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In this article, we offer you more information about the design of your waterproof jacket, its durability, and its breathability to help you choose THE Rab protective jacket you need!
What is the waterproofing of a jacket?
To waterproof a fabric, a barrier must be created that prevents water from penetrating. Most fabrics are naturally porous and allow water to penetrate and be absorbed.
The first methods of waterproofing were done by coating, indeed, fabrics were coated with oils or waxes, but these weighed down the garment and had to be constantly reapplied. Today, modern waterproof fabrics include a thin waterproof layer that can be designed to allow certain things to pass through, such as sweat, to make the garment more comfortable.
Waterproofing by coatings
The very first breathable and waterproof barrier was born from the application of a coating on a piece of fabric. This remains today the simplest method to waterproof a garment. A liquid coating is applied directly to a fabric, as one would apply paint to a wall using a roller. This results in a soft and durable coating.
Coatings can be made from various materials, applied in layers of different thicknesses, and treated to offer a whole set of different characteristics. At Rab, this method is currently not used.
Waterproofing by lamination
Lamination involves applying a thin membrane to a fabric to form several layers. The membrane is made separately and then glued or bonded (laminated) to the surface fabric.
Different materials and extrusion processes will give different characteristics to the finished piece.
The Rab brand works closely with its partners and textile factories to choose and combine fabrics and membranes to create products perfectly suited to the intended use. Check out our selection of Windbreaker on AlpinStore.
DID YOU KNOW?
 | These layers are extremely thin. At Rab, membranes of 7 to 30 microns thick are used for lamination. For comparison, a human hair has a thickness of about 100 microns. Thin membranes offer increased breathability, ideal for activities requiring speed and lightness, while thicker membranes ensure more durable waterproofness. Check out our selection of Windbreaker on AlpinStore. |
The method of durable water repellent treatments (DWR)
Do not confuse the terms water-repellent and waterproof. The DWR treatment is applied to the outer face of the fabric. It causes water droplets to bead on the surface of the fabric, which reduces the amount of standing water and prevents moisture from penetrating the outer fabric.
In return, this allows the membrane to work effectively. The DWR treatment must be regularly maintained throughout the product's lifecycle to ensure optimal garment performance over time.
How to know if my jacket is waterproof?
A higher level of waterproofing allows for greater durability and results in a garment that will remain waterproof longer.
As water is added, the pressure exerted on the fabric increases. The results are expressed in terms of the height of the water column that the fabric can withstand before allowing water to penetrate. For example, a hydrostatic pressure (HH) of 1,500 mm (1.5 m) to 30,000 mm (30 m). In the industry, the standard for considering a fabric as waterproof is 1,500 mm.
It is often at these contact points that moisture can infiltrate the garment when the right combination of materials and technologies has not been employed.
Design and durability of your waterproof garments
Three different methods are used to manufacture most waterproof fabrics, whether coated or laminated. Each method gives fabrics different characteristics and offers a different range of applications.
| 2 LAYERS | 2.5 LAYERS | 3 LAYERS |
| This method is the simplest. It involves applying a laminated or coated membrane to a single layer of fabric. This method is used by Rab for its shelters, when the membrane is not subjected to any direct abrasion. Two-layer coated membranes used in garments often require the addition of extra linings for protection. | With the 2.5-layer method, a light film or protective varnish is applied to the surface of the membrane to enhance durability and protection without affecting breathability. This design offers increased resistance compared to the traditional 2-layer design. It also offers more softness and better value for money than a more complex three-layer design. | The 3-layer design involves placing the membrane sandwiched between an outer fabric and an extremely lightweight woven or knitted inner fabric. The 3 layers present increased resistance, protection, and comfort, but are the most complex to manufacture. The three-layer design is the most commonly used technology in Rab outdoor garments, as it allows for a wide range of fabrics, from the most robust and durable to the lightest and most compact. |
Some waterproof fabrics are more resistant simply due to the manufacturing method used. However, other factors influence the durability of the garment, including other materials and fabrics (such as nylon or polyester), membranes (PU, PE, ePTFE...), the number of deniers, and the weight of the surface fabric as well as the manufacturing method, namely weaving or knitting.
In addition to extensive resistance testing conducted by fabric manufacturers, Rab tests all its designs in its own laboratory and sends them to specialized testers as well as athletes who test them in the field.
The different technologies present at Rab
GORE-TEX®
allowing sweat to be easily expelled.
