Are there waterproof jackets that can actually stand up to heavy rain?

[Black]

I just scored a Kuhl Jetstream off eBay that I'm thrilled with. I think I saw one in a store a couple years ago in the $200+ range, set up an eBay alert... finally got one like new in my size for $70.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3490034.m570.l1313&_nkw=Kuhl+Jetstream+Women%27s&_sacat=0

[Buzz]

What btfc said.... go sailing! Weatherproof sailing gear is da bomb! Be careful to maintain the waterproofing w/ proper care.
Second choice would be motorcycle rain gear. Google around, results are plentiful, so you'll find something that you can embrace.
Over the years, I've scored a couple of Nautica sailing themed jackets that are quite hearty in inclement weather.....
Just checked, but doesn't look like they've got anything stellar in stock online at the moment.
They rotate styles frequently, and their in store stock often differs from their online offerings, so it may warrant some homework.
Third choice is military/first responder oriented weatherproof stuff. Again, google, or the Duck is your friend.
You got this.
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[mrbigstuff]

I'm not not sure I how they perform, but I'm thinking about buying a West Marine jacket. You have to like hi-vis and reflectors, however!

[Ken Sp.]

Helly Hanson has a good reputation.
https://www.hellyhansen.com/

[mattkime]

Oh, its not a bad idea to test your jacket - wear it in the shower!

[M A V I C]

A friend of mine makes active gear and told me a couple things that I've since verified elsewhere.

I'll start this off presuming you're aware of the different materials used for water resistant gear and breathability. You can have problems with the best products of you don't maintain the DWR.

Manufacturers had to switch to a different type of DWR for environmental reasons. The new version doesn't repel oils as well. So when, for example, your hands touch it, the oils stay and attract dirt. This is why you'll see a jacket stop repelling water. The repelling is all DWR, not the membrane (eg Gore Tex.)

When the fabric retains water, eventually it will soak through the membrane.

This is why gear needs to be washed regularly.

However, if you use regular detergent, it doesn't work well. It tends to mess with the DWR. So you want it use a tech detergent from a company line Nixwax or Gearaid.

But wait, there's more. Drying helps reactivate the DWR. While the instructions say hang dry or run through the dryer, the dryer does a MUCH better job.

And when all that fails and the gear still doesn't repel like it use to, then you can reapply DWR. Again, it does a lot better of you run it through the dryer rather than hang dry.

[Robert M]

Hi everyone,

For those who are unaware, DWR means Durable Water Repellant. It the coating that is applied to the outermost layer of fabric which itself is usually just water-resistant, not waterproof.

This blog covers it well:



Robert

[ka jowct]

Lots of good info here! I start a cat-sitting job down on Houston next week, not terribly far from Broadway/Lafayette, so that'll be a good time to fit in a trip to REI.

My brother got a lot of his stuff from REI.

[Racer X]

I use the gear aid wash and dwr treatment and it works pretty well.

[hal]

imo, if you are working hard (or even moderately) under that jacket, it's gonna get wet inside one way or another no matter what it's made of.

The best solution I've found for rain while I'm backpacking (light weight is very important) is a very light weight jacket (OR Helium) and a rain skirt (a mere 2oz of silnylon - silicone impregnated nylon) that keeps my legs dry WAY better than any rain pants and then I have a small, but very sturdy umbrella fixed to me/my backpack.

Feet are gonna get wet. I have gortex boots, but hard work with 100% humidity and the feet get soaked no matter what you do.