Water Resistant Vs Waterproof Jacket

In theory any fabric between you and falling rain will keep some water from reaching your skin making it at least partially water resistant and a surprising variety of jackets list water resistance as a.

Water resistant vs waterproof jacket.

There is a difference between waterproof water repellent and water resistant and when you start to add breathability into the mix things can start to get a little complicated. Water resistant jackets and pants usually have a dwr durable water repellent finish on the exterior that repels moisture and keeps you dry in light rain or snow. However they are not fully tape seamed meaning that water can still get in through areas such as the zip. Essentially water resistant and waterproof designate the degree to which rain is kept from getting through a jacket while water repellent refers to an extra coating that improves any rain jacket s performance waterproof included.

Water resistant or water repellent jackets will help keep you dry in light rains but. That s because not all jackets are created equal. These fabrics are then lightly coated with different substances which form a protective layer that will increase endurance against light rainfall or damp conditions. The difference between water resistant and waterproof is all in the construction.

A waterproof jacket will have a waterproof membrane which increases the cost whereas a water resistant jacket utilizes a water repellent treatment on the exterior of the jacket which is cheaper. To help you out we ve put together the following explanation on the difference between waterproof and water resistant. Ever bought a jacket thought it would keep you dry in a downpour only to find out the hard way that it doesn t. Water resistant is a lower level of rain protection.

So whether you are trying to get your hands on a running jacket to wear in a light drizzle or you want a water tight hiking bag to keep all your gear safe and secure you ll need to be able to tell one from the other. There s a big difference between the two. Don t let the terms water resistant and waterproof fool you. It is also important to consider how windproof a jacket is as this will help to keep the user warm.