The right rain gear for your next trail run
Leestijd: 7 min
Which rain gear do you need for your next adventure?
You've got a great trail planned and are busy gathering the right gear for the challenge. Rain gear is on your essential packing list, or perhaps you're worried it might rain. Good waterproof clothing is essential. What do you need, and what should you pay attention to? This blog post will cover all of this.
What do we pay attention to?
What is the waterproofness of clothing and how do you measure it?
How breathable is the clothing and how can you tell?
How much does it weigh exactly?
How is the fit? Can I wear a racing vest underneath, for example?
What additional features are there?
Need personal advice? Contact us at the bottom right or come to our store.
Table of Content
Waterproofness of rainwear
The waterproofness of clothing is usually expressed in terms of a water column , which is measured in millimeters (mm). This value indicates how much water pressure a fabric can withstand before water begins to penetrate. The higher the water column, the better the clothing resists rain and water pressure. Here's how it works:
What does the water column mean?
The water column is measured by placing a cylindrical tube on the fabric and filling it with water. The height of the water column (in millimeters) on the fabric indicates how much water pressure the fabric can withstand before water begins to seep through.
Examples of water column values:
• 0 - 5,000 mm This is usually water-repellent clothing. The fabric offers some protection against light rain or splashes, but is not completely waterproof.
• 5,000 - 10,000 mm This rating is suitable for light rain or snow. It offers reasonably waterproof protection for short periods.
• 10,000 - 15,000 mm Suitable for heavy rain and wet conditions. This is often the standard for high-quality outdoor and trail running clothing.
• 15,000 - 20,000 mm and higher Highly waterproof, ideal for extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or prolonged water exposure. Often used in high-tech mountain clothing.
In addition to the water column, taped seams and a waterproof zipper also important to check, because these increase the effectiveness of the waterproofing.
Breathability of rainwear
It breathability The performance of clothing refers to how well the fabric wicks away moisture (such as sweat) from the inside while simultaneously protecting against external factors like rain or wind. This is important for keeping you dry and comfortable during activities like trail running, where you sweat a lot.
How is breathability measured?
Breathability is usually expressed in g/m²/24h , which indicates how many grams of water vapor a square meter of fabric can let through in 24 hours. The higher the value, the better the fabric breathes.
Examples of breathability:
• 5,000 g/m²/24h Moderately breathable. Suitable for low-intensity activities such as walking.
• 10,000 g/m²/24h Average breathability. This is often sufficient for moderately strenuous activities, such as normal walking or light trail running.
• 15,000 - 20,000 g/m²/24h : Highly breathable. Suitable for intense activities such as running, cycling, or mountain climbing, where a lot of sweat is produced.
• 20,000 g/m²/24h and higher : Very high breathability. This is ideal for extreme activities like long-distance trail running, where you're active for long periods and your body needs to dissipate a lot of heat and moisture.
Factors affecting breathability:
1. Membranes and materials Fabrics like Gore-Tex and eVent are known for their waterproof and breathable properties. They allow sweat vapor to pass through while keeping water out.
2. Ventilation openings Many jackets and pants have extra zippers or openings under the arms or along the thighs for added ventilation. This helps to remove excess heat and moisture.
3. Air circulation and layers Wearing multiple layers can affect breathability. Make sure you wear a good base layer that wicks moisture away from your skin, such as merino wool or synthetic materials.
4. Environmental conditions : Breathability may decrease in extremely cold or humid conditions as sweat has more difficulty evaporating.
How do you choose the right balance?
When choosing clothing for trail running it is important to find a good balance between waterproofness and breathability For example, a jacket might be highly waterproof, but if it's not breathable enough, sweat can build up, ultimately making you wet and uncomfortable. Therefore, choose clothing that breathes well, especially if you're doing intense activities that make you sweat a lot.
The Trail.NL rainwear collection
We have a great collection of rainwear in our store and webshop. Jackets, pants, mittens, and more. In this blog post, we'll highlight a few brands. Below, you'll find the complete overview at this time. We regularly update our selection.
1. Compressport
The Swiss company Compressport is known for its functional and technical clothing. Not everything is compression, despite what their name might suggest. What their products are, however, is lightweight and often fits well.
Advantages:
- Super lightweight: Most lightweight products. Ideal for taking on long trails where every gram counts.
- Stretches very wellThe 4-way stretch makes this a jacket that is stretchy and therefore fits nicely.
- Little fussNo drawstrings, pockets, or mittens. Just a plain raincoat with a hood.
Disadvantages:
- Lower grades: The breathability and waterproofness are relatively low.
- No cap: Personally, I like a small cap on the hood. This model lacks that.
- No ventilation holes: This jacket has no zippers to "open" the jacket under your armpits, for example.
