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The Truth About “Waterproof” Outer-Layers
First and foremost, rubber outer-layers are one of the few actually waterproof layers. However, rubber layers have minimal uses unless you’re fishing in waders or waiting in the rain at a bus stop. Rubber does not allow moisture to pass through. When we exert energy body heat is created, moisture forms, and when trapped under rubber that moisture can make you as wet as if you had no outer-layer on at all.
The need for moisture to pass through an outer-layer while also resisting wind and water has led to the creation of special outer-layers, also known as shells. Here’s the catch. These layers are usually advertised as waterproof when in fact they are water resistant because of their need to “breath”. In this industry, the term “waterproof” is used when the material in a shell has a certain amount of water resistance. This water resistance value is not standardized. Therefore, when purchasing a shell you’ll need to either trust one company’s waterproof claim over another or scroll down to learn more.
Purchasing an Outer-Layer
When shopping for a shell there are a few basic steps to take.
Think about the:
Activity you will use it for,
Span of time using it, and
Weather you may use it in.
Beginners:
Almost every outer-layer on the market will satisfy your needs because the activities you try should be easy to moderate, the span of time doing the activity should be short, and the weather shouldn’t be brutal.
“I recommend beginners go for the cheaper option. Good reviews and ratings are always important but you don’t need to break the bank to get outside.” – Natalie
Intermediates & Experts:
Understanding water resistance and breathability in outer-layers becomes important when spending more time outdoors in harsher conditions while exerting more energy.
Several Key Pointers About Outer-Layers
– Water resistance and breathability differ from garment to garment because there are many types of water-resistant and breathable materials. Some are more breathable while others are more water resistant.
– Some companies advertise water resistance and breathability ratings. They are not required to provide these rating and the ratings in general are not standardized.
“Personally I don’t purchase outer-layers without these water resistance and breathability ratings because they are provided as a way for a company to boast the garment’s quality.” – Rob
– Although ratings are not standardized, the majority of companies that provide a rating use a millimeter rating system to test water resistance and breathability. The higher the millimeter rating, the more water resistant and breathable the material.
Here’s a simplified millimeter-rating guide for water resistance:
• 10K & below: Light drizzle 2-4 hours. Moderate rain up to 1 hour.
• 10K to 15K: Light drizzle 4-6 hours. Moderate rain 1-2 hours.
• 15K to 20K: Moderate rain 2-4 hours. Heavy rain 2-3 hours.
• 20K and up: Moderate rain 4-8 hours. Heavy rain up to 4 hours.
Here’s simplified millimeter-rating guide for breathability:
• 10K & below: Light exertion over a full day (walking, etc.).
• 10K to 15K: Moderate exertion over half to a full day (Resort skiing, etc.).
• 15K & above: Moderate to extreme exertion over a full day (Backpacking, touring, etc.).
If you’re looking to understand where these ratings come from and learn other rating systems check out our in depth explanation of water resistance and breathability ratings.
If you’re looking to compare the ratings of multiple outer-layers check out our waterproofness & breathability chart below. We listed all the available ratings we could find from various companies and their associated brands.
“I refer to this chart anytime I’m looking to buy a new shell for myself or while looking at shells to recommend for others.” – Rob
A Few Final Pointers…
– Zippers are a weak point in water resistance. High performance garments provide added water protection by either storm flaps overlapping zippers or by professionally taped and welded water resistant zippers to a garment.
– Seams are also a weak point in water resistance. Companies use rubber tape to seal the garment’s seams. Some garments even have seams that are welded together by heated pressure. These outer-layers have no holes at all for water to enter.
– DWR is a durable water-repellent finish that seals the exterior of a garment so no precipitation can sit on and saturate from the outside into the garment.
– The water resistance of an outer-layer decreases over time due to dirt and abrasions.
– Water resistance can be increased by washing and treating an outer-layer with DWR products such as Nikwax.
DWR Comparison
