What makes a jacket waterproof?
Waterproof or water-repellent, potato-potatoe?
The difference between water-repellent and waterproof jackets lies in the extent to which they keep rain out. A water-repellent jacket will keep yo udry to some extent, but during long or very heavy rainfall, water will eventually seep throug. A waterproof jacket, on the other hand, can withstand heavy and long rain.
Waterproofing: water column rating
The water column rating, expressed in millimeters, indicates how much water pressure a abric can withstand before it starts to leak. It therefore indicates the level of waterproofing. The higher the water column rating, the better the fabric is able to withstand rain.
<5.000mm: water-resistant against light rain and snow, but not against heavy or prolonged rainfall.
5.000 - 10.000mm: waterproof in light rain and snow. Can withstand light pressure, but only for a limited amount of time.
10.000 - 15.000mm: waterproof in moderate rain and snow. Suitable for longer hikes and can withstand moderate pressure, for example from a light hiking backpack.
15.000 - 20.000mm: waterproof in heavy rain and wet snow. Can withstand high pressure and friction from a heavy backpack, even during prolonged exposure to wet conditions.
> 20.000mm: highly waterproof and suitable for heavy rain and snow. Provides excellent protection against high pressure and friction from a heavy backpack, making it a good choice for longer backpacking trips in harsh and wet conditions.
Water-repellent jackets
A water-repellent jacket is designed to make water roll off the jacket. It provides protection against light and short rain and is generally windproof.
The water-repellent properties come from a DWR coating - Durable Water Repellent. This ultra-thin coating prevents the fabric from absorbing water, and rolls it off instead. The coating is not permanent and needs to be reapplied regularly using a spray.
Waterproof jackets
A waterproof jacket is designed to keep out heavy rain and light snowfall. It is also windproof.
The level of waterproofness is indicated by its water column rating. For waterproof jackets, the water column rating starts at 10.000mm and can exceed 20.000mm.
Do you want the best waterproof outerwear? Then you should put on a plastic jacket or poncho. Cheaper than a raincoat, but worthless when it comes to breathability and comfort.
The waterproof properties come from the GORE-TEX membrane integrated into the fabric. The GORE-TEX membrane is a membrane that contains billions of pores per square centimeter. Each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet. So, you can already guess: water cannot find its way through here. What can pass through, however, is moisture and vapor. In other words: sweat. And that's a good thing because this one-way traffic ensures that the temperature inside the jacket doesn't get too high during exercise.
Is expensive always better?
In the case of raincoats, we can answer this question with 'yes'.
As mentioned earlier, there is a difference between the finishing of a water-repellent and waterproof running jacket. And even within waterproof jackets, there is a difference in finishing: a simple coating is less durable but cheaper than a GORE-TEX membrane.
The degree to which the seams and zippers are finished also determines the price of your running jacket. Are they taped? Then you're one step closer to an excellently waterproof jacket.
For those who often run or hike in nature, a fabric with ripstop applied to it is likely beneficial. This weaving technique makes textile stronger and more tear-resistant.
If the material of the running jacket is also lightweight, easy to store, or even resistant to heavy storms, you'll probably see that reflected in the price tag.