Berghaus Customer Service
Breathability is a measure of how quickly moisture vapour generated from your body is able to pass through a fabric from the inside of your waterproof jacket to the outside environment.
It is important that you select a waterproof jacket with a breathability that is suited for your intended end use, because any moisture that cannot escape stays inside your jacket and may condense, making you feel cold, hot or sweaty.
The higher the intensity of activity you are planning to do, the more moisture vapour you are likely to generate and therefore you will want your waterproof jacket to be more breathable. For highly aerobic activities we would recommend you look at the ultra-breathable Hydroshell Air or Gore-Tex Active fabrics.
Breathability can be measured in several different ways, the most common is by using a Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR). This measures the amount of water vapour that can pass through a square meter fabric over a 24 hour period.
Using this method:
Gore-Tex fabrics are measured using a different method known as Resistance to Evaporative Heat Loss (or RET). In this method the lower the number, the more breathable a fabric is.
Using this method:
Don’t forget to look out for venting!
There are also other features that offer different venting solutions which can also enhance the breathability of your waterproof jacket.
The construction of our products also helps to improve the breathability, with a range of innovative design features such as pit zips, chest, shoulder and back vents, pockets that double as vents, as well as our world-first fully-open waterproof vent; which uses our patented storm venting technology to keep you dry and comfortable on the inside as well as the outside.
Breathability can be measured in several different ways, the most common is by using a Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR). This measures the amount of water vapour that can pass through a square meter fabric over a 24 hour period.
Using this method:
Gore-Tex fabrics are measured using a different method known as Resistance to Evaporative Heat Loss (or RET). In this method the lower the number, the more breathable a fabric is.
Using this method:
Don’t forget to look out for venting!
There are also other features that offer different venting solutions which can also enhance the breathability of your waterproof jacket.
The construction of our products also helps to improve the breathability, with a range of innovative design features such as pit zips, chest, shoulder and back vents, pockets that double as vents, as well as our world-first fully-open waterproof vent; which uses our patented storm venting technology to keep you dry and comfortable on the inside as well as the outside.
Dependant on the activity you are undertaking you will be looking for a lightweight waterproof jacket or a high-durable waterproof jacket, or perhaps a bit of both!
For trail running, biking and high exertion activities you will be more likely to require a waterproof jacket that is very lightweight, check out our Hydroshell Hyper fabric for the lightweight waterproof fabric available on the market.
For activities with less exertion but longer hours in the outdoors, you may need a balance between weight and durability, to ensure you are traveling light and have a durable and long-lasting waterproof jacket.
Activities where you are close to rock, likely to have abrasion on your waterproof jacket such as climbing and mountaineering, durability is your number one priority. You need to be sure that your jacket will stay strong and tough in harsh environments.
