FJÄLLRÄVEN Greenland Wax

Product Information

Fabric Guard for Outdoor Fabrics: This was one of the best-performing sprays we used. But it was also the most expensive. And it didn’t perform that much better than others to justify adding it to our list above. Still, if you’re looking to get a little spendy or want something specific for outdoor furniture, we highly recommend the 303 Fabric Guard for Outdoor Fabrics. 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. The first thing we noted while applying the product to a pair of leather boots, which is simple with the included cotton terry applicator pad, is how soft and shiny it makes the leather. And there’s no chemical smell; this product can be applied inside since there are no fumes to worry about, and it doesn’t require spraying. After allowing the leather to dry, our tester buffed off any extra protectant left on the surface and let it sit overnight. They actually kind of adhere to the individual fibers, like an old-fashioned telephone cord—they wrap around the fibers," says Heidi Allen, the vice president of marketing at Nikwax. "They have a little stretchiness to them." Some sprays contain perfluorochemicals (PFCs), a group of synthetic chemicals the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns remain in the environment—and in the human body—for years, so you’ll want to be especially careful using any of those, especially around pets and children. (Or just avoid them in general.) And aerosol sprayers, though they work well for consumers, also have a negative environmental impact. If you’re seeking to prevent those issues, choose a non-aerosol spray that doesn’t contain PFCs.

The company also notes the spray can darken some lighter-colored gear, so spot-testing is recommended. It can also reduce the flame-retardant properties of some fabrics. 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. If you’re concerned about changes to an item’s color or texture, spot-testing on a small area is always a good idea. 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 sheetFortunately, 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

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. The final results were impressive: Even a complete soaking had no impact on the material; it was ready to defend itself against all levels of wetting, and the breathability felt as good as new when hiking afterward. Even with its lower price, this is one of the most effective waterproofing sprays we tested, and no amount of water applied to the boots used for testing was enough to penetrate its shield, yet the boots felt as breathable as before. It didn’t take much product for a thorough double coating—recommended about four hours apart—making this an even more cost-effective product. 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. Before you waterproof an item, any item, an important note is this: Make sure it’s clean first. Dirt and oils leave residue on the surface of your gear, even if you can’t always see it. And use a detergent that won’t leave a residue since that can impede the waterproofing product from working. Most brands sell their own washes in addition to the sprays.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.