Our Fabrics

What it does:

The Nikwax Analogy Pump Liner mimics the action of animal fur – pushing liquid water outwards to protect you from rain, condensation and perspiration, while protecting your insulation. This is combined with a Directional microfibre outer to deflect wind and rain.

Click here for information on the Leeds Rainroom test.

Key benefits:

• Two layer construction traps still air giving superior insulation to keep you warm.
• Outer layer provides Directional water-repellency while the Pump Liner actively pushes liquid moisture away from the body keeping you dry from precipitation, perspiration and condensation.
• Continues to work just as effectively even in high humidity or very cold conditions.
• Water-repellency can be easily renewed for the lifetime of the garment with Nikwax Aftercare.
• The fabric is soft, strong, silent and durable.

How it works:

1. Skin surface
2. Páramo baselayer is shown here worn next to the skin, drawing water away to keep you dry.
3. Nikwax Analogy Pump Liner pumps water away from the body.
4. Closely woven microfibre outer provides windproofing and Nikwax durable water-repellency. Air is trapped between Pump Liner and outer to give insulation.
5. Wind and rain is deflected away from the body while perspiration and condensation as liquid water or water vapour can escape.

Nikwax Analogy comes in two weights to suit different requirements:

• Nikwax Analogy^®: very durable weather protection.
• Nikwax Analogy^® Light: same weather protection at a lighter fabric weight.

What it does:

Nikwax Analogy^® Insulator combines Nikwax^® Windproof closely woven microfibre outer with Nikwax synthetic, water-resistant fill to cut windchill and provide excellent insulation for overlayering with other Nikwax fabrics. It retains body heat very effectively to warm the body quickly and deflects the rain while providing excellent moisture vapour transfer. It packs down small, giving a high warmth to weight ratio. The fill gives a down-like feel and performance with the benefit of still working well when wet.

Key benefits:

• Cuts windchill and provides excellent block insulation;
• Very efficient retention of body heat to warm you quickly;
• Down-like feel and performance continues to work when wet;
• Packs down small with a high warmth-to-weight ratio;
• Deflects the rain while allowing excellent moisture vapour transfer to minimise condensation;
• Can be treated with Nikwax TX.Direct to give renewable waterproof performance;
• Very durable outer to endure regular use in all conditions.

How it works:

1. Skin surface.
2. A baselayer and an Analogy waterproof outer are shown here worn under the Nikwax Insulator, drawing water away to keep you dry.
3. Nikwax Insulator’s synthetic fill retains body heat to warm the body quickly even in wet conditions.
4. Outer Nikwax^® Windproof’s closely woven microfibre provides windproofing and deflects the rain.
5. Nikwax Analogy Insulator provides excellent heat retention while allowing moisture vapour transfer and directing water away from the body.

What it does:

A combination of Nikwax Duology Windproof and Nikwax Duology Fleece or Plus Fleece that provides warm, waterproof protection. Our Duology systems provide maximum adaptability across a variety of weather conditions and activities.

A Duology windproof cuts wind chill, deflects rain and traps still air in the fibres of Duology fleeces to provide varying levels of insulation and waterproofing depending on the weather conditions and activity. The fleeces come in two weights to suit different requirements.

Key benefits:
Duology Windproof and Plus Fleece waterproof combination

• Suitable for cooler, wetter conditions
• Breathable and windproof
• Thick pile fleece provides superior insulation
• Durable Water Repellent coating on each fabric makes them both highly water repellent

Duology Windproof and Fleece combination

• Suitable for warmer, drier conditions
• Protects against mist and drizzle
• Thin pile fleece is highly windproof and can be worn alone in light showers
• We do not recommended this combination for cold weather and persistent rain

How it works:

1. Skin surface
2. Páramo baselayer is shown here worn next to the skin, drawing water away to keep you dry.
3. Nikwax Duology Fleece or Plus Fleece pumps water away from the body.
4. Closely woven microfibre outer provides windproofing and Nikwax durable water-repellency. Air is trapped between Fleece and outer to give insulation.
5. Wind and rain is deflected away from the body while perspiration and condensation as liquid water or water vapour can escape.

