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There are several common styles of waterproof jacket for you to consider. Understanding some key terms and the basics of rainwear technology will help you navigate to the jacket that keeps you dry and the one that fits your budget.
READ MOREA waterproof jacket is your biggest barrier against wet weather, something that the travellers are too familiar with. Whether you’re looking for a backpacking trip or trekking adventure, keeping things dry and clean is always a priority, after all, you don’t want to be sick. And letting your camera get wet? Not a chance!
As a traveller, you are going to need protection from rain more often than not. So when you take the plunge and decide to buy a rain jacket, you are confronted with an important question: which one do you choose among a wide range of options in the market?
Choosing a rain jacket might make you curl your toes when you’ve been offered so many choices in-store and online. But the process of picking the right fit for your traveller self can be made easy by knowing what you need and through research done well and Decathlon makes it easy for you!
Decathlon is the one-stop destination for all your quality sports and travel goods. It provides people across the world by developing innovative and affordably priced gear and equipment products. We’ve narrowed down all the things you must consider when planning to buy a rain jacket. Here’s our expert guide to buying one that works great for you. Check it out!
There are several common styles of waterproof jacket for you to consider. Understanding some key terms and the basics of rainwear technology will help you navigate to the jacket that keeps you dry and the one that fits your budget. Always set a budget before you make a purchase!
Depending on the level of protection ou need, you can choose between different levels of waterproofing and weather protection. Here are a few types that set the grounds for buying rain jackets for men and women.
The difference between water-resistant and waterproof arises from the fabric. Water-resistant material is so tightly woven that water struggles to get through. However, a water-resistant jacket can only stand up to so much rain. Water-resistant jackets are great for a light shower, humid climates and are often windbreakers. Water resistant walking shoes are also something a traveller must consider.
A waterproof material, on the other hand, provides a complete water barrier. In this sense a plastic bag is waterproof. Think rain jacket or emergency poncho! If you simply need to keep the rain out while sitting or standing around, this gear does just fine and costs very little money. If you do any exertion, though, your rain slicker will be slick inside, too. And it won’t take much wind to make a poncho largely ineffective.
Waterproof jackets are also windproof. This makes sense when you consider that a barrier designed to block rain would also block the wind that’s pushing the rain. You will also find jackets with windproof technology, typically some type of laminate, that are only considered water-resistant.
This waterproof jacket has been eco-designed for occasional wet weather hikes, in the forest or on the coast. It can be stored cleverly in its kangaroo pocket. Several colours are available. While the technology in the fabric is the biggest factor in the cost of rainwear, construction details also play a role. Jackets with a robust feature set will reflect that in their price. Weight is also affected, so you might see a jacket with a top-tier fabric but few extra features, especially pockets, if the ultralight design is the goal. And that’s when important questions must be asked.
Is a hiking raincoat different from a normal raincoat?
Yes, a hiking raincoat has additional features such as breathability and flexibility. This is a key feature to consider, as when on a hike, constant movement with a rain jacket can make the hiker feel uneasy due to the heat generated within the jacket. The presence of vents helps with increasing breathability to provide comfort to the hiker.
How long should a rain jacket last?
Getting the most stretch out of your rain jacket is the wisest thing to do, for your budget and the environment. Imagine for yourself, do you want to be spending your hard-earned money every year or a poor quality jacket or a decent amount that’ll last you many many adventures. 10-20 years is a good period for a rain jacket to last without any significant tears or holes.
Nature is at its best during the monsoons- lush green lands, thick dense forests, waterfalls and streams galore. All of these are best enjoyed in a Decathlon raincoat, rain pants and rain jackets.
Does washing a rain jacket ruin it?
If not washed properly, the jacket will reek. Also, the use of ordinary detergents can damage the composition of its textile fibres and strip it off of its durable water repellent (DWR) coating. Care tags give specific instructions on how to wash, dry, iron, and bleach your garments. Follow the instructions carefully, otherwise, you will risk ruining your precious waterproof jacket.
When a jacket’s outer fabric is “water repellent,” precipitation beads up and rolls off. Note that this isn’t the same as a fabric being “water-resistant,” which is an overall assessment of its ability to prevent water penetration.
