Nikwax Hydrophobic Down (NHD) technology was entered in the sleeping bags category within this year’s OutDoor Industry Awards and we can proudly announce that OutDoor selected NHD technology as a winner within this category, recognising the superior water repellency that 100% PFC-free NHD gives down sleeping bags and jackets.
What is Nikwax Hydrophobic Down?
Nikwax Hydrophobic Down (NHD) is a technology designed to resist water. Individual down fibres are treated with Nikwax, meaning Nikwax Hydrophobic Down is 50x more water-repellent than conventional down. It maintains its ability to insulate you even after being shaken with water for 16 hours, extending the range of conditions in which you can use your favourite down clothing and gear.
Nikwax Hydrophobic Down leading industry partners:
PFC-free, NHD technology is used by leading outdoor brands in down sleeping bags and jackets, including Rab, Berghaus, Alpkit, Nemo, Mountain Hardwear and Therm-A-Rest. Look for the NHD on the label.
Why NHD and how does it work?
Although down offers superb insulating properties, it clumps together if it gets wet, leaving you feeling cold. Nikwax’s revolutionary Hydrophobic Down is a water resistant down fill that retains loft and recovers quickly after a downpour; all without adding weight.
It works by adding a flexible Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish to each individual down filament, thereby reducing the absorption of moisture – whether from the inside (perspiration, condensation) or the outside (rain and snow). It maintains its high performance loft and insulation properties in cold and damp conditions.
Wet down loses its insulating properties because water conducts heat away from the body up to 25 times faster than air
It’s also heavier and loses its breathability, resulting in a cold, wet and uncomfortable experience. But a reduction in insulation can also be dangerous and in severe cases can lead to hypothermia.
That’s why Nikwax Hydrophobic Down is the optimal down fill for sleeping bags, jackets and gilets. It’s down that has a water resistant treatment applied to it which is at least 50 times more water resistant than standard down, maintaining loft, breathability and an ability to continue to insulate. Furthermore, because it stays moisture free, there’s less bacteria trapped inside a garment, which can result in the breakdown of damp down. This increases the useable lifetime of clothing and gear and also provides odour resistance.
Nikwax Hydrophobic Down’s radical features offer clothing manufacturers more versatility as their products can be used in a much wider variety of conditions
The increased performance of Hydrophobic Down in comparison to similar down filled garments means Nikwax treated down will continue to be effective in conditions where conventional untreated down filled items would fail.