What it does:

Nikwax Windproof uses a closely woven microfibre fabric which cuts wind chill and protects your insulation but still allows the movement of moisture away from the body. A Nikwax PFC free durable water-repellent treatment helps to deflect the rain.

Key benefits:

• Prevents windchill, to keep you warm.
• Easily treated and re-treated with PFC free Nikwax Aftercare products to keep you dry too.
• Excellent moisture vapour transfer or breathability minimises condensation.
• Extremely resilient and durable fabric, highly resistant to degradation in UV light
• Folds and compresses without any damage making it ideal to pack and carry

How it works:

1. Skin surface
2. Páramo baselayer is shown here worn next to the skin, drawing water away to keep you dry
3. Nikwax Windproof's closely woven microfibre provides wind proofing and Nikwax durable water-repellency.
4. Wind is deflected away from the body, while perspiration as water vapour can escape. A Nikwax PFC-free treatment provides durable and renewable water-repellency.

What it does:

Nikwax Windproof Denim is a closely woven 100% polyester microfibre fabric, which cuts wind chill and protects your insulation but still allows the movement of moisture away from the body. A PFC-free Nikwax durable water-repellent treatment helps to deflect the rain, while the fabric’s dense weave blocks harmful UV rays.

Key benefits:

• Water-repellent to hold off a shower and dry much more quickly than standard denim fabric.
• Water-repellency easily renewed with PFC free Nikwax aftercare products.
• Prevents windchill to protect your insulation.
• Provides UV protection.
• Excellent moisture vapour transfer or breathability allows perspiration to escape.
• Stretchy to give a good fit with minimal excess fabric and still allow full freedom of movement.
• Extremely resilient and durable fabric, highly resistant to degradation in UV light.

How it works:

1. Skin surface
2. Windproof Denim by Nikwax^® is comfortable worn next to the skin.
3. The closely woven microfibre of Windproof Denim will deflect the wind and, if treated with Nikwax waterproofing products, provides Nikwax durable water-repellency to protect against showers and enhance drying.
4. The Windproof Denim fabric allows perspiration as water vapour to escape.

What it does:

Nikwax Wind Resistor uses a closely woven 100% polyester microfibre fabric with a mechanical 4-way stretch. This reduces the effects of windchill whilst still allowing the movement of moisture away from the body. A Nikwax PFC-free durable water-repellent treatment provides additional protection and speeds up drying times.

Key benefits:

• Reduces windchill to keep you comfortable
• Easily renewed water repellency using PFC-free Nikwax aftercare products
• Excellent breathability minimises condensation
• Extremely comfortable worn next to the skin
• 4-way stretch for freedom of movement
• Highly resistant to degradation in UV light

How it works:

1. Skin surface
2. Nikwax Wind Resistor’s closely woven microfibre deflects wind away from the body.
3. The breathable fabric allows perspiration to escape, keeping you dry.
4. Durable water repellency is renewed with Nikwax aftercare to protect against showers.

What it does:

Parameta G is an incredibly versatile Directional polyester fabric which can provide either cooling or insulation when needed. The fabric wicks very effectively, spreading perspiration over a large area and drying out rapidly. The raised grid pattern traps air for insulation when covered with a windproof layer, but when worn alone allows air to circulate next to the skin for cooling.

Key benefits:

• By wearing the fabric next to skin or by combining with outer layers with or without venting, you can modify the amount of insulation or cooling to suit the weather conditions, your level of activity and your own physiology.
• Combined with a windproof outer, the fabric provides excellent insulation.
• Once this is removed or moderated by venting the outer layer, significant cooling can be achieved.
• If you wear Parameta G alone, without an outer windproof, water will still be wicked away from you, but warm air will be dissipated and the wind will speed up evaporation of perspiration to keep you cool.

How it works:

Top diagram

1. Skin surface
2. Parameta G worn next to the skin, drawing perspiration from the skin and away from you, spreading it rapidly over a large surface area
3. Warm air generated is dissipated by moving air to keep you cool.

Bottom diagram
If you wear Parameta G with an outer Páramo windproof or wind resistant layer, the fabric moves perspiration away from you while trapping warm air to keep you warm.

1. Skin surface
2. Parameta G worn next to skin, drawing perspiration from the skin and away from you to keep you dry, while trapping warm air.
3. Shown here with a Nikwax Windproof layer worn over the top, which allows moisture to escape while deflecting the wind and helping to retain warm air.

