Finding decent-quality rain gear is a crucial aspect of assembling the perfect hiking outfit for wet weather. In this guide, you’ll find waterproof ratings explained, helping you to make the best choices when selecting rain gear. You’ll also find tips on breathability (MVTR) and perfect fitting, as well as information on maintenance and DWR care.
Before you Buy: Waterproof Ratings Explained
On the surface, Waterproofing ratings seem like a complicated concept, but in reality, they’re quite easy to understand. The best way to comprehend this is by seeing waterproofing as the ability of a fabric to resist water penetration and thus keep you dry. All waterproofing ratings are measured in millimetres (MM), so for example, if branded men's outdoor shirts have a rating of 8000mm, they can withstand about an 8 metre column of water before giving in. The industry standard ratings go as follows:
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1,500mm - Baseline Waterproof
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5,000mm - For light or Average rain
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10,000mm - For moderate or periodically heavy rain
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20,000mm - For all-day, unrelenting rain
Likewise, you associate this guide with similar weather where you can expect wet conditions. Lower ratings, for example, will be suitable for light showers and dry snow, while you’ll need more protection in wet snow or longer exposures to moisture.
What do we mean by Breathability?
Equally important in the concept of Waterproofing is breathability when considering the best options for your hiking trip. The term to know here is Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate or breathability (MVTR), which can be regarded as the rate at which moisture passes through fabric in 24 hours. It’s measured in g/m²/24hr, and is similar to waterproofing; the ratings go as follows:
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0 g/m²/24hr - Minimal breathability, which means clothing will likely trap moisture, decreasing comfort the worse it gets. Suitable for light activities or light showers.
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5,000 g/m²/24hr to 10,000 g/m²/24hr - Moderate breathability, suited for low-intensity, casual activities like walking the dog or brisk travelling.
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10,000 g/m²/24hr to 15,000 g/m²/24hr - Significant breathability, allows a lot of moisture to escape quickly, making this level suitable for moderate-intensity activity like Hiking and Cycling.
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15,000 g/m²/24hr and above - Excellent breathability, resulting in effective moisture management. High-intensity activities, such as trail cycling, running, or mountaineering, are best suited for this.
Balancing Waterproofing and Breathability
The last factor to consider is how well-balanced a specific garment is. If you’re hiking in a rain jacket that has great waterproofing but terrible breathability, then the outcome is likely to be very uncomfortable.
How you can Care for and Maintain DWR
If you’re enthusiastic about hiking and often use the same apparel, then sooner or later, you’ll need to know how to care for and maintain the waterproofing level on all of it. The lion’s share of waterproof clothing is treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR), which can slowly disintegrate over time due to abrasion from skin, bodily oils, casual wear, and tear, as well as dirt buildup.
Restoring DWR
The good news is that you can easily repair or reapply DWR waterproof coating to clothing without compromising breathability, as it works by coating the fibres and leaving room between them for moisture to escape. Water repellency can be restored by following these simple steps:
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Check care instructions - Some apparel has specific care requirements to prevent damage, so be sure to check the clothing labels or the manufacturer’s website before washing or treating it.
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Cleaning - It’s best to use a fabric cleaner to treat and remove dirt buildup from the DWR coating here, as it won’t interfere with its chemical properties.
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Heating - To reactivate the DWR coating, apply low to medium heat in the tumble dryer or with an iron for approximately 20 minutes. With the latter, be sure to keep a dry towel or cloth between the two to prevent damage to the clothing.
Applying DWR
If you need to add more DWR to your apparel, this is just as easy. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for either the Wash-in or Spray-on methods for restoring DWR coating. You can then repeat the Cleaning and Drying steps in the previous section. Your garment should then have a new coating of DWR, which will keep you dry in outdoor conditions.
Summary
If you’ve got to this point, then congratulations! You now know better when it comes to balancing waterproofing and breathability, as well as how to care for your apparel. If not, here’s the cliffnotes:
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For waterproofing, choose 10,000mm for moderate protection
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When hiking, clothing rated for 10-15,000 g/m²/24hr MVTR is best
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You can reactivate DWR coating on clothes by heating or by applying a new layer. Check manufacturer recommendations first.