I was recently on the lookout for a good rain jacket. In my quest for a perfect (and cheap) one, I found that I had to grapple with many unfamiliar terms that may easily confuse a newcomer.
While the wide variety allows the individual to be spoilt for choice, it can also confuse the shopper who may be unfamiliar with the terms and buy something that does not suit his/her needs. Of course the easiest rule is to buy the most expensive rain jacket but honestly, not many of us can pay $500-$700 for just the jacket when we still have many other hiking/backpacking equipment to buy.
So I set about the internet doing my research and the next few paras are the simplified summary of what I have gathered which I hope will make purchase decision easier for fellow hikers.
Choosing the Material
Rain jackets materials can be broken down into 3 broad categories:
1. Waterproof / Breathable
2. Water resistant / Breathable
3. Waterproof / Non-Breathable
Waterproof / Breathable
This category of rain jacket materials is the most expensive but allows a good balance for an active hike with good protection from the rain. The material of these jackets allow the water vapor from the body to escape through the jacket layers while preventing water from the outside to enter through the same layers.
This effect is achieved by narrowing the pores of the jacket material so that the pores are large enough for the water vapor molecules to escape but too small to allow the water molecules H2O to enter. This is also commonly known as BREATHABILITY.
The two most common technology for waterproof / breathable are Gore Tex and PreCip. The most immediate difference between Gore Tex and PreCip is the price; PreCip is cheaper. From my knowledge (I may be wrong), is that PreCip is material that is treated to create the smaller pore effect while Gore Tex material itself already has the smaller pore effect. The result is that Gore Tex is more durable and hardy while PreCip may weaken after repeated uses and stress.
Water resistant / Breathable
This category of rain jackets is less expensive and most comfortable. It works best for those undulating terrain where the hiker is constantly active and generating a lot of body heat. It is able to protect the hiker from light rain and wind and is perfect for treks where the weather is less harsh.
It is made from tightly woven materials to create the small pores effect. However, these pores are not small enough to prevent H2O molecules from seeping through but certainly provide the most space for water vapor to escape.
For added protection, a material called DWR (Durable water resistance) is sprayed on it. DWR causes the water to bead up and roll away. A draw back of this DWR is that it fades away after washing and the jacket needs to be coated again with this DWR material.
Another benefit of this category of jackets is that it is lighter than Gore Tex and PreCip jackets and is less of a burden to carry about.
Waterproof / Non-Breathable
This category of jackets is the cheapest option of all. It is made from PVC material that is 100% non-permeable either to water molecule or water vapor molecule. It provides maximum protection from rain and wind but can be uncomfortable for the hiker if he/she is generating a lot of body heat from high activity.
If the hiker is expecting to stop when there is rain, these jackets are the best option for the hiker due to its low cost. However, choose jackets that have generous vents at the upper back to allow heat to escape. Motorcycle jackets from Pro-Grip and OGK are perfect Waterproof / Non-breathable jackets. These motorcycle jackets cost between S$20 - $30 for the full suit (Jacket and pants). Ponchos are also made from this material and as most men who have served national service know, ponchos hinder your movements.
Choosing the Type of Jacket
There are many designs of jackets. If your intention is to protect yourself from rain, then jackets with hoods are a must. Choose jackets with hoods that are not removable as the zipper from connecting the hood to the jacket allows water to seep through.
Rain jackets can be termed either as Parka, Jacket, Anorak or Poncho.
Parka wraps the hikers hips and is longer than the jacket which provides more protection to the hiker from rain.
A jacket is just a jacket with full zippers in the front. It is shorter than the Parker but is usually lighter to carry about and less bulky.
An anorak is just the same as a jacket except that it doesn’t have a full zipper in the front and works like a pullover. It is cheaper but certainly more inconvenient to put on during a sudden downpour.
Ponchos are the cheapest of all and can double up during the night as a shelter by tying its ends to the trees. As mentioned above, wearing ponchos while moving and climbing is very inconvenient.
While the wide variety allows the individual to be spoilt for choice, it can also confuse the shopper who may be unfamiliar with the terms and buy something that does not suit his/her needs. Of course the easiest rule is to buy the most expensive rain jacket but honestly, not many of us can pay $500-$700 for just the jacket when we still have many other hiking/backpacking equipment to buy.
