Waterproof outerwear is necessary for outdoor activities in all conditions. Breathable fabrics like GORE-TEX repel water while allowing moisture to escape, keeping the wearer warm and dry. Waterproof outerwear fully protects from moisture, while water-resistant materials are useful for lighter applications. Outdoor enthusiasts wear waterproof clothing and footwear for protection.
Because many outdoor sports and activities take place in all seasons and in all conditions, special clothing is sometimes necessary to combat the elements. Waterproof outerwear is specially designed clothing that combats water from the elements, such as rain or snow, or even standing water, such as lakes or rivers, to keep the wearer dry and warm in harsh conditions. Waterproof outerwear includes jackets, pants, shirts, boots, hats, and any other type of clothing that can keep the wearer warm and dry.
In the past, many types of waterproof clothing were made from simple plastics, polyesters, or nylons. These materials were waterproof and strong, but not breathable. This meant that the wearer would be protected from the elements, but would also sweat because the body’s heat and moisture could not escape from the material. This backfired, as the idea behind waterproof outerwear is to keep your skin warm and dry.
As a result, special breathable fabrics were developed. Perhaps the best-known material is GORE-TEX, which is a specially designed fabric consisting of several layers: the outer layer is a tough, often tear-resistant nylon or polyester; The middle layer is a Teflon fabric (technically known as polytetrafluoroethylene) that repels water from the outside while allowing moisture to escape from the body. This keeps the body warm and dry. Another inner layer protects the easily damaged Teflon layer from deterioration from sweat or repetitive motion.
It is important to note that there is a difference between waterproof outerwear and water resistant outerwear. Waterproof outerwear is designed to fully protect the body from moisture; in other words, water must not be allowed to pass through the material and come into contact with the skin at any time. Waterproof outerwear repels water to some degree, but is not completely waterproof; eventually, the water will penetrate the material and make contact with the skin. Water resistant materials are useful for lighter applications such as light rain or light snow. Waterproof outerwear is designed for more extreme conditions, such as heavy downpours, heavy snow, or other conditions where water is a persistent and strong presence.
Rainwear is commonly seen anywhere outdoor activities are common. Skiers wear waterproof jackets and pants; mountaineers are constantly exposed to harsh elements and therefore wear waterproof clothing. Waterproof hiking boots are common among hikers, and other types of waterproof footwear are common in construction and other outdoor professions.
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