Polartec® and the evolution of fleece as a go-to mid-layer
Most of you probably own a fleece item that you bring out every winter season as a versatile, warming layer – be it garment, hat or gloves. We all know it to be that soft, comfortable fabric that just makes you feel lovely and snug when outdoors in winter! Made from synthetic fibres, fleece is […]
Enjoy the outdoors this autumn
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons, with fields, parks and gardens full of crisp colourful leaves and lawns doused with dew. Now is not the time to stay inside for days on end with the heating cranked up high. Embrace the autumnal freshness and get some exercise, or have some fun in the fresh […]
Top walks to try with your Nikwax’d footwear!
Now that you have cleaned and waterproofed your outdoor footwear with our Footwear Kit, build up your steps and take a hike across some beautiful walking routes this autumn. Staycations have been the way to go in 2020 and there are stunning locations you can visit and enjoy safely as the season changes. The Coast… […]
What type of runner are you?
While we are all taught to think outside the box, sometimes it’s fun to think inside the box. There are obviously a number of different types of runners and people run for different reasons, but let’s say we classify them into 10 specific types, which one are you? Watch out, you might find that you […]
Have a magical night’s camping in your garden this summer!
Why not take this opportunity to holiday from home and create a magical camping experience in your very own garden! You can stay safe but have fun at the same time… Spending the night in your trusty tent will definitely feel like you are escaping the confines of your house. It can be a fun-filled […]
Staying Active! What Nikwax are getting up to…
Here we are, still within ‘lockdown’, all finding ways to keep ourselves active and entertained at home, or out but with social distancing. We thought we would share some of our experiences with you – perhaps give you some inspiration during this different time we are all experiencing. First up is Nikwax Commercial Director – Chris Field, […]
Nikwax Outdoor Christmas Gift Guide 2019!
It’s that time of year again when you need to start thinking about shopping for friends and loved ones for Christmas. To help you out, we have rounded up a selection of the latest fantastic products that we want Santa to leave for us this year and could be great for the outdoor enthusiast in […]
#PlogForPlastic with Nikwax and help tackle plastic pollution!
At the recent OutDoor by ISPO show in Munich, Nikwax® was excited to announce a new campaign to help tackle the issue of plastic pollution. Nikwax has teamed up with Swedish trail runner, Erik Ahlström, to launch #PlogForPlastic. Erik Ahlström is the founder of a concept called Plogging – it simply means litter picking whilst […]
Caerphilly Challenge 2019: interview with Brian Begg.
This month, the Nikwax Caerphilly Challenge Series returns on 9th May. Sponsored by Nikwax, this non-for-profit walking event welcomes around 500 entrants every year and has been running since 2012. But, in fact, its origins go back to 2005, when the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) of South Wales and the Countryside Service of […]
Interview: Will Renwick on walking, Wales, Nikwax, and the great outdoors
Will Renwick is the editor of Outdoors Magic – an online publication with a focus on outdoor gear, news and product reviews. He’s also President of Ramblers Cymru and can often be found walking, running, or climbing somewhere deep inside Wales. We spent some time with Will to discuss his love of outdoors, Nikwax Sweatproofing, […]
Nikwax and The Duke of Edinburgh Award
For the last seven decades, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) has transformed the lives of millions of young people – teaching vital life skills and giving them the chance to take part in outdoor expeditions and exciting volunteering opportunities. Nikwax has been working with the DofE for seven years. A relationship that’s set to […]
Have your own Microadventure!
‘Microadventure’ is perhaps an intimidating title for what is, in the most basic of terms, an overnight camp. In its essence a microadventure is all about checking out of the real world for the night in an easily planned and stress free-way. It’s a term made famous by British adventurer and author, Alastair Humphreys in […]
Walking and wheeling in the UK with Julia Bradbury
Chances are, being an outdoors sort of person, you’ve probably stepped in the footprints of Julia Bradbury at some point. Julia must be Britain’s most prolific walker! Her TV presenting career has seen her trek the length and breadth of Britain looking for fun, challenging, breath-taking, hard-going and easily accessible walks we can all enjoy. […]
Do More To Get Outside This Year!
