FAQ's about your Nookie products

FAQ's

Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions. Please read them and if your question has not been answered please email us at warranty@nookie.co.uk

Is there any way a garment can be reproofed?

~ Basically, no. There are many "re-proofing" products on the market, and they may work well enough for a breathable jacket designed to make the rain run off, but they won't render your kayak jacket immersion proof. In our experience the improvement will barely be noticeable. So don't bother. Find the leaks and fix them with glue, or if they are too extensive, get a new one.

My jacket wets out all the time, obviously this will stop it breathing, right?

~ Wrong. Modern breathable fabrics actually have a higher rate of MVT (Moisture Vapour Transmission) when they are wet on the outside. It's to do with vapour pressure gradient. If you don't believe us, ask the Royal Society of Chemistry. We did.

The water just seems to go through the material

~ you could be right, but probably aren't - 90% of the time when people think the fabric is leaking, it's just one or more small leaks from the taping that could be repaired at home. Especially on a three-ply fabric, the water comes through a tiny hole and instantly spreads out over a wide area by wicking and/or other processes.

What's DWR?

Durable Water Repellent. Most technical fabrics have this on the outside, invisible polymer chains standing on end make the water bead and run off using something called point effect. The main benefit is that it reduces evaporative cooling and so keeps you a bit warmer. Unfortunately, the DWR chains get knocked down pretty quickly by the rigours of watersports - the good news is that they can be rejuvenated very easily by tumble drying (less than 40degrees and not if you have latex or neoprene seals), ironing (cool iron, be careful of the seals) or cool hair dryer-ing. Or you can buy a bottle of expensive product from your outdoor shop that stands them up the same as the aforementioned methods but with the added bonus of a satisfyingly large dent in your wallet.

How long should latex seals last?

~ the average life of a latex seal is 18 months. That's from when it's made, not when you bought it. We have no control over how long it's been in the shop. If it lasts longer than this you have been lucky, if its splits after a few months, unlucky, but that's just the way it is. No one guarantees them, because they are fragile, in the same sort of way that eggs are fragile. We are extra super nice so if there is any sign of a flaw or bubble in the latex we will consider it as a warranty, but generally, no way. Sorry...

Can i protect my latex seals with anything?

~ you can use a proprietary seal saver fluid but it's not a miracle cure. You're probably better saving your money to spend on replacement seals. Keep the garment dry when not in use, and out of daylight/fluorescent light, don't ever expose it to oils (inc. suntan lotion) or metals (watch, necklace, coathanger?) and you'll be doing it a favour. You might still spilt a seal after a month though, it's just life.

I'm scared to cut down my seal, can i stretch it instead?

~ You are a total whuss, and no. Stretching it will damage it, cutting won't (as long as you take reasonable care and can cut in a reasonable line). If you can't man up ask your mum to do it (video explaining more is coming soon showing how even people who are pathologically reckless can manage to use a knife or scissors without too much trouble)

Nookie garments are sized smaller than other brands, aren't they?

~ no they aren't. They are just designed to fit the human body. Other brands get around the problem by selling you a marquee masquerading as a kayak jacket, whereas we use some rudimentary garment design skills to make them anatomically shaped so that you can wave your arms about without gallons of excess fabric, trapped air, and water drag. This may make them a tad more difficult to try on in the shop, but do yourself a favour and buy one that fits. Reading the size chart here before you go shopping may pay dividends, unless like most most red-blooded males you have no idea of your measurements. If that's a problem, get a friend to measure you. This can be fun....

Shockcord (bungee) decks are a cheaper, less hardcore solution than rubber rand style decks, right?

~ nope! All the decks we make are shock(bungee)cord designs and they are amongst the most hardcore decks in the world. Our team riderz are the envy of sponsored paddlers the world over as our decks radically continue to stay on the boat and keep the water out when others don't. You, on the other hand, get to choose. They can be a bit tough to put on but that's a small price to pay.

A kevlar neoprene deck will be more durable won't it?

~ Nooooooo!! Kevlar does look cool, we're very envious of that. we'd love to make a Kevlar deck, but until we work out how to make Kevlar stretchy, we are going to continue to make decks out of something that is. Coz stretchy is important to performance. As to durability, Kevlar is very abrasion resisitant. How much deck damage is due to a abrasion? roughly none.... the more common problems are puncture, and compression of the neoprene. Kevlar is no more punction resistant than a paper bag, and does nothing to prevent compression of the actual neoprene. We put a tough PU thick film print on top of the deck to minimise snagging and puncture damage and leave it that.

My deck (skirt) keeps blowing! It's faulty, right?

~ Probably it's the wrong size for the boat, or you aren't putting it on carefully and checking it is seated under the cockpit rim. We have to use Nookie decks, and we hate deck failure more than hangovers and cold tea. So we make sure they don't, which is good for you too. If it actually is faulty, we eat bigtime humble pie, but it's one in a thousand or less, so pardon us if we remain cynical until proved wrong.

The latex on my deck has gone sticky, is that a warranty?

~ nope.... if it's sticky it's because it was contaminated, or too much UV, or stored wet, or a combination. Most often it's something like sun cream or moisturiser. A lot of people use surfboard wax on their paddleshaft - clearly this is all over your hands the whole time. And some people foolishly try to lube the cockpit rim to make it easier to put the deck on. You sometimes unfortunately will paddle through contaminated water without even knowing. However it happens, it does not just happen on its own. So, we're sorry if you don't know how it happened, but it wasn't us.

The latex on my deck has gone mouldy, help!

~ just scrub the mould off with warm soapy water and it'll be fine. And next time, rinse your kit out in fresh water after use like the instructions say, and put it away dry.

Product Image Resource

Here you can access all the images of Nookie products for use on websites. For high res images please contact the office

For images from our other brand Delta Sportswear please visit this link

How a paddling dry top should fit...

Technical Downloads

- Nookie product feedback form

- Throwline Technical Brief

- Chest Rescue Belt

- Seal repair prices

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