 |  |  |  |  |
| GORE-TEX® PRO MOST RUGGED TECHNOLOGY™ | GORE-TEX® PRO MOST BREATHABLE TECHNOLOGY™ | GORE® C-KNIT BACKER TECHNOLOGY | GORE-TEX® ACTIVE | GORE-TEX® PACLITE PLUS |
| This bi-component membrane is the ideal choice when resistance to abrasion and the durability of a garment subjected to demanding and prolonged use are essential concerns. The Gore ePTFE membrane is combined with a PU (polyurethane) element and resistant surface fabrics for increased durability. Using this membrane in areas subject to heavy wear or contamination by sebum and dust helps reinforce the product without compromising its breathability. | As its name suggests, this is the most breathable Pro membrane. The pores of this ePTFE membrane allow not only water vapor exchange but also air exchange, ensuring a constant circulation of air and moisture from the inside to the outside of the garment. This increased air circulation is essential to ensure your comfort. We use GORE-TEX® Pro Most Breathable Technology™ in combination with GORE-TEX® Pro Most Rugged Technology™ to achieve notable durability and breathability, or alone to create the most breathable Gore Pro products in the Rab range. | The GORE® C-KNIT™ Backer Technology includes an extremely fine circular knit that forms the thin inner layer of the three-layer laminate. Soft and pleasant to the touch, this fine inner fabric is extremely comfortable worn against the skin or over other layers. It is very smooth, allowing it to slide over the layers worn underneath for increased comfort. | When breathability, compactness, and lightness are a must, the GORE-TEX® Active hits the mark. Paired with thin and lightweight surface fabrics, this double material combining ePTFE and PU membranes is thinner than the average Gore membrane. Despite this, it offers durable waterproofness perfect for activities requiring speed and lightness, such as trail running or mountain running. | Designed for the unexpected, the GORE-TEX® Paclite Plus is the ultimate backup solution: its lightweight allows you to always have it on hand and it ensures durable waterproofness when necessary. A new surface treatment applied to the inside of this two-layer fabric ensures better durability while making the fabric more pleasant to wear during all your activities. This surface treatment does not add weight to the garment and offers a more pleasant feel than previous versions. |
| Rab Latok Mountain Jacket | Rab Khroma Jacket | Rab Ladakh Jacket | Rab Zenith Jacket | Rab Meridian Jacket |
PROFLEX™
The PU membrane is naturally stretchy and works in synergy with knitted or woven fabrics to maintain this elasticity and provide a lightweight, soft, and waterproof three-layer fabric. The inner fabrics of Proflex™ laminates have excellent moisture-wicking properties that work in concert with the hydrophilic membrane to accelerate the process of moisture evacuation from your body to the outside. The surface fabric is subjected to a DWR treatment that allows the membrane to function optimally over time. Check out our selection of Vaude - 2093 - Clothing -> Men -> Outdoor Clothing -> Hiking Jacket on AlpinStore.
PERTEX® SHIELD
Durable, waterproof, and highly breathable, Pertex® Shield fabrics offer lightweight and versatile protection against the elements. Rab uses a wide variety of fabrics combined with membranes from the Pertex® Shield range featuring different characteristics, including microporous, hydrophilic, air-permeable, or fully recycled membranes.
Discover waterproof jackets for men and women
What questions should you ask to choose your protective jacket well?
To guide you towards the ideal jacket, it is important to ask yourself these questions:
How many layers will you wear underneath? In what type of environment will you be?
The designers and textile engineers of the Rab brand always think about the different layers you might need under our outdoor garments. Outdoor clothing designed for cold climates is cut so that an insulating layer has enough room to expand underneath, while a garment prioritizing speed and lightness will be cut closer to the body to reduce the amount of fabric used, and thus the weight.
What will be the main use of the outdoor garment?
Even though many of Rab's products can be worn for various activities, each of them is designed for a well-defined use. If you spend 80% of your time running in the mountains, or if you are a guide who spends your winters in the Scottish Highlands, an outdoor garment specifically designed for your activity will be useful. A very durable three-layer waterproof jacket with reinforcements designed for winter mountaineering will not be the best choice if you also want to use it for trail running. So be sure to choose your garment based on its primary use, or find a compromise.
What balance do you want between weight, waterproofness, durability, and breathability?
When buying a jacket, it is important to think about the compromise between weight, durable waterproofness, and breathability. To travel quickly and lightly, or if you want a waterproof jacket to use only during sporadic downpours in warm weather, it may be interesting to invest in a lighter garment that will take up less space in your bag and be more pleasant to wear. However, if you tend to really abuse your gear, it is worth investing in a product with a more resistant surface fabric, capable of withstanding repeated harsh treatments. These garments are often less breathable, but they remain waterproof longer than their lighter counterparts.
What features are required for the chosen activity or use? Check out our selection of Patagonia - 2093 - Clothing -> Men -> Outdoor Clothing -> Hiking Jacket on AlpinStore. Check out our selection of ski equipment on AlpinStore.
Rab products are equipped with a set of features designed for the intended use. Outdoor mountaineering garments come with multiple storage pockets for essential items, robust zipper closures that can be pulled with gloves, and hoods compatible with helmet use. Conversely, outdoor clothing designed for mountain running is streamlined to minimize weight, can generally be packed into a storage bag, and features lighter zippers and functionalities.
If you want a product offering multiple storage options or that can be used with gloves, you will likely end up with a product featuring mountaineering functionalities. However, if weight is the key factor in your decision-making process, be prepared to make compromises and sacrifice some functionalities.
Our Rab jackets for all your outings:
Jacket | Key advantage | Ideal use |
Rab Kangri GTX | Weather resistant | Trekking |
Rab Latok GTX | High waterproofness | Mountaineering, ski touring |
Rab Latok Mountain GTX | Performance for demanding excursions | Mountaineering, climbing, ski touring |
TO REMEMBER :
- RAB OFFERS A RANGE OF WATERPROOF JACKETS FOR ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND FEATURES.
- TO KNOW IF YOUR PRODUCT IS WATERPROOF, REFER TO THE MEASUREMENT EXPRESSED IN WATER COLUMN.
- ASK YOURSELF THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AND CHOOSE A PROTECTIVE JACKET SUITED TO YOUR PRACTICE.
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