Winter is not bleak when you step outdoors; there is a whole wealth of beauty waiting to be found during the cold, wet, and sometimes snowy, season. As tempting as it is to wrap up under a blanket, sip a hot chocolate and snuggle in front of a fire, if you take a moment each […]
Interview: Get Outside with Parkrun
According to YouGov, last year’s second most popular New Year’s resolution was to ‘exercise more’ (top of the list was ‘eat better’). But if you’re not the sort of person to relish the wintry weather, you might need some encouragement to exercise outdoors. Especially as it’s common knowledge most of us will give up on […]
Joey Holmes – Top Ten Christmas Gifts for Outdoor Adventurers
What to buy the adventure junkie in your life? Joey Holmes is mad about outdoor clothing, gear and camping. As the editor of Cool of the Wild – a website dedicated to enjoying and exploring the wild outdoors, she knows a thing or two about what trail-loving hikers and mountain-mad alpinists would love to discover […]
How to choose a down jacket this season
Winter is coming and now is a great the time to start shopping for your new winter jacket. Nothing beats down for its ability to insulate you and keep you warm. It’s lightweight and incredibly cosy. After all, there is nothing worse than really feeling the chill when you are outdoors and the temperatures have […]
Seeding the meadow with the help of a Nikwax Environmental Grant!
This month’s guest blog is courtesy of Dr Emma Edwards-Jones, whose community in Snowdonia received a Nikwax grant to make a dedicated flower meadow. Each year, Nikwax looks to make available small grants for community projects which focus on the environment. A little bit can go a long way and Nikwax strives to help those […]
Hygge the Nikwax way… embrace a Scandinavian Autumn for ultimate outdoor happiness.
Without even realising it, there’s so much around us that makes us feel content, comfortable and downright cosy, at times when the weather may not be so great, the nights are drawing in, or perhaps when just feeling like we’re having a bit of a ‘grey’ day. It may even just be something that we […]
DoMoreWithNikwax – Part 3!
As you may know, this summer we undertook a challenge to #DoMoreWithNikwax, where we teamed up with 3 top athletes and got them to cycle / hike / camp in 10 countries across Europe in just 21 days! Markus Stitz was our first challenger and then Fredrika Ek took over for part two. Finally it […]
Vote to support reforestation in Madagascar
Reforestation of the Indri Lemur Habitat and Development of an Amphibian Trail around the Mitsinjo and Torotorofotsy Reserves, Madagascar. Nikwax is proud to nominate this project for the chance for it to receive a grant from the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) in their yearly project funding scheme. The public vote is live now and we […]
Stage 2 of #DoMoreWithNikwax
As summer turns to autumn and holidays draw to a close, here is a little something to inspire you to get up, get out and keep being active! This summer Nikwax teamed up with three athletes – Markus Stitz, Fredrika Ek and Jenny Tough – to undertake the #DoMoreWithNikwax challenge, which saw them ride a […]
#DoMoreWithNikwax – First Week of the Challenge
Our mission this summer is to inspire you and others to get up, get outside and get active – to enjoy the great outdoors, whilst also looking to preserve the natural environment that we all love. By teaming up with 3 key athletes, the #DoMoreWithNikwax challenge is well underway, with the combined total of activities […]
Nikwax launches #DoMoreWithNikwax Challenge
7,000km Riding | 7,000m Hiking | Camp 10 Countries #DoMoreWithNikwax Challenge Summer 2018 With Fredrika Ek | Markus Stitz | Jenny Tough To encourage others to get outside and do more Nikwax proudly launch the #DoMoreWithNikwax Challenge that will see world class athletes ride a combined total of 7,000 km, hike 7,000 m and camp […]
Interview with cycling world record breaker – Markus Stitz
Markus Stitz hit the headlines in 2016 when he became the first person to cycle Around the World on a single speed bike (a bike with just one fixed gear). He peddled 34,097 kilometres in total, covering 26 different countries. But he says those aren’t the most important figures to him, “I guess the most […]
How to Dress for Mountain Biking: 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Apparel
Our guest blog this month comes from Amanda Wilks. Image © Pexels.com Any dedicated sports enthusiast knows that having proper equipment is crucial in any field. Naturally, this is also true for MTB. Thus, how you choose to dress for mountain biking is an essential part of your success, which is why you need to know […]
Summer Festival Top Tips
Whether it’s a music festival, food focused extravaganza, or even a wildlife adventure camp, there is one thing in common – it means living outdoors for a few days over summer! Festivals are big business these days, with hundreds of thousands of us over the UK choosing to attend them each year. Just plan ahead […]
Throw away your hibernation coat and get out for spring adventures.
