Why breathability depends upon water repellency:

* Breathable waterproof footwear is most likely to get sweaty and wet inside when used in damp or wet conditions. If the outer fabric or leather absorbs water, the breathability of the footwear will be reduced. Therefore, the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of your footwear must be maintained to ensure comfort. Through use, the outer surface of footwear will pick up contaminants, such as dirt, which attract water, masking the effect of any DWR coating. Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel™ will remove contaminants and revitalize DWR.


Waterproof footwear needs to be breathable:

* When you’re active and wearing footwear, your socks draw moisture away from your feet, keeping them dry. However, if your footwear absorbs water and ‘wets out’ its breathability will be reduced. * Moisture vapor will not be able to escape through the material, so your feet will feel clammy and wet.
* Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel will revitalize the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) preventing water absorption, maintaining breathability and keeping your feet dry and comfortable.


Breathable waterproof footwear is for active, outdoor people:

* Anyone who is active outside in damp or wet conditions will benefit from breathable waterproof footwear. Whether you’re a mountaineer or dog walker, or you work outside as a farmer or surveyor, you will need good footwear.


Use Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel when your waterproof footwear soaks up water:

* Your waterproof footwear could be soaking up water just because it is dirty. Through use, the outer surface of footwear will pick up contaminants, such as dirt, which attract water. This masks the effect of any Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating, leading to footwear 'wetting out' in wet or damp conditions.
* Cleaning waterproof footwear with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel will not only remove contaminants, such as dirt, but also revitalize DWR, causing water to bead on the outer surface once more.


Make sure you clean with the right product:

* Conventional footwear cleaners leave behind a water attractive (hydrophilic) residue which masks the Durable Water Repellency (DWR), causing footwear materials to absorb water and ‘wet out’ in damp or wet conditions. Therefore they need to be avoided when cleaning waterproof footwear.
* Use Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel to thoroughly clean your waterproof footwear safely, revitalize DWR and breathability.

You don't need to re-waterproof every time you clean:

* Regular cleaning will enhance the performance of your footwear by removing water attracting (hydrophilic) dirt and other contaminants picked up when out and about. Cleaning using Nikwax Footwear * * Cleaning Gel will revitalize the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of your footwear, causing water to bead on the outer surface. When Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel alone does not revitalize the DWR of your footwear it’s time to re-waterproof using the appropriate Nikwax footwear waterproofer


How Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel maintains the breathability of your waterproof footwear:

* Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel is a highly effective cleaner which has been specifically designed and optimized for breathable waterproof footwear.
* Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel is a safe product to use on breathable waterproof footwear as it does not leave water attracting (hydrophilic) residues, which lead to fabric and leather absorbing water and 'wetting out'. Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel removes water absorbent dirt and stains picked up during use; this revitalizes Durable Water Repellency (DWR) and causes water to bead on the outer surface.
* Regular cleaning with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel will revitalize existing DWR and revive breathability of your footwear, keeping your feet dry and comfortable.


Like all Nikwax products, Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel is made with care for the environment:

* Nikwax takes great care to minimize the effect of Nikwax products on the environment and on you, the consumer. Nikwax avoids materials in its cleaners like palm oil, that has been sourced from unsustainable plantations
* Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel is environmentally friendly; it is non-hazardous, water-based and biodegradable