SolarProof® Concentrate inhibits reduction in tear strength from exposure to UV.
Nikwax has announced a new, more concentrated version, of its Tent & Gear SolarProof treatment which is claimed to double the life of fly-sheet fabrics by protecting them from UV while also increasing water repellency.
The new & Gear SolarProof® v12.1, is 3.5 times more concentrated than before, which means smaller containers and less strain on your arm muscles, and it's also cheaper than the original. When you get it home, just add water and apply.
In keeping with Nikwax's green ethos, it's free of both fluorocarbons and solvents to reduce its environmental impact.
Potentially Doubles Fabric Life
Tests, show, says Nikwax, that the new product gives DWR to the maximum testable standard, adds UV protection that inhibits the reduction of tear strength in tent and pack fabric potentially doubling its life and, in addition, if you buy the pouch version, you use up to 92% less packaging.
Nikwax founder, Nick Brown points out that 'a good tent is a major investment for campers', so being able to 'more than double' its life' makes sound sense.
Quality standard tent fabrics generally come with some sort of UV-protective treatment as standard and we've asked Nikwax how their estimates relate to those rather than untreated fabrics, but if you've ever seen a tent which has been used a lot at high altitude where UV levels are high, you'll appreciate the degradation which takes place and markedly reduces the tear strength of fabrics.
Update: Nikwax tells us that the comparison tests were between fabrics treated with Solarproof and previously untreated fabrics. As above, most high quality tents are pre-treated with some sort of UV inhibitor, but given the choice, we'd choose the Solarproof version to reinforce the factory treatment anyway.
Three Sizes
The product is available in three sizes: a 150ml pouch which treats 5 square metres and retails for £5.99 plus 1 and 5-litre bottles at £22.99 and £89.99 respectively.
More information at www.nikwax.com.