Spring has officially sprung and we know that the days will slowly be getting warmer and more pleasant for us to get outside and step up our activity levels. Fancy a run? We are just weeks away from the London Marathon and many of us will be increasing training plans in order to be fit […]
Interview with Debbie Martin-Consani
This month we interviewed ultra-runner Debbie Martin-Consani. You can read more about Debbie HERE. How has your running schedule been this year so far? The weather hasn’t been kind to you in Scotland, have you managed to regularly get out running? “Living in Glasgow, I don’t really have an option to allow weather to affect […]
Nikwax Expert – BaseWash and BaseFresh keep you warm on the slopes
This month’s guest blog is from Paul Humphreys – Nikwax Technical Sales Representative I have been skiing for most of my life and have skied in most weather conditions from -25C to +10C from the windy ski slopes of Bulgaria to the wide open cold slopes of Breckenridge, Colorado and there are always two items of […]
Pro-skier Daniel Loots talks to Nikwax
How have you enjoyed this year’s winter snow season? Where did you go for your annual ski/ board snow fix? It’s been a great season so far, probably the most snow I’ve seen since I started skiing, spending most of my ski-time in the 3Vallee or Les Arcs. What clothing and equipment have you chosen […]
Paul Lewis – Peak Mountaineering – on Base Layers
Paul Lewis is a base layer mega fan. As the owner of Peak Mountaineering – a long established provider of high quality mountain training and outdoor adventures – he’s worn one or two base layers in his time. So we asked him for his top tips on why it’s all about the base. Why wear a […]
Outdoor adventurers celebrate 100 years of Finland on top of Halti
A group of seven adventurers from five nations hiked Finland’s classic Calotte Route up to Halti, the country’s highest peak. They each carried a section of a seven-piece alphorn in their backpacks and sent a musical anniversary greeting over the hills of Finnish Lapland from the top. The celebration was part of an eight-day trip […]
Nikwax Ultimate Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Outdoor Lovers
It’s the time for giving! There is still time to ensure you get your friends and loved ones the best presents they could want this Christmas. If you know somebody who just lives for the outdoors, then we have a fantastic array of ideas to inspire you and make them smile when they unwrap their […]
Nikwax 40 Year Round Up
As we are coming to the end of our 40th birthday year we thought it would be great to share some of our highlights with you! Here are our favourite moments from the year:
Poles Apart From The Competition
This month we are excited to feature an exclusive interview with members of the GB Ski Team. Nick Moynihan and Laurie Taylor are a lesson in starting your kids young. And not underestimating the impact of a skiing holiday! Laurie was only six, and Nick just two when their families took them abroad to see […]
Start your weekend off right with Park Run
This month’s guest blog is from our very own Nikwax PR Specialist and outdoor sports addict – Tom Willox. Park Run has been growing rapidly all over the UK in recent years. Every Saturday morning at 9am hundreds of people gather at 468 public parks all over the country to run, jog or walk 5km. […]
Enjoy a late Summer staycation – bring on the British weather
The summer holidays are upon us, with kids wanting to enjoy every day before school beckons again. This is the prime time to encourage them away from their gadgets and up off the sofa, to go and explore what the great outdoors has to offer. Or just a chance to head off on your own […]
Nikwax at the Keswick Mountain Festival
Last month we made our annual pilgrimage to the Lakes for this year’s Keswick Mountain Festival. The rain was horizontal and the winds strong but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the thousands who travelled, some hundreds of miles, to one of the UK’s most jaw dropping landscapes, for a weekend of trails, triathlons and tunes. […]
Top camping hacks for your summer adventure
Thinking about where you can take the children to enjoy the outdoors this summer, going away with friends or planning a solo mini adventure? Camping has become one of the most popular holiday choices nowadays. We have put together a few helpful tips so that your camping trip this year can be all you want […]
Prepare for The Wild Boar challenge, 2017!
Each year in Caerphilly, Wales, the Borough Council’s Countryside and Landscape Service, along with Caerphilly Adventure Group, Caerphilly Ramblers, Islwyn Ramblers and other partners, organise the Caerphilly Challenge. This annual event consists of a series of routes for people to walk, or even run; varying from a mild 1-5 mile walk, through to the longer […]
Sussex Search and Rescue – one big family
This month’s guest blog is written by Nick Rewcastle, Secretary for Sussex Search and Rescue – a volunteer organisation utilised by Sussex Police to help search for, and rescue, missing people. Read on for a fascinating insight into what it’s like to be a part of this invaluable charity. When my (now) wife told me […]
Tales from the Scottish Stores at Plas y Brenin
This month’s guest blog is courtesy of Isaac Murphy, a Centre Assistant at Plas y Brenin – the National Mountain Sports Centre – based in Snowdonia, Wales, with a centre in Alltshellach, Scotland. While the post-Christmas period can be typically viewed a dour time, characterised by dark days, cold nights and a general lack of […]
An Aspiring Eventer!
