(Summary description)When a rain jacket is said to be waterproof and breathable, what does that mean? Waterproof fabric blocks out normal rain and drizzle, so that’s easy enough to understand. Breathability, on the other hand, is the extent to which the fabric allows vapor to escape. Why is this important? Try running while wearing a garbage bag. It might keep the rain out, but you’ll be absolutely drenched in your own sweat. The perspiration vapors have nowhere to go. So, depending on your activity level, breathability is as crucial to staying dry as whether or not your rain jacket is waterproof.
2-Layer, 2.5-Layer, and 3-Layer Waterproof/Breathable
When you read a jacket description that talks about 2-layer or 3-layer, it’s referring to the type of lining used to protect the waterproof/breathable technology. Left on their own, waterproof/breathable laminates and membranes are vulnerable to abrasion, so some sort of protective lining is required.
2-layer is the most common kind of waterproof/breathable construction. The laminate or membrane is applied to the face fabric, with nothing attached on the interior—hence, the 2-layer. A loose hanging layer is used to provide protection. This option tends to be less expensive, but adds a little weight to the jacket.
2.5-layer construction features the laminate or membrane applied to the face fabric, just like the 2-layer. However, on the inside of the jacket a series of laminated “dots” or a laminated grid pattern is used to provide a degree of abrasion resistance. 2.5-layer waterproof breathable jackets are ultralight and very packable.
3-layer jackets are the most expensive option, but are fairly light and extremely durable. Like the other construction methods, the waterproof/breathable laminate or membrane is applied to the outer shell fabric. On the inside, however, a liner fabric is applied directly, creating a sort-of 3-layer sandwich.
(Summary description)When a rain jacket is said to be waterproof and breathable, what does that mean? Waterproof fabric blocks out normal rain and drizzle, so that’s easy enough to understand. Breathability, on the other hand, is the extent to which the fabric allows vapor to escape. Why is this important? Try running while wearing a garbage bag. It might keep the rain out, but you’ll be absolutely drenched in your own sweat. The perspiration vapors have nowhere to go. So, depending on your activity level, breathability is as crucial to staying dry as whether or not your rain jacket is waterproof.
2-Layer, 2.5-Layer, and 3-Layer Waterproof/Breathable
When you read a jacket description that talks about 2-layer or 3-layer, it’s referring to the type of lining used to protect the waterproof/breathable technology. Left on their own, waterproof/breathable laminates and membranes are vulnerable to abrasion, so some sort of protective lining is required.
2-layer is the most common kind of waterproof/breathable construction. The laminate or membrane is applied to the face fabric, with nothing attached on the interior—hence, the 2-layer. A loose hanging layer is used to provide protection. This option tends to be less expensive, but adds a little weight to the jacket.
2.5-layer construction features the laminate or membrane applied to the face fabric, just like the 2-layer. However, on the inside of the jacket a series of laminated “dots” or a laminated grid pattern is used to provide a degree of abrasion resistance. 2.5-layer waterproof breathable jackets are ultralight and very packable.
3-layer jackets are the most expensive option, but are fairly light and extremely durable. Like the other construction methods, the waterproof/breathable laminate or membrane is applied to the outer shell fabric. On the inside, however, a liner fabric is applied directly, creating a sort-of 3-layer sandwich.
When a rain jacket is said to be waterproof and breathable, what does that mean? Waterproof fabric blocks out normal rain and drizzle, so that’s easy enough to understand. Breathability, on the other hand, is the extent to which the fabric allows vapor to escape. Why is this important? Try running while wearing a garbage bag. It might keep the rain out, but you’ll be absolutely drenched in your own sweat. The perspiration vapors have nowhere to go. So, depending on your activity level, breathability is as crucial to staying dry as whether or not your rain jacket is waterproof.
2-Layer, 2.5-Layer, and 3-Layer Waterproof/Breathable
When you read a jacket description that talks about 2-layer or 3-layer, it’s referring to the type of lining used to protect the waterproof/breathable technology. Left on their own, waterproof/breathable laminates and membranes are vulnerable to abrasion, so some sort of protective lining is required.
2-layer is the most common kind of waterproof/breathable construction. The laminate or membrane is applied to the face fabric, with nothing attached on the interior—hence, the 2-layer. A loose hanging layer is used to provide protection. This option tends to be less expensive, but adds a little weight to the jacket.
2.5-layer construction features the laminate or membrane applied to the face fabric, just like the 2-layer. However, on the inside of the jacket a series of laminated “dots” or a laminated grid pattern is used to provide a degree of abrasion resistance. 2.5-layer waterproof breathable jackets are ultralight and very packable.
3-layer jackets are the most expensive option, but are fairly light and extremely durable. Like the other construction methods, the waterproof/breathable laminate or membrane is applied to the outer shell fabric. On the inside, however, a liner fabric is applied directly, creating a sort-of 3-layer sandwich.