Decathlon pays attention to its technology through components, advancement and continuous tests.
On a rainy day, we quickly grab a raincoat and use it. Later we put it back in the closet until the next season. To make it waterproof and yet lightweight, raincoats are made up of leather, PVC, or a rubber coating. It requires maintenance and care to make it last longer and water resistant until its usage. Learn how to take care of your rain jacket.
Firstly, we need to understand which material the raincoat is made of. Usually, they are multilayered clothing which protects you as well as keeps you warm, it lets the precipitation out. They are usually coated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent), as it has to be a waterproof jacket and water-resistant. Here are the tips to save rainwear:
For mountain trekking, hiking jackets are mandatory and work as layered clothing to protect the hiker from wind, rain, cold, and snow. Not just the weather, but also protects against stones, bushes, insects, etc. With the variety of options available in the market, it is tough to choose the right one. Here are the factors that let you choose a mountain hiking jacket.
The best way to differentiate between a poncho and a rain jacket depends on your choice of activity and weather conditions. A poncho or a rain jacket will help you stay dry during wet weather. Here is the difference between a poncho and a rain jacket for understanding their usage:
The type of rain gear depends upon the trip and the means of traveling. For activities like hiking, fishing, and a bicycle ride, Poncho would be a great choice. If the travel is about exploring the city, or layer up for protection from the cold, a rain jacket would be perfect. While you have plenty of place for storage, ensure to carry both and choose the right choice of rain gear based on the requirement.
Breathability in waterproof/breathable rainwear is the game-changer. No one wants to play outside in a wearable sauna. The key to avoiding that fate is “moisture vapour transfer,” which, scientific purists will tell you, is what we’re talking about when we say “breathability.
Transferring sweat vapour through a shell happens in part because the warm, moist air inside is attracted to colder, relatively drier air outside. The efficiency of the vapour transfer process helps determine how dry or clammy you feel, and improving that efficiency has been the focus of outdoor brands for decades. The key component of your rainwear fabric is a coating or membrane that does the technological trick of blocking rain while also allowing sweat vapour to escape. Because it’s relatively delicate, a membrane will be bonded to a protective fabric to create a laminate.
Ventilation is the key deciding factor whether it’s a lightweight waterproof jacket for travelling or rain jackets for bikers. Ventilation zips under the arms or on the chest to facilitate sweat evacuation.
The following notes must be kept in mind:
RET < 9 = Extremely Breathable Fabric
9 < RET < 12 = Very Breathable Fabric
12 < RET < 20 = Breathable Fabric
RET > 20 = Less Breathable Fabric
SH100 X-WARM Waterproof Jacket for women who love travelling and is comfortable down to -10°C. Ideal for hikes in the snow: high coverage lined hood, warm pockets and wide padded flap behind the zip for an extra 3°C. With an adjustable hood rip-tab sleeve adjustment & jacket tightening system with toggle, this jacket is cut in 100% recycled fleece lining.
Men's Waterproof Sailing Race 100 Jacket is designed to protect you from spray and moderate rain for training and inshore racing. This anorak is just what you need for training or racing. Its lightweight and shortcut will make it easier to manoeuvre on board! Moulded to be breathable (RET < 12), the fabric specially coated to reduce the cooling effect of the wind.
Many Decathlon jackets are guaranteed 100% waterproof but come with a variety of options in terms of hoods, materials, pockets and stuff-sacks.
Lightweight jackets which are easy to store in their shells are great for bikers, hikers and anyone whose life is all about those small adventures. Rain ponchos made from a watertight material that are designed to keep the body dry from the rain and can be folded and stored in bags while taking minimal space.
This Men's 3-in-1 Waterproof Travel Trekking Jacket is a warm, waterproof, durable and multi-pocket 3-in-1 jacket to travel the world with peace of mind. This jacket adapts easily to different climates and in temperatures down to -10°C, thanks to the removable and compressible padded jacket that you will soon forget about during your adventures!
Get a rain jacket that works for you from Decathlon today!
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