April Showers: Buy the Right Rain Gear
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by Jason MerrickRain gear has come a long way since the yellow plastic parkas of our youth. Today there’s a huge array of waterproof clothing, each with specific functions and forms: ultralight pullovers that pack down tiny for the fast-and-light purist, stretchy pieces with venting options for aerobic freaks, and strong and sturdy shells that will last you years.
What rain gear is right for you?
Well, it depends on what you’re using it for. (You didn’t think this would be easy, now did you?)
For any type of aerobic activity, you’ll want something waterproof and breathable. Waterproof so you stay dry, and breathable so you don’t overheat. A good rule is, the more you’re working, the more breathable your garment should be.
Your dog wants waterproof/breathable.
How Does Rain Gear Work?
In a nutshell, waterproof breathable fabric has a high surface energy that prevents liquid water from passing through it, but allows water vapor to escape. Rain doesn’t get to your skin, and your sweat can evaporate, both of which helps you stay comfortable and dry.
The sweat passes through, and the rain stays out.
What does waterproof actually mean?
Good question. A fabric is classified as 100% waterproof if it keeps water at a pressure of 25 PSI from passing through it.
To put this into perspective, a hard rain generates about 2 PSI. While this doesn’t seem like much, any activity increases this pressure. If you weigh 170 pounds, just sitting creates about 7 PSI, while kneeling creates about 18. Now imagine bumping into boulders, trees, and wearing a backpack. Straps on a 40-pound pack can push the pressure to 30 PSI as it shuffles and shifts throughout the day.
Also, dirt and body oils contaminate the garment, lowering its surface energy – and its waterproofness. Cleaning will restore some of its protection, but it will never be as waterproof as the day you bought it. So you’ll often lose a little waterproofness as time wears on. Be sure to take all this into account when buying raingear.
What about Breathability?
Breathability ratings are far more subjective. First off, there’s no standard test like that for waterproofness. And more importantly, not everyone sweats the same. But breathability is still important. A plastic bag is waterproof, but since it doesn’t breathe it will collect moisture on the inside which could make you cold and uncomfortable.
A fabric’s breathability rating, represented in units of g/24hrs/m2, tells how many grams of water vapor pass through a square meter of fabric in a day, in labratory tests. A fabric with a rating of 10,000g/24hrs/m2 is considered highly breathable.
While a breathability rating is not entirely useful in the woods, it’ll give you a good benchmark to make comparisons when choosing a garment.
Specifics on Rain Gear
All the rain gear we sell at Backcountry.com is 100% waterproof and highly breathable. Beyond that, choose what works best for you. The general rule is, the more rigorous your activity, the higher waterproof and breathability ratings you’ll need.
Marmot's PreCip is “the only rain jacket I wear.” -Andy Huntington, head Gearhead at Backcountry.com.
Moderate Activity in Mild Weather: For day hiking and hanging out in mild rain, it’s tough to beat the value and performance of Marmot’s PreCip jacket. At $99 it features 25 PSI of waterproofness and a breathability rating of 10,000 g/24hrs/m2. The PreCip is in its 5th generation and it shows. The Dry Touch lining and fully taped seams should keep the water out, and if you find yourself getting a bit overheated, take advantage of the PitZips. Plus it comes in a pile of dazzling colors so you’ll never clash with your surroundings. Also check out: The North Face Venture, Sierra Designs Hurricane LT Parka
The North Face Prophecy
Backpacking, Fastpacking, Trekking in Moderate Weather: When the going gets tough, the smart grab The North Face Prophecy jacket. Built with HyVent DT, TNF’s proprietary fabric, this piece boasts a waterproof rating of 40 PSI and a breathability rating of 12,000g/24hrs/m2. It’s light, too. Skinny-taped seams and a microdot lining keep this beauty under 9oz, despite amenities like Pit Zips and chest vents that weigh similar jackets down. Also check out: GoLite Revelation Jacket.
Men’s Arc’Teryx Alpha SL “Burly, bright,
and light”
Working hard in Extreme Weather: For long, hard excursions in the gnarliest conditions, reach for the Arc'teryx Alpha SL Jacket. Utilizing Gore-Tex PacLite fabric, this monster shines with an incredible 60 PSI waterproof rating and 18,000 g/24hrs/m2 of breathability. But it’s also surprisingly light at 12.2oz. Fully waterproof zippers eliminate the weight and bulk of storm flaps, and the one-handed pull cords on the helmet and waist hem let you quickly seal out the elements without losing your stride. Also check out: Marmot Rim Jacket
What did we learn?
We’re no longer confined to plastic bags to stay dry. Modern waterproof breathable duds keep you drier, warmer, and more comfortable than ever before – so you can stay outside longer. And isn’t that what this is all about?
Also, if the above selections didn’t tickle your fancy, check out our rainwear categories: