FJÄLLRÄVEN Greenland Wax

Product Information

Sprays give you the most control over the finished product since you’re applying the product yourself, and you can ensure it goes where you need it. Some gear you must spray because the item in question, such as a tent or a pair of hiking boots, can’t go in the washing machine.

to improve matters im going to tumble dry the bag to even out wax after ironing it to remove excess wax.

Recommendations

Waxes and wash-ins can be applied indoors—a benefit if it’s raining or snowing or if you don’t have an outdoor workspace where you can apply the products. Wash-ins are easy; they only require using your washing machine, and some can even be done by hand-washing. Wash-ins are especially popular for down items since the waterproofing product is also meant for the feathers inside the item and the outer layer.

apply one coat or maybe 2 thin ones and see how it performs then add more if necessary as i think its a balance between applying enough to provide water resistance and to much and making it unneccesarily stiff. its easier to add more than remove as im finding out. The sprayer works well, so application is easy. After washing the pants, we sprayed them while they were still wet, blotted off areas where the excess product had pooled with a damp towel, and then threw them in the machine dryer on low, though you can also let your items air-dry if needed. When trying the pants again, water beaded off them instead of soaking through in the spots where it was previously wetting out, and the breathability was again excellent. water initially beeded up, and then became 'flat' and i thought it had soaked thru but the inside was dry and the water just pushed off with my finger like a sheet The spray acts like a protective layer on top of the fibers for silicone-based products, though they still allow for some breathability. Before you choose a spray for technical gear, you'll want to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions for waterproofing that item; some recommend against certain types of products. Fortunately, if your outdoor trousers aren't as wind and waterproof as you would like, then there's a solution in the form of Greenland Wax from Fjällräven. But first, about Fjällräven and my G1000 Trousers

Waxing on the go

A wax will require application by hand and then heating (by iron, hairdryer, or campfire) the product to seal it. Waxes are generally only used on canvas, denim, and some cotton materials, so they’re not helpful for most technical gear.

We tried the wash on a down blanket, which before testing, allowed water to slip through the outer shell immediately, leading to a few damp, chilly nights while camping, and we found the water resistance of that outer layer much improved after its wash and dry cycle. The blanket was nice and fluffy after testing, and there was no change to the color or texture of the exterior. It’s still not a fully waterproof item—it wasn’t designed to be—and we’ll do our best not to soak it intentionally, but now we're less worried about it accidentally getting a little wet.

What Not To Wax

Our tester especially liked that this spray had no detectable smell, and it came at an affordable cost—it really was flawless. You can buy an eco-friendly refill pouch of Performance Repel Plus for your sprayer instead of an entirely new bottle when you run out. Grangers also sells a wash-in version of this spray if you prefer that waterproofing method. Allen notes you can even waterproof items you might not have imagined. Nikwax and other manufacturers sell waterproofing products for cotton, fleece, and softshells, and you can use them on everything from your jeans to your Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T. Lastly, we considered the cost and environmental issues like aerosol and PFCs. We wanted to ensure we tested and considered sprays in a range of costs and included sprays that are easy on the planet and people using the product. Granger’s Wash + Repel Down is easy to use: You just add the liquid to your washing machine’s soap slot using the bottle’s cap as a measuring device. This product has the added benefit of washing and waterproofing at once; it’s a one-step process that only requires running the machine once. After washing, you machine-dry the item on low heat, and Grangers recommends using dryer balls to help fluff the down inside.