Wet-weather clothes can be so high tech, we decided to put together this guide to help you find the right gear and enjoy your water sports.

No Sweat

When it rains most people add rain wear over clothes which are already warm enough or too warm. That extra layer causes overheating and sweat soaked clothes, and they blame the rainwear instead of excess clothing layers for overheating.

That was the main reason for the development of Gore-Tex and the millions spent promoting it for what it isn't. Smart people avoid getting hot by wearing less clothes under their rainwear.

If you've never tried modern rainwear, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Every year waterproof clothing gets better, lighter, tougher, cheaper and more breathable.

Waterproof versus Water Resistant

To be truly waterproof, rain gear must be made of waterproof fabrics and have sealed or taped seams so that rain cannot leak through the small perforations made by sewing needles during construction. Sealing and taping seams takes special equipment and extra time, adding to the garment's cost.

If your clothes feature a water-resistant fabric, it usually means that a coating has been applied to the material to help repel water. This works well for light rain and drizzle, but won't handle steady rain. For most water sports a breathable windproof fabric is best, as you'll get wet anyway. If you're looking for real protection, get true waterproof fabric.

Coated Fabrics

Many nylon or polyester garments use waterproof coatings made of Polyurethane (PU). Fabrics that are coated rather than laminated tend to be softer and less noisy, but not as waterproof. We like them because they offer good value for money and last quite a long time. Some examples of coated fabrics include: Hydro-No, Power-Tex, Ultrex, Breath and Hydroflex.

Laminated Fabrics

Some garments use nylon or polyester laminated to a microporous membrane (2-ply laminate), and sometimes to an additional layer of fabric designed to wick moisture (3-ply laminate). Laminates are layers of fabrics glued or heat bonded together. Laminates are more waterproof than coated fabrics but they tend to be a little stiffer and heavier. Examples of laminates include: Aqua-No, Bosui, Challenge, Dermizax, Gore-Tex, XALT.

New Fabrics

New silicon coated tent fabric is even better. It is lighter weight and stronger, so smart manufacturers now use this new fabric to make ponchos and rainwear.

4oz Exeat Coated Nylon

A hydrophilic coating which permits water vapour to pass through the fabric from body side to outside thus keeping the wearer comfortable and dry.

8oz Neoprene Coated Nylon

Heavy duty, ultra tough, durable fabric for serious weather conditions, wild water sports or muddy assault courses. Top performing waterwear will endure the rigours of outdoor adventures.

Gore-Tex

Most good rainwear is made of coated nonporous fabric. Gore defined "breathable" as passing water vapour about 1/20th as fast as uncoated fabric, the same as most urethane coatings. Gore-Tex was then promoted as preventing overheat solely due to it's "breathability". Much of the rainwear made for big spenders is promoted as "breathable".

Note that Gore requires manufacturers of Gore-Tex to put extra ventilation in their rain clothes, such as "pit zips". They also require a durable water repellant finish on exterior fabric so rain can never reach the Gore-Tex film. The fabric is also relatively heavy.

Most users praise Gore-Tex only for warmth, not coolness, which any rain gear can provide, if it is snugly closed at neck and wrists so cold air can't flow through it.

Our tip: Save your money for simpler and lighter fabrics which often work just as well. See below.

Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Textiles

From the Greek hydros (water) and philos (friend), hydrophilic describes water loving tendencies. The opposite is hydrophobic fabric, which absorbs little or now water.

There is no need for a microscope to determine whether or not a material is designed with hydrophilic properties. A simple test consists of gently placing a drop of water on the surface of a cloth.

The quicker the water drop spreads over the fabric, the more hydrophilic the material. A drop of water that stays on the surface without wetting the fabric indicates no hydrophilic characteristics whatsoever. In fact this behavior is, in some cases, desirable.

For impermeable fabrics, a finish applied on the fabric prevents water or oil penetration. Textile engineers can select the level of repellency by adjusting the surface tension. Allowing a low surface tension makes it easier for the liquid to diffuse through a larger surface area resulting in quick evaporation, thus a higher comfort sensation.

