With the weather changing from the fantastic summer we’ve enjoyed in the UK, it’s time to look at keeping warm and dry again. Keeping warm can be as simple as adding extra layers, or putting the liner back in your jacket; but waterproofing can be a minefield, and no matter how warm you may have been, being wet will make you very cold very fast.
Waterproof gear is fairly commonplace, however the quality can vary significantly, and often you’ll get what you pay for. There are ways to assist your clothing in keeping rain out, and, now the weather is changing, it pays to make sure your gear is set for when you inevitably get caught in a downpour.
Quality products, such as those with Goretex, have a guarantee for the waterproofing to perform well, however some gear uses other materials, and may not be particularly waterproof in the first place. Even if your gear is said to be waterproof, it makes sense to keep it in tip top condition - giving it a clean of last winter’s muck, or the summer’s sweat.
A treatment that is widely used by bikers is Nikwax. Nikwax offers a range of products, but the one that is usually most useful to bikers is their two-stage treatment. The first stage, Tech Wash, cleans your gear, while the second, TX Direct, restores and improves waterproofing and breathability.
Cleaning textile gear is as simple as putting a load of laundry on, except you’re putting the gear in the machine, and the green topped Nikwax treatment in the detergent drawer. They also have products that are usable on footwear, as obviously they wouldn’t take too well to a washing machine. The washing will allow the proofing product to bind to your gear more effectively, as well as take care of any dodgy smells and minor marks which is a nice bonus! Leathers can be treated with a different formula, while the liner can be washed as normal.
Nikwax offer a couple of ways of then waterproofing your gear – you can wash it again in their proofing liquid if you’re using textiles, or you can spray or sponge it on directly. It’s as simple as that, and will give your gear a new lease of life. There are different formulae depending on what gear you’re waterproofing. As mentioned textiles can be washed in a solution, while wax cotton and leather need to be sprayed or sponged, textiles can also be sprayed or sponged, but arguably the washing machine option is the most elegant and simple. The proofing also improves the breathability of the fabric which will reduce the chances of your gear becoming a sweatbox when you're stuck at the lights with your bike engine scorching your legs!
Obviously, over time the treatment will eventually fade, but the same can be said for any waterproofing, whether it’s manufacturer applied, or by the gear wearer. Making sure you keep your gear clean using the Nikwax cleaning solutions will ensure any waterproofing that’s been applied lasts as long as it can. Much like ACF-50 for your bike, a yearly application of waterproofing should see you through winter, and any summer showers providing you maintain a cleaning regimen.
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