This month’s guest blog is by young rider Theo Funnell, who is sponsored by Nikwax, alongside Harry Hall equestrian clothing and Tamara Hick equine sports massage therapist. My name is Theo Funnell, I am 12 years old and am an aspiring young event rider from Devon, UK. I have had ponies all my life and […]
One man and his dog – Interview with SARDA founder
Have you ever wondered who’d be your knight in shining armour if you ever got lost in the English wilderness? Luckily for you, Nev [Search and Rescue Dog Association founder and president], his gang of handlers and their pesky canines are of service; suited and booted in their BOGS footwear, rucksacks and with dog treats […]
The Best Time To Be Outside
Our guest blog this month comes from Mick Ryan, a director of the photo-location guidebook company fotoVUE, alongside Stuart Holmes. They publish guidebooks that show you the best places to take photographs in the most beautiful places on Earth. They currently have four books published, with another 20 in preparation. www.fotovue.com A few weeks ago […]
Celebrate the fail! Shrug off the embarrassment of crashing your bike
This month’s Guest Blog is by Tom Redfern. Tom is founder of Broken Riders – a UK-based company specialising in ethically sourced and environmentally responsible apparel for mountain bikers. www.brokenriders.com Anyone not into mountain bikes, watching a rider in the world-famous RedBull Rampage back-flipping over a seemingly bottomless canyon must look on in awe or […]
#GetOutside – what’s your challenge?
We all like the idea of getting outside, but what’s the challenge that will get you out there whatever the weather? Nikwax took part in the Caerphilly Challenge in Wales last month and asked the other participants that very question! The Caerphilly Challenge offers a range of hikes – from a tough 22 miles, to […]
Nikwax sponsors the Keswick Mountain Festival
We are proud to be one of the sponsors of this year’s Keswick Mountain Festival, being held in Crow Park, 19 – 22 May! Set in the stunning scenery of the Lake District, this fantastic 3-day event provides outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities with a huge variety of activities, events and music to […]
A Printer’s Tale
Our guest blog this month is courtesy of Gareth Dinnage, Managing Director of Seacourt Ltd, a Queen’s Award winning environmental printers. Read on to find out how Seacourt became the world’s first ZERO waste to landfill print company and for Gareth’s top tips on how you can become more eco-friendly to make a positive impact […]
Legends of ‘The Pimple’ – Twmbarlwm Trek 2015
Guest blog, courtesy of Gavin Jones, Caerphilly County Borough Council; providing an insight into the great Caerphilly Challenge! If there is one walk etched in the annals of history (well in the old Welsh county of Gwent anyway) it’s the ‘Twmbarlwm Trek’. This may conjure images of thousands of people braving windswept peaks and open […]
The Essential Tech Wash
Guest blog courtesy of Giles Babbidge – a commercial and editorial photographer & writer specialising in the outdoor markets. You can find out more about what he does over at his behind-the-scenes website – www.theactivephotographer.com – or catch up with him on Twitter – @gilesbabbidge. TechWash is one of those products which I have come to […]
Nikwax Photo Competition – The Results!
We’d like to thank absolutely everyone who sent in snaps of themselves enjoying the great outdoors! We had an amazing response to the competition and were genuinely overwhelmed by the number of entries – there are definitely some budding photographers amongst you. Our winning photo (left) is from Paul in Birkenhead, Wirral and it was taken on […]
The Benefits of Using Nikwax Polar Proof
When it comes to looking after my kit, I always treat clothing as I would my photography gear; to keep items in prime condition, it’s essential to use recommended cleaning products and follow suggested guidelines. By doing this, I can be sure that they’ll last longer and perform better, even with regular (dare I say, […]
Walk your way to better health
You probably won’t have failed to notice that Britain is facing an uphill battle against obesity. It seems that whenever you turn on the news, another shocking survey is being reported on, and this is with good reason. The United Kingdom now ranks 24th in the World Obesity Tables, and Walk Magazine recently reported that […]
Cut the cost of “Back to School”
Back To School – these are the words that strike fear into some children. And it can be scary for parents too! New school gear costs money, so it is important that you keep your child’s garments fully protected. That is where Nikwax comes in! Cut the cost of replacing those school essentials such as […]
Once famous for Cheese – now famous for Challenges!
