What to Look for in a Waterproof Jacket - a Buyer's Guide
Most of us know what it’s like to walk out of our front door on a clear day ready for some fun activity, only to be caught in unexpected rain. You might be looking forward to catching a record-breaking fish or watching your dog happily splash through muddy puddles, but if you aren’t wearing a waterproof layer this can ruin a day out, cut a hike short or leave you running for cover.
There’s no shortage of waterproof products on the market and choosing what’s right for you can be pretty overwhelming. Hopefully this guide will give you some confidence when you’re assessing which garments are right for you. We’ve been selling waterproof clothing without logos online for years - we currently feature more than 200 gilets and jackets with waterproof or water repellent properties - so we’re well placed to guide you through some of the basics.
As well as delving into the structure of waterproof clothing and looking at how waterproof clothing compares to other types of outdoor clothing, this blog post will help you understand waterproof ratings and how they can help you pick the right jacket to enjoy the great outdoors in any weather. Then, to round off the post, we’ll also look at waterproof clothing for different scenarios.
If you want any further information about what's discussed below, or about specific products that we sell, or would like to check on the suitability of a potential purchase, we’re always happy to help – please just give us a shout via our contact form.
If you'd like to jump straight to the relevant section, here are some quick links!
- What is waterproof clothing?
- Waterproof clothing ratings and standards
- Our guide to waterproof ratings
- Is waterproof clothing breathable?
- Are there Eco-Friendly Options with Waterproof Clothing?
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Which waterproof clothing should I buy?
- Which padded waterproof jacket with a hood should I buy?
- Which waterproof jacket with fleece lining should I buy?
- Which waterproof jacket without a hood should I buy?
- Which waterproof clothes are suitable for astronomy?
- Which waterproof clothes for gardening should I buy?
- Which waterproof clothes for walking and hiking should I buy?
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Why buy waterproof clothing from Logo Free Clothing?
What is waterproof clothing?
Waterproof clothing is resistant to penetration of water, by means of coating the material with a water repellent or resistant layer, either during or after production. The garment is then able to resist penetration by water but still allows water vapour to pass through from the body into the environment.
What are waterproof clothes made of?
Waterproof clothing is made from a tightly woven fabric. In most cases waterproof jackets, coats and gilets are made up of at least 3 layers, a water and wind resistant outer layer, a mid-layer to trap air for warmth and an inner layer which acts to remove moisture away from the skin. The weather facing fabric tends to be coated with a waterproof layer such as PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), wax or PU (Polyurethane) to seal out moisture.
Can you wash waterproof clothing?
Waterproof jackets are machine washable, for specifics on temperature and machine settings check the label. It is usually best to wash on a low temperature such as 30C, this ensures that protective coatings are not subjected to high temperatures which can affect the effectiveness. I also advise washing inside out for the same reason, it will greatly increase the long-term effectiveness of the waterproof membrane. You can also buy waterproofing sprays to re-coat your coat after a few washes.
Waterproof clothing ratings and standards
How does waterproof rating work?
Picking the right level of waterproof rating can make the difference between purchasing a beloved everyday jacket or buying a jacket that just doesn’t meet your daily needs. The key to waterproof rating is that the higher the number, the longer the garment will remain waterproof. For example, we feature waterproof garments that range from 600mm all the way up to a rather impressive 23,000mm: garments with a lower number of 1000mm are okay if you get caught out in a light shower, whereas garments with a higher number of 5000mm will keep you dry in all but the worst of weathers. The average UK pressure from rainfall is 1000-2000mm, so it will depend on your planned activities, but a super-high rating is just not necessary in the UK for most people.
How is waterproof rating tested?
The waterproof rating test is called a hydrostatic test. The test involves adding water to the top of a tube, with the fabric at the bottom of the tube. Over a 24-hour period, water will be added to the tube: the fabric is graded on how many mm of water can be added before the fabric is breached. For example, if a jacket is rated at 1000mm it means that the jacket material withstood 1 metre of water pressure over 24 hours before water breached the fabric. So you can see why we believe that a super-high rating often isn’t necessary in the UK for most people! Depending on your planned activities you may not need to find the highest possible rating for everyday use, usually 2000-4000mm is entirely sufficient.
