How is waterproofing measured?
We measure the resistance of a fabric to water pressure in mm of water column (based on ISO 811 ). The higher the water pressure withstood by the fabric, the more waterproof it is.
Here are the waterproofing ratings:
Component resistant to water pressure of 5000 mm after ageing (5 washes). This equates to 5,000 Schmerber average pressure exerted by the water during rain.
The hat’s waterproof was tested in a rain shower with 100 litres of water/sqm/hour for 3 hours.
Waterproof properties of the hat
Waterproof components (water runs off the fabric)
- 100% waterproof seams
Fabric breathability
To find out whether a fabric is breathable, we test its evaporate resistance or RET (ISO 11092 standard). The lower the fabric’s resistance, the more moisture is evaporated, and therefore the higher the fabric’s breathability.
We consider that if:
RET < 9 = very breathable fabric
9 < RET < 12 = breathable fabric.
The values for the Trek 500 jacket’s breathability are as follows:
> More resistant fabric: RET < 12 (or 3621 g/m²/24 h, JIS1099A standard)
> Lightest fabric: RET < 8 (or 2972 g/m²/2
Water-repellent properties information
A fabric is water-repellent when water slides off the surface of the fabric, without seeping in.
Your jacket does not become waterlogged and remains lightweight and breathable. The water-repellent properties are achieved with a treatment applied to the external side of the fabric, but in practice these properties can be altered.
The water-repellent properties can be reactivated by putting the jacket in a dryer for 10 minutes at the lowest temperature.
How to reactivate the water repellency
Drying is a crucial phase in reactivating the water repellent treatment.
We recommend that you lay your jacket flat on a clothes rack and leave it out to dry in the open. Caution: never dry your jacket directly on a radiator.
Then place them in the tumble dryer on a short synthetics cycle, i.e. 10 to 15 minutes, before turning it back the right way round. Caution: do not over-dry the garment.
