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shoes

Why Use Nikwax?

by Amy on March 26, 2013

They say April showers bring May flowers. That means we should expect more rain coming.  Want to know how to waterproof, enhance technical properties, or add UV protection to your gear, clothing, and shoes? It’s really simple, get some Nikwax. Nikwax is a collection of water based products that protect your stuff without giving off emissions of harmful solvents. In fact Nikwax is the only waterproofing company to never have used fluorocarbons(PFCs). Nikwax is Easier, Safer, Drier.

Green is Clean, Purple is Proof

When trying to decide what Nikwax product you need the first thing to remember is Green is Clean, Purple is Proof. Products with green caps are for cleaning your shoes, clothing, and gear. Purple on the other hand is used for waterproofing or UV protection. From there you will need to know the type of material that your shoes, clothing, or gear is made out of. Finally, you may even get to choose how to apply it, wash-in, spray-on, or sponge-on. Now, let’s break down the different products

Green

TechWash- Liquid, non-detergent soap. Cleans and maintains waterproof clothing and equipment.

DownWash- Very effective liquid cleanser for down garments and sleeping bags.

BaseWash- A Nikwax wash-in cleaner for synthetic base layers (fitness t-shirts, etc.,) and synthetic socks.

WoolWash-Washin cleaner for woolen base layers and socks. Nikwax Wool Wash cleans safely, softens, enhances wicking, freshens wool and accelerates drying.

SandalWash- Deodorize, clean and sanitize your sandals. Recommended for all natural and synthetic sandal materials.

Footwear Cleaning Gel – An easy-to-use cleaner for all outdoor and sports footwear, including shoes and boots made of smooth leather, suede, nubuck, or fabric.

 

Purple

Footwear Conditioner – An easy-to-use waterproof conditioner for all full-grain leather footwear.

Soft Shell Spray – Restore the water repellency of your gear with the Nikwax® Softshell Proof, the spray on makes even application simple.

Waterproofing Wax – Water-based Nikwax Waterproofing Wax adds water repellency, reduces water absorption, and maintains breathability on smooth leather.

Nubuck & Suede Treatment – Maximum waterproof protection with little or no change to appearance or texture of boot.

Fabric/Leather Treatment – Maximum waterproof protection with little or no change to appearance or texture of boot.

Tent and Gear Solarproof Weatherproofing – Protect against UV damage and add water repellency to tents, packs, panniers, camera bags and other gear with Nikwax Tent and Gear Solarproof. Spray-on application.

Waterproofing Wax for Leather – Easy to use waterproofing paste wax for smooth leather footwear.

TX.Direct Wash-In – Water-based treatment that renews waterproof performance.

TX.Direct Weatherproofing Spray – TX spray reduces the water absorbency of fabrics, optimizing breathability.

 

Blue

BaseFresh – Nikwax BaseFresh is a deodorizing conditioner for all technical underwear and wicking clothing worn next to the skin.

If you just bought yourself some nice expensive jacket or boots, do yourself a favor and get some Nikwax to protect and add life to your gear. You just made an investment in purchasing your new gear so invest a little of your time to keep it around longer. The Base and Tech Washes do a great job of removing odors from your stuff. Be it the smelly mud from Tough Mudder, random city pond from GORUCK, or just plain stink from constantly being used. Don’t throw your stuff away, give it new life after a bath in Nikwax.

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Barefoot running: How Humans Ran Comfortably & Safely Before the Invention of Shoes

by Trailblazer March 7, 2013 Barefoot Running
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Barefoot running is hardly a new sport.  Think about it: humans have been running for millions of years.  The modern running shoe was not invented until the 1970s.  Today’s running shoes address a laundry list of physical traits, abnormalities, etc, not to mention, they just make it way more “comfortable” to run…which may make you [...]

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To Pedicure or Not To Pedicure: A Runner’s Dilemma

by Trailblazer February 11, 2013 Run
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I think when I first started running barefoot (and by barefoot, I mean in Vibrams) and was doing research and reading blogs about it, I came across a lot of articles about barefoot runners comparing how dirty their feet get. If you head over to the Runner’s World Barefoot Running forum, you’ll not only get [...]

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Adjusting to Vibram FiveFingers

by TonyDasilva January 2, 2013 Barefoot Running
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The post below, from Vagabond,  is an honest portrayal of an active person getting into his Vibram FiveFingers for the first time. Call it a review. Call it a journal. Call it whatever you want, but it’s worth the read. Share your thoughts or differences in the comments. – Tony Barely any padding, Velcro straps, and five little toe-pods, I [...]

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Trailblazer and Denali Team Up for Tough Mudder: Profile – Paola Guevara

by TonyDasilva July 11, 2012 Climb
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Our team is getting totally  psyched for Tough Mudder this month. This week we’ll take a look at who will take over the Mudder this time around. Name: Paola Guevara “When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.” – Lao Tzu As of right now, how are [...]