So I set about the internet doing my research and the next few paras are the simplified summary of what I have gathered which I hope will make purchase decision easier for fellow hikers.
Choosing the Material
Rain jackets materials can be broken down into 3 broad categories:
1. Waterproof / Breathable
2. Water resistant / Breathable
3. Waterproof / Non-Breathable
Waterproof / Breathable
This category of rain jacket materials is the most expensive but allows a good balance for an active hike with good protection from the rain. The material of these jackets allow the water vapor from the body to escape through the jacket layers while preventing water from the outside to enter through the same layers.
This effect is achieved by narrowing the pores of the jacket material so that the pores are large enough for the water vapor molecules to escape but too small to allow the water molecules H2O to enter. This is also commonly known as BREATHABILITY.
The two most common technology for waterproof / breathable are Gore Tex and PreCip. The most immediate difference between Gore Tex and PreCip is the price; PreCip is cheaper. From my knowledge (I may be wrong), is that PreCip is material that is treated to create the smaller pore effect while Gore Tex material itself already has the smaller pore effect. The result is that Gore Tex is more durable and hardy while PreCip may weaken after repeated uses and stress.
Water resistant / Breathable
This category of rain jackets is less expensive and most comfortable. It works best for those undulating terrain where the hiker is constantly active and generating a lot of body heat. It is able to protect the hiker from light rain and wind and is perfect for treks where the weather is less harsh.
It is made from tightly woven materials to create the small pores effect. However, these pores are not small enough to prevent H2O molecules from seeping through but certainly provide the most space for water vapor to escape.
For added protection, a material called DWR (Durable water resistance) is sprayed on it. DWR causes the water to bead up and roll away. A draw back of this DWR is that it fades away after washing and the jacket needs to be coated again with this DWR material.
Another benefit of this category of jackets is that it is lighter than Gore Tex and PreCip jackets and is less of a burden to carry about.
Waterproof / Non-Breathable
This category of jackets is the cheapest option of all. It is made from PVC material that is 100% non-permeable either to water molecule or water vapor molecule. It provides maximum protection from rain and wind but can be uncomfortable for the hiker if he/she is generating a lot of body heat from high activity.
If the hiker is expecting to stop when there is rain, these jackets are the best option for the hiker due to its low cost. However, choose jackets that have generous vents at the upper back to allow heat to escape. Motorcycle jackets from Pro-Grip and OGK are perfect Waterproof / Non-breathable jackets. These motorcycle jackets cost between S$20 - $30 for the full suit (Jacket and pants). Ponchos are also made from this material and as most men who have served national service know, ponchos hinder your movements.
Choosing the Type of Jacket
There are many designs of jackets. If your intention is to protect yourself from rain, then jackets with hoods are a must. Choose jackets with hoods that are not removable as the zipper from connecting the hood to the jacket allows water to seep through.
Rain jackets can be termed either as Parka, Jacket, Anorak or Poncho.
Parka wraps the hikers hips and is longer than the jacket which provides more protection to the hiker from rain.
A jacket is just a jacket with full zippers in the front. It is shorter than the Parker but is usually lighter to carry about and less bulky.
An anorak is just the same as a jacket except that it doesn’t have a full zipper in the front and works like a pullover. It is cheaper but certainly more inconvenient to put on during a sudden downpour.
Ponchos are the cheapest of all and can double up during the night as a shelter by tying its ends to the trees. As mentioned above, wearing ponchos while moving and climbing is very inconvenient.
Additional Features
Some expensive jackets come with additional features such as pit vents. This are vents at the side of the jacket under the arm pits with a zipper function. Unzipping allows more body heat to escape and are more comfortable to the wearer. Some jackets also come with back vents across the upper back with a flap. These features allows more venting and keeps the hiker comfortable. In my opinion, back flaps are useless since the hiker is most often carrying a backpack while hiking and the flaps will be closed anyway.
If high wind is a concern during your hikes, then choose jackets with straps that can tightened at your wrists and your neck.
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