It can be confusing when looking at waterproof jackets or coats with different price tags to know what you are actually getting for your money, whether a cheaper or budget waterproof coat is going to be suitable or whether it is worth investing in a more expensive beating or shooting waterproof coat.
Waterproof and breathable membranes, DWR, water repellent coatings, taped seams, drop liners…it can all get a little confusing. So what does it all mean?
Generally, there are two types of “waterproof” coats:
1. Coats which have a waterproof membrane and possibly also taped or sealed seams;
2. Coats which are only waterproof to the extent of showerproof as they may only have a fabric that has been treated to be water repellent.
The British Standard for “waterproof”
The hydrostatic head test consists of the fabric being held taught; a 1 inch diameter tube containing water placed on it and tested over 24 hours to see how many millimetres of water the fabric can cope with before leaking.
In order to be declared waterproof, jackets must have a hydrostatic head of 1,500mm to comply with British standards.
However this doesn’t necessarily mean it will keep you dry all day long in the heaviest of downpours. At the end of this guide is a table to help you choose your waterproof coat.
Breathability
Why is a coat being breathable important? Breathable means that it lets moisture out of the jacket. If not, as you get warm and perspire, this can lead to condensation within the coat and a feeling of wetness. Some people mistake this as their coat having leaked and let water in and not being waterproof, rather than realising that the coat is waterproof, but just not breathable and therefore the water is from the wearer on the inside, not the outside!
DWR
DWR stands for Durable Water Repellent. This is a coating applied to fabric which repels water, causing it to bead and run off the fabric rather than soaking in (which can affect the breathability of the fabric).
As it is a coating, this can breakdown over time through repeated washings, chemicals or salts or quite simply good old fashioned wear and tear.
You can test whether the DWR on your jacket has broken down. Simply flick or sprinkle water on the jacket. If it beads then and rolls then the coating is intact. If it soaks in, the coating has broken down.
If it has broken down, the good news is that there are products on the market that can be applied at home. Some manufacturers recommend certain products so it is worth checking.
Hoggs of Fife use Telfon™ coatings for rain and stain resistance, often in conjunction with a waterproof membrane and taped seams.
Toggi also use DWR, again often in conjunction with a waterproof and breathable membrane and taped seams.
Taped seams
This is when on the inside of the seam (where it can’t be seen), waterproof tape or a liquid sealant is applied to prevent water getting in through the seams.
Drop liner
The term waterproof drop liner indicates that the lower section of the lining fabric is made water resistant so if any water get under the hem of the jacket it will remain dry.
Waterproof membranes
GORE-TEX®
GORE-TEX® has been favoured by Musto since 1994 and is also used by Harkila.
Although not the cheapest, it is the “Rolls Royce” of membranes and this is one of the best options on the market for ensuring you stay dry in all weathers and a worthwhile investment, especially if you go beating or shooting regularly.
According to Musto “A GORE-TEX® fabric membrane is sandwiched between the outer shell fabric and an inner liner to deliver complete weather protection so you stay dry and comfortable. It contains over 1.4 billion microscopic pores per square cm (9 billion pores per square inch). These pores are 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, but 700 times larger than a water vapour molecule. Rain, spray and snow from the outside will never penetrate, yet perspiration can escape easily so that less moisture is trapped in the insulation. The result: you stay warmer when it's cold and drier when you perspire.”
SEETEX®
SEETEX® is a specialist waterproof and breathable membrane developed by Seeland which has a hydrostatic head of 10,000mm. Seeland use this in conjunction with taped seams in their shooting jackets and beating coats.
Prooftex™ Drop Liner Membrane
Prooftex™ is the waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane favoured by Hoggs of Fife for their shooting coats, including waterproof tweed coats.
AP-EX
This is a durable waterproof membrane made especially for Alan Paine.
DEER-TEX®
This is the windproof, waterproof and breathable membrane used by Deerhunter.
PRODUCT GUIDANCE
Please note this guide has been produced as a guide only through information provided by the manufacturers for tests carried out in laboratory conditions; actual levels of waterproofing over time and use will also depend upon the care taken for the garment. Also, driving wind, heavy rain and outside pressure against the garment may also play a factor.
