Women’s waterproofs
NOTE: Weight: from my digital scales Back length: my measurement from top of centre back (seam where collar joins back/shoulder panel) to centre hem Performance stats: hydrostatic head in mm/breathability in g/m2 /24 hours (given as simple numbers for easier comparison), laboratory testing, figures supplied by the brands
YOU KNOW IT’S COMING… and shorter days and unpredictable weather make a waterproof jacket an inevitable companion. You might wear it all day; if you’re lucky it remains in your rucksack just in case. Either way, it must move moisture vapour from the inside, and resist moisture ingress from the outside.
The gold standard of breathable, waterproof fabric is three-layer (3L), alongside unique systems such as Páramo’s Nikwax Analogy. Gore-Tex initially cornered the market in 3L but many brands now offer their own versions. Figures for waterproofing (hydrostatic head, given in mm) and breathability (cited as RET or g/m 2/24 hours) give a clue, but features like mechanical venting and cut can make a big difference. I’ve given the lab stats for each fabric. Nikwax Analogy is in its own bracket, actively moving moisture away from the wearer rather than creating a barrier with a membrane. Páramo doesn’t give comparable figures but all its waterproof garments must pass testing at the Leeds University Rain Room.
In general, denser fabrics are stiffer and noisier, and feel more protective against wind-driven rain. But they’re less versatile in moderate
