Waterproofing of overtrousers components
The impermeability of a fabric, ensured by a coating or membrane, is measured in Schmerber or mm H20 (pressure exerted by a column of water). The higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric.
These overtrousers are designed with a coated waterproof component (JIS 1092 standard): this component resists 5000 mm H20 (Schmerber) before washing (i.e. the pressure exerted by 5 meters of water column).
Waterproof overtrousers
The waterproofness of the overtrousers is not limited to the waterproofness of its components: the technique used to assemble the different parts is also an evaluation criterion.
Sewn and then waterproofed, the overall waterproofness of your overtrousers is measured using a shower test developed by Decathlon, which simulates rainfall of different intensities.
Thus, these waterproof Raincut overtrousers protect you from a small shower, i.e. 6 cm of rain in 1 hour.
Overtrousers' performance in the rain
For long-lasting water repellency, we recommend that you reactivate it regularly.
You can do this every 3 washes (a thorough rinse is essential), or after ten or so uses in the rain.
You can easily reactivate the water repellency, when hot:
- with your tumble dryer for 15 minutes (synthetic program),
- with a hairdryer at a distance of 20 cm, going back and forth 2 times,
- or 2 passes with the iron, set on delicate without steam function.
Breathable fabric
The fabric of these overtrousers is breathable: RET=12.
The breathability of a component is measured by its "Thermal Evaporative Resistance" (RET).
This is its capacity to let the water vapor produced by the body during effort escape to the outside, thus avoiding the accumulation of water on the skin.
The lower the RET value, the more breathable the fabric.
RET ≤ 6: very breathable fabric
RET ≤ 12: not very breathable fabric
RET ≤ 20: not very breathable fabric
Choosing waterproof overtrousers to suit your sporting activity
This product is designed for hiking for a few hours at a maximum pace of 5 km/h.
During sporting activities, we perspire to a greater or lesser extent depending on the intensity and length of the effort. If the breathability of the fabric is not adapted to the effort, perspiration vapor condenses inside the overtrousers. You're wet on the inside: it's not the rain that penetrates, but the perspiration vapor that condenses. So you need to choose your overtrousers according to the type of effort you'll be making.
