Water Resistant vs Waterproof - What's the difference?

In Towsure Outdoors Blog 0 comment

With autumn weather slowly creeping in, now is the time to swap out your cool summer clothes for something that will withstand the wet and cold. But do you go for water resistant, or waterproof? What do they both mean?

Whilst they are both similar and a type of weather protection, there are some slight differences between the two. One being the material. Water resistant coats and jackets are made from tightly woven polyester or nylon so water struggles to get through. They also have a waterproof coating that keeps you dry. However, water resistant clothing don’t have fully taped seams and will only protect you from light rain exposure, not heavy snow.

Waterproof, on the other hand, is exactly that. Waterproof. Material that is waterproof provides a complete barrier against water thanks to its waterproof coating and fully taped seams – so no water can penetrate through the stitched holes. Some waterproof coats also come with a breathable membrane layer inside to keep you from sweating. So if you are planning on going out in heavy rain and snow, we highly recommend a waterproof coat instead of a water resistant one for maximum protection.

Jess Bradley

Staff writer at Towsure. In her free time, Jess loves to enjoy the outdoors by bicycle or on day trips

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