Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof: Weather and sun protection tested
We treated a nearly ten-year-old Hilleberg Nallo 3 GT with Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof, then checked its water repellency on a kayaking trip.
Nikwax makes a range of products for protecting and treating outdoor equipment. We tested Tent & Gear SolarProof, which is intended to extend the life of gear, on a Hilleberg Nallo 3 GT that was nearly ten years old and had never been reproofed or treated since purchase.
Tent & Gear SolarProof can be used on products including backpacks, awnings, anoraks, bags and tents. It is intended to add protection against UV radiation, which can damage both fabrics and water-repellent treatments exposed to the sun. It also makes the treated surface water-repellent.
A tent was a natural choice for our test, since the invitation to try the product arrived just before a kayaking trip of several days. Application was straightforward: pitch the tent in a suitable place, tension the fabric well, apply the appropriate amount for its size, leave it for a few minutes, wipe away excess product and let it dry. It can also be applied to wet fabric.
The process was quick and simple. It left no visible residue; the only obvious change was that the flysheet looked much newer and fresher. We noticed no reduction in the fabric’s flexibility, either.
Any increase in lifespan from UV protection is difficult to measure in a short test. Strange as it may sound, we therefore hoped for rain during the kayaking trip so we could at least assess the water-repellent treatment. Rain duly arrived, conveniently while the tent was pitched, though it fell during the night and early morning. When we got up, we could still see a clear difference in how water had run off the flysheet compared with its condition before treatment. Ten years without extra care had left their mark. There was only a little rain, but the result was encouraging.
We recommend the product for its ease of application, the way it refreshes the surface and the water repellency it provided in our test.
At the time of this 2013 review, the water-based, fluorocarbon-free Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof came in 300 ml bottles costing around SEK 140. A Hilleberg Nallo 3 GT, or a similarly sized tent, required approximately one and a half bottles.
More information: www.nikwax.com
