How do I care for my technical gear?
With the help of Nikwax products, virtually all the technical clothing and equipment we sell can be cleaned and proofed so that it performs to the highest degree throughout its life.

There are a wealth of different materials on the market today, most of which are synthetic. As fibres become more technical, so caring for them can become more complicated. For example, many fabrics cannot be washed with a fabric conditioner, as this affects the ability of the product to draw perspiration vapour through its fibres.

Waterproof and breathable garments
Customers sometimes complain that their waterproof and breathable garments lose their 'breathability' or begin to leak. Sure, there will be the very odd occasion where a garment will fail but often it's the lack of routine cleaning that causes problems.

All technical outdoor garments, particularly those that are waterproof AND breathable, work much better when they are clean. A dirty face fabric (the outside surface) can prevent perspiration from escaping by blocking the porous nature of a breathable garment. This will direct perspiration back into the garment and the resulting feeling of wetness might make you think that the garment is leaking.

To wash a technical garment, always look for the manufacturers instructions on a label and try to follow these as closely as possible. As a general rule, technical clothing should be washed in warm water (30º-40ºC) with a mild soap solution such as Nikwax Techwash rather than detergents. To remove stubborn stains, first try gently rubbing neat Techwash onto the face fabric gently with a soft brush to pre-wash the marked area.

Sometimes, a certain clothing or equipment manufacturer will have a commercial relationship with a cleaning and proofing product manufacturer and advise that only their product be used. We haven't come across any cases where a warranty was invalidated by the use of Nikwax products and are happy to recommend their use on all the cleanable garments and equipment we sell.

While laminated materials such as Goretex can survive the odd wash in a detergent, it is CRUCIAL that the cheaper waterproof and breathable garments made from PU coated fabrics are only washed in a mild soap agent such as Techwash. Detergent can badly damage the waterproof properties of this kind of fabric. Examples include North Face's HyVent, Sprayway's Hydrodry and Berghaus's Aquafoil materials.

One slight exception to the detergent rule appears to be any garment we sell made from the newer eVent laminated, highly breathable fabric. eVent actually recommend a liquid clothes detergent cleaner to really deep clean the pores of the material. But they also advise a double rinse to make sure that any detergent residues are eradicated thoroughly.

On the face fabric of all new waterproof garments is an invisible water repellent coating (DWR) that encourages water to 'bead' on the surface of the material. After use and prolonged washing, this coating wears down, allowing the face fabric to become saturated (known as 'wetting-out'). This affects the garment's performance and can reduce its breathability.

To remedy this situation, every so often or after several washes in Techwash, the garment should also be proofed with Nikwax TX Direct in either wash-in or spray form. If you're unsure which type to use then just ask one of us in the shop.

Some garment washing instructions may advise light tumble drying or even cool ironing to reactivate the water repellant coating instead of retreating – make sure you read your garments instructions carefully!

Footwear care
The performance of waterproof/breathable boots and shoes is very much dependant on the attention they receive through their life. Just like a garment, the breathability can be impeded by dirt or the lack of a water repellency coating on the outside material of a synthetic boot.

To those who have been seduced by the excellent marketing strategies of companies such as Goretex, just be aware that there are odd instances where water ingress is possible through waterproof boot membranes under certain usage even though there is no physical breakdown of the material. In these instances, albeit uncommon, testing the boots won't show a fault and a warranty claim may well fail!

Leather boots have an inherent water repellency along with great breathability but this relies on the leather being maintained in good condition. Most good quality leather boots also now have a Goretex liner which means that when the leather itself is penetrated by water ingress, it stops on the Goretex membrane. When the leather is sodden with water, the Goretex won't breathe as well as usual so to ensure best performance, a leather proofer/conditioner should be used every so often.

Nikwax make several products for cleaning and proofing every type of walking boot or shoe – just ask us when you visit the shop.

We are firmly on the side of common sense when maintaining our clothing and equipment. We do just enough to make sure it enjoys a reasonable lifespan of good performance but we make sure we're not slaves to the washing machine because we want to use it!