JACKETSLEATHER JACKETS DOWN JACKETS BRUSH-ONMACHINE WASH HAND WASH TENTS JACKETS PANTS BACKPACKS LEATHER JACKETS SOCKS DOWN JACKETS SLEEPING BAGS SPRAY-ON BRUSH-ONMACHINE WASH SPONGE-ONTOPS HAND WASH SKI SKINS 150ML TENTS JACKETS PANTS BACKPACKS LEATHER JACKETS SOCKS DOWN JACKETS SLEEPING BAGS SPRAY-ON MACHINE WASH TOPS SKI SKINS 150ML TENTS JACKETS PANTS BACKPACKS LEATHER JACKETS SOCKS SANDALS FOOTWEARLEATHER FOOTWEAR SPORTS FOOTWEAR DOWN JACKETS SLEEPING BAGS GLOVES SPRAY-ON BRUSH-ONMACHINE WASH LEATHER GLOVES SPONGE-ONTOPS 100ML 125ML 300ML 1L 5L HAND WASH 500ML300ML SKI SKINS VISORS 150ML TENTS JACKETS PANTS BACKPACKS LEATHER JACKETS SOCKS DOWN JACKETS SLEEPING BAGS SPRAY-ON MACHINE TOPS SKI SKINS 150ML JACKETSLEATHER JACKETS DOWN JACKETS MACHINE WASH HAND WASH DO YOU KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GEAR?
WHAT’S IN THIS BOOK?
Outdoor gear works best when cared for.
Items like rain jackets, leather boots, tents, down jackets, gloves, and more, all need care to perform their best. In this book we’ll help you understand how to get the most from different types of outdoor gear.
HANDY TIPS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Follow the color-coded pages.
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
FOOTWEAR & GLOVES
NEXT TO SKIN CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
NIKWAX
ABOUT
DIRTY CLEAN PRODUCTS WITH GREEN CAPS ARE CLEANERS. (GREEN FOR CLEAN).
GEAR LIKES TO BE CLEAN
. • Dirty gear absorbs water and won’t keep you dry. • Clean your gear regularly for the best results. • Household detergents leave behind residues that harm water-repellency. • Check all pockets before washing. HANDY TIPS
AFTERBEFORE
PRODUCTS WITH PURPLE CAPS ARE WATERPROOFERS. (PURPLE FOR PROOF).
GEAR ENJOYS WATERPROOFING. HANDY TIPS • Water-repellency is durable, but not permanent. Gear will need re-waterproofing occasionally. • Always clean before waterproofing! You wouldn’t wax a dirty car... • When using Nikwax Spray-on waterproofing products, be sure the item you are waterproofing is wet.
FOLLOW THE CARE LABEL.
Your gear will likely have a tag inside it that tells you how to care for it, complete with cryptic symbols (see left).
Nikwax products work best with warm water on a regular cycle, but when in doubt, follow the care label on your item.
Nikwax waterproofing products also don’t need heat to activate the water-repellency, so no need to use a dryer.
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HANDY TIPS
Waterproof/breathable jackets and pants are great for protection against rain or snow. Not to be confused with “slickers” or PVC rainwear,
keep you dry, while also allowing sweat vapor to escape. These
may have a membrane like GORE-TEX®, or simply use a water-repellent
waterproof/breathable items
garments
coating.
RAIN
JACKETS & PANTS
WATERPROOF
& SKI
CLEAN
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
Down-filled clothing and equipment provides unrivaled warmth-to-weight ratios. However, dirty down attracts water, and deteriorates prematurely. When down gets wet it loses its insulating abilities, leaving you cold. Clean your down on a regular basis.
DOWN-FILLED
JACKETS & BAGS CLEAN
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
Jackets and sleeping bags with synthetic fill are the work horses of insulting gear. They stay warm when wet, and keep you toasty. They perform best when they repel water, so keep them clean and waterproof for best results.
