In my business, and by “business” I mean the ocean, nothing is waterproof. Nothing. Your gear may start off being really, really water-resistant or water tight, but if your expectation is waterPROOF, you will be sorely disappointed. In my opinion, disappointment is the pits. I’ll make this analogy: Water in
Keeping your shoes clean, it’s easier than you might think!
Now, I’m not one to normally clean my shoes with regularity, however, not too long ago I acquired a pair of super cool 5.10 approach/ parkour shoes. I’m no parkour aficionado, but I do get out to climb a bit, so I was psyched for some new kicks. The downside
The Nikwax Spring Break Checklist
It’s that time of year again: spring break! After drifting drearily through the murky winter months, it’s finally time to get out and go somewhere exciting. You know you want spring adventure, but where to go? Head to the mountains for some spring snow? Catch surf and sun in some
Nikwax Guide to Giving Gifts that Keep on Giving
In terms of gift-giving, what is important this holiday season is giving your beloved family something they’ll love and that will last. The best gifts have a personal, perhaps even hidden, meaning that take the art of giving to inspired levels. And we’ve got a few thoughtful gift ideas that
Soft Shell 101
In the late 1990’s, soft shell (also spelled “softshell”) outerwear hit the marketplace with a bang. Almost overnight, the stretchy fabric became the telltale mark of “serious” outdoorspeople. Soft shells continue to excel as a go-to piece for outdoor play. Today we present: everything you’ve always wanted to know about
Attack of the killer detergent: The Nikwax Difference
It begins innocently enough. First, you figure what harm could it possibly do? I’ll wash my jacket just this once with my regular laundry detergent. Before long, that harmless “regular” laundry detergent has become a gateway to the serious stuff: fabric softeners, boosters, oxidizers… And your outdoor excursions become significantly less
The Fine Art of Tailgating
The ball crosses into the End Zone. High fives and cheers surround you. Someone picks you up and raises you over the crowd. A cooler full of Gatorade pours down over your head. Wait a minute. That’s not Gatorade. You didn’t score the winning touchdown. You’re in the parking lot
True confessions: we’ve neglected our gear, too
The smell was ungodly. Every time I cracked open my dry bag, the stench brought tears of disgust and pain to my eyes. At first, the smell just made me feel a little dirty – nothing over the top. It wasn’t until Day 13 of a 16-day mid-August Grand Canyon
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
Down Revival: How To Teach Old Feathers New Tricks
Purchasing down gear is rite of passage for us outdoor types. Remember the joy of stuffing your first down sleeping bag into its impossibly small stuff sack after years of struggling with a monster synthetic bag? Or the first time you donned the down coat that you saved for years