How to choose a waterproof

A light packable waterproof should serve you well if you confine your camping to the summer months. It will happily and handily reside in a small rucksack where you won’t notice its weight or minute pack size. However, summer hillwalkers, outdoor activists and all-year-round campers may want something a little more substantial – getting more heavy and technical as demand dictates. But before you part with your cash let’s consider the basics with a quick look at the popular light to mid-weight sector.

A good waterproof will protect you from wind and water (rain, snow, fog…) and will be designed to do so while you are doing specific activities. Styles change with times to meet demand. For instance, years ago a knee length waterproof was choice of walkers seeking maximum rain protection. However, these provided limited mobility so the thigh-length jacket worn with overtrousers gained popularity. Not only does this style provide the mobility to cross a style but the cut is still long enough so that it does not ride up and reveal the lower back when stretching – great when leaping in and out of cars and pitching the tent. This style takes some beating for general purpose use.

Of course, such pursuits like backpacking, cycling and climbing influence style. Many jackets are cut short at the front so that they do not ruck up when cycling or impede the use of a harness or rucksack hipbelt. Pockets positions are moved for similar reasons. The jacket tends to have a scooped back to provide lower back protection when bending or stretching.

Jacket designs have moved on in leaps and bounds, and many boast a myriad of features. But, unless you are buying an activity specific top, many may be superfluous and just detract from its breathability.

This is a subject that might get me into trouble. You see much is made of a waterproof’s breathability – the ability to maintain a comfortable micro-climate inside the clothes by transferring water vapour from your sweat to the outside. This is a very subjective topic governed by so many variables – like how much you sweat, ambient humidity, age of jacket, type of material, number of sealed seams, under garments, fabric treatments… the list goes on. And while Gore-Tex rules the roost and new comers, such as eVent, prove their worth, the sad fact is you have to pay a lot of money to find anything like inner comfort when the heavens open (see Outside the box below).

While we all like to feel comfortable, it is not a waterproof’s key function. We went for years without breathable waterproofs and, although we became a tad damp inside, the jacket protected you from the twin killers ­- wet and wind chill. And that protection dictates certain cut and key features that are, in my mind, generally far more relevant to a camper’s needs than breathability.

Waterproof breathability normally comes from the use of a laminate, membrane or drop liner. These use materials that either transfers water vapour through microscopic holes too big for water droplets to pass, or via molecular chain, or a mix of both. Whatever, water droplets are kept out while the differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the garment drives water vapour out. However, this is not very efficient at the best of times and drops as things get humid outside the clothes. You soon find you have to stop and open the jacket to cool off and get rid of condensation by venting.

Keela and Paramo use a different approach to waterproofing. Keela’s System Dual Protection places a barrier between you and the jacket’s outer to create an air gap. This stores water vapour until it can escape and prevents condensation forming. Paramo also has a special lining that physically lifts water and takes it away from the body at a far faster rate than it could be removed by evaporation alone. Both systems are extremely effective and long-lasing solutions to the waterproof/breathability problem.

Torso – Long enough to protect body and clothes, short enough not to inhibit movement. Scoop backs protect the bum when the jacket rides up. Seams and pockets are placed so water does not sit or drain into them. Seams and features decrease the area of breathable fabric – if important go minimalist on the feature front. The fabric is often backed by mesh to aid breathability while enhancing comfort.

Sleeves – Long enough to tuck hands into in really wet weather. Sometimes sleeves feature thumb loops to stop arms riding up when cycling and may be articulated to help movement when participating in outdoor pursuits. Softer fabrics allow you to push sleeves back to aid venting. Cuffs may be elasticated and have a Velcro tab to close any gap at the wrist from wind and rain. Sleeves are often lined with taffeta polyester or similar to help slip arms through.

Hood – Drawcords to close the hood around the face and to adjust the volume are a boon. A peak with a stiffened rim will help keep water off the face even in the wind. You need a hood that will move with you as you turn your head rather than stay still – unless you really want to see the inside of the hood. Some hoods are detachable and some fold into collar for storage. Check that the collar is not too bulky when the hood is stored. Can you tuck you chin into the collar for protection?

Zip – A storm flap will often protect the main zip from water ingress, and this will often have another lying under it as an extra seal. This storm flap may have its outer edge sewn to create a gutter to take any rain away from the zip. A two-way zip helps venting and movement – especially when getting into a car.

Drawcords – Two at the hood, one at the hem and a possible waist drawcord allow you to maximise fit and venting while keeping out water and wind. It is nice if all drawcords can be operated using only one hand. The use of elastic cord allows you to move without the discomfort of a normal cord cutting off circulation.

Pockets – Keep it simple to minimise potential leak points. I like two hand warming pockets that can be reached when wearing a rucksack’s waist strap, and a map pocket located under the storm flap so you can reach in without letting water into the jacket.

Pit zips – These under arm zips can be opened to help water vapour escape.

Three-in-one – Zip in a fleece for colder conditions.