Waterproof outdoor apparel is essential to keeping athletes dry, comfortable, and regulating body temperature while training in damp conditions. Understanding the differences among waterproof, water-resistant, and water repellent fabrics will enable athletes to select gear tailored specifically to their needs.

Fabrics designed to be both breathable and waterproof can prevent sweat from building up inside garments, helping athletes feel their best and perform at their peak performance. Advanced technologies like Gore-Tex membrane and eVent DVAlpine use microscopic pores small enough to block outside moisture while still allowing perspiration vapors out.

Breathability

Breathability should be top of your priority list when shopping for waterproof outdoor apparel. Breathability refers to the ability of fabric materials to allow moisture from sweat evaporation out, keeping you cool and dry during high intensity activities.

Waterproof fabrics feature a membrane or coating that prevents moisture from penetrating the garment, with some also offering soft linings to increase comfort while wearing. Traditional rainwear such as PVC coats commonly worn by commercial fishermen or dock workers may be waterproof but offer no breathability, leaving you hot and sweaty inside their jacket.

Many modern waterproof garments use Gore-Tex fabrics, which offer both breathability and weatherproofing properties. With millions of microscopic pores per square inch that allow sweat vapor escape while keeping rain and snow out, these garments are an ideal choice for hiking, mountaineering, skiing and snowboarding.

Waterproofing

Waterproof fabrics can effectively repel moisture so it cannot seep through their outer layers and into your skin, which is particularly crucial as moisture conducts heat away from your body far more efficiently than air does, potentially leading to hypothermia in extreme circumstances.

Waterproofing methods that work effectively involve special membranes or coatings applied to fabric that block water from adhering. Similar to non-stick pans, when water drops come into contact with these surfaces they form beads and roll off instead of seeping into it.

Some waterproof gear is also breathable, allowing sweat to escape freely and maintaining an ideal body temperature without creating that uncomfortable clammy feeling when active. For maximum effectiveness when engaging in high intensity sports activities that cause more rapid DWR wear-off, choose garments with DWR treatments that can easily be renewed using steamering or spray-on DWR products such as Nikwax spray-on products; especially crucial in high intensity situations when your DWR could wear off more rapidly.

Durability

Outdoor activity demands waterproof clothing; rain can come at any moment and create discomfort, even hypothermia in extreme cases. By keeping body heat escaping efficiently through waterproofing technology, an active exploration experience becomes much more comfortable.

In the past, waterproofing was achieved using natural materials such as waxed cotton and rubber that are good at keeping out water but do not permit airflow through their fabric layers. While such techniques might work for high-end rain jackets, they aren’t the most appropriate options when it comes to performance pieces that require mobility and comfort during movement.

Outdoor brands today rely on fabrics like Gore-Tex membranes to craft garments that are waterproof yet breathable, offering maximum performance during outdoor activity. These constructions feature face fabric treated with durable water repellent (DWR), protecting it from abrasions and sweat-clogging contaminants while warp knitted mesh linings promote airflow within the jacket – also helping your sweat evaporate away without creating that damp feeling during intense activity.

Care

Waterproof gear is essential to enjoying outdoor adventures uninhibited by inclement weather conditions. Waterproofing keeps moisture at bay from your skin, protecting against heat loss and potential hypothermia-inducing hypothermia symptoms.

Alpkit garments are created for function first and require careful attention to ensure optimal performance. Do not use fabric softeners, bleach or stain removal products on them as these may damage their waterproof membrane. Instead, wash with technical laundry products like Nikwax that contain built-in waterproof coating that can be reactivated through drying cycles or spray-on treatments such as DWR treatment spray.

Your eVent fabrics outerwear comes equipped with an effective durable water repellent (DWR) finish to wick away moisture effectively, beading up and rolling off as it beaded up on its exterior surface. Over time however, this finish wears down over time, necessitating replenishment products in your kit to restore it.