2. Dynafit
Dynafit is a brand of the Italian Oberalp Group. They have a beautiful collection of mountain brands. Dynafit offers a complete range of equipment, from shoes with grip to waterproof mittens. And of course, waterproof clothing is also included.
Advantages:
- A little more affordable : INOV8 is slightly more price-friendly than the other brands if you are looking for higher waterproofness.
- Good cap : Fine adjustable hood.
- Lightweight INOV8 products are always lightweight. From shoes to clothing. And that includes rainwear.
Disadvantages:
- Average design Don't expect a flashy design from INOV8. It's a bit more understated.
- No pockets: Personally, I like side pockets. This one lacks them.
4. Instinct Trail
We know the French Instinct Trail from its beautiful collection racing vests They're very well-designed, with plenty of pockets and zippers. We see the same with their waterproof jacket. Well-designed and easily adjustable.
Voordelen:
- Goed verstelbare cap : De cap is goed te verstellen en heeft een fijn randje.
- Ingebouwde want : Deze jassen hebben een ingebouwde want. Ideaal zodat de regen je longsleeve niet inkruipt.
- 30.000 : Zeer waterdicht en toch zeer ademend.
Nadelen:
- Ruime pasvorm : Amerikaanse pasvorm, dus kan soms wat ruim vallen.
- Stof ietsje krakend: Niet de minst stille jas.
Veel gestelde vragen over regenkleding
Wat is het verschil tussen waterafstotend en waterdicht?
Het verschil tussen waterafstotend en waterdicht zit in de mate waarin een materiaal water tegenhoudt:
1. Waterafstotend (water-repellent)
Waterafstotende materialen stoten water af, waardoor waterdruppels op het oppervlak van de stof parelen en eraf rollen in plaats van in de stof te trekken. Dit effect wordt vaak bereikt door eenDurable Water Repellent (DWR) -coating aan te brengen op de buitenkant van de stof.
- Waterbescherming: Waterafstotende stoffen bieden enige bescherming tegen lichte regen of opspattend water, maar als het materiaal langer aan water wordt blootgesteld of als het onder druk staat (bijvoorbeeld door zitten of leunen), kan het water doorlaten.
- Ademend vermogen: Waterafstotende kleding is vaak ademend, waardoor vocht van binnenuit (zoals zweet) kan ontsnappen.
- Gebruik: Waterafstotend materiaal is ideaal voor situaties waarin je te maken hebt met lichte regen of vocht, maar niet voor langdurige blootstelling aan zware regen.
2.Waterproof
Waterproof materials offer complete protection against water, even under pressure. They don't let water pass through, regardless of the volume or pressure of the water.
- Water protection: Waterproof fabrics are designed to keep water out, even in heavy rain and extreme conditions. This is often achieved with a membrane (such as GORE-TEX) or a waterproof coating.
- Breathability: Waterproof clothing can be breathable if it uses a waterproof membrane, but some cheaper waterproof materials may be less breathable.
- Usage: Waterproof clothing is intended for prolonged exposure to rain or damp conditions, such as heavy downpours or wet environments.
Summary:
- Water-repellent: Protects against light rain, eventually allows water to pass through with longer or more intense exposure.
- Waterproof: Provides complete protection against water, even during prolonged or heavy exposure.
What do you need if you're going to walk for an hour in moderate rain?
For an hour in average rain is a water-repellent jacketOften sufficient. This jacket repels water without being too heavy or oppressive, ideal for short periods in the rain. These are the jackets with a DWR coating, which often have a hydrostatic head rating of less than 10,000.
What should you pay attention to when buying one?
There are a number of things you can look out for when buying a raincoat:
* Waterproofness.
* Breathability.
* Does the jacket have a hood?
* Are the seams taped?
* How does the hem fit your arms?
* Can you ventilate if you get hot?
What are the requirements for rainwear at UTMB?
The "UTMB Mandatory Equipment" list also includes rain gear. The recommended minimum waterproof rating is 10,000. Personally, we'd go a bit higher for a very long run.
Conclusion rainwear for trail running
So, what it really comes down to is whether the waterproofness of your rain gear is sufficient for what you're going to do. If you're going to walk for an hour in drizzle, you'll need a less waterproof jacket than if you're doing an ultra through the mountains.
If you sweat quickly or run with a very high heart rate, make sure that your breathability is also sufficient.
Side pockets, hood, material, and fit are all personal preferences. We have a beautiful collection in our Amsterdam store, so feel free to come try it on.
Dirk
Founder of Trail.NLHe's done a lot of running. From all kinds of mud runs to ultra-trails and from the well-known road marathons to hour-long runs. He's tested a lot of shoes and other gear.
