NANGA will repair the products we manufacture until their product lifecycles are fulfilled so that our customers can continue to use them.
01
AFTER CARE
Down product aftercare, a service we have provided since our founding
NANGA is committed to manufacturing in Japan and in-house. We offer repair services for our down products for an unlimited period.
Repair for continued use. This is the most valuable principle that NANGA has held to since its founding.
The great outdoors can be harsh and challenging.
Even with a durable outdoor product, the manufacturer will expect breakage. And as a manufacturer, they should be equipped with the expertise to fix the damage.
To see the products returned to our factory for repairs allows us to discover our weaknesses, and it becomes a learning opportunity. It also gives us great joy to feel the sense of attachment and affection of the user who wishes to continue using the product enough to have it repaired.
Add more down or have them cleaned, for continued use in better conditions
Our repair services range from replacing full zippers on NANGA’s down products to exchanging a damaged stuff sack for a new one.
Aside from repairs, we also offer down refills to add its volume. You may feel that the sleeping bag you just purchased could have used more down. In such cases, we recommend increasing the down fill. The amount of down that can be added may vary depending on the sleeping bag structure, and this service may not be available for some models, but we would like our sleeping bags to be used in the best possible condition for you. When you request to add more down to our products, we will provide a replacement stuff sack free of charge to accommodate the increased volume.
We also provide a cleaning service upon request to keep your products clean and fresh. With proper cleaning by professionals, down can almost certainly be revived.
Our efforts for sustainability
In order to carry on the aftercare system that enables us to provide repairs, NANGA must ensure its continued existence. For this reason, we may have to charge for repairs, other than those for initial defects, or when adding more down to your product. To determine if the product is repairable, we will need to check the condition of the product at the NANGA factory before giving you an answer. Nonetheless, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a brand that manufactures and sells outdoor products, this is a part of our initiative for sustainability that we have continued since our founding.
* The repair service is available only for NANGA’s down products. Non-down products, even if they are NANGA products, are not eligible for the service.
02
RECYCLE
Reusing finite resources
As part of NANGA’s efforts for sustainability, recycling has become an important keyword.
Our products are dependent on the rich bounties of nature, and it is our duty as a manufacturer to make full use of recycled materials.
GREEN DOWN PROJECT
The down recycling project
Down is a byproduct of waterfowls raised for poultry, and it is also a natural material that is lightweight and warm. With features to regulate temperature and humidity, down products have become a part of our everyday lives. Down is a resource that can be used for over 100 years with proper care, and while it is also a renewable resource, discarded products are often incinerated as waste. Green down refers to recycled down that has been collected from used down products to be washed and revived at a domestic factory to pass quality standards. NANGA supports the use of green down to realize a recycling-based society that is friendly to humankind and the environment.
The social impact of recycling down
01. Stable supply of down
The system for renewing the life cycle of down generates a stable supply of safe downs.
02. Environmental conservation
Recycling down can protect the environment.
03. Employment support for people with disabilities and contributions to the community
The system for renewing the life cycle of down creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
How to distinguish recyclable products
- Down ratio of 50% or more
- Damaged with holes
- Soiled
- Cotton duvets cannot be collected
The product label indicates the down ratio to be 50% or more.
Products that are soiled or damaged with holes are also eligible for recycling.
FERRE YARNS (Formerly known as Recover yarns)
Ferre yarns: Recycled yarns produced from cutting scraps and discarded clothing
Ferre yarns are yarns made from 100% recycled material manufactured through Recover™, a recycling system developed by a Spanish textile factory in 1947. Textile scraps that would normally be discarded are collected and re-spun into yarns matched by color through a unique method. The system requires no chemical dyeing processes, and not a drop of water is used in the spinning process. Moreover, the factory sources half of its electricity from solar power and emits almost no carbon dioxide. Ferre yarn is regarded as the most environment-friendly yarn available.
NANGA actively supports the use of Ferre yarns. We offer a lineup of sustainable items that are not only limited to down products.
Four benefits of Ferre yarns
01. Zero use of water in the spinning process
02. No chemical dye processing
03. Low carbon dioxide emissions from the factory
04. 50% of the electricity used at the factory is solar-powered
Manufacturing processes
01. Collecting and sorting
Cutting scraps and discarded clothing are collected from cooperating partners. (These are sorted by color and then stored.)
02. Shredding and processing
Collected cutting scraps and discarded clothing are transformed into cotton fibers processed by color using a unique method.
03. Developing the fibers
Colored cotton fibers are collected and then blended repeatedly to achieve color consistency.
04. Spinning into yarns and textiles
The fibers are spun into yarns, and the yarns are made into products. When they are no longer needed, they can be recycled.
* The name “Recover yarns” has been changed to “Ferre yarns.”
03
DOWN CIRCULATION
The circulating life of NANGA’s downs
The down used by NANGA begins as high-quality, raw down imported from overseas. It is then cleaned and processed by a Japanese down and feather manufacturer before being made into finished products. These products can be used anywhere─from the city to the great outdoors─ and their lifespans can be extended with proper care. When a down product finally becomes worn out, a recycling project allows that down to be brought back to life as a new product.
NANGA promotes a circulating life cycle of down, and here are the four stages of that cycle.
Which part of the bird’s feathers is referred to as down?
The ins and outs of down
The term "down" refers to the feathers that grow on the breasts of waterfowl. Down is light and offers great insulation, along with the ability to pass moisture into the atmosphere. The term “down ball” is used to refer to a single piece of down. Down is a precious material as it can only be collected in small quantities from a single bird and is not found in landfowl. Only waterfowl grow down as they need to protect themselves against the loss of body heat in their waterside habitats. The downs that are used as materials for manufactured products come primarily from two kinds of waterfowl: geese and ducks. Goose down balls are large. Their fine, soft fibers provide excellent insulation and water absorbency. In contrast, duck down is firm and springy, which gives it great resiliency. Duck downs are ideal for giving the products a firm loftiness.
Kawada Feather,
Japan's leading specialist in down refinery.
The down that NANGA uses in its products goes through a cleaning process at Kawada Feather, a Japanese down and feather manufacturer. Raw waterfowl down is covered with dust and grime that is invisible to the naked eye; when left untreated, it can degrade the down's insulation performance as well as promote the growth of bacteria and dust mites. Situated on the Ise Plains in Mie Prefecture, Kawada Feather's main factory is fully equipped with the company's very own purification and processing equipment. The water provided by the bountiful, mountainous environment is a key factor in the cleaning and purification process. The dry climate promotes the down to expand, further enhancing the factory's ability to remove dirt. The pristine and super soft quality of the water is perfect for washing away dander. Kawada Feather reaps the full benefits of its environment, advanced technology, and human craftsmanship to produce beautiful down.
Down can be washed at home!
Learn the proper way to wash down.
Washing down products will degrade their quality─this is a very common misconception. The truth is that proper washing will cleanse the down of absorbed perspiration and oils, bringing back its fluffiness. There is no need for frequent washing. However, we would like to share with you the proper method of washing down so that you can comfortably enjoy the full benefits of the products.
Green Down: The down recycling project
The Green Down Project aims to collect down products that are no longer being used, regardless of the manufacturer, and refines the downs to give them life as new products. These recycled downs are cleaner than ordinary virgin down, and the comparison becomes more evident when viewed under an electron microscope.
