Whatever your outdoor activity — hiking, walking, running — you face the elements, and rain in particular, from autumn through to early spring. While short spells of rain are easy enough to handle, having the right clothing to keep out the rain becomes essential when the forecast is stuck on "showers"! Check out the must-have water-repellent and waterproof garments to stay dry and enjoy the outdoors even when the weather turns grey.
Waterproofness of a garment: everything you need to know
Waterproofness is an essential concept to grasp before choosing a garment to protect yourself from the rain. The techniques used have evolved significantly over time, and today there are essentially two:
Coating: the inner surface of a fabric is coated with a layer of hydrophobic chemical product (which repels water). Most coated garments are very affordable, but the drawback of this process is that most coatings quickly lose their waterproof properties.
The membrane technique: this is used when a protective film is bonded to the inner surface of a fabric. The key advantage of membranes is that they are flexible, more durable and more breathable. However, they are more fragile and can sometimes be pierced relatively easily, although significant advances have been made recently to produce more resistant membranes. Today this is the most widely used technique for ensuring the waterproofness of quality garments.
Furthermore, the breathability achieved thanks to membranes is a real plus for a garment, especially for sporting activities.
How is waterproofness measured?
To measure the waterproofness level of a fabric, it is placed under a column or tube filled with water. The fabric is then subjected to the pressure of the water column, which is progressively increased.
The point at which the first drops pass through the fabric is then determined by the height of water reached.
The unit used to measure waterproofness is the Schmerber (1 Schmerber equals 1 mm water column). A fabric with a rating of 10,000 Schmerber can therefore withstand 10 m of water.
Given that the average pressure of falling rainwater is between 1,000 and 2,000 Schmerber, for a hike in light rain, choose a waterproof garment of at least 3,000 Schmerber, while for a multi-day hiking trip, opt for a more waterproof garment — especially if you're heading to a destination with a risk of heavy weather.
Examples of waterproof jackets
This ADVANCED 2 H jacket is a model that is 2x lighter and 8x more breathable than a standard hardshell jacket. It offers a great deal of stretch — ideal for moving, walking and all dynamic activities. Furthermore, it is made from a durable fabric with finer pores for better airflow. Ultimately, its membrane delivers a waterproofness of over 20,000 mm, making it perfect protection against rain (even heavy rain!) — all at under 400 g!
This Ultrashell® 3-layer jacket will be an indispensable companion for your mountain outings, as it is truly built for extreme conditions and the most demanding athletes. But it will also be perfect for less extreme activities such as hiking or any other outdoor pursuit, as well as trips into town on rainy days.
Finally, it packs down to 1.5 litres in your backpack and has a clean, technical look that's very on-trend! It is without doubt the waterproof jacket to choose for facing bad weather in style.
The PERFORMANCE 3H jacket is a waterproof and breathable jacket that keeps you thoroughly dry with its 3-layer hardshell fabric waterproof to>10,000 mm. It is available for both men and women and offers optimal comfort alongside an elegant cut.
With breathability of>10,000 g/24h/m² and a highly resistant structure, this jacket also has the advantage of being lightweight and compressible. Indeed, its latest-generation 3-layer laminated fabric achieves a genuinely reduced weight and volume.
With watertight closures, laser-cut bonded seams and welded taped seams at 1.5 cm, this is a high-protection jacket with unbeatable durability.
A trouser to protect you from the rain
The HOGGAR 3 H trouser is a waterproof trouser fitted with a breathable membrane. This Activ'Shell membrane is not only waterproof-breathable but also stretchy — which is why this trouser is appreciated for sporting activities, and of course hiking in particular. It is also very supple and lightweight, and offers an excellent price-to-performance ratio!
Its waterproof-breathable fabric with CIMASHELL membrane is waterproof to a pressure of 10,000 mm of water and breathable at 10,000 g/m²/24h: your legs will never be wet from rain, nor trapped in a sauna effect caused by perspiration trapped against your skin.
It also has a remarkable windproof capacity and is therefore particularly recommended for transitional seasons when rain and wind can frequently combine. Finally, it is available in a short-leg version for people under 1.72 m tall, and a women's version is also available.
