The waterproofing of a garment is an essential characteristic, particularly in seasons where showers are fairly likely. You may well find yourself confused between the concepts of waterproofing and water-tightness and how they are assessed. This guide will help you navigate them easily and understand everything you need to choose your next waterproof garment for your outdoor activities.
The unit used to measure waterproofing is called the Schmerber (1 Schmerber equals a 1 mm water column). A fabric with a rating of 10,000 Schmerber can therefore withstand 10 m of water.
Knowing that the average pressure of falling rain 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 hike opt for a more waterproof garment — especially if you're heading to a destination with a risk of heavy weather.
Bear in mind, however, that laboratory tests differ somewhat from real-world conditions. For example, the pressure of your rucksack at the straps exerts pressure on your waterproof jacket , thereby reducing the waterproofing of the garment's membrane. It's the same phenomenon as when you touch the wall of a tent.
You need to factor this in when choosing your jacket. In any case, the coating or membrane must allow perspiration to escape, while preventing rainwater from passing through.
With its denim look, it is designed for both city use with a relaxed cut and more active use on hiking trails.
How does a garment become waterproof?
Before understanding how the waterproofing of a garment is measured, let's take a moment to look at the most commonly used waterproofing techniques in the clothing industry. There are in fact two different processes for making a fabric waterproof: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
We speak of a membrane when a protective film is bonded to the inner side of a fabric. The main advantage of membranes is that they are flexible, more durable and more breathable. However, they are more delicate and can sometimes be punctured relatively easily — though significant progress has been made recently to develop more resistant membranes. For regular use (as is the case with clothing), membrane-based products are the better choice. Their breathability is also a positive point for a garment, especially for sporting activities.What is waterproofing and how is it measured?
Waterproofing is simply the ability of a material — a fabric, for example — to prevent the penetration of a liquid such as water. To measure the waterproofing 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 height of water at which the first drops pass through the fabric is then determined.
The unit used to measure waterproofing is called the Schmerber (1 Schmerber equals a 1 mm water column). A fabric with a rating of 10,000 Schmerber can therefore withstand 10 m of water.
Knowing that the average pressure of falling rain 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 hike opt for a more waterproof garment — especially if you're heading to a destination with a risk of heavy weather.
Bear in mind, however, that laboratory tests differ somewhat from real-world conditions. For example, the pressure of your rucksack at the straps exerts pressure on your waterproof jacket , thereby reducing the waterproofing of the garment's membrane. It's the same phenomenon as when you touch the wall of a tent.
You need to factor this in when choosing your jacket. In any case, the coating or membrane must allow perspiration to escape, while preventing rainwater from passing through.
What about using a waterproof garment?
It can be tempting to think that a fully waterproof garment will do the job. That may be the case with a waxed garment or a waterproof poncho for staying dry on a hike. In fact, a waterproof garment is not breathable at all. A few minutes in the rain is manageable, but for a hike of several hours or several days it becomes a real problem. You'll end up wet from your own perspiration, which has nowhere to go — more uncomfortable than anything else. These garments are not recommended for hiking, and even less so for any sporting activity.An example of a waterproof jacket
This Eagle jacket, with its Active Shell waterproof-breathable membrane, is fully mesh-lined and all seams are heat-sealed. It offers great freedom of movement while delivering maximum protection against rain and wind, with a membrane rated to 10,000 mm of water and breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24h. Perfect for sporting outings, its resistance to abrasion and tearing is a guarantee of outstanding longevity.
An example of a waterproof trouser
This waterproof trouser Québec pour homme is warm and features a softshell fabric with a waterproof-breathable membrane rated to 10,000 mm of water and a real breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24 h. Its softshell fabric combines 3 layers: an inner microfibre layer for thermal insulation, a waterproof-breathable membrane, and an ultra-resistant stretch outer fabric to ensure excellent durability.
With its denim look, it is designed for both city use with a relaxed cut and more active use on hiking trails.
