With autumn seemingly in full swing already, rainy, blustery days are something we all have to deal with. Too many times over the years, I’ve stepped out in a seemingly waterproof jacket, only to find the rain seeping through anyway. It’s frustrating (and a waste of money).
So what do waterproof ratings actually mean? What do we really need to own so that we can get outside and enjoy nature, whatever the weather? Here’s what I found:
Hydrostatic Head Test
The waterproofness of a fabric is measured using a Hydrostatic Head Test. This measures how much water can collect on fabric before it starts to seep through (this measurement is in millimetres). The higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric is.
These are the numbers to look for:
- up to 1,500mm – best for light showers, not good for heavy rain or prolonged exposure to water
- up to 2,000mm – good for everyday use, including decent rain showers
- up to 5,000mm – also fine for everyday use, but suitable for hikes with a decent amount of rain
- up to 10,000mm – can withstand moderate to heavy rain for extended periods
- 20,000mm+ – for heavy rain/mountainous conditions of heavy rain or wet snow – Extremely waterproof, this will pretty much keep the rain off you.
The difference between water resistant and waterproof
There’s actually a technical difference between these two terms.
Water resistant refers to fabric that has been treated with repellent coating. This means water droplets should roll off the fabric rather than seeping through. These are lightweight jackets and are great for everyday wear, but might not protect you in a real downpour.
Waterproof fabric, meanwhile, has been treated with repellent coating, but may also have a special membrane lining and taped seams – this means no rain can get in through the shoulders or other stitching areas (which is the issue I’ve had in the past). Taped seams can make a huge difference.
If you want something that’s really going to protect you from the elements, look for the word ‘waterproof’ rather than ‘water resistant’, and check out the hydrostatic head measurement – the higher it is, the tougher the fabric will be.
Where to find good-quality waterproof jackets
I believe there is a gap in the market for fully waterproof, but stylish jackets. Often, unfortunately, the loveliest trench coats or bomber jackets just won’t keep a downpour away.
For the autumn and winter, I recommend going to camping/outdoor sports shops, rather than high street fashion retailers. If you’re in the UK, Mountain Warehouse is a good source for hard-wearing waterproof jackets.
If you’re buying online, just know that good quality usually comes at a slightly higher cost. Not all sellers on marketplaces like Amazon are 100% truthful in their claims, and I’ve been noticing more AI-generated reviews lately. If you can, buy from a trusted retailer, ideally in person!
Featured image: Keaton Nye, Unsplash
