What is the difference between water resistant, water repellent and waterproof?

Water resistant clothing is made in a way that the fabric can resist water to some degree but not completely. It can withstand light rain or snow.

Water repellent clothing is usually treated with a hydrophobic DWR-substance that repels the water so that the fabric doesn’t get penetrated by rain right away. Suitable to wear in rain showers.

Waterproof clothing can withstand heavy rain during longer periods of time, wear these when there is heavy downfall or you are spending an entire day in the snow.

Which jacket and trousers should I choose if I want a good all-round set that can withstand a lot of rain?

Which set you should choose depends on activity and budget.

1. Typhoon Jacket & Trousers (Water column 20 000 mm/10 000g/m2/24h)
Packable, lightweight and easy to drag over your clothes on rainy days. The minimalist design does not compromise on features such as full side zippers on the trousers and ventilation zippers under the arms on the jacket. This fully waterproof and breathable set is perfect to bring everywhere as it easily stows in its own pocket!

2. Silence Proshell Jacket & Trousers (Water column 20 000 mm/10 000g/m2/24h)
A really good basic alternative. It is a completely waterproof set with taped seams, ok ventilation and both jacket and trousers have ventilation zippers.

3. Whisper Jacket & Trousers (Water column 20 000 mm/10 000g/m2/24h)
Developed for their multifunctionality, they are suitable for both hiking in summer and skiing in winter. Both jacket and trousers are completely waterproof, have taped seams and ventilate well.

4. Cyclone Jacket & Trousers (Water column 15 000 mm/20 000g/m2/24h)
A high-performance shell set that can resist heavy use. It can withstand long periods of persistent rain while ventilating really well. It is completely waterproof, has taped seams and ventilation zippers on both jacket and trousers. Cyclone is a good all-round set that is suitable for activities on the mountain all year round.

Which jacket and trousers should I choose for high-intensity activities with requirements for water resistance?

If you are going out hiking at a fast pace or cycling when it is not pouring rain outside, a water repellent jacket and trousers often fit better than a completely waterproof one. A water repellent jacket without a membrane ventilates significantly better than a waterproof one, but still withstands moderate rain thanks to a fluorocarbon-free DWR that makes the garment water repellent. Due to the fact that the water repellent garments lack membranes, they will start to leak water during prolonged exposure to rain. Choose a water repellent garment for high-intensity activities when the weather is changeable or fine.

1. Trail Jacket
A water repellent softshell jacket that is suitable for high-intensity activities that require a water repellent jacket with really good ventilation.

2. Hiball Jacket & Trousers
A fleece-lined softshell set. It is suitable for winter sports activities and cool summer activities with water repellent requirements.

3. RVRC GP Jacket & Trousers
Is a really durable all-round set with good ventilation. If you want it more water repellent, we recommend waxing exposed areas such as shoulders, hood, knees and rear for extra water resistance.

What is Hypershell®?

Hypershell® is a waterproof membrane with breathability, it is available in 3 different designs:

Hypershell® Core 5 000 - 10 000mm
Hypershell® Performance 10 000 - 15 000 mm
Hypershell® Pro 15 000 - 30 000mm

Why do you not always want as high a water column as possible?

The higher the water column, the denser the garment, which affects ventilation. If you are planning a high-intensity activity, a garment with a lower water column or a water repellent garment without a membrane can provide sufficient protection against moisture but at the same time ventilate away moisture faster. Therefore, plan according to your activity in combination with the need for waterproofing.

I'm going to be active but still want water repellency, are there hybrid jackets?

Of course! The Hybrid Jacket keeps out light rain, while the ventilation sections on the back and in the armpits ventilate exceptionally well during intense activities.

If you want a more water resistant hybrid, we recommend Hyper Jacket. A fully taped jacket with a 15 000 mm Hypershell® membrane on the upper part of the jacket and ventilating stretch material at the bottom.

I want an all-round rain jacket for everyday use, what should I choose?

Both our waterproof jackets and our water repellent jackets are a good choice for you who want protection against rain and moisture. If you want to be ready for heavy rain, choose a waterproof jacket, such as the Silence Proshell Jacket or Cyclone Jacket. If you're not going to stay outside for several hours in bad weather, you can go with a water repellent jacket, look at the HiBall Jacket or the Hyper Jacket.

What do taped seams and waterproof zippers mean? Is it needed even if the garment has a high water column?

In order for a garment to be completely waterproof, seams must be sealed, usually seams are sealed with a waterproof tape on the inside of the garment. Zippers also need to be waterproof so that water does not find its way into the garment. In most cases, even the best waterproof zippers are not 100% waterproof, we use YKK Aquaguard in our Pro models, we therefore recommend storing sensitive items in inner pockets.

Should I choose a higher water column if I'm going out in a storm?

Note that strong winds can affect the pressure and thus also how quickly rain penetrates your clothes, we therefore recommend that you choose a higher water column if you plan to stay in strong winds combined with rain.

We recommend:
Cyclone Jacket
Cyclone Trousers

Is the water column affected by how much I use the garment?

The properties of the membrane are not affected by use, but DWR may need to be improved over time. DWR treatment can be worn by use and washing.

I do not want to get wet on the rear or knees when I sit down, what should I choose?

If you plan to sit down or kneel on wet surfaces, for example in the woods or on a hike, we recommend choosing a pair of trousers with at least 15 000 mm of water column.

We recommend:

Typhoon Trousers Water column 20k/10k
Silence Proshell Trousers 2.0 Water column 20k/10k
Cyclone Trousers Water column 15k/20k

Will my jacket be less waterproof if I carry a backpack?

Regardless of whether you are wearing a heavy hiking backpack or a regular backpack, the pressure on the shoulders affects how easily water penetrates into the material. Therefore, choose a jacket with a high water column if you are going to carry a backpack.

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