It's not very clear which jacket is which during the testing. Consider adding some labels for each test. Also, you need a control test. Wear the untreated jacket after sitting in the rain/dunking in the river vs the treated. additionally, show the temperature for the freezing environment as well as yourself. Couple be as simple as placing the meat probe against your skin before and after dawning the jacket.
FYI If you ever want to clean your washing machine detergent dispenser again, just push the little lever and pull the entire thing out and clean it in the sink or bathtub. Way easier than trying to clean it in place.
@@2old4allthis explains why the detergent draw looked minging 🤣 I thought this was common sense/knowledge Common sense is distinctly lacking these days
Same here - I used the Nikwax stuff several years ago but just haven't tried it in a while. But I've got a ton of old jackets/vests/etc that could use this. MLO - Thanks for posting this content - well delivered and truly helpful!
I have always done so. It's like old-school waxing of coats, bags and tarps but with modern chemistry. I try different products and even out of the box solutions sometimes depending on the needs. The most important first step investment is to buy multiple undergarments of wool! Because of its properties it is lifesaving to have wool closest to the skin! It creates its own "micro climate". Also to learn how to treat&wash wool properly. So all clothes and stuff on the outside are to help keep the inside "micro climate" as optimal as possible. But if wet, wool is _still_ insulating and breathing, which is the key thing.
I sprayed a $7 camp packable nylon/synthetic insulation hunting jacket from Walmart with Tent waterproof treatment.,.. That thing been awesome for years !!!!
@@Offensive_Username Yeah, wouldn't fur coats be more sustainable when you account for all the artificial substances that take thousands of years to break down that are released during the lifecycle of a polyester down jacket with some chemical coating?
@@Offensive_Username chemical coating are almost completely negligible in terms of release into nature. the chemicals in nature are due to manufacturing. it diffuses into the air and spreads into water sources and rainfall.
@@AliseL22 Amazing how our culture has changed so much that the first thought is about the chemicals that you have been conditioned to hate. The paradox of a good guy pimping chemicals is interesting too you. Are you aware that chemicals...man made chemicals to be very precise...are responsible for you being able to move your fingers and strike the keys to make this comment. I assume you're not a chemist. What you are parroting is an opinion. One from a very biased and not necessarily well thought out theory of someone elses work. Because I'm being weird - with regards to the bad chemicals (of course there are some bad ones) In reality "we" have no clue how big the earth that these chemicals are ruining is. There is just no human comparison that anyone has experienced - even ALL the people that go to the space station - none have seen the round earth - I believe only 12 humans ever have and only a couple still alive. If the earth were a beach ball - all of the worlds oceans at there deepest depths would be represented by about two tablespoons of oil smeared on the surface - our everything equates to a tiny film on the surface of a beach ball. In even your wildest imagination - what difference could a microscopic molecule of whatever is bad do to the big picture of that model. Global warming, climate change, eco everything is and has always been at the public level nothing more than marketing. There a counting infinity of funds that surround the notion....as intended. It can't even pass the first number one challenge to what is considered good scientific theory. It must be elegant - its anything but. Alise if you read this far - forgive me. I have adhd and sometimes can't let go of a bone. You have a lovely day and a better tomorrow.
Asked a retailer about doing this and they said it only works on the more expensive waterproofed ones. Given that it wasn't going to damage my non-DWR puffer jacket, I thought I'd try it anyway. Works a treat. Thank you - you saved me quite a few bucks!
Great Video! I Thru hiked the AT in 2007. My down jacket kept me warm the entire trip. The test I'd like to see is 38-45 with light rain. The extreme cold weather is generally very dry. Warmer rainy windy conditions are where the challenge comes from. I had no problems with the down jacket on my 6-month long trip. Thank you very much for the video! : )
Talking about the water on the outside of the jacket freezing, that reminds me. Back when I went to school, I went to a little two room country school, and every year we'd put up a skating rink out back. Now, if you know anything about skating rinks, you know that you either have to put a new layer of ice on the rink for every couple hours of use and every time it snows, or you have to use a Zamboni to remove a layer for every half hour of use. Zambonis are expensive, so we went with the former option. Putting a new layer of ice on is just a matter of stapling a 3 foot strip of burlap to a 2x4 and wetting it continuously with a garden hose as you drag it around the rink. Needless to say, being children, we got nearly as much water on ourselves as we did on the burlap. Our "saving grace", if you could call it that, was that temperatures were generally below 0F, so the little sprinkles would build up over time and create an ice layer over our clothing, especially our legs, rendering the material more waterproof than any treatment you could hope to buy. I'm sure each one of us would carry at least 2 lbs of ice back into the school building after resurfacing the rink. Ironically, the parts of our clothing with the most ice were generally the warmest. Ice is not only perfectly waterproof, but perfectly windproof as well.
I actually just ordered some of this stuff a few weeks ago to treat my Costco Puffy. Figured it was worth a shot, and now you've definitely convinced me! I know I commented on your previous video saying that standing in the rain would be awesome---and you did it! Awesome video, man! Just an awesome video!
Dose of Dirt: It’s not really enough to say that you just ordered some; you can’t leave it’s just hanging like that. How effective was the treatment once you had it properly applied to your garments?
This is great! You could treat your jacket 10x for the cost of the Big Agnes jacket. Additionally, you get to reuse something rather than consuming another product. Thanks for the info! Great video as usual!