What it does:

Parameta® T is a lightweight and stretchy directional polyester fabric that wicks effectively to spread perspiration and dry quickly. It provides light insulation, making it excellent for cooler conditions. Its soft feel is very comfortable against the skin, even when worn for prolonged periods.

Key benefits:

• Moisture spreads and evaporates quickly for comfort and reduces any pooling of perspiration.
• Light insulation is at an ideal level for mid-range temperatures.
• Lightweight and fine fabric with a soft handle that feels good against the skin.
• Stretchy for excellent freedom of movement.
• Quick and easy to wash and dry making it perfect for travel.

How it works:

1. Skin surface
2. Parameta® T fabric draws perspiration from the skin and spreads it over a large surface area.
3. Moisture evaporates as it spreads to leave the skin dry.

What it does:

The reversible Parameta T+ is amazingly lightweight and stretchy, and offers the choice of two levels of cooling. It is an asymmetrical, wicking fabric that directs water from one face to the other as well as rapidly spreading moisture to speed up evaporation and the resultant cooling. Parameta T+ is a robust fabric which resists ‘pulls’ that baselayers can be prone to.

Key benefits:

• Extremely light-weight and fine fabric that feels good against the skin.
• Constructed with two different faces to offer you two different levels of cooling – two garments for the price and weight of one.
• Moisture spreads really rapidly and evaporates very quickly for maximum effect and so also reduces pooling of perspiration.
• Very quick and easy to wash and dry making it perfect for travel.

How it works:

Top diagram
In hot conditions, especially when you are working hard and/ or feel hot

1. Skin surface
2. Fabric’s smooth water-attracting face worn next to the skin keeps water close to your skin
3. Moisture wicks and evaporates rapidly to cool you down most effectively – offering maximum comfort during maximum perspiration.

Bottom diagram
When you need a lower level of cooling – in cooler conditions or if you feel cool

1. Skin surface
2. Fabric’s more open, air-containing face worn next to the skin, giving a feeling of dryness and offering a lesser level of cooling.
3. Water is directed away and held away from your skin, but effective evaporation of excess water is still able to occur.

What it does:

All Parameta^® A fabrics are directional fabrics that wick very effectively, rapidly spreading perspiration over a large area to provide maximum evaporation in order to keep you cool at higher temperatures. They also block out virtually all damaging UV rays, making garments that are ideal for warm weather activities and travel.

Parameta A comes in assorted weights to suit different requirements:

• Ultra light for Trek & Travel Shirts (100% polyester)
• Standard weight for Trek & Travel legwear (100% polyester)
• Parameta A Cotton+ used both in selected shirts and legwear (cotton blended with modern synthetics for rugged comfort)

Key benefits:

• Maximum evaporation and cooling through spread of perspiration over a large area
• Rapid drying – eliminates cold spots after exercise by reducing ‘pooling’ of perspiration
• Exceptional UV protection (equivalent to SPF 50+ protection)
• Deters biting insects due to dense fabric weave
• Wind resistant
• Lightweight and comfortable – but robust, durable fabric
• Ideal when travelling – minimal weight to wear or carry, quick and easy to wash and dry on the move

How it works:

1. Skin surface
2. Parameta^® A fabric draws perspiration away from the skin and spreads it rapidly over a large surface area.
3. Moisture spreads and evaporates to ensure maximum cooling

What it does:

Nikwax Cotton+ is a lightweight yet tough fabric that blends cotton with modern synthetic fibres to provide rugged comfort. By combining the best of the properties of both fibres, Nikwax Cotton+ offers easy wear and easy care qualities ideal for outdoor activities and travel.

Key benefits:

• Lightweight and quick drying;
• Tough and durable to survive in all environments;
• The Cotton+ Fabric can be proofed with Nikwax Cotton Proof which will speed drying times and reduce the fabric’s water absorption;
• UV and wind-resistant to provide protection.

How it works:

1. Skin surface
2. Páramo baselayer worn next to the skin.
3. Nikwax Cotton+ provides a quick-drying, sturdy outer, which is wind-resistant but lets perspiration escape.