So you get to the mountain, you have a whole new wardrobe of snowboarding clothes and you think you are going to be the most comfortable rider out there. After the first lift ride up you start feeling the cold and start to curse. "These clothes are supposed to keep me warm, what the.." Then you go and put more clothes on and are now sweating. So the cycle goes on....
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Waterproofing your Snowboarding gear and clothes: Nikwax
Besides GORE-TEX® and other waterproof or water resistant materials, sometimes there is a need for more waterproofing. Or maybe you just don't have all this cloud nine tech material. Either way if you are looking for the easiest and most versatile way to waterproof things, Nikwax is the way to go.
From my experience this stuff is pretty much the easiest to apply, and there are a few options on application also. For footwear (your skate shoes, snowboarding boots) you can choose either a spray on or sponge on application. For your clothes and other outerwear they make a laundry detergent and you can use the spray on as well. I personally use the spray on for everything I own from my backpacks, gloves, & boots to my jackets and hoodies (sometimes even my boxers).
If you wash your jackets and pants a lot it is a good idea to use their laundry detergent. Regular detergent actually deteriorates waterproofing and breathability in your gear. I'm sure we have all noticed how your gloves are watertight the first few days and then they become a frostbite trap. Even just from simple usage gear loses its protective qualities though.
What I do is bring a bottle of Nikwax with me on trips and then spray it on my gear if needed at the end of the day. Usually by the next day it is ready to ride but your best bet is to let it set in for at least a day and a half though. I think you will find the most help from this stuff when using it on your gloves. They always tend to leak water so any help keeping water out I'll take!
When applying the spray though, I would advise outdoors or in the garage/shed with minimal wind. This stuff is sticky and will probably ruin clothes so watch yourself. Other than that you can figure the rest out on your own.
Nikwax is definitely cheap considering that it delivers. There are other waterproofing alternatives out there but I'm telling you don't waste your money. A bottle of Nikwax spray costs about $12.00 and it is enough to cover pretty much all your gear with spray left over. Now that you will stay dry the excuse to be lazy of "I need to go in and dry off" is off list.
From my experience this stuff is pretty much the easiest to apply, and there are a few options on application also. For footwear (your skate shoes, snowboarding boots) you can choose either a spray on or sponge on application. For your clothes and other outerwear they make a laundry detergent and you can use the spray on as well. I personally use the spray on for everything I own from my backpacks, gloves, & boots to my jackets and hoodies (sometimes even my boxers).
If you wash your jackets and pants a lot it is a good idea to use their laundry detergent. Regular detergent actually deteriorates waterproofing and breathability in your gear. I'm sure we have all noticed how your gloves are watertight the first few days and then they become a frostbite trap. Even just from simple usage gear loses its protective qualities though.
What I do is bring a bottle of Nikwax with me on trips and then spray it on my gear if needed at the end of the day. Usually by the next day it is ready to ride but your best bet is to let it set in for at least a day and a half though. I think you will find the most help from this stuff when using it on your gloves. They always tend to leak water so any help keeping water out I'll take!
When applying the spray though, I would advise outdoors or in the garage/shed with minimal wind. This stuff is sticky and will probably ruin clothes so watch yourself. Other than that you can figure the rest out on your own.
Nikwax is definitely cheap considering that it delivers. There are other waterproofing alternatives out there but I'm telling you don't waste your money. A bottle of Nikwax spray costs about $12.00 and it is enough to cover pretty much all your gear with spray left over. Now that you will stay dry the excuse to be lazy of "I need to go in and dry off" is off list.
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