Dude, I’m from central Brazil. The coldest we get here is like 18Celsius, but I’m still here learning about how to wear properly for cold, no reason why, it’s just so entertaining and informative xD Keep up the good work, these videos are great
Im from southern spain and moved to Austria this year, this is my first winter where temps can easily get to -10C and my spanish winter clothes dont qork for this winter. So who know maybe at one point you will use this knowledge
For those of my fellow Americans who don't know 18° Celsius is around 64° Fahrenheit. Yeah, it is entertaining, I'm happy with my gear and don't see myself doing any of this but it's still interesting. I'm in Missouri.
I've found most treatments are a bit hit n miss, the last one I used was Nikwax soft shell proof, two different results on two different brands of jacket, its worth a try but don't expect miracles 👍🇬🇧
Very interesting. After many years and thousands of dollars on all these high-tech jackets and fabrics, I've come to learn that you can't beat merino wool. Even if you get wet and your base layer is also merino wool, it still keeps you warm. Love your videos.
I have used down for nearly fifty years, and I have never gotten it wet. I think the issue is condensation over many days or weeks. I think its maybe an issue for serious mountaineers. Nice to know the new stuff actually works, I thought it was all marketing. It's also nice to know you can add it to your old gear. Thanks.
That was a great test. It is pretty plain that for 75% of dudes/dudettes that we can treat our own down jackets and not shell $300 for a 'specially treated' one. Most of us will not be having to bet our life on one soaking wet down jacket keeping us from our demise.
Nikwax and other DWR treatments work well for a short time but fail very quickly with any pressure (backpack shoulder straps etc) or with any continued light abrasion from day to day wear.
Great presentation, thanks! NikWax is my go-to for washing and treating my down and gore-tex jackets. Hint - I wear my gore-tex shell jacket over my down jacket so it's best of both worlds - dry and warm.
I've never treated down items this but a couple years ago we broke the detergent tray of our clothes washer. I replaced it for around $20. If I had numerous items to treat, I'd buy a separate tray for my washer
I was a believer as soon as you showed how the water was in the pocket. Had the treatment not work it should have just drained itself into the material and out the jacket. Since the water stayed in the pocket until you squeezed told me the waterproof worked.
this was my thought too - going to do my sleeping bag! i live in a VERY wet climate, and the sleeping bag almost always gets somewhat damp throughout the night, especially in the shoulder seasons, or from condensation when snow camping.
I know I shouldn't show brand favoritism when customers ask me about care and reproofing, but Nikwax is the go to product from base and tech wash to down proof and tx direct to tent and gear solar proof.
Oh wow. You really tried it. I commented on your other video , with the other jacket, that I wondered if you could do your own. I'm excited that you tried it...and that it seams to work. Thanks for being the guinea pig.
I've been waiting for you to release this video, Nikwax's product line is great and them willing to work WITH you is a sign of their INTEGRITY. You nailed the delivery and covered relevant points. Keep growing!! - Godpseed
Nikwax is awesome! I just 'discovered' it recently to revive an old technical rain jacket that left me sodden in the highlands of Scotland. Its costly and a bit water-wasteful, but Nikwax (at least the classic one from my experience) works! My jacket is as good as new, arguably better as it was a pretty lower end MEC branded thing that wasn't perfect to begin with, now its better than how it started. Awesome video and test, thank you!
I know it's probably outside this channels ability and scope but I'd love to see side by side identical heated torsos with different coats on and viewed through an infrared camera. To me that would be the best jacket comparison.
I would bet good money that the newer "environmentally friendly" DWR chemicals are not at all environmentally friendly. It's great that manufacturers are exploring alternatives to PFAS/PFCs but let's not pretend that similar solutions are "environmentally friendly" just because there hasn't yet been the same research on their impacts. Would love for you to a deep dive on exactly what these new treatments involve, because the manufacturers tend to be very vague and secretive... I understand they try to protect their intellectual property, but we've seen wayyyy too many examples of corporate shadiness about things that we later learned were incredibly bad for everyone and everything (Teflon, leaded fuel, asbestos, CFCs, DDT, cigarettes, etc).
I learned a lot in this video. I went for a run with my down jacket yesterday and got it pretty wet from slushy snow that started. Wondered if I might have ruined it, and now I see what I can do!
I don't always sub after a single video; but, when I do, it's because the content was quick, entertaining, and informative.. Now I have to dig through the rest of your vids.
Synthetic down doenst have the same disadvantages as normal down. It doenst lose loft and doenst loose insulation power. If down gets wet it can loose all its insulation power. So always good to get a dwr coating because moist can get you cold but synthetic holds its loft.
Great video, I got introduced to Nikwax products back in the 80's when i was in the Alpine ski industry and it always worked and actually improved the performance of the first Gortex clothing that came out back then, we actually got to be test subjects when Sun Ice was one of the big names in Alpine clothing, Now i have a few Under Armour pieces of gear ,it is down filled and has worked amazingly well and not bulky, this video is a good reminder to go and buy some Nilwax products to wash/treat this jacket , like you say $12 is allot less than $600 for another jacket 👍
These jackets are water resistant not water proof 😂. But great job 👏. Some down jackets 🧥 have a weather proof outer shell and it’s worth the money and out of all the jackets out there Eddie Bauer is the best for the price hands down
I see your next soak test using a giant wooden ladle and stirring in that creek like a good witches brew. I wash my down minimum every year w/ Nikwax or Grangers. Definitely helps keep that gear in shape!
That really tested the product and proved it works. Not perfect but nothing is, so with the right expectations and proper care on the trail this is a game changer from my perspective. I never would have thought that a true soaking would be anything but a very dangerous event. Now you can bring the down as your go to for warmth and save a ton of money and weight.