For underwear applications, the fabric must be hydrophilic to move away moisture for the skin interface and spread the limit on the largest possible area to favor evaporation. Often to help this phenomenon, a "brushed" fabric is used causing a considerable increase in surface area thus enhancing the comfort level.

Microfibre

Weight: 136g/m²
Showerproof, washable, peach finish polyester Microfibre. Soft, silent, lightweight and suitable for skiwear or windproof walking clothing.

Poly-Cotton

Windproof, showerproof and fast drying. 50/50 poly/cotton with silicone. Breathable, easy to wash. This is a popular fabric used by leading manufacturers.

Poly-Vinyls (PVC)

Completely waterproof, but can't wick moisture or breathe without exterior vents or mesh panels. These fabrics are generally used in cheap plastic rain jackets and cheap ponchos.

Porelle

A 3-layer laminated fabric with a breathable Porelle membrane. Excellent protection and performance.

Silnylon

Silnylon, a portmanteau of "silicone" and "nylon", is a synthetic fabric used mainly in lightweight outdoor gear. It is made by impregnating a thin woven nylon fabric with liquid silicone from both sides. This makes it strong for its weight, as the silicone substantially improves the tear strength. It is also highly waterproof, but not breathable. It is used in the manufacture of backpacks, tarps and tarp tents, ditty bags, etc, particularly by ultralight backpackers.

Silnylon has taken the backpacking world by storm and comes in several main types. The common type is a quiet, silky, very slippery fabric. The variant known as "crisp silnylon" is lighter, but brittle, noisy, and tears easily. Some versions are made from the stronger type 66 nylon. Some use a blend of silicone and urethane which is done partly to reduce the air pollution during manufacture as it reduces the aromatic solvents used in the coating process.

Ventile

100% cotton, quiet, comfortable, wind and weatherproof. The secret is in the tight weave which, when rained on swells to further increase its resistance to water. It also has a light Teflon coating to ensure run-off of water. Because it is cotton it breathes better than anything.

Pertex Windproof Nylon Fabric

We kept the best for last. Pertex is microfine filament yarns tightly woven into a tiny rip-stop pattern give this great fabric such terrific properties.

Pertex is not waterproof, but incredibly breathable and very windproof. Thus it is ideal for any situation where it is windy but not actually raining. Ideal in fact for a great deal of mountaineering and almost essential for any sort of alpinism. Use it as a mid layer. Its fabric is slick and causes less friction.

Using a windproof rather than a waterproof will leave you feeling considerably more comfortable when walking, climbing, or running. For swimming this makes little difference. Best of all it dries very quickly.

1. Windproof
   
2. Water repellent
   
3. Breathable
   
4. Featherweight
   
5. Best strength to weight ratio
   
6. Tear resistant
   
7. Soft as silk
   
8. Small packing volume
   
9. Used in any ultra-light gear
   

1. Packs into a small space
2. Not bulky
3. Weighs only 90 grams
4. Doesn't make you sweat
5. Highly breathable
6. Wicks moisture
7. Fast drying
8. Great for swimming, snorkeling or on the beach

We strongly believe that less weight shouldn't mean 'please be careful'. Pertex shows the best strength to weight ratio. Tear strength and seam strength are good for its weight. Pertex can easily be used in shell jackets and withstands the abuse of hardcore action. Its abrasion resistance however is not comparable with standard weight 44 decitex fabrics.

True, but is it breathable? You get no condensation whatsoever and no uncomfortable sticky feeling when walking up hill. Combine Pertex with Thinsulate™ or Primaloft® for an ultra-light warm jacket.

Using a windproof rather than a waterproof will leave you feeling considerably more comfortable when walking, climbing, boating, and swimming. This also avoids the chilling associated with damp building up in thermal layers worn under waterproofs.

Machine or hand wash at 40°C (104°F). Use a synthetic setting and mild soap. Avoid fabric softener. Rinse well in cold water. Cool tumble dry. Or wear it in the bath when you relax.

Important: Rinse your anorak and pants well if you have been in a chlorinated pool or salt water. When it dries, very small salt crystals form and their razor sharp edges will damage your fabric.