A Marine-First Partnership: Nikwax® Protection
The updated OS1 Ocean System delivers reliable, sustainable waterproof protection for the harshest marine environments.
We’re proud to announce a marine‑industry first partnership with Nikwax for the integration of Nikwax Direct.Dry® – a factory‑applied, PFAS‑free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment – into our updated OS1 Ocean System. In partnering with Nikwax, the world leader in aftercare and waterproofing technologies, we’ve delivered a combination of high‑performance waterproof protection and sustainable material innovation, meeting the growing demand for professional‑grade gear with reduced environmental impact.
PFAS-free Waterproof Technology
Nikwax Direct.Dry DWR achieves the highest rating on the AATCC 22 spray test while also maintaining wash durability, a crucial benefit for long-term use in extreme marine environments. Waterproof gear treated with Direct.Dry can also be renewed with Nikwax’s aftercare products. Their globally trusted cleaning and re-waterproofing products maintain the performance and extend the life of waterproof gear, ensuring they last through many years of adventure. Direct.Dry DWR is currently featured on award-winning outdoor products, including Outdoor Research’s Foray and Aspire jackets, but this is its first appearance in marine apparel.
“Gill has a reputation of being a leader in creating waterproof systems for harsh, ocean adventure and it was an honor to use our 50 years of experience producing PFAS-free DWR to support the OS1,” said Brian Davidson, CEO of Nikwax.
“This partnership demonstrates that high-performance marine apparel does not need to rely on PFAS chemistry. Nikwax Direct.Dry DWR delivers dependable water repellency and can be renewed with our globally known aftercare products, ensuring the garments last longer. This is exactly the kind of collaboration that moves the marine industry forward.”
Tested Beyond Standards, Ocean Proven in the Arctic
The OS1 Ocean System is our most advanced ocean-level apparel to date, combining rigorous in-house laboratory testing with over 5,000 miles of real-world Arctic sailing validation by sailing enthusiasts Matt and Amy from the YouTube channel, Sailing Yacht Florence. Designed with progressive materials and enhanced safety features, the system reflects our engineering-led approach to performance and durability
“In the Arctic, the real challenge is the wind chill coming off ice and glaciers,” said Matt Humphreys from Sailing Yacht Florence. “We wore the OS1 constantly and never had to dry out our mid or base layers. When the outer layer got wet, we shook it off and let it dry in the cockpit. That tells you everything about how well it performed.”
With a 50-year track record of PFAS-free DWR, Nikwax is committed to minimising environmental impact across its product range. As a pioneer in sustainability and actively supporting outdoor and now marine brands in their transition away from ‘forever chemicals’, Nikwax encourages brands interested in exploring how they can utilise Direct.Dry DWR to contact [email protected]
Hear from Nikwax CEO Brian Davidson, Nikwax Product Director Tim Pickering, and our own Product Development & Sustainability Director Matt Clark as they discuss this landmark partnership.