We are very proud to announce a marine-first partnership with technical marine apparel brand Gill Marine, a global leader in technical marine apparel. Gill Marine has integrated Nikwax Direct.Dry®, our factory-applied, PFAS-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment, into its updated flagship OS1 Ocean System, marking a significant first for the marine industry. The partnership delivers both high-performance waterproof protection and sustainable material choices, addressing a key market demand for more sustainable, professional-grade gear.
PFAS-free Waterproof Technology
Nikwax Direct.Dry DWR achieves the highest rating on the AATCC 22 spray test while also maintaining wash durability, a crucial benefit for long-term use in extreme marine environments. Waterproof gear treated with Direct.Dry can also be renewed with Nikwax’s aftercare products. Their globally trusted cleaning and re-waterproofing products maintain the performance and extend the life of waterproof gear, ensuring they last through many years of adventure. Direct.Dry DWR is currently featured on award-winning outdoor products, including Outdoor Research’s Foray and Aspire jackets, but this is its first appearance in marine apparel.
“Gill has a reputation of being a leader in creating waterproof systems for harsh, ocean adventure and it was an honor to use our 50 years of experience producing PFAS-free DWR to support the OS1,” said Brian Davidson, CEO of Nikwax. “This partnership demonstrates that high-performance marine apparel does not need to rely on PFAS chemistry. Nikwax Direct.Dry DWR delivers dependable water repellency and can be renewed with our globally known aftercare products, ensuring the garments last longer. This is exactly the kind of collaboration that moves the marine industry forward.”
Tested Beyond Standards, Ocean Proven in the Arctic
The OS1 Ocean System is Gill’s most advanced ocean-level apparel to date, combining rigorous in-house laboratory testing with over 5,000 miles of real-world Arctic sailing validation by sailing enthusiasts Matt and Amy from the YouTube channel, Sailing Yacht Florence. Designed with progressive materials and enhanced safety features, the system reflects Gill’s engineering-led approach to performance and durability.
“In the Arctic, the real challenge is the wind chill coming off ice and glaciers,” said Matt Humphreys from Sailing Yacht Florence. “We wore the OS1 constantly and never had to dry out our mid or base layers. When the outer layer got wet, we shook it off and let it dry in the cockpit. That tells you everything about how well it performed.”