What is the difference between waterproof and water repellent?

A waterproof product protects you against heavy rain, while a water-repellent product only protects you in case of drizzle.

Water repellent products do not have any membrane: water repellency is the property of a fabric on which water slides and does not penetrate. It is achieved by means of a chemical treatment applied to the outer fabric (DWR). The aim is that water does not penetrate the fabric and is not absorbed by the fabric. However, water repellency has its limits: after a while, water will penetrate. It depends on the quality of the treatment, what it has endured (at the beginning, it is more effective) and the use conditions (rain intensity, inclination, pressure, etc.).               

Our waterproof products have a membrane in addition to the chemical treatment applied to the outer fabric and either fully taped seams or taped seams in the most exposed areas.        

On products (made of waterproof materials) with sealed seams in the most exposed areas, these are located where they are most needed (shoulders, back and front for jackets, legs and back for trousers).      Seam-sealed products have 100% waterproof seams, which completely prevent water from penetrating.

If you are looking for a fully waterproof product, please discover our products:

- with a membrane, i.e. Omni-Tech and 100% taped seams

- with an outer membrane, 100% taped seams i.e. our Outdry Extreme™ line of products.