After having used a number of different types of jackets I feel the term “waterproof” is very misleading and a bit of a holy grail. I feel that it is more about moisture control, with the outer shell being just one part of the layering system that we all know about. Your clothes are going to get damp in any type of “waterproof” be it by sweat or moisture from the outside it’s the clothes underneath which have to cope with this to keep your body dry. This is done with the use of different materials and and layering systems used to maintain that thin layer of warm air next to the skin, under the outer jacket material.
All the materials used for the outer jackets have good and bad points. At the end of the day is a wetted out Gore-Tex any better than a coated fabric with its condensation or a damp feeling Ventile or wax cotton? All the jackets in this state are keeping the wind out which is important.
With this in mind is the the term “waterproof” a myth and should the term water resistant be used more in the description of these outer shell jackets? Just try a keep a tissue dry in the pocket in any “waterproof” jacket.
All the materials used for the outer jackets have good and bad points. At the end of the day is a wetted out Gore-Tex any better than a coated fabric with its condensation or a damp feeling Ventile or wax cotton? All the jackets in this state are keeping the wind out which is important.
With this in mind is the the term “waterproof” a myth and should the term water resistant be used more in the description of these outer shell jackets? Just try a keep a tissue dry in the pocket in any “waterproof” jacket.