I kept waiting to see a zoom-out where he was standing under a sprinkler. That was some serious downpour he was in 😂. Great video. I’ve used Nikwax before, as they are the outdoor-lifestyle standard for helping lengthen the lives of all sorts of outdoor gear.
Great video! I have a suggestion. Could you include the temperatures in degrees Celsius as subtitles? This would be really helpful for us newschoolers using the metric system. Thanks!!
Off topic but I would deep clean/sanitize that washing machine asap! and always remember to leave the detergent tray and the washer door open to dry after every wash. I've been doing that with our machine and we have no build up of mold and mildew like yours.
My recommendation is to also stop using liquid detergent. As soon as I switched back to powder, the buildup of the residue (cellulose or lipids) from the liquid soap which causes the mildew/funk went away. Still keeping the door open though to make sure the tub dries out between uses.
I have washed a down jacket and spray the outside with a nylon waterproof treatment. It works well also, does not treat the down but treats the nylon which helped keeps the down dry.
I've been using an array of nikwax products for a long time and have been extremely happy with the results. I have 20 year old gear that continues to perform like new. I wish that could stop my compulsion to buy new stuff but at least when I get that new stuff I know it will last a long time lol
Hats off to you dedicated tester. But I'd suggest a Canadian Tilley hat for you for a test like this. Great for sun or rain. I'll admit it's not the most stylish but they do have more styles and colors now. [not sponsored, I just love that hat for camping and gardening]
You know, the "rain" didn't look like any rain I've seen; it looked like a lawn sprinkler or shower, in fact much more of a soaking than natural rain except in high wind. Impressive.
When I was doing alpine hiking 20 years ago, I just bought a random $30 hiking boots and grabbed whatever sporty looking fleece and jackets that were lying around. I was fine in cold. The worst time was I was given thermal blanket with a very thin sleeping instead of a thick sleeping bag for a 5 day camping trip in the subalpine. The aluminum foil thermal blanket did nothing. I felt colder for some reason. But it was a way of avoiding carrying heavy sleeping bag up the mountain.
Quick update: I just used these products on an old North Face down jacket, and now have a new AND WATERPROOF jacket!!! Many Thanks 🙂 Ps. I used a full bottle of the down proof, not the 150ml indicated on the bottle.
Thanks for this, you are bang on about NikWax, i used to work for a climbing supplier more than 30 yrs ago and when at a trade show, they did a demo of proofing a mountaineering sleeping bag in order for it to float on top of the water, it worked, what a demo ! 😉
I was in the exact same boat but with my 20 yr old Down filled Macpac sleeping bag! I also used Nikwax to ’Proof’ it and I’m pleased I did! Now my old Macpac is just as good as my latest Sea2Summit bag…
Down doesn't really degrade much with time so the main difference betweeen a 20 yo macpac and a modern bag is that a modern bag will probably have lighter nylon encapsulaion (down to 10d) and modern bags often use better quality fill (up to 950) wheras the old macpac bags probably had 650-750 fill down. In other words, modern bags are lighter for the same warmth. I have a 30 y.o. paddy pallin bag that still gets use in winter.
Interesting video I have a down gilet but avoid getting it wet with over jacket I know one thing never wear jeans I once wore a pair of jeans shorts and they stayed wet cold heavy and clammy all day on a hot day
Thank you very much for the video. I did see the other one and was a little flabbergasted that you could be warm in a wet down jacket. I’ve gone out and bought reindeer - - top-of-the-line stuff and paid top dollar for it in anticipation of spending time in the mountains, only to be saturated to the skin and cold. This is a real eye-opener. There’s definitely a place for this in my kit bag.
I tried this experiment with the 1999 formulation of NixWax DownProof on my AT’98 thruhiking sleeping bag, a North Face Cat’s Meow. I suspect the formulation at that time was an aqueous wax. While the sleeping bag was definitely water resistant, it lost some loft, and felt like I was sleeping in a trash bag. (That’s generally my experience with synthetic bags.) One of the amazing things about Down sleeping bags is the ability to regulate temperature. If the sleeper is sweating, the moisture will cause a slight loss of loft which in turn cools off the sleeping bag and then the occupant. Additionally, that sweat is absorbed by the down, and the sleeper feels dry. Synthetic bags of that era were not as absorbent or breathable, and I always felt like I was in a trash bag.
A bit of advice when using Nikwax down wash and treatment: Rinse the jacket, sleeping bag, etc thoroughly. The stuff is hydrophobic (obviously) so it can take several rinse cycles to get it all out. If you don't, and it dries like that, you can lose loft. And never, ever wring down out! Just out of curiosity, where in Colorado was this filmed? It looks a little like the mountains west of Nederland.
That ice was forming on the exterior of the jacket demonstrates the effectiveness of the insulation. Otherwise, your body heat would prevent the water droplets from freezing.
The advice about cleaning the tray, golden. I used the Nikwax on my favorite jacket not too long ago and wasn't that impressed, I didn't clean the detergent tray of my washer 🤦. Something that is not normally stated in such reviews, or the directions.
Did you dry it using low heat afterwards? Can use a hairdryer or hang above radiators if you don't own a tumble dryer.. I find drying by heat after washing gives THE best results, Nikwax recommends this but doesn't say about using hairdryers etc.. must use a really low heat tho, takes a while but gives a MUCH better result than just air drying👍
thank you for doing this video. I treat my jackets but everyone has their own way. This helps me more to take care my investments and be smart about it. cheers,
Btw, if you're going to do a test like this, best to wear a polypropylene fishnet baselayer, and then a couple of thin polypropylene baselayers over that. It will keep you slightly more comfortable until the insulation starts to dry out.
