Water Repellent vs. Waterproof

By definition, fabric that is water repellent has been treated with a coating making it very difficult for water to penetrate. Think several steps above a rain jacket ‘look alike’ from Wal-Mart. Waterproof, on the other hand, denotes a fabric that is impervious to water meaning water cannot penetrate the fabric. Think $250 Gore-Tex jacket. Yes, there is quite a price difference between the two fabrics, but a truly waterproof jacket, pant or shoe is well worth every penny if you plan to expose your gear to the elements.

For most people, a water repellent jacket will do the trick. It will keep you dry when you’re running errands around town on a rainy Saturday. It will also keep the snow at bay when you’re skiing or snowboarding…so long as it’s actually snowing and not raining.  For a half day hike in the woods, should it start to drizzle, you’ll stay dry for a few hours, but any longer might put that water repellent jacket past it’s limits. All of our technical shells, insulated jackets, softshell jackets, down jackets and 3-in-1 jackets are treated with a DWR coating, making them water repellent.

Waterproof outerwear is recommended for the serious outdoor enthusiast who will hike, ski, climb, bike or camp in almost any weather condition. With the right gear, the outdoors are always a blast! Many companies like Burton, Oakley, Volcom, Marmot, Outdoor Research, Patagonia and The North Face have partnered with Gore-Tex on select pieces to create completely waterproof fabrics. Skiing and snowboarding in the Pacific Northwest is often damp where Gore-Tex is always a good investment.

Don’t forget about your hiking shoes, boots or trail running shoes. Some are water repellent, while others are super diesel and won’t let a drop of water inside. Spring time in many northern climates can be quite wet for months. It can pay off to pick up a pair of waterproof shoes. Sloppy parking lots can make for an uncomfortable trip to the mall if you’re boots aren’t waterproof. On the other hand, maybe you’re a careful walker and you avoid puddles or you know you’ll never hit the trail if it’s muddy or wet. If that’s the case, opt for some casual boots.