15 truly waterproof jackets – from budget to cosmically expensive

Sportmaster PRO expert

Spring is not only the long-awaited warmth, but also rains. The most unpleasant thing is that the second fact can greatly overshadow the first, because long walks will no longer please. But there is a way out – to get a waterproof jacket in the closet. How to choose it?

Criteria and categories

To begin with, let’s understand what categories of jackets exist in general. The most obvious parameter is seasonality. We choose a thing, taking into account the weather conditions. However, this should not be limited to this. It is important to take into account the purpose of the product. For example, you need a jacket for summer, but you can spend it in different ways. Some people plan to ride a bike, while others will go camping. The jacket will have different top layers for each option.

Here we come to the next important parameter – jackets can differ in construction and materials. For example, today the so-called membrane “skins” are extremely popular . As a rule, these are outwardly unpretentious, but very expensive things.

Everything about the membrane

Such a “skin” (cape) looks like a very light windbreaker, and it does not look like there are any technologies laid there. However, everything is not so simple: looking closely, we will see adjustable ventilation on the chest or in the armpit area.

Such things usually have an oversized hood (if it is a ski model worn with a helmet), as well as all sorts of tucks from the wind. An important difference from ordinary jackets lies inside. There is a special thermal tape over the seams, which significantly increases the moisture resistance of the product.

Such jackets are used in extreme sports: trekking, mountain skiing, mountaineering. In general, where you need a lightweight and reliably protected from wind (water) cape.

Membrane jacket for women Demix, 4699 rubles.

Membrane fabric is a relatively new solution. And although the same polyester was used for waterproof jackets in the past, the material was not so technologically advanced and of high quality.

There is perhaps no technology right now that compares to the membrane in terms of importance and market impact. Thanks to the development of W. L. Gore & Associates and its invention of Gore-Tex, a fabric that can withstand huge amounts of precipitation while remaining dry and ventilated.

The North Face Dryzzle FutureLight™ Men’s Membrane Jacket, RUB 29,899 / Sportmaster

Today membrane fabric can be seen everywhere – from shoes and clothes to backpacks and even tents. The principle of this fabric is very simple: its pores are so small that water molecules cannot pass through the fabric, but vapor penetrates freely.

International standards regulate the indicators of water resistance, and today most manufacturers adhere to them. But, unfortunately, not all do. After W. L. Gore & Associates ran out of the patent for the development, many companies began to produce their own versions of this fabric. The process of market penetration continues to this day. Alas, today it is only possible to find out how good a membrane fabric is by experience.

Membrane jacket for women Northland, 5999 rubles / Sportmaster

Of course, the larger the manufacturer and the more popular the brand, the higher the chance of buying a jacket with a high-quality membrane. But here you need to be prepared for the fact that the thing will not be cheap.

Of proven and quality jackets with a good membrane can be called, for example, ski RedFox Flux with Gelanots 20/20 membrane – a durable and reliable model that will serve not one and not two seasons. Another example is a jacket from Northland with the membrane of the famous manufacturer Dermizax 20K/20K.

Lightweight jacket Millet TRILOGY V ICON DUAL GTX PRO JKT M, 57,999 rubles (without discount) / “Trial-Sport”

Care and care

Like any technological thing, a jacket with membrane fabric requires proper care. It should be washed strictly according to the instructions on the sewn-in label. Also, to keep the membrane jacket in pristine condition for a long time, it is recommended to use only liquid laundry products.

Easy Upgrade

You don’t necessarily need to buy a new jacket to protect yourself from moisture, though. You probably have your own favorite one that you don’t want to change. There are two ways out. The first and most obvious is a raincoat. Here additional explanations are not required. It is a simple film that is put on your outerwear and keeps it dry.

Raincoat raincoat “Zubr PROFESSIONAL”, 825 rubles / “AllInstruments”

A more modern and technological option – waterproof spray from moisture. This is a composition based on polyurethane or wax, which covers the product with a moisture-protective film.

Here it is important to choose a quality product: the most budget option will create protection for one or two hours, and a quality one will provide it for several days.

To choose a jacket for the off-season, it is impossible to give a single recommendation. To expectations did not diverge from reality, it is important to consider your needs and buy a thing that will meet them.