Nikwax

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Nikwax

10 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 22, 2025

  Skiers/snowboarders- most longstanding piece of gear?

  I mean, it’s cliche for this sub but, Darn Tough ski socks. (And other good Marino wool layers.) I have wool ski socks that are 20+ years old. Full leather insulated gloves. I prefer ones with no synthetic fabric on them because I find the fabric degrades faster than the leather, stitching, and insulation. Most of my other gear wears out after a couple hundred days on snow. Nikwax tech-wash and wash-in waterproofing will extend the life of softgoods.

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• #2Nov 2, 2025

  Keep my Patagonia puffer going

  I recommend nikwax down wash

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• #3Oct 8, 2025

  Is there such thing as a “good” tent?

  I was going to say something similar. I've got half a dozen tents and have seriously put them through the ringer. The real MVP is UV and waterproof sprays for maintenance. I like nikwax best but have used all kinds of brands. And always throw some dessicant, like silica packets, in when you pack it up for winter. With the right treatment, I had a $25 Walmart tent be the only one in my camping group that made it through an absolute deluge. I have a Coleman that was up for almost 4 months straight and get regular use l, for weeks at a time, and is still going strong years later. But if you want my all-time favorite, can handle absolutely anything, it's TheNorthFace VE 25. Been through sand storms, blizzards, days of rain. But it's a bit of a pita to set up.

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• #4Sep 2, 2025

  Is a second hand Patagonia jacket worth it?

  Yeah they just had me send it in, I’d go for it if it’s in your budget and use some NikWax tech wash clean/waterproof it when it gets in!

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• #5Aug 8, 2025

  Men's rain jacket that's actually waterproof

  I use the waterproofing wash from Nikwax to re-build the DWR!

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• #6Aug 8, 2025

  Men's rain jacket that's actually waterproof

  Use NikWax tech wash to clean it about as often as you would wash a hoodie (depending on how often you use it) and then when it's wetting out refresh the DWR with the NikWax waterproofing. The tech wash and water proofing are often sold in a 2-pack. I might wash my jacket with tech wash every 3-4 months, depending on usage, and do the waterproofing along with the tech wash but only when it needs it. Source: Used to work at an outdoors store. Biggest complaint about rain jackets from customers was that their jacket "doesn't last" and stops being water proof but they don't do the proper care for them. These are highly technical fabrics that require special care, unfortunately store staff or online descriptions don't really cover that or people don't listen/read.

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• #7Aug 8, 2025

  Men's rain jacket that's actually waterproof

  This is not a BIFL suggestion, but some good hardshell pants will also do a better job keeping you dry overall. You can check out gear lists from mountaineering guides like IMG, Alpine Ascents, etc.--they have some good suggestions. r/Mountaineering may be a good resource. For me, personally, my BD Stormline Stretch Jacket and Pants have been superb in torrential rain (outside clearing a flooded culvert for hours) for about five years now. I have some Nixwax Tech Wash and Tech Spray that I use when they get dirty, and will help with longevity. Another tip: if you have a local sail repair, they may be able to mend welded seams or rips/tears. You'll probably never get back to 100 percent waterproof, but it's better than sending synthetic fabrics to the landfill. Or just learn to sew and use gear tape or duct tape. This stuff can really last if you treat it right. Repair is really the only BIFL, IMO.

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• #8May 11, 2025

  What are some items under $500 you’ve made so far that changed your life?

  Washing and drying them is certainly the best way to revitalize them. The tennis balls during drying are to ensure the down is evenly distributed within the baffles as well as to provide some fluff. The most important part of maintaining any down jacket, of course, is to make sure as much down stays IN the jacket as possible. As such, it's usually recommended to use front loading washers only, to reduce the risk of any damage to the jacket. A top loading washer can be used, but I'd steer clear if there's a central agitating pillar. Additionally, you wanna use a gentle detergent, such as Nikwax's Down Wash Direct, as regular detergents can strip a jacket's Durable Water Repellant (DWR) layer. The DWR layer is important, as the one thing down insulation is poor at is maintaining loft once it gets wet. Many brands treat their down with hydrophobic chemicals to mitigate this, but a DWR preventing moisture from getting into the down in the first place is the best defense. A DWR layer can also be reapplied in a wash and dry cycle - I use Nikwax's Down Proof. And although down bounces back *much* better than synthetic insulation when stored in a packed manner, for long-term storage, it is still best practices to store it loosely, such as on a hanger.

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• #9May 6, 2025

  I messed up and need help

  I’d start with a Nikwax detergent as it’s designed to clean without damaging rain gear coating. Don’t put it in the dryer until you are certain that the stain is out. If that doesn’t work work well enough to satisfy you, call Patagonia. You should realize that pursuing more aggressive methods of stain removal might compromise the water shedding performance of your jacket. The stain doesn’t look nice, but it does make a statement that you value Performance over appearance.

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• #10Dec 3, 2015

  0 degree sleeping bag

  Pretty straightforward, the more lofted out, the better. Mine are hung in my closet, exactly the same way you'd see them at REI or similar outdoors store. Granted not many people have that sort of space so the large bag any good sleeping bag manufacturer provides is an excellent way to store them. Clean, dry, as lofted out as possible. DO NOT DRY CLEAN YOUR SLEEPING BAG. It isn't good for the environment and it can be absolute murder on the fill. Nikwax Down Wash is amazing, I hand wash mine in my bath tub. Then roll then tightly in some clean towels, that gets out the majority of the water, then dry it, no heat with some tennis balls, you'll have to run it at least a few cycles.

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