All the wonders you seek are within yourself.
All you need advice and stories for your sport, delivered straight to your inbox (every month).Nothing more.Nothing less.
P.S: You will enjoy this.
In the mountains, the weather changes quickly so you're advised to wear a waterproof jacket when hiking. Quechua offers a wide range of waterproof jackets, lightweight, warm, 3-in-1 jackets, and jackets with or without ventilation which offers different levels of waterproofing.
Choosing the right jacket isn't a straightforward matter so check out our advice to help you make the right choice!
Depending on the level of protection you need, you can choose between different levels of waterproofing. For each jacket, the level of waterproofing is graded on a scale of 1 to 5. These ratings are developed through technical lab tests; the higher the rating, the more waterproof the jacket.
Ratings of 2 and 3 indicate that the jacket can offer protection during a shower with 6-12 cm of rainfall in 1-2 hours
Rating of 4 indicates that the jacket can offer protection during a thunderstorm with 30 cm of rainfall in 3 hours.
A rating of 5 indicates that the jacket can offer protection during a storm, with 1.8 m of rainfall in 4 hours!
We measure the fabric resistance with a water pressure expressed in mm of water column ( tests based on the ISO 811 norm). The higher the pressure, the more the fabric is considered waterproof. A component with a 2000mm waterproofness will resist pressure of 2000mm of water (the equivalent of a two-hour rainfall).
The water-repellent capacity of a fabric is its capacity to let the water slip on its surface without absorbing it. The water-repellency capacity is procured by a treatment on the outside of the fabric. This treatment needs to be renewed during the clothing’s lifetime (we suggest every 3 washes). All Quechua raincoats benefit from a water-repellent treatment.
Our jacket is validated in a shower test under a certain amount of litres per m2 per hour during a few hours (according to specificities). This test recreates a more or less important storm in the mountains.
We offer 2 kinds of hiking jackets: Lightweight jackets and Warm jackets.
Are unlined or only have a lightweight lining so they are worn in warm weather, in mid-season or in winter with a warm layer such as a fleece or micro-padded jacket.
Each component is designed to optimize the weight of our jackets. Hikers have to carry all of their equipment during physical effort. That’s why we design our products so that they are lighter and lighter and they ensure greater freedom of movement.
In cold weather, you should choose a warm jacket with a warm lining; some of these jackets have a detachable lining and are called "3-in-1" jackets. This means that, depending on the temperature, you can remove the inner layer (either a fleece or padded jacket zipped to inside of jacket) and convert it to a lightweight jacket.
Finally, the last criterion to consider is the intensity of your hike. The more intense the hike, the more you'll sweat which means you'll need a ventilated jacket. When there's a ventilation zip, we talk about mechanical ventilation. These are generally located under the arms but some pockets also have mesh which helps perspiration wicking.
Ventilation zips under the arms or on the chest to facilitate sweat evacuation
Capacity of the product to release the vapor created by the body. In addition to the breathability of the fabrics used, Quechua is developing technical solutions (zippers, aerations, mesh…) that improve the overall ventilation of all our jackets made for Hiking. These ventilation systems allow for temperature regulation inside the jackets and to facilitate evacuation of sweat formed by the body during physical efforts.
To know if a fabric is breathable, we measure its RET evaporation resistance ( test based on the ISO 11092 norm). The lower the resistance, the more the fabric allows the vapor generated by the body in activity to be released, thus making it more breathable.
For example:
To make fabric waterproof, there are two solutions:
When you join our subscribe list, you get access to the best of sports inspiration, tips, stories and more to practice your sport. Just One Digest Per Month (Promise)
How to Maintain and Re-Waterproof Hiking BootsYou've used your boots on muddy paths and you don't know how to wash them? You've crossed a stream and are wondering how to dry them? Discover 4 tips on how to look after and extend the life of your hiking boots!
How do you measure the Waterproofness of a Hiking Jacket?A product is recognised as waterproof when it has the ability to stop rain or water from getting through, thus protecting the hiker from bad weather.
A Guide To Choose A Down JacketWinter Jacket - Choosing the right down jacket is not always easy. To know more, read the down jacket choosing guide at Decathlon Blog. Must Read!
How do you Restore the Water-Repellent Properties of your Jacket?Does your hiking jacket seemed to have lost some of its waterproofing quality over time? Don't panic, here is how to get it back to how it was!
How do you measure the Waterproofness of a Hiking Jacket?A product is recognised as waterproof when it has the ability to stop rain or water from getting through, thus protecting the hiker from bad weather.
Keep Dry When Out Hiking: Check Out Our 8 TipsHiking in the spring and autumn offers some wonderful surprises, and it would be a shame to miss out on them for fear of getting caught out in the rain! When the weather is changeable, the footpaths are less busy, so you may as well get the equipment to withstand the weather and enjoy it. Warning, check that the weather isn't threatening either!
How to Choose the Best Hiking TrousersThere are two criterias that determine your choice of trousers: the outside temperature and the intensity of your exercise.
How do you Restore the Water-Repellent Properties of your Jacket?Does your hiking jacket seemed to have lost some of its waterproofing quality over time? Don't panic, here is how to get it back to how it was!
Please subscribe here
