Water column: When are the rain jacket and rain pants waterproof?

In bad weather conditions, the mood can change. Protection against precipitation is particularly important for all outdoor activities, so that you are adequately protected against moisture from the outside - whether in rain or snow.

Discover women's rain pants and jackets, men's rain pants and jackets as well as waterproof children's jackets and children's rain pants in the VAUDE store.

This is what the water column says

The water column provides information about the water resistance (waterproofness) of a fabric. It is given in millimeters and from 1,300 mm water column a material is considered waterproof according to DIN standards.

During the measurement, the fabric is stretched under a measuring cylinder with a diameter of 10 centimeters and the cylinder is filled with water. The limit at which the water begins to push through the material drop by drop is called the water column.

All VAUDE jackets with Ceplex membrane have a water column of at least 10,000 mm or more.

Die Grafik zeigt die Wassersäulen der VAUDE Ceplex-MembranenDie Grafik zeigt die Wassersäulen der VAUDE Ceplex-Membranen

This is what the RET and MVTR values say about breathability

Breathability of waterproof functional clothing: RET and MVTR values
Basically, there are different performance indicators to measure breathability:

  • MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate) value: this metric measures the permeability of water vapor through materials i.e. how much liquid diffuses through a membrane or through a laminate
  • RET value (Resistance to Evaporating Heat Transfer): Indicates how much resistance a fabric has to water vapor.

While a high MVTR value certifies good breathability, it is exactly the opposite with the RET value.

Ein Test im VAUDE Labor, bei dem ein Material Wasser ausgesetzt istEin Test im VAUDE Labor, bei dem ein Material Wasser ausgesetzt ist

At VAUDE, we have decided not to communicate any performance figures on the topic of breathability for our in-house membranes. Why?

  • The added information value of these key figures is very low. The non-uniform test procedures (MVTR, RET) mean that there is hardly any comparability between different products.
  • In a test trial, we sent existing products to independent test institutes and received different test results for the same materials. A resubmission of exactly the same samples again resulted in different test results to the first test. An objective comparison was impossible.
  • Specified performance figures always refer to the installed membrane. The performance figures of the laminate, i.e. upper fabric + membrane + lower fabric, are not taken into account.
  • Values communicated on the market are one-off measurements and therefore snapshots. No manufacturer can permanently guarantee communicated MVTR values.
  • To ensure the high quality of our products, we set minimum requirements for each product and test them in our in-house test lab under standardized test procedures.

Eco Finish - our water repellent impregnation

To maintain the function of your VAUDE weather protection clothing, the outer material is equipped ex works with a spray impregnation - DWR (Durable Water Repellency) for short. This water-repellent finish ensures that clothing does not soak up water from the outside and thus blocks breathability, i.e. the transport of moisture from the inside to the outside.

We use Eco Finish exclusively for this purpose. This water- and dirt-repellent finish is applied to the outer fabric of your product. This makes raindrops roll off - without the use of environmentally harmful fluorocarbons (PFC). This protects you from rain and keeps nature clean. Regular re-treatment is necessary for lasting water and dirt repellency.

Expert tip:
Our eco-friendly, water-repellent Eco Finish finish doesn't use harmful fluorocarbons at all, but it doesn't come without proper care. We recommend impregnating your weather protective clothing before intensive use and after every wash. We also offer a Impregnation service by mail . All information about DWR and which harmful substances you should watch out for can be found in our sustainability report.

Die Grafik zeigt, wie Ausrüstung mit Eco Finish PFC-frei wasser- und schmutzabweisend ausgestattet wirdDie Grafik zeigt, wie Ausrüstung mit Eco Finish PFC-frei wasser- und schmutzabweisend ausgestattet wird

How do you make your gear waterproof?

Waterproof textiles are specially developed for use in the rain and are equipped with appropriate technologies. Not only the fabric or the entire layer structure is waterproof, but also the taped seams and the zippers. In order for the outer fabric of a jacket to become waterproof and breathable, it must be provided with an additional layer.

Basically, we distinguish between membranes and coatings, which bring different advantages and disadvantages. Whether a product is provided with a coating or a membrane depends on the intended use. Trekking products usually offer more weather protection for the mountain, so they tend to be equipped with membranes, while a coating is usually sufficient for urban products.

Waterproof by coating or membrane?

Coatings

We speak of a coating when a waterproof plastic layer is applied to the outside of an outer fabric. These garments are cheaper compared to those with membranes, but coatings are less resistant to abrasion and therefore breathability and waterproofness (water column) are lower.

Membranes

A membrane is a semi-permeable plastic film integrated directly into the garment. This film is extremely thin and provides 100% protection against moisture and wind while maintaining breathability. Raindrops cannot penetrate, but water vapor can escape to the outside. Membranes cannot be washed out, but are more expensive to buy and more time-consuming to care for.

VAUDE only uses membranes made of PU (polyurethane) or PE (polyester), not membranes made of PTFE, which are commonly used on the market and require environmentally harmful fluorocarbons (PFC) for their production.