I've been using NikWax on waterproof motorcycle gear for years, good stuff! It would have been interesting if you soaked and weighed that jacket before and after treating it. To see how much water (by weight) it absorbed before and after treating. Interesting video either way though!
Very engaging and interesting topic and video! These are the truly unique YT videos that should blow up huge. Hope it takes off for ya! I'm def sharing this one out! Great job!
Downs fatal flaw is that it is easy to puncture and then the feathers start coming out. If you do long ass trips where you are outside living on the road that can be an issue. I traveled around the country for years, hopping freight trains, hitching, hiking and living in the trees and on the streets in cities, it's easier to have something very tough like Carhartt but they are heavy and not compressible compared to Down. I wish they had something as warm as Down, as comfortable as Down, and as compressible as Down but not as puncturable.
Wwooowww!! Amazing!!! Oh I'm so impressed with your video!!! What an experiment!! It really was a moment of rollercoaster of emotions when I was shocked and somewhat disappointed when you showed you got *wet* from the inside of the of the jacket! But then discovering that it was just water trapped in a pocket was such a plot twist!! Hahah and then the relief!! Wow I am so impressed with this dw wix treatment!! Amazing! I didn't quite get what you meant in the washing instructions in regards to waiting till there's full amounts of water, but other than that it was a superb and very well thought out experiment!! ❤❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
And beyond that! The biggest message I got from your amazing video is: That I can go get much cheaper product and treat it myself for such a better price! Because I was sort of lusting for the really fantastic new tech down products but being put off by the price! And knowing there is something I can do myself, and take matters into my own hands makes it a wonderful revelation! Basically giving me the equivalent of the latest and highest tech out there, but at affordable price! 👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻😄
Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it. So when you treat the jacket make sure to let the washer fill up with water a little bit. You don’t want the concentrated treatment soaking into just one area of the jacket. If you let the washer fill up a bit first it will dilute the concentred treatment and allow it to fully cost the jacket. Hope that makes sense
What an incredible test and testimonial. It begs the question....What did our ancestors do that actually lived in this day in day out 100, 200 or even a 10000 years ago. Modern chemicals might be lighter but not really any "Better".
Can you please make video how to properly use Nikvax. I use it once on my The Northe Face Goretex pro jacket and ruin it all. Disn’t follow instructions and really wouldn’t try anymore. It will be nice video how to do it step by step
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
Nikwax Down Direct: geni.us/gAX9
Nikwax Down Proof: geni.us/naLOd
would it work with a puffer jacket with non-down / polyester filling?
Second link is no longer working....
Have you considered attending a meeting of Masochists Anonymous? The first step is admitting you have a problem.
Thank you for being the gunnie pig
It's not very clear which jacket is which during the testing. Consider adding some labels for each test. Also, you need a control test. Wear the untreated jacket after sitting in the rain/dunking in the river vs the treated. additionally, show the temperature for the freezing environment as well as yourself. Couple be as simple as placing the meat probe against your skin before and after dawning the jacket.
FYI If you ever want to clean your washing machine detergent dispenser again, just push the little lever and pull the entire thing out and clean it in the sink or bathtub. Way easier than trying to clean it in place.
pulling it out and putting it in the dishwasher works wonders if your lazy like me
😂
Who didn't know that ffs 😂
The hooman race is so smart ey
@@reasonsvoice8554 Well, for one, apparently the guy in the video
@@2old4allthis explains why the detergent draw looked minging 🤣
I thought this was common sense/knowledge
Common sense is distinctly lacking these days
You just convinced me to clean and treat a couple of jackets we have in the closet. Great stuff. You just keep bringing it. I like that. ✌️
Thanks. I hope it works well for you.
Same here - I used the Nikwax stuff several years ago but just haven't tried it in a while. But I've got a ton of old jackets/vests/etc that could use this. MLO - Thanks for posting this content - well delivered and truly helpful!
Dude your bad ass for doing that test. Now I know I can treat my saddlebred jacket the same way.. Thanks for the awesome info
I have always done so. It's like old-school waxing of coats, bags and tarps but with modern chemistry. I try different products and even out of the box solutions sometimes depending on the needs.
The most important first step investment is to buy multiple undergarments of wool! Because of its properties it is lifesaving to have wool closest to the skin! It creates its own "micro climate". Also to learn how to treat&wash wool properly.
So all clothes and stuff on the outside are to help keep the inside "micro climate" as optimal as possible. But if wet, wool is _still_ insulating and breathing, which is the key thing.
I sprayed a $7 camp packable nylon/synthetic insulation hunting jacket from Walmart with Tent waterproof treatment.,.. That thing been awesome for years !!!!
😆 This is the way!
But can we talk about the microplastic and chemicals that are released into nature?
@@Offensive_Username such as hot air
@@Offensive_Username Yeah, wouldn't fur coats be more sustainable when you account for all the artificial substances that take thousands of years to break down that are released during the lifecycle of a polyester down jacket with some chemical coating?
@@Offensive_Username chemical coating are almost completely negligible in terms of release into nature. the chemicals in nature are due to manufacturing. it diffuses into the air and spreads into water sources and rainfall.
Love the genuine real world test. I wonder how many out door retailers would do this? Good on you NickWax. Great test. 👏👏👏.
alot actually but they wouldn't advertise there tests unless they were positive because if it did poorly it would hurt sales
Hats off to you doing these tests. Awesome to see someone actually put themselves through extremes to test products 👍
45 mins dont really test anything for the outdoors tho.
