Down has long been an insulator favoured by outdoor enthusiasts because of its unbeatable insulation to weight ratio. But its propensity to absorb water and lose its loft and insulation properties normally make it unsuitable for more challenging weather conditions. Fundamentally, if regular down gets wet, users get cold.  Nikwax® Hydrophobic Down™ solves this problem. According to third party lab reports, products made with Nikwax HD absorb substantially less water – 13 times less than standard processed down - and can retain more loft than other fluorocarbon-free treatments on the market in damp conditions.  Items filled with NHD will keep the wearer warm and dry, extending the versatility of the product: Nikwax Hydrophobic Down is guaranteed to be water resistant, highly durable and therefore suitable for use in a much wider range of conditions

The science behind NHD lies partly behind the encapsulation of each down filament with a flexible Durable Water Repellent [DWR] finish, created by Nikwax. This reduces absorption of moisture, protecting down from perspiration, condensation and precipitation, whilst also maintaining loft and insulation in cold and damp conditions. NHD also demonstrates improved drying times and will withstand repeat washing. Additionally, no extra weight is added to NHD-treated down.

Nick Brown, CEO and Founder of Nikwax says:  “Taking the ethical route rather than the easy-money road is a difficult decision for some, but minimising our environmental impact was always the way for me.  I am proud that Nikwax can solve problems in a sustainable way and we achieve results superior to those offered by competing, less environmentally friendly  formulas.  It’s a win for the customer and sustainability. The floating sleeping bag, by the way, should not be taken as a literal example of what to do with Nikwax Hydrophobic Down sleeping bags. Please do not go to sea in your sleeping bag or use your Nikwax Hydrophobic Down jacket as a buoyancy aid! It is designed to show the high performance of Nikwax Hydrophobic Down in damp conditions”.