You can find more information about membranes in our sustainability report.

VAUDE membranes at a glance

Ceplex is our proven in-house membrane that we use in both footwear and apparel. It is durably waterproof, highly breathable and windproof. It withstands a water column of at least 10,000 mm (JIS L 1092 B).

Das Icon der Ceplex Active MembranDas Icon der Ceplex Active Membran
Die Grafik der Ceplex Active MembranDie Grafik der Ceplex Active Membran

Ceplex Active - high-quality membrane protects against wetness and wind

The high-quality "Ceplex Active" membrane developed by VAUDE is waterproof, windproof and highly breathable. This keeps the moisture out and the warmth in. Your VAUDE product withstands a water column of at least 10,000 millimeters (JIS L 1092 B).

The membrane is made of polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyester (PES) and is 100% free of environmentally harmful fluorocarbons and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). "Ceplex Active" we also use as a coating.

  • high quality membrane or coating
  • waterproof, breathable and windproof
  • 100% free of fluorocarbons and PTFE
Das Icon der Ceplex Advanced MembranDas Icon der Ceplex Advanced Membran
Die Grafik der Ceplex Advanced MembranDie Grafik der Ceplex Advanced Membran

Ceplex Advanced - ideal membrane for extreme weather

The high-quality membrane "Ceplex Advanced" developed by VAUDE is waterproof, windproof and highly breathable. This keeps the moisture out and the warmth in. Your VAUDE product withstands a water column of at least 15,000 millimeters (JIS L 1092 B) and takes on the most adverse weather conditions. The membrane is made of polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyester (PES) and is 100% free of environmentally harmful fluorocarbons and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

  • optimal membrane for extreme weather conditions
  • waterproof, breathable and windproof
  • 100 % free of fluorocarbons and PTFE
Das Icon der Ceplex Pro MembranDas Icon der Ceplex Pro Membran
Die Grafik der Ceplex Pro MembranDie Grafik der Ceplex Pro Membran

Ceplex Pro - permanently waterproof membrane

The high-quality "Ceplex Pro" membrane developed by VAUDE offers you the best protection against wetness. It is waterproof, windproof and highly breathable. So the moisture stays outside and the heat inside. Your VAUDE product withstands a water column of at least 20,000 millimeters (JIS L 1092 B) and takes on the most adverse weather conditions. The membrane is made of polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyester (PES) and is 100% free of environmentally harmful fluorocarbons and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

  • waterproof, breathable and windproof
  • withstands a water column of 20,000 millimeters
  • 100% free of fluorocarbons and PTFE
Das Icon der Ceplex Green MembranDas Icon der Ceplex Green Membran
Die Grafik der Ceplex Green MembranDie Grafik der Ceplex Green Membran

Ceplex Green - "green" membrane protects the environment

The high-quality "Ceplex Green" membrane developed by VAUDE is waterproof, highly breathable and windproof. It withstands a water column of at least 10,000 millimeters. For our green membrane, we use at least 25% recycled or bio-based materials instead of petroleum-based raw materials. This significantly reduces energy and resource consumption. "Ceplex Green" is 100% free of environmentally harmful fluorocarbons and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

  • waterproof, highly breathable and windproof
  • 100 % free of fluorocarbons and PTFE
  • manufactured in a climate-friendly way due to reduced resource consumption

Want to learn more about Ceplex Green? We've summarized everything you need to know about it in our sustainability report.

The differences between 2-, 2.5- and 3-layer material explained

Membranes are extremely sensitive and are therefore permanently bonded to a base material (outer fabric). This creates what is known as a laminate. We distinguish between three different types of laminates.

Die Grafik zeigt den Aufbau eines 2-Lagen-MaterialsDie Grafik zeigt den Aufbau eines 2-Lagen-Materials

2-layer material

If the membrane and the outer fabric are firmly bonded together by means of heat, we speak of a 2-layer laminate. The inner lining (= the lining fabric) lies loosely underneath and protects the exposed membrane from dirt, abrasion and body fats.

Die Grafik zeigt den Aufbau eines 2,5-Lagen-MaterialsDie Grafik zeigt den Aufbau eines 2,5-Lagen-Materials

2.5-layer material

With the 2.5-layer laminate, the membrane and outer fabric are also permanently joined. However, instead of the loose lining (as with the 2-layer laminate), a soft plastic coating is applied on the inside. This makes the jacket very light. The "half layer" increases the wearing comfort and additionally protects the membrane from the inside.

Die Grafik zeigt den Aufbau eines 3-Lagen-MaterialsDie Grafik zeigt den Aufbau eines 3-Lagen-Materials

3-layer material

In 3-layer jackets, the outer fabric, membrane and inner lining are firmly bonded together. This creates an extremely durable yet lightweight material that has both the highest water column and very high breathability.

What does "waterproof" mean - expert explains

We asked our expert and product manager Alisa about this central topic in mountain sports clothing. She once again shows the most important information about the topic of "protection against precipitation" and gives helpful tips.