What have a sleeping giant Wild Boar, a mystical standing stone and menacing hills shrouded in a swirling ethereal mist got in common? Game of Thrones perhaps? Why no! – we’re merely Waxing lyrical about features of interest that our army of walking warriors enjoyed as they braved the elements to walk, jog and even […]
Nikwax team up with GB Rowing Team as they look to make waves en route to Rio
Rowing is synonymous with British sporting success over the past 30 years, since Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matt Pinsent and others became Olympic legends. A gold medal at the summer Olympics has pretty much been a guarantee on the boating lake since 1988. And now, in 2014, the new generation of oarsmen and oarswomen are […]
The work of the European Outdoor Conservation Association
Tanya Bascombe from EOCA gives us the low-down on the great work done in the UK and overseas: As an outdoorsy type, I bet you probably consider yourself ‘Quite Interested’ in green issues and conservation? ‘Treading Lightly’ – all that kind of thing? Well did you know that across Europe, an ever-expanding group of outdoor […]
Hannah and Chico: Welsh Vacation
The latest blog from Hannah and her trusted friend, Chico: I last sent a message at the very beginning of last July’s heat wave, when the rains of June were still fresh. The walk around Wales took another four and a half months; Chico the donkey and I finally arrived back in Aberystwyth in mid-November, […]
How to win a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development
Nikwax has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development! We’re amongst just 13 companies across the country this year to have received an award in this environmental category, so we’re immensely proud of all our hard work that led to this achievement. We make every effort to minimise our impact on the environment […]
Join us for a 50km charity challenge!
We have a new and exciting charity challenge for you to get involved in – Widehorizons Adventure Challenge on Saturday 4th October 2014. The event, supported by Nikwax and Páramo, challenges teams of two to four to cycle 37km, canoe 3km, and run 10km (50km in total), across the beautiful South-East countryside, including Bedgebury Forest […]
Gets the kids involved in our Schools Adventure Challenge
Nikwax and Páramo are sponsoring the Widehorizons Schools Adventure Challenge on Friday 4th July 2014 at Bewl Water, Kent. The challenge allows children to experience adventure the way it’s meant to be – offering the chance to conquer new challenges, learn new skills, buzz with excitement and take home fantastic memories. This 5-mile adventure walk […]
World Land Trust – true to its word: Saving Real acres in Real places
WorldLand Trust (WLT) celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year and believes it has something to shout about. Its strapline ‘Saving Real acres in Real places’ is as true today as it was when they established its first project, Programme for Belize, in 1989. In those days it was possible for the charity to buy threatened […]
World Land Trust needs your votes to help its Caucasian Leopard project!
WLT could win a €30,000 grant from National Geographic Germany for its Caucasian Leopard project and you can help by casting your vote! National Geographic Germany is a member of the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), who shortlisted the World Land Trust’s (WLT) project for this public vote. Nikwax, a long standing WLT corporate supporter, […]
Inspired to take up a challenge for charity?
Are you thinking of taking on your very own challenge this year? If so, here are a few suggestions to inspire you to get started!
Nikwax signs with GB Rowing Team
Top-class technical cleaning and waterproofing for clothing and equipment are a daily necessity for a successful rower. And, for the next year, the GB Rowing Team will rely on Nikwax as its provider of high quality cleaning and waterproofing products after the company signed as an official supplier. Nikwax, founded in the UK in 1977 […]
Nikwax’ Top 10 Tips for a Greener Christmas
Reduce, re-use and recycle Christmas is the time for giving, so why not give back to the environment and follow our top 10 tips for a greener festive season!
Chasing the rain: Life as a product tester
So where will the worst weather be? Helen, my co designer and I debate the mountain location for our monthly field testing get together. We plumb for the Highlands as our best bet.
Capital Walkers’ Summer Adventures on the Alps Tour du Mont Blanc
Check out this month’s guest blog from Dr Moira Fraser at Capital Walkers, and read about her adventures this summer on the Tour du Mont Blanc…
Hannah and the Seaside Donkey
Let us introduce you to Hannah Engelkamp, our guest blogger and donkey-walking author [well soon to be]. Hannah Engelkamp is a travel writer and editor
Top 5 foods to forage
If you thought there was no such thing as a free lunch, think again! UK woodlands have plenty to offer with delicious plants, berries and nuts that are safe to eat and offer a number of health benefits. We’ve rounded up 5 of the best wild foods – chosen for their abundance, nutrition and safety. […]
The history of the tent
The history of the tent is as unique as the tent itself. From prehistoric times to modern recreational camping, tents have been a part of human comfort and survival for thousands of years.