Water Resistant Vs Waterproof Jacket

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 vs waterproof jacket.

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 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. There s a big difference between the two. Water resistant clothing means that items have a waterproofing repellent coating on the outside to stop water absorption.

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. Don t let the terms water resistant and waterproof fool you. Water resistant is a lower level of rain protection. It is also important to consider how windproof a jacket is as this will help to keep the user warm.

However they are not fully tape seamed meaning that water can still get in through areas such as the zip. To help you out we ve put together the following explanation on the difference between waterproof and water resistant. 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.

Water resistant jackets are usually made of fabrics that have some resistance against small amounts of water such as nylon or that are difficult to wet such as polyester. 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. That s because not all jackets are created equal. Water resistant or water repellent jackets will help keep you dry in light rains but.