WATERPROOF JACKETS

Waterproof rating

In order to measure waterproofness of rain gear we use a method that simulates a certain level of water pressure against the surface of the fabric. The higher the pressure, the more resistant the fabric to the pressure exerted by the water.

The waterproofness of the fabric is tested by placing a very tall cylinder on the fabric and filling it with water until the water penetrates the fabric. Once this happens, we measure how high the cylinder was filled (in millilitres) at that point.

Market rules allow a garment to be marketed as waterproof if it achieves a result of 1,500 mm in this test. Our Galon garments have a waterproof rating equivalent to 5,000-8,000 mm and our other waterproof garments have a waterproof rating between 5,000 and 15,000 mm.

We always test our garments in accordance with the European standard (EN ISO 811). There are also Japanese and American standards with slight variations that simulate the same thing, but as the water pressure is increased at varying rates depending on the standard you can end up with widely differing results. EN ISO 811 increases the pressure at a slower rate, which exposes the material to high pressure over a longer period, making it more difficult to achieve the higher values for waterproofness.

Galon®

Galon® is a hardwearing and waterproof material that never needs any surface treatment and rarely needs washing, which makes it extremely sustainable.

The difference between Galon® and woven waterproof fabrics is that Galon® does not allow water molecules through in the form of vapour. If the vapour cannot get out, it forms condensation, and as a result you feel damp and then cold.

Galon® is primarily used for garments where the level of activity is likely to be lower. To allow us to still use Galon®, which has many fantastic characteristics, we have incorporated mechanical ventilation into several of our Galon garments. This means that the garments have openings to let the vapour out. Naturally, these openings are well concealed, under a rear yoke, for example, so that water does not find its way in.

Solution dyeing technique

In order to minimise the use of water in our production process, we have been using a technique known as “solution dyeing” for five years now for dyeing certain of our synthetic materials.

This process involves adding the colour pigment when producing the yarn. This means that you avoid the normal dyeing process, where you weave the fabric first using undyed yarn and then dye the fabric in a machine resembling a giant washing machine. Read more here.