@@z0uLess true and also recommending a product so laden with chemicals is interesting to me.
Can you send one peice of this jacket
As sample peice as i am trekker and i would check it out to keep stock for others
@@AliseL22 Amazing how our culture has changed so much that the first thought is about the chemicals that you have been conditioned to hate. The paradox of a good guy pimping chemicals is interesting too you. Are you aware that chemicals...man made chemicals to be very precise...are responsible for you being able to move your fingers and strike the keys to make this comment. I assume you're not a chemist. What you are parroting is an opinion. One from a very biased and not necessarily well thought out theory of someone elses work.
Because I'm being weird - with regards to the bad chemicals (of course there are some bad ones)
In reality "we" have no clue how big the earth that these chemicals are ruining is. There is just no human comparison that anyone has experienced - even ALL the people that go to the space station - none have seen the round earth - I believe only 12 humans ever have and only a couple still alive.
If the earth were a beach ball - all of the worlds oceans at there deepest depths would be represented by about two tablespoons of oil smeared on the surface - our everything equates to a tiny film on the surface of a beach ball. In even your wildest imagination - what difference could a microscopic molecule of whatever is bad do to the big picture of that model.
Global warming, climate change, eco everything is and has always been at the public level nothing more than marketing. There a counting infinity of funds that surround the notion....as intended.
It can't even pass the first number one challenge to what is considered good scientific theory.
It must be elegant - its anything but.
Alise if you read this far - forgive me. I have adhd and sometimes can't let go of a bone. You have a lovely day and a better tomorrow.
Asked a retailer about doing this and they said it only works on the more expensive waterproofed ones. Given that it wasn't going to damage my non-DWR puffer jacket, I thought I'd try it anyway. Works a treat. Thank you - you saved me quite a few bucks!
Great Video! I Thru hiked the AT in 2007. My down jacket kept me warm the entire trip. The test I'd like to see is 38-45 with light rain.
The extreme cold weather is generally very dry. Warmer rainy windy conditions are where the challenge comes from.
I had no problems with the down jacket on my 6-month long trip. Thank you very much for the video! : )
Talking about the water on the outside of the jacket freezing, that reminds me. Back when I went to school, I went to a little two room country school, and every year we'd put up a skating rink out back. Now, if you know anything about skating rinks, you know that you either have to put a new layer of ice on the rink for every couple hours of use and every time it snows, or you have to use a Zamboni to remove a layer for every half hour of use. Zambonis are expensive, so we went with the former option. Putting a new layer of ice on is just a matter of stapling a 3 foot strip of burlap to a 2x4 and wetting it continuously with a garden hose as you drag it around the rink. Needless to say, being children, we got nearly as much water on ourselves as we did on the burlap. Our "saving grace", if you could call it that, was that temperatures were generally below 0F, so the little sprinkles would build up over time and create an ice layer over our clothing, especially our legs, rendering the material more waterproof than any treatment you could hope to buy. I'm sure each one of us would carry at least 2 lbs of ice back into the school building after resurfacing the rink. Ironically, the parts of our clothing with the most ice were generally the warmest. Ice is not only perfectly waterproof, but perfectly windproof as well.
this world need a gentleman like you.
I actually just ordered some of this stuff a few weeks ago to treat my Costco Puffy. Figured it was worth a shot, and now you've definitely convinced me!
I know I commented on your previous video saying that standing in the rain would be awesome---and you did it! Awesome video, man! Just an awesome video!
Update?
Update?
Dose of Dirt: It’s not really enough to say that you just ordered some; you can’t leave it’s just hanging like that.
How effective was the treatment once you had it properly applied to your garments?
commercial spam
This is great! You could treat your jacket 10x for the cost of the Big Agnes jacket. Additionally, you get to reuse something rather than consuming another product. Thanks for the info! Great video as usual!
What an absolute legend, you couldn't catch me soaking my gear no matter what. Keep killing it!!
Thanks
What a concept! I love that you challenge the value of expensive gear. I’ll be sure to treat my gear at home.
Dude, I’m from central Brazil. The coldest we get here is like 18Celsius, but I’m still here learning about how to wear properly for cold, no reason why, it’s just so entertaining and informative xD
Keep up the good work, these videos are great
Im from southern spain and moved to Austria this year, this is my first winter where temps can easily get to -10C and my spanish winter clothes dont qork for this winter.
So who know maybe at one point you will use this knowledge
There are passports, you can leave your country and go travel where its cold, bro xD
For those of my fellow Americans who don't know 18° Celsius is around 64° Fahrenheit.
Yeah, it is entertaining, I'm happy with my gear and don't see myself doing any of this but it's still interesting. I'm in Missouri.
Very useful video. It is more important to maintain the gear you have instead of continuously purchasing new gear and throwing older gear away.
I've found most treatments are a bit hit n miss, the last one I used was Nikwax soft shell proof, two different results on two different brands of jacket, its worth a try but don't expect miracles 👍🇬🇧
Very interesting. After many years and thousands of dollars on all these high-tech jackets and fabrics, I've come to learn that you can't beat merino wool. Even if you get wet and your base layer is also merino wool, it still keeps you warm. Love your videos.
I have used down for nearly fifty years, and I have never gotten it wet. I think the issue is condensation over many days or weeks. I think its maybe an issue for serious mountaineers. Nice to know the new stuff actually works, I thought it was all marketing. It's also nice to know you can add it to your old gear. Thanks.
