Nikwax Hydrophobic Down, which is being built into sleeping bags and garments and taken up by manufacturers worldwide, proves that high waterproof performance can be achieved without dangerous PFC chemicals.
Nikwax Hydrophobic Down breaks the 1000 minute shake-test barrier and Nikwax apply for patent protection.
One method of testing the water resistance of Hydrophobic Down is to shake it with water in a glass jar, 50 times a minute, and see how long it takes to get wet. The latest production of Nikwax Hydrophobic Down is now able to resist shaking and stay dry for at least 1000 minutes, or 16 and 2/3 hours in this test (certified result from IDFL, IDFB shake test).
The enhanced PFC-free process that Nikwax have developed is quite unique and has merited a Nikwax patent application. In the world of Hydrophobic Down manufacture no one measures higher than 1000 minutes and 120 minutes would be considered to be a very acceptable result.
Nick Brown, CEO and founder of Nikwax said, “These new results are absolutely outstanding. They completely contradict the arguments of fluorocarbon suppliers that high waterproofing performance can only be achieved with poisonous and persistent PFCs. Nikwax has achieved this by not only creating clever chemistry, but developing unique processes that take into account the variability of down as a raw material.”
Nikwax Hydrophobic Down is much more resistant to wet conditions than untreated down. Untreated down quickly loses its fill power and insulating properties in damp conditions, whereas Nikwax Hydrophobic Down can maintain its loft and fill power, even when the outer fabric is saturated.
Nikwax has pioneered the move away from polluting PFC water repellents and continues to demonstrate that high performance waterproofing can be achieved with minimum environmental effect.
