Waterproof vs. Water Resistant: Measuring Waterproof Ratings

Shopping for outerwear can be confusing. With all of the different fabric types, breathability measurements, and weather resistance ratings, it can be difficult to understand exactly what your options are. Fortunately, Burton has been producing some of the best outerwear in the business for more than 30 years, and we're here to resolve the "waterproof vs. water resistant" confusion once and for all.

• Definition: Water Resistant
• Definition: Waterproof
• Waterproof Ratings Explained
• What gear is right for me?
• Burton's Waterproof Ratings

Four Things to Remember

At the core of the "waterproof vs. water resistant" issue is the fact that there is no official industry standard to define each of these terms. As a result, some retailers use these terms interchangeably, and other retailers simply use them incorrectly. With that in mind, here are four things you need to consider when shopping for outerwear:

1. Generally speaking, waterproof material is better than water resistant material in terms of keeping the wearer dry.
2. Quality outerwear is both weather resistant AND breathable. Anyone who has ever worn a non-breathable piece of clothing understands how moist, clammy, and uncomfortable the inside can become. Weather resistant fabrics prevent liquid water from passing through them but allow water vapor to pass through them; this is referred to as breathability.
3. Usually, the more water resistant a piece of outerwear is, the more expensive it will be. This is because high quality (and reliable) waterproof fabric is expensive to manufacture. So, it is essential to find the right balance of weather resistance for your budget.
4. Regardless of the claim, waterproofing and water resistance are not permanent. Fabrics that include these features must often be re-treated.

What exactly does "water resistant" mean?

Water resistant fabric is constructed so that it provides at least some protection from exterior moisture. Using this definition, almost any piece of clothing that creates a barrier between the wearer and exterior moisture could technically be defined as water resistant.

It is common to see water resistant claims on outerwear, clothing, and other items that are likely to be used outdoors.

What exactly does "waterproof" mean?

Waterproof fabric provides the highest level of protection from exterior moisture. From a technical perspective, a fabric is considered waterproof when it reaches a specific level of water resistance. Unfortunately, as we mentioned previously, there is no officially agreed upon industry standard for the threshold between waterproof and water resistant. This essentially means that you, as the consumer, must do your diligence in selecting products from brands whose claims you can trust.

It is common to find waterproof items in high-end technical outerwear collections (like Burton's [ak] Collection and Packrite Rain Jacket line).

Waterproof Ratings Explained

Despite the lingering ambiguity of measuring waterproof vs. water resistant, many top manufacturers (including Burton) have aligned to a standard rating scale that includes two numbers: waterproofing and breathability. But while the scale may have been standardized, the methodologies for determining the actual ratings can vary widely based on the testing facility and conditions. Because of this, shoppers should consider waterproof ratings more as general guidance than concrete recommendations.

Example jacket: 10,000mm/5,000g (often these numbers are abbreviated and displayed as 10k/5k)

Measuring Waterproofing

There are a few approaches for determining waterproof ratings, but most involve placing a 1" x 1" square tube over a swatch of fabric and filling it with water until it begins to seep through the fabric, using the height of the water in the tube (in millimeters) as the waterproofing measurement.

In our example, the jacket has a waterproof rating of 10,000mm.

Measuring Breathability

Measuring breathability is inherently difficult, as factors like temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure are most certainly not standardized across manufacturers and testing facilities. With that said, the most common breathability tests involve placing a one square meter swatch of fabric over a container of liquid (typically a simulated sweat solution like calcium chloride), leaving the container in a controlled environment for 24 hours, and then measuring the weight of the container to determine the amount of liquid (in grams) that was able to pass through the fabric. This is known as the Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate, or MVTR.

In our example, the jacket has a breathability rating of 5,000g.

Waterproof vs. Water Resistant: What do I need?

The right gear for you is dependent on the four factors we outlined at the beginning of this article, so let's revisit them.

1. Waterproof is better than water resistant. If you know that you will be spending time in heavy rain or wet snow and hate getting wet, investing in more waterproof outerwear is a good bet.
2. Quality outerwear is both weather resistant AND breathable. If you plan to be very active and sweat in your outerwear, ensure that your jacket has a higher breathability rating.
3. The more water resistant a piece of outerwear is, the more expensive it will be. Get the highest waterproofing and breathability that makes sense for your budget.
4. Waterproof and water resistant fabrics must often be re-treated. If you're starting to get wet while wearing your waterproof gear, consider retreating instead of replacing.

Burton's Waterproof Ratings

Generally speaking, the higher the number, the more water resistant the fabric will be, and some options include:

• 20,000mm/10,000g – Wet snow and/or heavy rain (ultimate performance)
• 10,000mm/5,000g – Above average snowfall and/or constant rain (regular performance)
• 5,000mm/5,000g – Dry snow and/or light rain