After thoroughly treating my four season tent with Nikwax, I later had to endure a 4-day storm on the coast of Alaska. The wind was blowing 30-50 mph the entire time and it never stopped raining. In less than 24 hours the tent started to leak on the side that was taking the brunt of the wind. The leeward side remained dry. Clearly the force of the wind and rain trashing the tent, eroded away the Nikwax. Fortunately I brought some plastic to use in an emergency, which saved me and my gear. Don't expect Nikwax to hold up in extreme conditions or you will get wet!
Fair point. Glad you made it out of there alright. Mountain hardware makes some pretty good 4 season tents that should stand up much better to those wild conditions. They cost sustainably more than a typical 3 season tent.
My experience with Nikwax was the same. I hate to say it but the only really good waterproofing is the stuff that is so toxic the fumes blow you over. I coated a Sierra Design Night Watch with something like that in 1995 and it is still waterproof in the worst of storms. You’ve got to have a place for it to dry completely. Sorry I can’t remember the name of the product.
should have washed the tent first, using nikwax wash, then solarproofed it while it was wet. Then it should be left for 24 hours, to dry, before testing. This stuff is great!
I think I'll get Nikwax for my snugpak lonosphere bivi tent!!! I've just used it and it's waterproof rating isn't that good as reviews says it's got a great waterproof rating. I've been soaked in this bivi tent few times. I'm going to get this on Monday. Snugpak lonosphere is great lightweight and compact but it's not good for it's waterproof rating! Thanks for this video! Stay safe!
If you really want to waterproof a fabric long term , take a tube of pure silicone and mix it with one gallon of odorless paint thinner and apply it with a brush or garden sprayer . It will work way better than nikwax and last much longer . One good application znd something is usually waterproof (not water repellant) for life , just sayin
But with this method you will lost all the breathability of the tent, because you completely sealed it. In colder conditions it will sweat much more on the inside and the result will be a damp inner tent...
Thanks. I’m wondering whether it might be worth waterproofing a new tent? Just to be extra sure of the tent’s waterproofness? What’s to lose. Thanks for the vid
I accidentally used the silicone waterproof spray on the inside of my tent, I only applied a small amount at all the seams. My biggest concern is that I only waited about 5-10 min before folding the tent back up. Am I going to have any problems when I open it back up? any recommendations if so?
No, Nikwax does not work. Might add something to refresh Gore Tex fabrics. Tried it on my bicycle Gore Tex jacket. Did refresh it a bit. But for anything else, just waste of money. I have tried it for two years, on a traditional linen re-enactment Viking era tent. Just waste of money. I live in Iceland, we have rain, real rain.
Hi Nate....I done exactly what you done to your tent and my fishing bivvy came up like brand new and the water just beads off it now. Good quality product for sure...... Thank you very much for posting this video, it made it easy for me.......I subbed for more top tips..
After thoroughly treating my four season tent with Nikwax, I later had to endure a 4-day storm on the coast of Alaska. The wind was blowing 30-50 mph the entire time and it never stopped raining. In less than 24 hours the tent started to leak on the side that was taking the brunt of the wind. The leeward side remained dry. Clearly the force of the wind and rain trashing the tent, eroded away the Nikwax. Fortunately I brought some plastic to use in an emergency, which saved me and my gear. Don't expect Nikwax to hold up in extreme conditions or you will get wet!
Fair point. Glad you made it out of there alright. Mountain hardware makes some pretty good 4 season tents that should stand up much better to those wild conditions. They cost sustainably more than a typical 3 season tent.
My experience with Nikwax was the same. I hate to say it but the only really good waterproofing is the stuff that is so toxic the fumes blow you over. I coated a Sierra Design Night Watch with something like that in 1995 and it is still waterproof in the worst of storms. You’ve got to have a place for it to dry completely. Sorry I can’t remember the name of the product.
@@nikispaniki Best I have found to date is Atsko Water Guard Extreme.
@@pl1532 After a rather mediocre experience with Nikwax, I too order a can of Atsko
I dont think you understand what this is intended for. It's a dwr not a water proofing.....
should have washed the tent first, using nikwax wash, then solarproofed it while it was wet. Then it should be left for 24 hours, to dry, before testing.
This stuff is great!
I think I'll get Nikwax for my snugpak lonosphere bivi tent!!! I've just used it and it's waterproof rating isn't that good as reviews says it's got a great waterproof rating. I've been soaked in this bivi tent few times.
I'm going to get this on Monday. Snugpak lonosphere is great lightweight and compact but it's not good for it's waterproof rating!
Thanks for this video! Stay safe!
What about inside the floor my floors get wet😊
I spray it on and rub it all around with a small sponge to ensure it gets right into the fabric
I was hoping you'd show us your "expertise" on the trampoline.
If you really want to waterproof a fabric long term , take a tube of pure silicone and mix it with one gallon of odorless paint thinner and apply it with a brush or garden sprayer . It will work way better than nikwax and last much longer . One good application znd something is usually waterproof (not water repellant) for life , just sayin
But with this method you will lost all the breathability of the tent, because you completely sealed it. In colder conditions it will sweat much more on the inside and the result will be a damp inner tent...
If you want to evaluate effectiveness, film the results from inside the tent. Video from the outside don't tell you if you're getting leaks.
“Is it just me or does anyone else pretend their tent poles are light sabers”
Me: “it’s just you”
Nice video though.
nice review man! cant say i've ever used tent poles as light sabers but whatever floats your boat lol.
lol
Thanks. I’m wondering whether it might be worth waterproofing a new tent? Just to be extra sure of the tent’s waterproofness? What’s to lose. Thanks for the vid
The logic is sound
I would as I’ve seen new tents straight out the bag lettings water in, and I don’t mean cheep ones
It's a great idea especially for sun damage
What kind of camera are you using?
Think it was a Nikon point and shot
Thanks
I accidentally used the silicone waterproof spray on the inside of my tent, I only applied a small amount at all the seams. My biggest concern is that I only waited about 5-10 min before folding the tent back up. Am I going to have any problems when I open it back up? any recommendations if so?
If at first you don't succeed try try again.
@Jonny boy yup thats how i felt lol
lol thanks man, didn't see your comment until now. Ended up not being a problem at all, just let the tent air out a bit lmao. @@natelarge
This wax is real waterproof
No, Nikwax does not work. Might add something to refresh Gore Tex fabrics. Tried it on my bicycle Gore Tex jacket. Did refresh it a bit. But for anything else, just waste of money. I have tried it for two years, on a traditional linen re-enactment Viking era tent. Just waste of money. I live in Iceland, we have rain, real rain.
Brilliant
I was hoping to see you on the Trampoline at the end of the video.
Her flick....?...sorry, I just couldn't help myself.
Hi Nate....I done exactly what you done to your tent and my fishing bivvy came up like brand new and the water just beads off it now. Good quality product for sure...... Thank you very much for posting this video, it made it easy for me.......I subbed for more top tips..
@@nojnoj3069 I did this to my backpack waiting for it to dry now, hopefully get the same results 👍
No , i think its just you .
lol