Are you in the process of choosing the right rainwear for your next trip? As a raincoat manufacturer in China, we have more than ten years of experience in manufacturing raincoats. In this article, we introduce you to 8 kinds of raincoat fabrics on the market, categorized from high, medium and low end, and introduce their advantages and usage scenarios respectively, so that you can make fabric choices according to your needs.
Let’s first understand about the waterproof coefficient:
Simply put, the higher the waterproof coefficient of the raincoat material, the more waterproof it is!
| Waterproof Rating (mmH₂O) | Waterproof Level | Suitable Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| <5,000 | Basic water resistance | Daily commute (light rain), indoor protection |
| 5,000-10,000 | Moderate waterproof | Moderate rain, light outdoor activities |
| 10,000-20,000 | High waterproof | Heavy rain/storms, high humidity environments |
| ≥20,000 | Extreme waterproof | Torrential rain, high-pressure environments (e.g., marine operations, firefighting) |
Introduction:
Gore-Tex is a high-performance waterproof and breathable material developed by W.L. Gore & Associates in the U.S. With the triple characteristics of “waterproof, breathable, and durable”, it has become the material of choice for high-end raincoats, and its core advantage stems from the unique micro-porous structure and lamination technology. The core advantage of Gore-Tex is its unique microporous structure and lamination technology, which prevents rainwater from penetrating while allowing moisture to escape from the body, avoiding water vapor inside the rain jacket due to stifling heat, and keeping it comfortable to wear.
Gore – Tex Features:
• Waterproof: Long-term resistance to water pressure, anti-aging, waterproof rating of 28,000mm or more, able to resist prolonged heavy rainfall and even high-pressure water column intrusion.
• Breathability: excellent breathability even in continuous heavy rain or high humidity
• Durability: made of e-PTFE film laminated with inner and outer fabrics, extremely resistant to chemicals and UV rays, not easy to deteriorate due to sun, rain or friction.
• Weight: Three different classifications, ultra-lightweight: 60-80 g/m², 100-150 g/m² for everyday outdoor clothing, 180-280 g/m² for professional sports
Environmental attributes: Gore-Tex improves durability while progressively reducing its environmental impact through the use of recycled materials and fluorine-free, water-resistant treatments.
Introduction:
US company BHA introduces eVent waterproof and breathable technology. eVent fabrics were independently developed by eVent Textiles and are similar to GORE-TEX, both based on ePTFE waterproof membranes. eVent fabrics’ Direct Breathable technology allows moisture to escape without being absorbed through the membrane, leaving the wearer drier.
eVent features:
• Waterproofing: hydrostatic pressure tested to 30,000mm or more, effectively blocking heavy rainfall, snowstorms and other heavy precipitation infiltration, even in continuous rain or high water pressure (e.g., hiking, sailing), to keep the inside of the garment dry.
• Breathability: in high-intensity hiking, skiing or humid environments, it can significantly reduce the feeling of stifling heat
• Durability: strong tear resistance, made of clothing under normal use of longer life
• Weight: compared with the traditional coated fabrics (such as PVC), eVent is lighter in weight, the grammage weight of most of the punching jacket fabrics is about 150-250g/m²
• Environmental attributes: the clothing service life of up to 5-10 years, compared with the short-life raincoat materials can reduce landfill Reduces landfill waste compared to short-lived rainwear
Recommended applications:
eVent is suitable for high-altitude mountaineering and snowshoeing (Alpine climbing, polar trekking), industrial and special operations (firefighters’ protective clothing, petrochemicals), outdoor recreation (urban commuting, fishing and boating).
Introduction:
Pertex Shield was developed by Perseverance Mills in the UK, using tightly woven technology to make the surface of the fabric very small pores, and the use of PU film structure of the waterproof and breathable membrane, which can effectively prevent the infiltration of rain and snow, but at the same time allow water vapor out to achieve the function of breathability, often used in the field of clothing, tents, backpacks and so on.
Pertex Shield features:
• Waterproof performance: Pertex Shield has a variety of models, different models of waterproof performance varies, waterproof grade in 10000mm-20000mm (Pertex Shield 15D fabric: 10000mm, Pertex Shield® Plus 2.5 up to 20,000mm).
