Staying dry and warm on rainy days is important, especially if you have to work all day. Different professions have different needs for rainwear. But how do you choose the right rainwear? We help you navigate through the jungle of rainwear. It's important to consider your needs before buying rainwear. Some people need to protect themselves from precipitation during a full day's work, while others only need to be outside for short periods.
Water-repellent clothes withstand lighter rain and have good breathability, which means that they release much of your excess heat and you sweat less. A water-repellent jacket or pants are suitable if you don't need to be outdoors all day or if there are lighter rain showers. Examples of water-repellent jackets are softshell jackets.
A waterproof garment can withstand sustained rain for longer periods and is suitable for those who work outdoors for most of the day. Waterproof clothing comes in the form of membrane jackets or PU-coated jackets. If you move a lot and are physically active in your work, it is important to have waterproof clothing that breathes well and releases steam and heat so that you do not get wet from sweat on the inside. These rainwear are often made of polyester and rely on different layers, membranes, and taped seams. They are often soft and have a flexible fit. PU- or PVC-coated clothing (rubber/galon clothing) is generally more waterproof but breathes less and is suitable if you have a job where you don't need to move around as much or if you need very durable rainwear.
One way to denote the waterproofness of a material is to indicate the water column. It is a value for how high water pressure, expressed in millimeters, a material can withstand before water penetrates and becomes wet on the other side.
It can be difficult to translate the number of millimeters in the water column to everyday situations. The value of the water column can provide guidance on how much moisture the garment can withstand; generally, over 5000mm is waterproof. Below we have compiled a simple table for guidance:
|
Water column |
|
| <3000 mm | The material may be water-repellent, but it is not waterproof. |
| 3000 - 5000 mm |
The material can withstand light to moderate rain for a shorter time; if you sit down, there is a risk of water seeping through. |
| 5000 - 10 000 mm |
The material can withstand moderate rain for a longer time. |
| 10 000 – 15 000 mm |
The material can withstand continuous rain for a long time. |
| 15 000 - 25 000 mm | The material can withstand heavy rain for a longer time. |
|
>25 000 mm |
The material can withstand very heavy rain for a longer time. |
There are different test methods for determining the height of the water column a material can withstand, and the execution is different for, among other things, the interval for pressure increase. Therefore, the result may be different for the same material depending on which test method was used; the most common methods are EN ISO 811 and JIS L 1092.
In some professions, it is important to be highly visible, and it becomes even more important in bad weather when visibility is reduced. There are warning rainwear with high visibility that are Hi Vis certified.
The more you use a rain garment, the more it wears out and gradually becomes less water-repellent. To prolong the lifespan of the garment and enhance its water-repellent properties, you can apply a waterproofing treatment. Additionally, always follow the care instructions on each garment to ensure the best functionality.
Our rainwear is labeled with an EN standard (EN 343) that sets requirements for water resistance, breathability, and durability, among others. The upper number indicates the class of the garment's water resistance (up to a maximum of 4). The lower number indicates the class of the garment's breathability (up to a maximum of 4).