Hydrostatic head: 1,500 – 5,000 mm
Weather conditions: Light to average rain
Alan Paine Compton Men’s Cap - Forest Green or Sage (5,000)
Alan Paine Rutland Men’s Coat (5,000)
Alan Paine Rutland Men’s Cap (5,000)
Alan Paine Rutland Ladies’ Coat (5,000)
Alan Paine Rutland Kids Coat - Dark Moss or Lichen (5,000)
Alan Paine Rutland Kids Cap (5,000)
Alan Paine Cambridge Kids Breeks (5,000)
Alan Paine Fleece Jacket (5,000)
Baleno Sheringham (up to 5,000)
Baleno Nottingham (up to 5,000)
Bonart Children’s Keeper Jacket (3,000)
Bonart Kids Poacher Waterproof Overtrousers (3,000)
Lavenir Shooting Jacket (over 1,500)
Lavenir Overtrousers (over 1,500)
Hoggs of Fife Edinburgh Tweed Waterproof Jacket (5,000)
Hoggs of Fife Edinburgh Tweed Waterproof Flat Cap (3,000)
Hoggs of Fife Field Pro Hunting Gloves (3,000)
Hoggs of Fife Green King Waterproof Jacket (3,000)
Hoggs of Fife Green King Waterproof Overtrousers (3,000)
Hoggs of Fife Ladies Caledonia Tweed Jacket (5,000)
Hoggs of Fife Sportsman Waterproof Fleece Shooting Jacket (3,000)
Jack Murphy Alexis Parka Coat (3,000)
Jack Murphy Grainne Waterproof Coat (3,000)
Musto Tech Wool Fleece Jacket (5,000)
Tayberry Jayla Waterproof Jacket (3,000)
Toggi Brockton Ladies Jacket (3,000)
Toggi Taymouth Ladies Waterproof Coat (3,000)
Hydrostatic head: Up to 10,000 mm
Weather conditions: Moderate to heavy rain
Baleno Kensington (8,000)
Baleno Derby (8,000)
Hoggs of Fife Ladies Hunting Jacket (3,000)
Jack Murphy Malvern Long Raincoat (over 8,000)
Jack Murphy Oxford Coat (over 8,000)
Musto Stretch Technical Tweed Jacket (9,000)
Hydrostatic head: 10,000 upwards
Weather conditions: Heaviest of downpours
Alan Paine Compton Field Coat - Forest Green or Sage (10,000)
Deerhunter Montanta Trousers (up to 10,000)
Seeland Crieff Overtrousers (10,000)
Seeland Crieff Short Overtrousers (10,000)
Seeland Devon Breeks (10,000)
Seeland Devon Flapcap (10,000)
Seeland Devon Jacket (10,000)
Seeland Endmoor Trousers (10,000)
Seealnd Eton Kids Jacket (10,000)
Seeland Eton Kids Trousers (10,000)
Seeland Exeter Advantage Lady Jacket (10,000)
Seeland Exeter Advantage Lady Trousers (10,000)
Seeland Microfibre Gloves (10,000)
Seeland Keeper Cap (10,000)
Seeland Keeper Jacket (10,000)
Seeland Keeper Trousers (10,000)
Seeland Kensington Jacket (10,000)
Seeland Kensington Trousers (10,000)
Seeland Winster Jacket (10,000)
Seeland Woodcock Jacket (10,000)
Seeland Woodcock Breeks (10,000)
Seeland Woodcock Lady Breeks (10,000)
Seeland Woodcock Kids Jacket (10,000)
Seeland Woodcock Kids Trousers (10,000)
Seeland Woodcock Kids Breeks (10,000)
Musto Fenland Half Lined Packaway Leggings (10,000)
Musto Fenland Packaway Jacket (10,000)
Musto Highland Jacket (28,000)
Musto Highland Ultra Lite Jacket (28,000)
Musto Lexton Jacket (10,000)
Musto Sporting FW Breeks (10,000)
Musto Storm Jacket (28,000)