By Purchasing a down jacket is rite of passage for us outdoor types. It’s the quintessential uniform for all mountain towns, a basecamp buddy, a belay bestie, and a go-to layer for all chilly situations. Buying a down jacket represents achieving the “next stage” of outdoorsiness. Anyone who spends time sleeping,
Nikwax Testimonials: “You Can Be a Minimalist Backpacker or Hiker, and Still Stay Dry”
Guest Contributor: David Gillogly My best experience with Nikwax came about a year and a half ago as I was doing some minimalist backpacking. On this trip I was traveling between 25 and 40 miles per day, through Rocky Mountain National Park. A few months before the trip,
Nikwax Testimonials: “Keeping My Favorite Piece of Gear Alive and Well”
Guest Contributor: Leslie Parker I am a 36-year-old transplant to the mountains, having moved to Jasper from the Saskatchewan flatlands after college. Even though I have since moved into the city, I still spend my weekends skiing (XC, AT, and downhill), hiking, camping, and climbing in the Rocky Mountains. My
Nikwax Testimonials: “Never-Ending Confidence in My Down Jacket”
Guest Contributor: Scott Polk I’ve been using Nikwax for several years now, and I bask in the comfort that the seasonal Nikwax rhythm brings me. At the beginning of the season, while I’m washing my down jacket, last season’s memories flood my mind, and I’m transported back to a moment
Nikwax Testimonials: “The Pacific Crest Trail Perma-stench”
Guest Contributor: Ryen Cosgro After hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this year, I thought most of my gear was done for. My rain jacket, down jacket, and down quilt were absolutely disgusting. The quilt was especially bad, and it was stained in a special blend of dirt and slimy sweat.
Nikwax Testimonials: “New Life to an Old Jacket”
Guest Contributor: Colin Murchison Those who met me during my days of traveling full-time often became acquainted with my trusty green jacket. I’m not someone who has owned a lot of clothes, and I definitely don’t travel heavy, so when I spent upwards of $200 on a jacket, it had
How to Clean a Sleeping Bag
Ah, the sleeping bag. Your bed-away-from-home. Your cozy refuge in the wild. Adventures will inevitably get it a bit dirty, but don’t fear, it’s easy to wash your sleeping bag. There are two main types of sleeping bags, down-filled and synthetic-filled. Here are some tips and tricks to keeping them both clean and
End of Season Care for Winter Gear
The days are getting longer and the powder days are soon going to fade into memories. As winter winds down, we here at Nikwax urge you to take advantage of the remaining snowy days. Make turns while you can! Skip work for a snowy backcountry adventure! And then, when you’re
Get DOWN with yo’ bad self! (Or how to clean your down jacket).
As I was looking through online reviews of Nikwax products, one review really caught my eye. It simply stated, “Don’t ever wash down. The benefit is never worth the cost.” Now, I couldn’t disagree more, but it got me thinking about how nerve-wracking cleaning expensive outdoor gear can be. I
