Waterproof Jackets
Posted by outdoormole on Jan 17, 2009What should you look for in a waterproof jacket? A good general-purpose jacket will be ideal for anyone who just wants to invest in one coat, as you can always add layers for cold weather. The waterproofing is provided by the use of products like Gore-Tex or eVent – special fabrics which are created by fusing a waterproof membrane with a high performance fabric to ensure breathability. Let’s start at the top; the hood should have drawcords that retract into the coat so that they don’t whip you in the face when windy. It should allow you to turn your head and move with you so as not to restrict your view and ideally be adjustable at the rear of the head so that larger hoods don’t hang low over the eyes. A wired peak will allow the wearer to adjust the shape around the face.
The body of the coat should be sufficient long so that when climbing over stiles or bending over the lower back remains covered. Cuffs should be adjustable and long enough to cover the upper part of the hand – and they need to accommodate your gloves too if you’re going to wear this coat in cold weather.
Zips are important because without appropriate flaps they can be the cause of water seeping in. A stormflap over the front of the zip which is held in place by velcro or press-studs is the norm on good jackets. Waterproof qualilty versus breathability is a balancing act; good manufacturers will supply data to indicate levels of both. Ventilation through pit zips is sometimes an option as well.
Pockets should be accessible and easy to open even when wearing gloves. Some pockets can be mesh lined to aid with ventilation but this can cause water seepage so it’s worth prioritising your needs when choosing a jacket to suit the activities you plan to undertake when wearing it.
