Nikwax waterproofing

How to stay dry, warm and comfortable on your expedition

Working towards a DofE Award is meant to be a challenge, but it should also be fun. When everyone is dry, warm and comfortable they can really enjoy and appreciate where they are and what they are going, inspiring a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Having clothing and equipment that stops you feeling wet and cold is key but to keep it performing at its best it needs the right care.

This is because waterproof items have a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating on the outside, which acts a barrier to prevent water absorption. Over time, dirt and griem can build up masking the DWR so it will start to absorb rainwater making you feel wet and cold.

Nikwax restores and enhances the waterproof performance of your outdoor gear – keeping you drier and warmer for longer. It is easy to apply – either in a washing machine or by direct application to your equipment.

Not only does Nikwax keep you warm, dry and comfortable it also saves you money by prolonging the usable life of your outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment.

Whether its your own walking boots, an outdoor jacket or old kit thats lying’ around in your kit store, it can all be given a new lease of life with Nikwax.

Use your DofE Card or Voucher to save when you buy Nikwax at GO Outdoors, Blacks, Millets, Ultimate Outdoors or Tiso (Scotland only).

Choosing the right Nikwax product for your outdoor kit

Choose green cap products for cleaning. Your gear should always be cleaning first with the appropriate Nikwax product before its re-waterproofed, as washing detergent leaves behind residues that can inhibit waterproofing products.

Choose purple cap products for proofing. Nikwax waterproofing products restore the water repellency of your gear and revive breathability.

DofE Recommended Nikwax products

	Techwash Great for cleaning: Waterproof breathable clothing Synthetic sleeping bags Buy Techwash here
	TX.Direct Great for waterproofing: Garments with membranes such as GORE-TEX and eVENT and synthetic-filled items Buy TX.Direct here
	Footwear Cleaning Gel Great for cleaning: All types of footwear, including those with GORE-TEX membranes Buy Footwear Cleaning Gel here
	Fabric & Leather Proof Great for waterproofing: Any fabric, leather of fabric and leather combination footwear Buy Fabric & Leather Proof here
	Down Wash Great for cleaning and restoring water repellency: Treated and non-treated down-filled sleeping bags and clothing Buy Down Wash here
	Tent & Gear Solarwash Great for cleaning and UV protection on all weatherproof textiles including cotton, canvas and synthetic fabrics: Tents, rucksacks, panniers, camera bags, awnings, marquees and more Buy Tent & Gear Solarwash here
	Tent & Gear Solarproof Great for waterproofing and UV protection on: Tents, rucksacks, panniers, awnings and more Buy Tent & Gear Solarproof here

Nikwax philosophy – more than waterproofing

Nikwax have been making cleaning and waterproofing products for over 40 years, to help people enjoy the outdoors in comfort.

These waterproofing products are safe for you and kind to the environment. What’s more, every Nikwax product is water-based, non-flammable and doesn’t use any harmful chemicals like aerosols or fluorocarbons (PFCs).

Nikwax believes that caring for the environment in everything it does is important. So Nikwax have carbon balanced all of their operational emissions by planting tropical rainforest in partnership with World Land Trust.