Water Resistant Vs Waterproof Jacket

Overall a waterproof jacket will be more expensive but more effective in keeping out water whereas a water resistant jacket will be cheaper but less effective in keeping out water.

Water resistant vs waterproof jacket.

The difference between water resistant and waterproof is all in the construction. Water resistant is a lower level of rain protection. 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. There s a big difference between the two.

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 clothing means that items have a waterproofing repellent coating on the outside to stop water absorption. Don t let the terms water resistant and waterproof fool you. In theory any fabric between you and falling rain will keep some water from reaching your skin making it at least partially water resistant and a surprising variety of jackets list water resistance as a.

There is a difference between waterproof water repellent and water resistant and when you start to add breathability into the mix things can start to get a little complicated. 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. That s because not all jackets are created equal. However they are not fully tape seamed meaning that water can still get in through areas such as the zip.

These fabrics are then lightly coated with different substances which form a protective layer that will increase endurance against light rainfall or damp conditions. To help you out we ve put together the following explanation on the difference between waterproof and water resistant. 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. Ever bought a jacket thought it would keep you dry in a downpour only to find out the hard way that it doesn t.