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Trailblazer and Denali Team Up for Tough Mudder: Profile – Matt Barrett

by TonyDasilva July 10, 2012 Barefoot Running
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Our team is getting totally  psyched for Tough Mudder this weekend. This week, let’s take a look at who will take over the Mudder this time around. Name: Matt Barrett Motto: “This course is bananas!” As of right now, how are you feeling about taking on the Tough Mudder Challenge? Stoked! I can’t wait. Hanging [...]

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Barefoot Running’s Physical Benefits

by Trailblazer July 7, 2012 Barefoot Running
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So, you’ve been hearing more and more about barefoot running…but what’s the big deal, and why are so many people jumping over to this strange new technique?  Turns out, many studies are siting a slew of physical benefits. According to Bill Hendrick of WebMD Health News, “Researchers reporting in the Jan. 28 issue of the [...]

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Win a Free Pair of TOMS on Our Facebook Page

by Laura April 10, 2012 Action Alerts
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For a chance to win a free pair of TOMS today, take a bare-feet picture of yourself or someone else and post it on our Facebook Page. Join us for a day without shoes for a chance to win a free pair of TOMS! Join people around the world and take your shoes off. As part of the [...]

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Join Us in a Day Without Shoes With Toms

by Laura April 9, 2012 Action Alerts
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You can’t understand someone until you walk a mile in their shoes–or–in this case, until you spend a day without shoes. Millions of children go barefoot every day around the world. This exposes them to diseases and injuries that only worsen their already impoverished lives and makes it harder for them to get an education and better their situation. It might [...]

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Review: The Saucony Kinvara 2

by TonyDasilva April 5, 2012 Barefoot Running
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Saucony has recently released the Kinvara 2, which our New Haven location has a fresh helping of. It’s the answer for those that want to either ease into minimalist running or just take one step towards it and stay put. I’m a runner, yes, but let me say I’m not out there daily. I’m a casual [...]

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Just Shipped: The North Face Men’s Footwear MEN’S SINGLE-TRACK HAYASA

by TonyDasilva March 12, 2012 Hike
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We just got notice The North Face Single-Track Hayasa has just been shipped and will be here within the next week. It’s one of our favorite running shoe additions this year; a fast, light trail shoe, great for racing and training in outdoors. The North Face Single-Track Hayasa also has a supportive, welded upper and simply constructed midsole. [...]

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Toms Shoes Spring Collection Is Coming: So What’s the Story?

by TonyDasilva February 1, 2012 Hike
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The new Toms Spring Collection is on its way, so in the mean time we’d like to share a little more about the company itself. We are a proud retailer, selling Tom’s at all of our locations, not just because of the quality of the shoes, but because they are about giving back. Every pair [...]

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TB Athlete: Charlie Kelly’s Awesome Weekend in Colorado

by TonyDasilva July 13, 2011 Camp
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Being in Colorado, all it really takes to have the best weekend of your life is a pair of climbing shoes and a chalk bag. After my shoe tore at the gym, Trailblazer was quick to help, making it so that this weekend could be (and was) the new best weekend of my life. On [...]

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The North Face Double-Track Shoe

by TonyDasilva June 14, 2011 In Stores
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The North Face Double-Track shoe for women is a running shoe constructed on a sturdy x-dome chassis. It corrects your overpronation without you even noticing it. Features: Breathable sandwich mesh upper External molded heel counter High-rebound second density forefoot EVA TPU Snake Plate forefoot protection Tenacious Grip sticky rubber outsole Price: $108.95

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Review: New Balance Minimus Trail

by TonyDasilva June 7, 2011 Barefoot Running
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The Outside Blog just did a pretty good analysis and review of our new New Balance Minimus shoe. We have them online and in all of our Trailblazer store locations. Chack out the review and come in for a fitting. – Tony Take some fashion cues from a sticky-sole river shoe, sprinkle a dose of [...]

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Staff Picks From Our Branford Manager, Geoff!

by TonyDasilva March 16, 2011 Gear Guide
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This week, we are featuring a few products our Branford store manager, Geoff, has picked out specifically. Take his advice, as he picks the gear that you might want to pick up for this week and spring ahead. Patagonia Naked Maui Moc in Natural -  $79.99 (right) The Patagonia Naked Maui Moc for women in Natural is [...]

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Barefoot Runner Review: Merrell’s Trail Glove

by TonyDasilva March 11, 2011 Barefoot Running
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In the past few weeks, I’ve been testing out Merrell’s new barefoot runner, the Training Glove. This review is not only a review of the shoe itself, but a conversation on my gateway into the newer style of running that’s sweeping the masses: barefoot running. No, I’m not an expert on the subject. That’s why [...]

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