• Breathability: waterproof and breathable material designed for hot and humid environments, allowing heat and moisture emitted by the body to escape in a timely manner
• Durability: the use of yarns with a unique rhombus-shaped filaments, which are interlocked to give the fabric higher abrasion and tear resistance, able to withstand friction, pulling, and other external forces in outdoor environments
• Weight: Pertex Shield fabrics are known for their lightness and thinness, and their light weight effectively reduces the weight of outdoor equipment. Weight: Pertex Shield fabrics are known for their thinness and lightness, which can effectively reduce the weight of outdoor equipment.
• Eco-Friendliness: Some Pertex Shield fabrics are made of recycled polyester fiber.
Recommended applications:
Outdoor hiking and trekking, trail running (Salomon lightweight waterproof jacket with Pertex Shield 2.5L waterproof and breathable technology), cycling (-> British brand’s waterproof jacket for road cycling with Pertex’s triple-layer Shield fabric) and urban daily wear.
Introduction:
DryVent is a waterproof and breathable fabric developed by The North Face, the core technology is a multi-layer composite structure, with an abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant fabric on the outside, a microporous membrane in the middle, and a separate knitted or mesh lining on the inside to provide better comfort and durability.
DryVent Features:
• Waterproof: With a waterproof index of 15,000mm or more, DryVent is able to withstand high water pressure for a certain period of time without seepage, providing reliable waterproof protection for the wearer and ensuring the body stays dry even in inclement weather conditions, such as torrential rain.
• Breathability: Wearing a DryVent rain jacket will keep you dry even when hiking in 20-25 degree weather
• Durability: The outer layer has been treated with a durable water-repellent treatment, which provides a certain degree of abrasion and tear resistance
• Weight: Especially with the 2.5-layer construction, it is very lightweight, making it easy to carry around and move around (waterproof pants weigh only 220g)
Eco-Friendly Properties: Some DryVent products are No perfluorinated compounds, which reduces the long-term environmental impact.
Recommended application scenarios:
skiing, bushcraft, cycling, camping
5. PU Coated Nylon / Polyester
Introduction:
Base cloth using nylon has high strength, wear-resistant, lightweight characteristics, the use of PU coating on the outer layer, which can effectively block the infiltration of rainwater, and has good breathability.
PU coating nylon features:
• Waterproof performance: common outdoor products PU coating (using multi-layer PU coating) waterproof value of up to 5000mmH₂O above, enough to deal with the heavy rain environment
• Breathability: PU coating compared to the traditional PVC coating or rubber raincoat breathability is excellent and more, but is not suitable for high-intensity outdoor sports
• Durability: PU coating after long-term use may be worn, aging, hydrolysis or Durability: The PU coating may wear out, age, hydrolyze or peel off after long-term use.
• Weight: One adult long raincoat (nylon + thick PU coating) is about 350 grams.
Environmental Attributes: Relies on non-renewable resources, and generates greenhouse gases during the production process.
Application Scenarios:
daily commuting, hiking, riding and motorcycle driving, the pu coating can effectively block rainwater infiltration and keep clothes dry.
Introduction:
Generally in the canvas or polyester and other base cloth coated with a thicker layer of PVC plastic layer made of composite materials
• waterproof performance: PVC coating forms a layer of completely impermeable, non-micropore dense plastic layer, disposable raincoats about 2000mmH₂O can withstand light rain, will be used pvc as a city commuter raincoats, the waterproof index of 5,000mmH₂O, camping raincoats, fishing clothes will use High-density pvc, waterproof index of 5000mmH₂O, can withstand heavy rain.
• Breathability: not breathable, easy to cause stuffy, humid, uncomfortable
Durability: excellent chemical resistance, oil resistance and pollution resistance, and very wear-resistant, tear-resistant
• Weight: due to the thicker coating, the overall fabric weight is significantly greater than the PU-coated nylon fabrics
Advantages:
Top waterproofness and long lasting reliability
High durability, abrasion and tear resistance
Easy to clean, suitable for harsh industrial environments.
