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Questions and answers about sports

Summer rain jacket recommendations

5 min read

Asked by: Richard Castaneda

Best of the Rest

  • Marmot Minimalist ($199) Category: Daily use/hiking. …
  • Outdoor Research Foray II ($225) Category: Hiking/performance. …
  • Patagonia Storm10 ($329) …
  • Marmot PreCip Eco ($100) …
  • Arc’teryx Beta Jacket ($350) …
  • Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 ($185) …
  • Montbell Versalite ($219) …
  • REI Co-op Groundbreaker 2.0 ($70)

Should a rain jacket be oversized?

To prevent this, make sure everything fits a little loose, with more than enough room for added layers underneath. When shopping online, if you’re in between sizes, or a jacket is noted to run small, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and size up.

Is GORE-TEX the best waterproof?

Gore-tex is equal if not better than all other waterproof membranes which is why Gore-Tex is used for so many different things. Gore-Tex is the worlds leading waterproof fabric brand and has partnered with most outdoor gear companies to create the most waterproof clothing available today.

Are windbreakers good for rain?

Windbreakers are lightweight, breathable and offer a thin layer of protection from the elements. And while they might offer some protection against a light, brief rain, they are typically not fully waterproof and won’t withstand an average shower.

How do I choose a good raincoat?

The top 5 things to look for when buying a raincoat

  1. Waterproof fabric. The most obvious first feature one would expect from any decent raincoat is that they have used waterproof fabric – and not just water repellent fabric/treatment. …
  2. Sealed seams. …
  3. A good hood. …
  4. Breathability. …
  5. Length.


Is nylon or polyester better for rain jacket?

Both nylon and polyester resist water, but polyester resists it better than nylon. Additionally, polyester’s water-resistant properties increase as the thread count rises. However, neither material is fully waterproof unless it’s coated with special materials.

How tight should a rain jacket be?

A waterproof jacket should fit snugly without restricting your movement. When trying one on, move around: jump up and down, wave your arms around, and twist your body. You want to make sure you have full range of movement available to you.

Is anything better than Gore-Tex?

The most sustainable GORE-TEX alternative fabric is waxed cotton. Waxed cotton is exactly like it sounds: wax (typically beeswax or linseed) is applied to cotton, giving the cloth a hydrophobic coating.

Can I wear Gore-Tex in summer?

Gore-Tex is a highly breathable waterproof material to keep you from getting too hot. The Gore-tex lining does make them somewhat less breathable (thus a little warmer). I still wear them all year round, and if you are doing any extended hikes where you need dry feet, waterproof is more important than cool.

What are the 4 main benefits of a Gore-Tex?

THE BENEFITS OF GORE-TEX

  • 100% WATERPROOF.
  • OPTIMUM BREATHABILITY.
  • WINDPROOF.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT.
  • INCREDIBLY DURABLE, EVEN IN THE HARSHEST CONDITIONS.


What is the difference between raincoat and rain jacket?

A raincoat is a waterproof or water-resistant garment worn on the upper body to shield the wearer from rain. The term rain jacket is sometimes used to refer to raincoats with long sleeves that are waist-length. A rain jacket may be combined with a pair of rain pants to make a rainsuit.

Can you wear a windbreaker in the summer?

Windbreaker jackets are not ideal for the summer months. If you live in a windy place, you can wear this. Otherwise, you can wear a cotton shirt and other clothes for the summer months.

What is the difference between a windbreaker and a jacket?

A windbreaker, or a windcheater, is a thin fabric jacket designed to resist wind chill and light rain, making it a lighter version of the jacket. It is usually of lightweight construction and characteristically made of a synthetic material.

Why is Gore-Tex better than nylon?

Benefits of GoreTex



Gore-Tex has the desirable properties of nylon, but is also ‘breathable’. It lets water vapour from sweat pass to the outside, but it stops rain drops from passing to the inside. Clothing made of Gore-Tex is very useful to hikers and other people who work or play outside.

What is the best fabric for a raincoat?

Waterproof materials that are usually used for raincoats are:

  • Gore-Tex. This material became a synonym for waterproof outerwear clothing. …
  • Microfiber. Polyester microfiber material can have a special waterproof coating which makes it perfect for raincoats.
  • Polyurethane laminate.


Is nylon good for summer?

Nylon. A synthetic material, nylon isn’t anything but a cool fabric to weather in the summer as it’s specifically designed to repel water.

Is Gore Tex 100% waterproof?

While the Gore-Tex-Infinium membrane belongs to the water-repellent membranes, it is therefore not 100 % waterproof. But it is windproof and breathable and serves as insulation as well.

How do I make Gore Tex waterproof again?

GORE-TEX Outerwear

  1. Machine washing then drying your garment is the most effective way to restore the water repellency of your jackets and other outwear. …
  2. Once it’s dry, tumble dry your garment for a further 20 minutes—this will reactivate the durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment.

Can GORE-TEX lose its waterproofness?

Waterproofing a Gore-Tex Jacket will eventually be required because despite the inner layer being a breathable waterproof membrane, the outer layer (shell) of the jacket will lose its waterproofing, soak up water and stay wet, blocking the effect of the Gore Tex.

How long should a GORE-TEX jacket last?

Gore-Tex isn’t forever



Even powerful Gore-Tex has a lifespan. For people that use their gear daily, this lifetime can range from three to five years while those who use less frequency can get close to 15 years out of their garments.