Our guide to waterproof ratings
Here’s a handy chart that summarises the various bands we’re going to talk about below:
| Rating | Waterproof Rating | Rain Intensity |
| Up to 1000mm | Water resistant | Showers and light rain |
| 2000mm to 4000mm | Waterproof | Moderate to heavy rainfall |
| 5000mm and above | Very Waterproof | Prolonged heavy rain |
Waterproof ratings up to 1000mm
These tend to be lighter weight jackets and gilets, from packable jackets, blousons and windbreakers to some softshell jackets at the 1000mm end of the scale. A jacket with this level of Waterproofing is suited for a weekend or day trip jacket and will keep you dry in shorter less intense rain showers. An example of something that sits in this category is the Clique Hardy windbreaker jacket which comes in a unisex fit. The Hardy is a mesh-lined jacket which gives you a level of wind and rain protection:
In case you'd like to take a look at a range of jackets and gilets that fall into this category, to give you a feel for styles and prices, here are the relevant men's products and here are the relevant ladies products.
Waterproof ratings between 2000mm and 4000mm
This is the ideal rating for everyday use all year round in the UK, as it works well for normal rain intensity in our temperate climate. If you are a rambler, dog walker or are heading out on a moderately rainy day then waterproof outerwear with ratings in this band are the perfect choice. The outer layer is usually treated with a polyurethane coating to assist in keeping moisture out, but can also utilise PVC, fluoropolymers, silicone or more traditionally a wax coating. It is always worth checking on the breathability of the garment to ensure comfort during exercise!
James Harvest Prime sustainable softshell jackets are a great example of this rating with all the features a modern waterproof jacket should have - waterproof, breathable, made of a modern lighter weight softshell material and - of course - environmentally sound. Here is the men's version, and here is the ladies version:
If you'd like to see a wider range of styles then here are the links to all our ladies jackets & bodywarmers in this rating and all our men's jackets & bodywarmers.
Waterproof ratings 5000mm and above
This banding encompasses products which protect against all but the heaviest and most prolonged rain, ideal for folks heading out on rainy days for extended periods. Jackets and gilets in this banding will usually have other relevant features such as taped seams and waterproof zips to stop water breaching stitched and zipped areas.
Any rating higher than 5000mm is extreme weather rated, considered as specialised rain gear. If you are planning prolonged outdoor activities in potentially extreme weather and want to be sure of remaining dry then a higher water resistance of 5000mm or more is advised. Jackets and gilets in this category tend to belong to one of these types:
- rain jackets without additional layers for insulation that are suited to higher temperatures (such as this raincoat)
- padded shell jackets that not only have high waterproof ratings but also insulation properties without being bulky (for example the excellent Clique Grayland in both ladies and men's versions)
- heavy winter jackets that combine incredible insulation but also lock out water (the Clique Malamute - possibly the cosiest coat you could ever own - is a perfect example of this)
If you intend on spending prolonged periods of time in the worst weather this is the level of waterproof rating you are looking for. So that you can see some more examples of what sort of products are available in this waterproof rating category, here are a couple of links that take you to all of the ladies jackets & gilets in this rating category, and all of the men's jackets & gilets.
Is waterproof clothing breathable?
The answer is: some is, and some isn’t.
Breathability is measured by something called Moisture Vapour Permeability or ‘MVP’. As with water resistance, the higher the number, the more breathable the garment. The MVP number relates to how breathable the fabric is. It is expressed in terms of how many grams of water vapor can pass through 1 square metre area of fabric over 24 hours. For example, if a coat were rates as 3000MVP breathable, 3000 grams of water would be able to pass through a square meter of the fabric in 24 hours. Breathability is not so important for a casual jacket, but for folks looking to be active and exercise, a jacket with a higher MVP means that bodily moisture vapour is transported out through the material and evaporated from the outer surface.
So if you want a waterproof jacket or bodywarmer to be properly active in, when you’re making a purchase decision, look for the breathability MVP rating before clicking the buy button! Where we have a verified breathability MVP rating for our clothing, we’ll always list it on the website.
Are there Eco-Friendly Options with Waterproof Clothing?
