Wind-Resistant, Water-Resistant Outerwear
Lightweight Jackets Offer Weather Protection, Breathability, Comfort
Oct 7, 2009
The "new kid on the block" in weather protection is a whole category of clothing that isn’t completely waterproof, but is designed to protect the wearer by repelling water and wind in moderately inclement weather (anything from a drizzle to intermittent showers). These jackets are so versatile that they deserve consideration on any adventure traveler’s gear list. For runners, cyclists, hikers, and other active travelers, a weather-resistant jacket can add comfort and protection in moderately inclement weather.
Design and Function of Weather-Resistant Outerwear
Outerwear that is weather-resistant rather than weather-proof has a slightly different goal and function than traditional weather-proof rain gear. The design of wind and rain resistant clothing addresses the fact that a very active outdoorsman is going to get a bit damp from exertion, even if wearing weather-proof gear that is breathable. In many “betwixt and between” conditions (moderately cold, slightly damp, on and off rain) traditional waterproof-breathable gear simply can’t let sweat escape fast enough, and the wearer gets hotter and sweatier with every step uphill. Yet without any weather protection at all, the wearer gets wet and cold.
Weather-resistant outerwear addresses the problem by providing some weather protection and insulation during high-energy activities in drizzly cold weather. Basically, it tries to balance weather protection with comfort and breathability for very active activities in middling conditions. Jackets may be shells made of an extremely lightweight fabric with a water repellent finish, or they may be made of a very tight weave with an outer coating that resists water and wind. Some wind-and water-resistant shells weigh only a couple of ounces, and can be folded or stuffed into a pocket. Weather-proof layers also add warmth to other elements of a hiker’s layering system by keeping out wind. Some weather resistant jackets also have insulating value.
Weather Conditions for Weather-Resistant Versus Waterproof Outerwear
The first issue to consider when choosing outerwear is the anticipated weather. Weather-resistant jackets are excellent choices for the kind of weather where it’s sunny one moment, drizzly the next, and the weather report promises nothing more than a slight chain of showers. When hiking or cycling in almost-reliably dry climates, or in mid-summer in mountains that tend to be warm but can be damp (such as the mid-Atlantic and southern sections of the Appalachian Trail in summer), a weather resistant jacket may be all that is needed.
Weather–resistant jackets are not a substitute for waterproof jackets, especially in dangerously unsettled climates such as the White Mountain of New Hampshire (which has the moniker of “worst weather in the world”), the South Island of New Zealand (one of the wettest hiking destinations worldwide), the rainforests of Washington’s Cascades and Olympic Mountains (there’s a reason why they call them “rainforests"), or the moors and Lake District of northern England. For wilderness travelers such as backpackers or horsemen in remote, exposed mountains, weather-resistant jackets do not offer enough protection, and on a cold, wet day, they are certainly no good for sitting around taking a lunch break or hanging out in camp.
Which Outdoor Activities Benefit from Weather-Resistant Outdoor Clothing?
Two factors go into determining whether weather- resistant outerwear is a good choice for a given outdoor activity.
The first is: Is this a multi-day outdoor activity involving constant exposure and camping, or is it a one-day activity? If it’s a multi-day camping trip, hikers who bring only a weather-resistant shell need to be aware that if the weather turns out worse than expected, they may have to pitch a tent on the spur of the moment (which, as every hiker knows, is sometimes not possible due to uneven and rocky terrain). So most backpackers take a weather-resistant shell in addition to fully waterproof rain gear, not instead of it. The weather-resistant jacket earns a place in a pack by being more comfortable to wear in many temperature ranges. Waterproof raingear would then be used for all-out downpours.
The second issue, of course, is what is the activity? For day-use, weather-resistant outerwear is an especially good choices for trail runners, cyclists, and day-hikers, who who maintain a steady rate of exertion without having to pause to rest (when they would most likely get cold and wet sitting still), and who will most likely come in from the wet and cold at the end of the activity. On an unsettled day, a marathon runner could simply stuff a weather-resistant shell in a pocket.
The bottom line: Weather-resistant outerwear is not a substitute for full-fledged waterproof rain gear, but it fills a real need in the outdoor wardrobe and may end up being one of the pieces of outdoor clothing an adventure traveler uses the most in a wide range of conditions.
For more on outdoor gear, see Gear Resources.
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