Prep for Fall and Recondition your Raingear

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While most people dread the end of summer, it's a different story for outdoor enthusiasts. Campers and hikers look forward to campfires and hoodie weather. Hunters look forward to tracking game and waking up to waterfowl. Fishermen look forward to the rains that bring rising rivers, and with them, salmon and steelhead runs. We all want to be prepared when the first rain or cold snap hits, so now is the time to pull out your raingear and give it a once over.

Waterproof gear isn't cheap, but it's worth the money to stay dry and comfortable. While you're pulling out those old rain jackets, waders and bibs, you'll be tempted to make use of what warranties you can, and maybe even toss a few items out that just don't have the same life they used to when it came out of the box. If you really want to save a few bucks and extend the life of your gear, invest in reconditioning it yourself.

Last fall, I got to sample a line of Nikwax products for review, and I put my gear to the test through the winter. Their product line is specifically engineered for each type of material, from rain-jackets and base-layers to boots. While investing in each individual type of wash might be an investment, you'll be able to preserve the life of your clothing and gear, rather than making new purchases every year to cover you from head to toe.

As we transition into changing seasons, preparing for the weather is all about layering. As you're pulling out those synthetic fiber base-layers that have been in the back of the closet since early spring, you're probably going to take notice of your own brand. Those poly fibers are extra "stank-grabbin" and you will not be able to get rid of that lingering odor with your typical detergents. The Nikwax Basewash revitalized garments I had been using for several years. I also found it useful bringing back to life my double-breasted fishing shirts and summer gear that had soaked in quite a bit of sweat and fish slime. The basewash is designed to remove and block odors, as well as revitalizing the breathability and wicking qualities of synthetic fibers to accelerate drying. There's also a specially designed wash for wool as well.

Although it's tough to beat the repelling quality of rubber slickers, they're heavy and bulky. I prefer a softshell when the weather permits, but the weather isn't always predictable either. I have a soft-shelled fleece jacket that I probably wear more than anything else, and it does a satisfactory job during a light rain. At least it used to. That softshell got used and abused as my favorite jacket, and needed to be washed often. The combination of the washing machine (along with commercial detergents) and dryer quickly evaporated it's water repelling qualities (no pun intended). However, a healthy dose of the Spray-On Softshell Proof was like dipping it into a layer of wax. The jacket performed like it was brand new all season. I've even pulled it out a few times recently and it's continued to perform a year later, after many washes. I was able to stretch one bottle to use on several jackets, and even if I have to purchase a new bottle and recondition them again this year, it's still significantly less expensive than purchasing new gear, and well worth the investment. For best performance, combine the use of their Tech Wash product to wash your softshell materials first, then coat them with the Softshell Proof. The application of the Softshell Proof does best when it's applied to a clean surface, much like you would only wax a car after it's been thoroughly washed.

The Tech Wash also works well in preparing your hardshell layers too. Materials like GoreTex are extremely durable and water repellent, but they will perform better with a little loving care. Using the Tech Wash for an intial wash, then doing a second round in the TX.Direct Wash-in Waterproofer will properly clean and recondition your hardshell materials. Removing any collected debris that may absorb water and dampen the outer layer will reduce the breathability, and cause the inner layer of your material to absorb sweat. Combining the two products will eliminate residual debris and improve the breathability of your hardshell layers, reducing sweat issues with your bibs, waders, and rain jackets.

In similar circumstances, properly cleaning your boots will improve your ability to recondition and waterproof them. Using the Nikwax Cleaning Gel & Fabric and Leatherproof products in unison will allow you to do just that. The cleaning gel has a special applicator that will remove any stuck on grime with a little elbow grease, and the Fabric and Leatherproof will improve water repelling qualities as well as adding additional protection to the seams.

Best of all, Nikwax products are environmentally safe. Nikwax is celebrating it's 40th year of operation by carbon balancing the entirety of it's operations since 1977. A decade ago, Nikwax started working with World Land Trust to offset it's annual emissions, as well as offsetting it's emissions since inception. "We recognize that climate change is going to be one of the greatest challenges for future generations," says Nikwax founder, Nick Brown. "It is already destabilizing the outdoor industry, influencing snow and rainfall, and bringing extreme and unpredictable weather. We decided 10 years ago to balance the carbon emissions coming from our manufacturing and operational processes by restoring forest cover in partnership with World Land Trust. By restoring forests, the trees capture the CO2 we emit, while also providing protection for endangered species and promoting bio-diversity. By the end of 2017, our operations will have been carbon balanced for 40 years."