The right rain gear for your next trail run
Leestijd: 8 min
Which rainwear do you need for your next adventure?
You have a nice trail on your calendar and are busy with the right gear for this challenge. On your mandatory packing list is rain gear or maybe you are afraid that it will rain. Good waterproof clothing is essential. Which do you need and what should you pay attention to? In this blog we will discuss it.
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?
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 starts to penetrate. The higher the water column, the better the clothing is resistant to 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 the water starts 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 value is suitable for light rain or snow. It provides reasonably waterproof protection for shorter periods of time.
• 10,000 - 15,000 mm : Suitable for heavy rain and wet conditions. This is often the standard for high-end outdoor and trail running clothing.
• 15,000 - 20,000 mm and above : Highly waterproof, ideal for extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow or prolonged exposure to water. Often used in high-tech mountain clothing.
In addition to the water column, taped seams and a waterproof zipper also important to check, as these increase the effectiveness of the waterproofing.
Breathability of rainwear
It breathability of clothing refers to how well the fabric can wick moisture (such as sweat) away from the inside while also providing protection from external factors such as rain or wind. This is important to keep you dry and comfortable during activities such as trail running, where you produce a lot of sweat.
How is breathability measured?
Breathability is usually expressed in g/m²/24h , which represents 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 moderate activities such as normal walking or light trail running.
• 15,000 - 20,000 g/m²/24h : High breathability. Suitable for intensive 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 such as long-distance trail running, where you are active for long periods of time 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 extra 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 water tightness and breathability For example, a jacket may have a high level of waterproofness, but if it is not breathable, sweat can build up, ultimately making you wet and uncomfortable. Therefore, choose clothing that breathes well, especially if you are doing intense activities that make you sweat a lot.
The Trail.NL collection of rainwear
We have a nice collection of rainwear in our store and webshop. Jackets, pants, mittens and more. In this blog we will highlight a number of brands. Below you will first see the complete overview at this moment. We regularly adjust our assortment.
1. Compressport
Swiss Compressport is known for their functional and technical clothing. Not everything is compression, despite what their name might suggest. What their stuff is, is lightweight. It often fits well.
Advantages:
- Super lightweight: Most lightweight products. Ideal to take with you on your long trails where every gram counts.
- Stretches very well: The 4-way stretch makes this a jacket that is stretchable and therefore fits nicely.
- Little fuss: No strings, 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 at 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 nice collection of "mountain brands." Dynafit can dress you completely, from shoes with grip to waterproof mittens. Of course, waterproof clothing is also part of that.
Advantages:
- A little more affordable : INOV8 is slightly more price-friendly than the other brands if you are looking for higher water resistance.
- Good cap : Fine adjustable hood.
- Lightweight : INOV8 products are always lightweight. From shoes to clothing. So the rainwear too.
Disadvantages:
- Average design : Don’t expect a flashy design with INOV8. It’s a bit more modest.
- No pockets: Personally I like pockets. This one lacks that.
4. Instinct Trail
We know the French Instinct Trail from its beautiful collection racing vests that they make. They are very well thought out, have many compartments and zippers. We see the same with their waterproof jacket. Well thought out and fine to adjust.
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 do not let water through, regardless of the amount 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 using 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 rain showers 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 shorter periods in the rain. These are the jackets with a DWR coating. These are often under 10,000 water columns.
What should you pay attention to when buying one?
There are a number of things you can look for when buying a raincoat:
* Water resistance.
* 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 advice there is a minimum waterproofness of 10,000. Personally, we would go a bit higher for a very long run.
Conclusion rainwear for trail running
So what it really comes down to is the waterproofness of your rain gear sufficient for what you are going to do? If you are going to walk for an hour in the drizzle, you will need a less waterproof jacket than if you are going to do an ultra through the mountains.
If you sweat quickly or run with a very high heart rate, make sure that your breathability is also high enough.
Side pockets, hood, material and fit are personal tastes. We have a nice collection hanging in our store in Amsterdam, so feel free to come and try it on.
Dirk
Founder of Trail.NL. Has run a lot. From all kinds of mud runs to ultratrails and from the well-known road marathons to hour runs. Tests a lot of shoes and other gear.
