. Remember that dirt itself works against DWR, so regular cleaning will enhance performance.

Nikwax takes great care to minimise the effect of Nikwax products on the environment and on you, the consumer.

Nikwax Waterproofers are WaterBased, non-aerosol, non-flammable, non-hazardous and environmentally friendly. They contain no harmful solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and are completely free of fluorocarbons (which have been shown to be persistent in the environment and have been associated with serious health issues).

Additionally, Nikwax minimises its carbon footprint in production and balances its carbon emissions through contributions to conservation projects.

Nikwax is the product of choice of professional Outdoor trainers. To find out more about people who use Nikwax products, take a look at our testimonials page.

Many Nikwax Waterproofers can be applied in the washing machine. If your item is machine washable this is an exceptionally easy way to ensure that it has been thoroughly treated and will perform to the best of its capabilities.

All you need to do is place your clean item into the washing machine and then run a normal cycle using the appropriate Nikwax Waterproofer.

Alternatively, Nikwax wash-in Waterproofers can be applied by hand washing. If you wish to avoid waterproofing your hands you will need to wear gloves.

Spray-on and sponge-on Nikwax Waterproofers are ideal for items such as boots, tents, rucksacks and clothing which are not machine washable or should not be waterproofed in a washing process.

Additionally, these products allow targeted application to specific areas of the item being treated, including areas of heavy wear or those subjected to high levels of abrasion.

Nikwax uses trigger and pump sprays to avoid the need for aerosol propellants which are known greenhouse gases, and also flammable. An added benefit is that these produce relatively large particles which are more difficult to inhale than the particles emitted by aerosols, thus making them safer for you to use.