| Job | Keep you dry in rain |
| Tech | Membrane/coating, taped seams, DWR |
| Range | Packable shells to hardshells |
| Care | Reproof the DWR periodically |
A rain jacket is a waterproof, breathable outer layer designed to keep you dry in rain. It uses a waterproof membrane or coating and taped seams, with a DWR finish that makes water bead off the surface. Rain jackets range from light packable shells for emergencies to burly hardshells for sustained storms.
How it works
A membrane like Gore-Tex, taped seams, and a DWR finish keep water out — it’s a type of shell, overlapping with the hardshell.
Care
Reproof the DWR when water stops beading to keep it performing.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a jacket waterproof?
A waterproof jacket combines a waterproof-breathable membrane or coating (which blocks liquid water while letting vapor escape), seams sealed with waterproof tape, and a DWR (durable water repellent) finish on the face fabric that makes rain bead and run off rather than soaking in.
Rain jacket vs hardshell?
They overlap — both are waterproof shells. 'Rain jacket' often suggests a lighter, simpler, more affordable waterproof for everyday and general outdoor use, while 'hardshell' implies a tougher, more technical jacket for mountaineering and severe weather.
How do you reproof a rain jacket?
When water stops beading and starts soaking into the face fabric, wash the jacket with a tech wash and reapply a DWR treatment (wash-in or spray-on), then often heat-set it with a tumble dry or warm iron per the label. This restores the repellency without replacing the jacket.
Sources
- Waterproof fabrics — Gore-Tex