Long service life.
Excellent windproofing
Lowest cost
Cons:
Completely airtight
Heavy
Stiff, not soft
Stiffens at low temperatures
Application Scenario:
Often used as a disposable portable raincoat for users to temporarily deal with rainfall or for daily commuting.
Introduction:
EVA is a lightweight, soft, flexible, 100% waterproof and environmentally friendly non-toxic synthetic material, usually used in raincoats or ponchos made directly from EVA film or foamed EVA material.
Advantages:
• Waterproof: 100% completely waterproof, reliable and long-lasting performance.
• Weight: Very lightweight. Cushioned and buoyant.
Comfort: soft and elastic feel, relatively comfortable to wear for activities.
• Environmentally friendly: non-toxic and odorless, environmentally safe
• Price: usually low cost (especially for disposable/simple products)
Disadvantages:
• Completely non-breathable: hot and humid to wear
• Limited strength and abrasion resistance: poor tear and abrasion resistance, easily scratched or hooked by sharp objects. Durability is its weakness.
• Weather resistance is general: easy to aging in the sun and rain
• Appearance and texture: usually present a plastic sense, not as PU coated nylon fabrics look upscale and fashionable.
Application Scenario:
Lightweight EVA rain jacket is suitable for backpackers to deal with sudden rainfall, and convenient to use during hiking and cycling.
Introduction:
Oxford fabric itself is not waterproof! It needs to go through a finishing process to become a waterproof fabric, which requires the addition of a coating or water repellent treatment.
Advantages:
• Durability: Extremely resistant to scuffing and rubbing, with strong tear resistance.
Structural durability: not easy to deform, pilling and hooking, long service life.
• Appearance: Finished product has a tough appearance and maintains its shape well.
Price: Polyester Oxford fabric is cost effective compared to high performance nylon fabrics.
Disadvantages:
• Higher weight
• Relatively limited breathability: Denser structure, plus the coating, the overall breathability is not as good as the ultra-thin, high density nylon + film combination.
• Softness is not good: feel stiff, not as soft and close as nylon or some polyester fabrics
• Waterproofness is poor: itself is not waterproof, the core function depends on the quality of the coating or film, there is a risk of aging failure
• Compression is poor: not easy to store.
Application Scenario:
High tear strength, not easy to break, suitable for exploration and construction projects.
Choosing the Right Raincoat for Yourself
Purchase raincoats on demand:
Truth be told, not everyone aspires to jungle safaris, snowy mountain climbing and extreme hiking, premium raincoat fabrics made of raincoats are comparatively more expensive ($150+ for the basic model), which will be a limitation for daily use, whereas PVC, PU-coated nylon raincoats will be a lot cheaper ($20 or so).
We suggest:
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you can just choose to buy a raincoat made of premium fabric, which will not disappoint you with its durability and breathability.
If you just commute to the city and occasionally go out to protect yourself from the rain, then a simple and cheap PVC or nylon raincoat will suffice.
Consider the accessories of your raincoat:
When we are selecting a raincoat, the choice of some accessories is crucial and it may greatly affect your comfort.
➤ Designed with a hood and drawstring: prevents heavy rain from entering through the collar.
➤ Adjustable cuffs: relax and breathe in light rain, close in heavy rain to prevent splashing in.
➤ Waterproof sealed zippers: try not to choose buttons, waterproof zippers can block rain better
➤ Raincoat hem adjustable: especially in outdoor sports, this design can be excellent to prevent rain water backflow.
➤ Waterproof pockets: waterproof pockets can hold cell phones and other small objects, very practical in the city commute
➤ Waterproof storage bag: rain jacket unused or after use can be folded into the storage bag
Schlussfolgerung
Above is our introduction of 8 in rainwear materials, when we are buying rainwear, please confirm your needs, pick the right, cost-effective products is the right.
We hope that through this article you can find the right rainwear for yourself, always keep your body dry and comfortable, and no longer worry about traveling in rainy days.
We are a raincoat manufacturer in China, if you have any other doubts about customized personalized raincoats, please kontaktieren Sie uns, we will have professional staff to communicate with you.
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