That was a great test. It is pretty plain that for 75% of dudes/dudettes that we can treat our own down jackets and not shell $300 for a 'specially treated' one. Most of us will not be having to bet our life on one soaking wet down jacket keeping us from our demise.
Nikwax and other DWR treatments work well for a short time but fail very quickly with any pressure (backpack shoulder straps etc) or with any continued light abrasion from day to day wear.
Great presentation, thanks! NikWax is my go-to for washing and treating my down and gore-tex jackets. Hint - I wear my gore-tex shell jacket over my down jacket so it's best of both worlds - dry and warm.
This is a very convincing advertisement. Nikwax made a smart play.
I've never treated down items this but a couple years ago we broke the detergent tray of our clothes washer. I replaced it for around $20. If I had numerous items to treat, I'd buy a separate tray for my washer
Good for you. Bringing quality content to your audience. You know you’re dedicated when you take cold water down your back.
I was a believer as soon as you showed how the water was in the pocket. Had the treatment not work it should have just drained itself into the material and out the jacket. Since the water stayed in the pocket until you squeezed told me the waterproof worked.
Wow, that double dunk of the jacket in the creek was impressive!
I’m totally treating my sleeping bag and jackets. Thanks for this! I’ll use your links.
this was my thought too - going to do my sleeping bag! i live in a VERY wet climate, and the sleeping bag almost always gets somewhat damp throughout the night, especially in the shoulder seasons, or from condensation when snow camping.
I know I shouldn't show brand favoritism when customers ask me about care and reproofing, but Nikwax is the go to product from base and tech wash to down proof and tx direct to tent and gear solar proof.
This was an excellent video. Props to Nikwax for being cool about you making this video!
Oh wow. You really tried it. I commented on your other video , with the other jacket, that I wondered if you could do your own. I'm excited that you tried it...and that it seams to work. Thanks for being the guinea pig.
I've been waiting for you to release this video, Nikwax's product line is great and them willing to work WITH you is a sign of their INTEGRITY. You nailed the delivery and covered relevant points.
Keep growing!!
- Godpseed
How exactly is a company working with a TH-cam or to have them advertise their brand, a sign of their integrity? In what world do you live?
@@AlexanderMason1 Thanks so much for your comment.
Nikwax is awesome! I just 'discovered' it recently to revive an old technical rain jacket that left me sodden in the highlands of Scotland. Its costly and a bit water-wasteful, but Nikwax (at least the classic one from my experience) works! My jacket is as good as new, arguably better as it was a pretty lower end MEC branded thing that wasn't perfect to begin with, now its better than how it started. Awesome video and test, thank you!
I like your style. I’m in. Tell NikWax they just sold another set of bottles.
I know it's probably outside this channels ability and scope but I'd love to see side by side identical heated torsos with different coats on and viewed through an infrared camera. To me that would be the best jacket comparison.
This is where the rubber meets the road! Well executed, plan to treat my Gore-Tex also.
I would bet good money that the newer "environmentally friendly" DWR chemicals are not at all environmentally friendly. It's great that manufacturers are exploring alternatives to PFAS/PFCs but let's not pretend that similar solutions are "environmentally friendly" just because there hasn't yet been the same research on their impacts.
Would love for you to a deep dive on exactly what these new treatments involve, because the manufacturers tend to be very vague and secretive... I understand they try to protect their intellectual property, but we've seen wayyyy too many examples of corporate shadiness about things that we later learned were incredibly bad for everyone and everything (Teflon, leaded fuel, asbestos, CFCs, DDT, cigarettes, etc).
I learned a lot in this video. I went for a run with my down jacket yesterday and got it pretty wet from slushy snow that started. Wondered if I might have ruined it, and now I see what I can do!
I don't always sub after a single video; but, when I do, it's because the content was quick, entertaining, and informative.. Now I have to dig through the rest of your vids.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for the sub. I hope you enjoy the rest
I bought a $40 decathalon synthetic down jacket and did this. It's amazing!!!
Synthetic down doenst have the same disadvantages as normal down. It doenst lose loft and doenst loose insulation power. If down gets wet it can loose all its insulation power.
So always good to get a dwr coating because moist can get you cold but synthetic holds its loft.
Great video, I got introduced to Nikwax products back in the 80's when i was in the Alpine ski industry and it always worked and actually improved the performance of the first Gortex clothing that came out back then, we actually got to be test subjects when Sun Ice was one of the big names in Alpine clothing, Now i have a few Under Armour pieces of gear ,it is down filled and has worked amazingly well and not bulky, this video is a good reminder to go and buy some Nilwax products to wash/treat this jacket , like you say $12 is allot less than $600 for another jacket 👍
These jackets are water resistant not water proof 😂. But great job 👏. Some down jackets 🧥 have a weather proof outer shell and it’s worth the money and out of all the jackets out there Eddie Bauer is the best for the price hands down
Thank you for making this fantastic video, now I have decided to get a Down Under quilt for my Dutch chameleon hammock and have no worries.
I see your next soak test using a giant wooden ladle and stirring in that creek like a good witches brew. I wash my down minimum every year w/ Nikwax or Grangers. Definitely helps keep that gear in shape!
that's an insane performance. firmly putting down dwr treatment into the 'magic' bin in my head
Great review. FYI, a wide brim hat will solve the "umbrella too big" problem.
That really tested the product and proved it works. Not perfect but nothing is, so with the right expectations and proper care on the trail this is a game changer from my perspective. I never would have thought that a true soaking would be anything but a very dangerous event. Now you can bring the down as your go to for warmth and save a ton of money and weight.
