Understanding Waterproof Ratings
Guide to waterproof fabric clothing
“Waterproof” materials are manufactured to various degrees of rain conditions and these can be identified by the waterproof rating of which it can withstand different types of rain pressure elements. A piece of fabric that can withstand 20,000mm of water pressure will have a rating of 20,000mm or 20K. Clothing in these higher categories are usually costly due to the nature of the extremes they are built to withstand. These waterproof ratings correspond with specific conditions that the fabric can withstand.
Fabric Waterproof Ratings
Rating of clothing water resistance guide
0-5000mm - no resistance to some resistance to moisture, light rain, dry snow, no pressure.
6,000 – 10,000mm – rain proof, waterproof under light rain pressure and average snow.
11,000 – 15,000mm – rain proof, waterproof except under high pressure, moderate rain, average snow, light pressure.
16,000 – 20,000mm – rain proof and waterproof under high pressure. Heavy rain and wet snow.
20,000mm plus – rain proof and waterproof under very high pressure. Heavy rain, wet snow.
Understanding Waterproof Ratings
Guide to waterproof fabric clothing
“Waterproof” materials are manufactured to various degrees of rain conditions and these can be identified by the waterproof rating of which it can withstand different types of rain pressure elements. A piece of fabric that can withstand 20,000mm of water pressure will have a rating of 20,000mm or 20K. Clothing in these higher categories are usually costly due to the nature of the extremes they are built to withstand. These waterproof ratings correspond with specific conditions that the fabric can withstand.
Fabric Waterproof Ratings
Rating of clothing water resistance guide
0-5000mm - no resistance to some resistance to moisture, light rain, dry snow, no pressure.
6,000 – 10,000mm – rain proof, waterproof under light rain pressure and average snow.
11,000 – 15,000mm – rain proof, waterproof except under high pressure, moderate rain, average snow, light pressure.
16,000 – 20,000mm – rain proof and waterproof under high pressure. Heavy rain and wet snow.
20,00 0mm plus – rain proof and waterproof under very high pressure. Heavy rain, wet snow.