Choosing the perfect raincoat

Varieties and materials

By appointment, raincoats are divided into disposable and reusable. Such a division is rather arbitrary, and the duration of the operation of the cape is taken as the main parameter. And it, in turn, depends on what fabric the raincoat is sewn from.

Disposable raincoats

Such models are usually made of polyethylene. This material is lightweight, waterproof and inexpensive. Dirt can be easily removed with a damp cloth, and simple repairs can be made with adhesive tape.
this is the best choice as a “just in case” option. It doesn’t take up much space in the bag, it’s not a pity to throw it away in case of damage, but during a sudden downpour it will help out a lot.

Reusable products

As you probably guessed from the name, such capes imply repeated use. They withstand washing or cleaning and are less prone to mechanical damage. This is possible due to the fact that they are made from more durable raw materials.

All materials can be divided into three broad categories:

Waterproof (waterproof) - the structure of such fabrics makes them unable to pass moisture. These include: polyethylene (for reusable options, raw materials with a density of 50 microns or more are used), nylon, PVC. You definitely won’t get wet in them, but the material retains moisture not only from the outside, but also prevents it from evaporating from the inside. Intense sweating in such vestments is undesirable: only leisurely walks without much physical effort. In order for the skin to breathe at least a little, ventilation holes are provided in the design.

Water-repellent (water-resistant) - these are things made of synthetic fabrics (for example, polyester) coated with water-repellent impregnation. Thanks to her, the water does not spread over the surface, but rolls down the balls. But such impregnation gradually disappears during washings and stops working. If this happens, then you can buy a special product in a bottle and apply the impregnation again.

Membrane - the essence of such clothing comes down to the fact that the pores on the canvas are smaller than a water molecule, which means that it cannot seep inside. At the same time, their size is sufficient to remove water vapor molecules from the skin, which are formed during active movements. In addition to the waterproof rating, look at the rating for how much water vapor a fabric can let through. For guidance: 5,000 g/m2 is the average level of deduction.

Details and color

The most important thing is the quality of the seams. They must be well protected and glued. Otherwise, water will seep through them inside and there will be no sense from the equipment.

Color solutions depend on the gender and preferences of the buyer. For women's products, bright shades like red, pink, yellow are used. Male specimens are usually blue, black and brown.