I kept waiting to see a zoom-out where he was standing under a sprinkler. That was some serious downpour he was in 😂. Great video. I’ve used Nikwax before, as they are the outdoor-lifestyle standard for helping lengthen the lives of all sorts of outdoor gear.
I'm saving this video! Thank you, I'll definitely use your link to buy this.
Take care, and thank you for the videos. You're making a difference!
Great video!
I have a suggestion. Could you include the temperatures in degrees Celsius as subtitles? This would be really helpful for us newschoolers using the metric system.
Thanks!!
Wow, this is amazing….thanks for figuring this out. I have sleeping bags and jackets in line to treat. Cool!
Cool results! What's the downside? Is the stuff toxic?
Off topic but I would deep clean/sanitize that washing machine asap! and always remember to leave the detergent tray and the washer door open to dry after every wash. I've been doing that with our machine and we have no build up of mold and mildew like yours.
My recommendation is to also stop using liquid detergent. As soon as I switched back to powder, the buildup of the residue (cellulose or lipids) from the liquid soap which causes the mildew/funk went away. Still keeping the door open though to make sure the tub dries out between uses.
I'm sold I'll be treating my old down jackets and I may buy a super cheap down from Amazon to try it too.
I have washed a down jacket and spray the outside with a nylon waterproof treatment. It works well also, does not treat the down but treats the nylon which helped keeps the down dry.
I had a can of that sneaker waterproofer. Never used it on my shoes, but I sprayed on all of my snowboarding apparel and it made a world of difference
I've been using an array of nikwax products for a long time and have been extremely happy with the results. I have 20 year old gear that continues to perform like new. I wish that could stop my compulsion to buy new stuff but at least when I get that new stuff I know it will last a long time lol
I don’t think the new technical synthetics will last like your two decade old ones.
2:14
Hats off to you dedicated tester. But I'd suggest a Canadian Tilley hat for you for a test like this. Great for sun or rain. I'll admit it's not the most stylish but they do have more styles and colors now. [not sponsored, I just love that hat for camping and gardening]
You know, the "rain" didn't look like any rain I've seen; it looked like a lawn sprinkler or shower, in fact much more of a soaking than natural rain except in high wind. Impressive.
When I was doing alpine hiking 20 years ago, I just bought a random $30 hiking boots and grabbed whatever sporty looking fleece and jackets that were lying around. I was fine in cold. The worst time was I was given thermal blanket with a very thin sleeping instead of a thick sleeping bag for a 5 day camping trip in the subalpine. The aluminum foil thermal blanket did nothing. I felt colder for some reason. But it was a way of avoiding carrying heavy sleeping bag up the mountain.
Quick update: I just used these products on an old North Face down jacket, and now have a new AND WATERPROOF jacket!!!
Many Thanks 🙂
Ps. I used a full bottle of the down proof, not the 150ml indicated on the bottle.
as long as you don't drink it 😅
I’d follow the instructions, I suspect the excess DWR simply washed off and it’s expensive stuff.
@OutdoorsIQ I agree. If anything I'd do multiple treatments on an old item not a single overdose.
Time to clean my detergent tray. Thanks for the massive inspiration.
I can't believe that you could still be warm after wearing that doused down jacket. NikWax must be pretty happy!
Thanks for this, you are bang on about NikWax, i used to work for a climbing supplier more than 30 yrs ago and when at a trade show, they did a demo of proofing a mountaineering sleeping bag in order for it to float on top of the water, it worked, what a demo ! 😉
I was in the exact same boat but with my 20 yr old Down filled Macpac sleeping bag!
I also used Nikwax to ’Proof’ it and I’m pleased I did! Now my old Macpac is just as good as my latest Sea2Summit bag…
Down doesn't really degrade much with time so the main difference betweeen a 20 yo macpac and a modern bag is that a modern bag will probably have lighter nylon encapsulaion (down to 10d) and modern bags often use better quality fill (up to 950) wheras the old macpac bags probably had 650-750 fill down. In other words, modern bags are lighter for the same warmth. I have a 30 y.o. paddy pallin bag that still gets use in winter.
I’m actually impressed that water was warmer than the air in Colorado
Interesting video I have a down gilet but avoid getting it wet with over jacket I know one thing never wear jeans I once wore a pair of jeans shorts and they stayed wet cold heavy and clammy all day on a hot day
Thank you very much for the video. I did see the other one and was a little flabbergasted that you could be warm in a wet down jacket.
I’ve gone out and bought reindeer - - top-of-the-line stuff and paid top dollar for it in anticipation of spending time in the mountains, only to be saturated to the skin and cold. This is a real eye-opener. There’s definitely a place for this in my kit bag.
Thanks. It's a good reminder to clean and down proof my old jackets. And I need to DWR my shells too. Ready for some snow camping!!
Nikwax rocks and works a treat no joke, all my gear has been Nik’d, Hang on that sounds wrong, not stolen..just Nikwaxed, oh you get it…lol
We also believe in NkWax , have been treating our ski/snowboard gear and the horses blankets
Tha stuff is just Gold
thanks for thr info
That was a very impressive demo, I'm sold. 😎
Thanks
I tried this experiment with the 1999 formulation of NixWax DownProof on my AT’98 thruhiking sleeping bag, a North Face Cat’s Meow. I suspect the formulation at that time was an aqueous wax. While the sleeping bag was definitely water resistant, it lost some loft, and felt like I was sleeping in a trash bag. (That’s generally my experience with synthetic bags.) One of the amazing things about Down sleeping bags is the ability to regulate temperature. If the sleeper is sweating, the moisture will cause a slight loss of loft which in turn cools off the sleeping bag and then the occupant. Additionally, that sweat is absorbed by the down, and the sleeper feels dry. Synthetic bags of that era were not as absorbent or breathable, and I always felt like I was in a trash bag.
