Luis Brown on his dream journey
In the words of so many television programmes: don’t try this at home; or on your local tarn, for that matter.
Nikwax chose to demonstrate the hydrophobic properties of its latest insulation by floating employee Luis Brown across an East Sussex lake in a sleeping bag filled with its Hydrophobic Down.
Luis emerged, the company said, warm and almost completely dry after the stunt, with the sleeping bag still maintaining its insulating properties despite its soaking.
Nikwax said: “The demonstration shows that high-performing weatherproofing solutions do not have to use environmentally damaging chemicals.
“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 process encapsulates each down filament in a durable water repellent finish, reducing absorption of moisture, protecting down from perspiration, condensation and precipitation, while 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.
Nikwax founder and chief executive Nick Brown said: “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.”
But, in a footnote, the company warned against repeating its stunt. “Please do not go to sea in your sleeping bag or use your Nikwax Hydrophobic Down jacket as a buoyancy aid,” it said.