SYNTHETIC FILL
JACKETS & BAGS
CLEAN WATERPROOF
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
UV rays are extremely damaging to outdoor gear. Just two weeks of summer sun exposure can reduce fabric strength by half, making tents and packs more susceptible to tearing and ripping.
Both cleaning with Tent & Gear Solarwash and
will add UV protection, extending the life of gear up to 150%.
with
waterproofing
Solarproof
TENTS
BACKPACKS
UV PROTECT CLEAN WATERPROOF
&
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
Using the right waterproofing will ensure an extended life for leather shoes and gloves. Waterproofing Wax For Leather adds water-repellency without softening, and is recommended by leading cobblers. (If you have old, dried out leather items, waterproof and revive them with Conditioner for Leather.)
LEATHER SHOES & GLOVES
CLEAN
WATERPROOF FOOTWEAR & GLOVES
Suede and nubuck are textured leather. They tend to be softer and break in easier than full-grain leather. To maintain their texture, it’s important to use the right waterproofing product. Nubuck & Suede Proof adds water-repellency, while preserving texture.
SUEDE & NUBUCK SHOES
CLEAN
WATERPROOF
FOOTWEAR & GLOVES
Fabric and fabric & leather combination are the most common types of footwear available. Add water-repellency with Fabric & Leather Proof, but remember, if the shoes have large mesh or perforations, they may never be fully waterproof!
FABRIC & LEATHER SHOES
CLEAN
WATERPROOF
FOOTWEAR & GLOVES
Summer footwear enables all sorts of fun, warm-weather adventure. However, sometimes sandals and other next-to-skin shoes can get a little rancid. Regular cleaning and deodorizing with Sandal Wash will ensure your friends keep inviting you along for summer fun.
SANDALS & SOCKLESS SHOES
CLEAN & DEODORIZE
NEXT TO SKIN CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
Synthetic fitness clothing is a wonder. It dries quickly and wicks sweat. However, it also has a tendency to develop and harbor stench. Use a technical detergent like Basewash, or an additive like BaseFresh, to eliminate odors and improve technical performance by increasing wicking.
SYNTHETIC FITNESS CLOTHING
CLEAN & DEODORIZE
NEXT TO SKIN CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
Merino wool is nature’s wonder material. It is soft, wicks moisture, resists odors (to a certain degree), and is warm when wet. Care for your wool layers with Wool Wash, which safely cleans, enhances wicking, softens, and deodorizes.
MERINO WOOL CLOTHING
CLEAN & DEODORIZE
NEXT TO SKIN CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
Nikwax is the global leader in safe, highperformance cleaning & waterproofing for outdoor gear. Founded in 1977, we’ve spent decades perfecting our solutions, and we never stop. Our products are used loyally by millions of people in over 60 countries.
NIKWAX
PRODUCTS ARE...
EASIER: Nikwax products are easy to use at home, whether in your washing machine or by spraying them on.
SAFER: Nikwax products are made with care for the environment, never any aerosols or PFCs. All Nikwax products are water-based and non-persistent.
DRIER: Nikwax products are highperformance. We test them excessively in our lab, and in extreme weather environments.
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ABOUT NIKWAX
CLEAN CHEMISTRY
Entirely PFC-Free, aerosol-free, water-based, and biodegradable high performance products
CLIMATE ACTION
The only company in the world to have offset its entire 40+ years of operations
CONSERVATION
Preserving and regenerating forests and protecting threatened ecosystems.
CIRCULARITY
Reducing waste and keeping gear out of landfills.
TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN SAFETY
NIKWAX IS COMMITTED
• We do PFC-Free better. We’ve been PFC-Free and aerosol-free since our founding in 1977. • We know what’s in our products. We’re experts at developing the best performing products using the cleanest chemistry possible. • Our products have been safer from the start. We’ve been making products with care for the environment since day one. ABOUT NIKWAX Read our Sustainability Report here!
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? TALK TO AN EXPERT. 800-563-3057 CUSTOMER.SERVICE@NIKWAX.COM NIKWAX.COM DOMOREWITHNIKWAX.COM