A bit of advice when using Nikwax down wash and treatment: Rinse the jacket, sleeping bag, etc thoroughly. The stuff is hydrophobic (obviously) so it can take several rinse cycles to get it all out. If you don't, and it dries like that, you can lose loft. And never, ever wring down out!
Just out of curiosity, where in Colorado was this filmed? It looks a little like the mountains west of Nederland.
Nik wax has long been a hiking favourite - I use it like Franks hot sauce, I use that sheet on everything :)
Cool to see Mount Massive in the back ground of this video. You must have been in Leadville. I was born and raised up there.
really strange i dont like camping but i love this channel
That ice was forming on the exterior of the jacket demonstrates the effectiveness of the insulation. Otherwise, your body heat would prevent the water droplets from freezing.
The advice about cleaning the tray, golden. I used the Nikwax on my favorite jacket not too long ago and wasn't that impressed, I didn't clean the detergent tray of my washer 🤦. Something that is not normally stated in such reviews, or the directions.
Did you dry it using low heat afterwards? Can use a hairdryer or hang above radiators if you don't own a tumble dryer.. I find drying by heat after washing gives THE best results, Nikwax recommends this but doesn't say about using hairdryers etc.. must use a really low heat tho, takes a while but gives a MUCH better result than just air drying👍
thank you for doing this video. I treat my jackets but everyone has their own way. This helps me more to take care my investments and be smart about it.
cheers,
I do this once per year. It works so well. 6 year jacket water proof as new.
Just watched your video, and we are purchasing the product tonight!!! Thank you for your videos
Btw, if you're going to do a test like this, best to wear a polypropylene fishnet baselayer, and then a couple of thin polypropylene baselayers over that. It will keep you slightly more comfortable until the insulation starts to dry out.
First thing I thought when you were putting the jacket in the water was... did you zip all the pockets closed.
Nice test!
I've been using NikWax on waterproof motorcycle gear for years, good stuff! It would have been interesting if you soaked and weighed that jacket before and after treating it. To see how much water (by weight) it absorbed before and after treating. Interesting video either way though!
Very engaging and interesting topic and video! These are the truly unique YT videos that should blow up huge. Hope it takes off for ya! I'm def sharing this one out! Great job!
Thanks. And thanks for sharing
Excellent presentation 👍
Just make sure you always use a lapel mic.
Any old Android phone and a $10 lapel mic will do great.
Good job man! Very impressive. I’ve been a Nikwax fan for years. It’s awesome stuff.
You should have done the tests before and after the treatment! Still, very convincing video!
Downs fatal flaw is that it is easy to puncture and then the feathers start coming out. If you do long ass trips where you are outside living on the road that can be an issue. I traveled around the country for years, hopping freight trains, hitching, hiking and living in the trees and on the streets in cities, it's easier to have something very tough like Carhartt but they are heavy and not compressible compared to Down.
I wish they had something as warm as Down, as comfortable as Down, and as compressible as Down but not as puncturable.
Good video, but the irony is not lost on me that the guy wearing a Mellanzana is a talking about price points in the thumbnail!
Why I bought synthetic! But dude, you rock for even making this video!
Treat it at home and carry a few hotpocket type heater warmers to stuff in the interior pockets when you need extra warmth..
Great video. I've also been using these products for years with great results.
Vinegar in place of fabric softener (so it is released on the rinse cycle) will remove detergent from the fabric.
I’m glad I came across this video. I’ve definitely been curious about Nikwax
I saw Tayson over at Outdoor Vitals do a similar experiment with his Stormloft insulated jacket
Wwooowww!! Amazing!!! Oh I'm so impressed with your video!!! What an experiment!!
It really was a moment of rollercoaster of emotions when I was shocked and somewhat disappointed when you showed you got *wet* from the inside of the of the jacket! But then discovering that it was just water trapped in a pocket was such a plot twist!! Hahah and then the relief!!
Wow I am so impressed with this dw wix treatment!! Amazing!
I didn't quite get what you meant in the washing instructions in regards to waiting till there's full amounts of water, but other than that it was a superb and very well thought out experiment!! ❤❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
And beyond that! The biggest message I got from your amazing video is:
That I can go get much cheaper product and treat it myself for such a better price!
Because I was sort of lusting for the really fantastic new tech down products but being put off by the price!
And knowing there is something I can do myself, and take matters into my own hands makes it a wonderful revelation!
Basically giving me the equivalent of the latest and highest tech out there, but at affordable price!
👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻😄
Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it. So when you treat the jacket make sure to let the washer fill up with water a little bit. You don’t want the concentrated treatment soaking into just one area of the jacket. If you let the washer fill up a bit first it will dilute the concentred treatment and allow it to fully cost the jacket. Hope that makes sense
What an incredible test and testimonial. It begs the question....What did our ancestors do that actually lived in this day in day out 100, 200 or even a 10000 years ago. Modern chemicals might be lighter but not really any "Better".
Can you please make video how to properly use Nikvax. I use it once on my The Northe Face Goretex pro jacket and ruin it all. Disn’t follow instructions and really wouldn’t try anymore. It will be nice video how to do it step by step