At the recent ISPO trade show in Munich (December 3-5, 2024), several outdoor apparel brands—Outdoor Research, Mammut, and Blackyak—received prestigious ISPO awards for their innovative garments incorporating Nikwax’s PFAS-free technologies.
Nikwax, a company known for offering sustainable, PFAS-free aftercare solutions, is now extending its expertise with factory-applied solutions, complementing its well-established consumer cleaning and waterproofing products. This transition helps prolong the life of outdoor gear while maintaining high-performance standards.
Notably, Outdoor Research’s Foray and Aspire 3L jackets stood out, being the first technical outdoor apparel certified as carbon neutral.
These jackets are made from recycled materials and feature Nikwax Direct.Dry, a factory-applied durable water repellency (DWR) treatment. This advanced treatment offers a high-performing, environmentally responsible alternative to conventional DWR solutions.
Alex Lauver, Outdoor Research’s senior director of materials innovations and sustainability, highlighted that Nikwax Direct.Dry meets the growing consumer demand for sustainable products.
Nikwax Direct.Dry has achieved the highest possible rating on the AATCC22 Spray Rating Test, indicating excellent water repellency. It maintains a 100% rating after five washes and still holds a strong 80% after 20 washes. This remarkable durability can be restored to 100% with Nikwax technical cleaners and waterproofers.
In addition to Outdoor Research, Mammut’s Eiger Nordwand Pro Down Hooded Parka and Blackyak’s Watusi Expedition Down Jacket and Watusi G2 Expedition Suit also won ISPO awards. These garments feature Nikwax Hydrophobic Down (NHD), a high-performing PFAS-free waterproof down fill. Nikwax’s CEO, Brian Davidson, emphasized the company’s long-standing expertise in PFAS-free waterproofing solutions, which now extends to industrial applications, helping partners transition away from harmful chemicals in their manufacturing processes.
Nikwax’s innovation in sustainable and high-performance outdoor gear treatments not only strengthens its position as a leader in eco-friendly technologies but also supports the broader movement towards more sustainable and responsible manufacturing in the outdoor industry.
