How do I know if My Raincoat is Waterproof?
A raincoat is a form of short rainwear. It is normally worn over the body and has a hood. Raincoats feature sleeves, which can be rolled up or down depending on weather conditions. Various types of raincoats are available depending on the intended purpose, including outdoor jackets and other variations. Raincoats are designed to be waterproof, but even the best rain gear is not always 100% effective. The best way to test whether or not your coat will keep you dry is to wear it in the rain.
Here are a few methods you can use to determine the waterproofness of a raincoat;
Check the label
The first thing to look at when buying a raincoat is the label. It should say ‘waterproof’ or ‘100% waterproof’. The label should also say what level of water resistance you can expect from the garment, for example, ‘waterproof level 3. This will tell you how long it can withstand rainfall before becoming saturated or leaking.
Inspect the seams and zip
Check that there are no holes or gaps in seams or zips, particularly around the hood and pockets, which could let water through. If you can see holes in the stitching, water can leak through and soak your clothes. Use your fingers to check that there are no splits in these areas where water could seep through from outside. If you find any holes or splits, don’t buy it.
Perform a water test
Waterproof breathable rains raincoats are made with a waterproof membrane that allows moisture to pass through the material while keeping rain out. This type of coat is ideal for rainy days because it allows sweat to evaporate but keeps you dry from the outside. To perform a test, put on your coat and get into a tub filled with water up to your waist. Then stay in it for at least 10 minutes and see if water seeps through your coat. If it does, then it’s not waterproof.
Look for additional features
Some raincoats have special features such as taped seams, concealed zippers and mesh lining inside the chest area. These additional features ensure that water doesn’t seep through the seams or get trapped inside the coat. This makes them more effective in keeping you dry during rainy days or even when you’re hiking in the mountains because they don’t allow any moisture to accumulate on your upper body.
Read customer reviews
Another way of determining whether or not a particular product is waterproof is by reading customer reviews online or asking friends who had purchased similar products before if they were satisfied with their purchase or not. You can also check out sites like Amazon or eBay since they offer customer reviews on many different products sold on their site so that consumers can find out what other people think about them before purchasing.
Conclusion
You will have to research to determine if your raincoat is truly waterproof. Most department stores will have some information regarding their various products that will help you learn more about how these garments will perform in the rain. They may also help you choose the right coat for your situation.
