So much of what we do here at The Gear Institute is profiling the latest and greatest products hitting the active scene. And then we test the living hell out of them, so you can make an informed decision when looking for a new jacket, pair of boots, or a backpack. But, as gear loyalists ourselves, we also know that, after years of service, you develop a relationship with your apparel. And when you have to set that jacket out to pasture, it can be a slightly heart-breaking moment. Nikwax Waterpoofing feels your pain, and they’ve launched a Gear Rehab program aimed to keep your favorite apparel in your daily rotation. As part of the program, they’ll help bring new life to one piece of exhausted gear. Just fill out their Rehabilitation Form, explaining your relationship with that particular piece of gear along with a few other personal details, and they’ll wash and re-treat the product and send it back. Sure, it’s all part of a more sophisticated effort to get Nikwax’ line of waterproof and cleaning products more exposure—and if you do send something in, they have the right to use its likeness in company promotions. But you also get to breathe new life into something that has treated you so well for so long.
—Nathan Borchelt