Happily the answer is yes, there are plenty of sustainable and environmentally friendly options. As waterproof clothing tends to be produced from synthetic material it is ideal for utilising recycled products, so if this is a consideration when purchasing your waterproofs - and we think it should be - then make sure you check the listing for eco-credentials. Most of the brands that we sell have introduced recycled waterproof clothing in the last few years, without compromising the quality of finish or the waterproof rating. A great example of this is the James Harvest Prime range, which uses recycled plastic water bottles for the polyester material, additionally reducing energy and water consumption in making polyester from scratch and reducing landfill and soil pollution.
Many products also feature compostable packaging, and are often produced and transported in the most responsible manner to protect our planet. If this is something that you care about, ask the questions of your clothing store - any reputable store, whether online or physical, will be happy to explain their eco-friendly ranges and options to you.
Please take a look at our full range of recycled products with a level of waterproofing! There are loads and hopefully they will give you a good indication of the wide range of recycled clothing now available.
If you want to take it a step further and only consider sustainably produced clothing, then we sell products that meet those criteria too - so please take a look at our sustainable products with a level of waterproofing.
Which waterproof clothing should I buy?
I know, it's your choice, not mine :-) That said, I know the clothes we sell very well, so if you're asking, I can definitely give you some good advice. I have personal experience of wearing much of the clothing from Logo Free Clothing. This section will give examples from my experience rather than selecting choices just by using the waterproof ratings.
Which padded waterproof jacket with a hood should I buy?
A versatile and practical year-round jacket is a padded softshell. These come with different levels of padding - with a padded jacket, look for breathability, so that it can be used on warmer days too! Due to the insulation properties and ability to keep out the wind, padded softshells are remarkably warm on colder days, without being bulky. The Clique Grayland, which is extremely waterproof and very breathable (available in both ladies and men's versions) is a great example of this type of jacket. The hood is removable too!
Which waterproof jacket with fleece lining should I buy?
If you're looking for a practical waterproof jacket with a warm feel from a comfy fleece, the Clique padded softshell is a good all-rounder with a 5000mm waterproof rating. This hooded jacket, available in both men's and ladies versions, features a comfy fleece lining giving great insulating properties without any bulk.
Which waterproof jacket without a hood should I buy?
Which waterproof clothes are suitable for astronomy?
Which waterproof clothes for gardening should I buy?
I wouldn't usually garden in anything more dampening than a light rain shower - like most people my favoured strategy is to get a cup of tea and wait for it to stop - but I do also keep a non-insulated rain jacket in the shed just in case - this lightweight Clique rain jacket, waterproof to 3000mm, has the added bonus that it's packable and takes up very little space.
Which waterproof clothes for walking and hiking should I buy?
Waterproof and breathable would be a cornerstone of this choice, to have moisture wicked from the body is a must as well to keep you comfortable going to downhill after getting hot and bothered on the way up. I have worn softshell to walk and hike for many years now, whether a jacket or a gilet, padded or fleece lined there is a perfect choice for all weather conditions. This is a cornerstone of our online store and as you'd expect we have a wide range of excellent choices for waterproof, breathable softshell jackets and bodywarmers. So rather than shout out one specific model here, I'm just going to point you towards our waterproof softshell jackets & gilets range - as you'll see there are plenty to choose from - and hopefully you might find something you like!
Why buy waterproof clothing from Logo Free Clothing?
As with all our clothing we do not waste money on branding to increase the price, all efforts are made to reduce our overheads to offer you the best price for the garment and not charge for the name. We sell over 250 products with waterproofing or showerproofing, so you're sure to find something just right for you! We're always happy to provide help & advice so please contact us and we'll guide you as well as possible to the right choice. Whatever your outdoor activity, whatever the season, whatever the size, we offer the widest possible range. As long term wearers for a mixture of activities including gardening, dog walking, hiking, astronomy we have a broad knowledge of the garments we offer on the website.
A helpful tip is to click on All Products from the menu at the top of any page on our site, and then use the filters on the left to narrow down your choice, whether by waterproof level, colour, size or department. We only sell products from brands we trust to ensure our range is not only extensive but also high in quality.
