Waterproof vs Shower Resistant Outdoorwear

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about wearing the right weatherproof clothing so you don’t get wet when it rains…

As we all know, the British weather can be temperamental, to put it kindly, so even when the forecast says full sunshine, it is always better to come prepared. Whether it is the height of summer, or depths of winter, we make sure to pack our rainy-day wear, from raincoats and jackets to showerproof leggings.

This is the second of our ACAI blog series explaining the technical jargon around outdoor performance wear, exploring all things “wet weather wardrobe”; like showerproof clarifications, a DWR definition, and of course our own inspiration of what to wear from drizzles to downpours.

What Does 'Waterproof' Clothing Mean?

At ACAI we define the term 'waterproof' as, quite simply, when you're wearing it, you ca get home warm and dry regardless of what the weather throws at you. Quality waterproof clothing, ike that created by the ACAI design team, has features including fully-taped seams and PFC-free LDWR (more about those acronyms below).

What Is Shower Resistant Clothing?

Showerproof, water-resistant and shower-resistant are all different terms which mean the same thing: that they will keep you dry. Material with a water-resistant quality will keep you dry in a light shower; featuring a coating that means the water will run off the fabric rather than soak into it. However, it won’t have the additional features (such as taping) to keep you dry in a downpour, or over a sustained period in the rain.

So, What's The Difference Betwen Water-Resistant And Waterproof?

The main difference is in the amount you can get the fabric wet before any water will reach what’s underneath; either your skin or your mid- or base-layers.

A 'waterproof' material should keep you dry regardless of how long or intense the rainfall, while 'water-resistant' will only do so for a shorter period of lighter rainfall (cue the alternative name, 'shower' resistant).

There is also a difference in cost. Generally a piece of clothing that is waterproof rather than water resistant will cost you more, as it includes additional features and manufacturing to ensure the best wet weather protection.

If you’re doing serious Outdoorsing then opt for waterproof fabrics, but if you’re enjoying a daily dose of nature, a quick dog walk or a wet and windy school run, then water resistant materials will suffice.

Types Of Waterproof Fabric Definitions:

Here are some of our most popular, and best performing, waterproof fabric types:

DWR

DWR means Dog Walking Ready (not really, but it might as well!). It stands for Durable Water Repellent and is a coating applied to outerwear that allows the water to run off it. When water hits DWR it will bead and therefore roll off the garment. But it’s important to remember that this doesn’t make it waterproof, just water resistant.

LDWR

If you see this in a product description, don’t be put off by the acronym – it literally means “keeps you dry”. The L stands for Long lasting – so it’s Long-lasting Durable Water Repellent. It’s a similar coating to DWR, but will last longer and keep you drier.

Waterproof Ratings

You might see in some of our product descriptions that we cite a “5K coating”. This refers to a fabric’s result on a hydrostatic head test – which examines a fabric’s level of waterproofness!

The material is essentially hit with water pressure at a rising level until the fabric is compromised, i.e. water gets through. So the higher the level, the more waterproof the garment.

As a guide, the UK standard is that material should be 5k to be considered as waterproof. However this lowest rating of 5k will only keep you dry in a light shower, so you’re better looking for 10k or above for rainy day adventuring.

Fully-taped Seams

Protecting you from the elements from the inside out, “fully-taped seams” refer to where our designers have put a waterproof tape over the seam on the inside of the garment, adding an extra, essential defence from the rain. Where fabric is sewn together it causes a vulnerable line of stitching in the garment where water could get through. So adding fully-taped seams ensures the finished piece is fully-waterproof.



PFC-free

When you see this term, it’s a good thing. It means “no nasties”. When a DWR coating is PFC-free, that ensures it contains no synthetic, perfluorinated chemicals. These chemicals, while offering water repellence, are harmful to people and planet. Which is why at ACAI we choose PFC-free DWR as standard as part of our Sustainability Pledge.

Nylon Ripstop

Have a browse of our new SS25 Encompass collection and you’ll see that we’ve cited “nylon ripstop” for a number of the products. This is a material that is perfect for outdoorwear, as it’s mega strong and water repellent. It is nylon which is woven together in a specialised way to make it particularly resistant to wear and tear.



Moisture-wicking

Conversely, a fabric that is moisture-wicking moves moisture (sweat) away from your body to help you keep your cool. It uses a capillary-style action to pull the moisture from your skin so that it is more breathable, unlike a waterproof product which acts as an impenetrable barrier so
the moisture runs off and can’t get through.

Reproofing

If you’re investing in showerproof or waterproof clothing, you’ll extend the life of your purchase by looking after it. That means reproofing it now and again with a product like Grangers Wash & Repel. Learn more about how to reproof your outdoor clothing in our next blog, How To Care For Outdoor Trousers.

ACAI Rainy Day Waterproofs Roundup

What To Wear On A Rainy Day, as recommended by the ACAI team:

Waterproof Jacket

For long hikes and days when you either can’t predict the weather, or want to get outside regardless, the best option is a rainproof jacket. Our Off Grid Jacket is perfect for this, lightweight enough to be packed in a rucksack, just in case, or layer up with a base and mid layer underneath for cooler days.

Showerproof Jackets

Whatever the weather, an Outdoor Showerproof Popover has your back. While it doesn’t offer full waterproof protection, it’s a great value option to keep close at hand for times when you might get caught out in the rain. Our team always takes their Popover on camping trips, as it’s quick-drying and ideal to chuck on for speedy water resistance in the outdoors.

Water-resistant Legwear

Yep... we think your legwear should perform for you in the outdoors too! That’s why our designers created bestselling women's outdoorwear which feature many shower-resistant products, from our walking and hiking leggings to outdoor trousers, and even shower-proof jeans. This makes them ideal as an everyday defence from the weather when you are dog-walking, gardening and camping, but they also pack a punch when you're trekking and adventuring in the outdoors too.

Water-Resistant Legwear

For those days when you need your wardrobe to provide extra weather protection, try our Off Grid Trousers on for size. Whether you’re running a forest school class or running up a hiking trail, these lightweight over-trousers are made for women who love to explore in the outdoors, whatever the weather.

Water-resistant Caps

Cap off your rainy day adventure outfit wearing our Weekend Cap that has a water resistant finish. Ideal for light showers, or wear under your waterproof hood in heavier rain.