Short answer: Choose a waterproof jacket by where you will be in the rain and for how long. For showers in town a lightweight jacket with a water column from 8,000 mm is enough, for an all-day hike an outdoor jacket with 15,000-20,000 mm, and for skiing a ski jacket with 10,000-30,000 mm. The water column is only part of the picture: check the taped seams, waterproof zips and hood too. On men’s and women’s models the same details decide.
Which waterproof jacket should you choose for where you will wear it?
The table matches uses to types of NORDBLANC jackets and shows the range of water column that jackets in each category have.
| Use | Type of jacket | Water column | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town and the journey to work in showers | lightweight waterproof jacket, spring and autumn jacket | 8,000-15,000 mm | taped seams, drawcord hood, reflective details |
| An all-day hike in the rain | outdoor jacket | 15,000-20,000 mm | taped seams and waterproof zips, ventilation zips |
| Cycling, running and brisk walking | lightweight softshell, lightweight sports jacket with a membrane | 8,000-15,000 mm | cycling or running among the activities, reflective details |
| Skiing and snowboarding | ski jacket | 10,000-30,000 mm | snow skirt, taped seams, insulation |
| Winter in town | winter jacket or coat with a membrane | 3,000-20,000 mm | warmth, fit, hood; taped seams are not among the features |
The ranges describe NORDBLANC jackets and are not a recommendation according to a standard. The collection Waterproof jackets brings together jackets with a water column of 8,000-20,000 mm: outdoor, softshell, lightweight sports and spring and autumn jackets. Lightweight models are also in separate collections, women’s lightweight waterproof jackets and men’s light waterproof jackets. Ski and winter jackets with a membrane are in their own categories.
How many mm of water column should a waterproof jacket have?
The verbal Waterproofness scale on the product is NORDBLANC’s indicative aid for comparing models: a water column up to 5,000 mm corresponds to the Water-repellent level, 8,000-15,000 mm to the Waterproof level, and 20,000 mm and more to the Highly waterproof level. The longer you stay in the rain and the harder you press on the fabric, the higher the value you should choose. Pressure arises under rucksack straps, when sitting on a wet bench and when kneeling.
For showers on the way to work the Waterproof level is enough. For all-day rain with a rucksack on your back, choose 15,000-20,000 mm and taped seams. The number in the name of the TERATEX® membrane corresponds to the water column, so TERATEX® 15000 means 15,000 mm. The details of measuring, and of where water gets into a jacket, are summarised in the guide Water column and breathability.
What matters on a waterproof jacket besides the water column?
Water finds the seams and zips first. According to the features listed, this is how it looks on NORDBLANC jackets with a membrane:
| Category | Taped seams | Waterproof zips | Ventilation zips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor jackets | almost all | almost all | almost all |
| Spring and autumn jackets | all | more than half | more than half |
| Lightweight sports jackets with a membrane | roughly half | some | not among the features |
| Softshell jackets | not among the features | some | not among the features |
| Winter jackets with a membrane | not among the features | some | only a few |
| Winter coats with a membrane | not among the features | not among the features | not among the features |
| Ski jackets | most | almost all | most |
The breathability of outdoor jackets is 15,000-20,000 g/m²/24 h on almost all of them, and almost all have a hood drawcord. A detachable hood is found mainly on ski jackets, then on roughly half of the winter coats and some of the winter jackets with a membrane. Winter jackets and coats with a membrane do not have taped seams among their features, and for long rain jackets with taped seams are the safer choice. You will find the features of a specific model on the product. Wash the jacket following the label; general instructions are on the page Product care.
Is an ultralight waterproof jacket really waterproof?
It depends on the water column figure. Ultralight sports jackets without a water column have the lowest level on the Waterproofness scale, Light rain, meaning a short shower. Only ultralight models with a stated water column are waterproof: women’s and men’s lightweight SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshells with taped seams and waterproof zips, and, on the odd model, a sports jacket with a TERATEX® 8000 membrane. Their wind resistance is Medium.
So look for a women’s ultralight waterproof jacket among the lightweight softshells, for example in the collection Ultralight 3LL softshell and in the category women’s lightweight sports jackets. The difference between an ultralight, a softshell and an insulated lightweight jacket is described in the guide Lightweight sports jacket.
Is a women’s rain poncho the same as a waterproof jacket?
A rain poncho is a loose waterproof cape that you throw over your clothes. NORDBLANC does not offer rain ponchos. If you are looking for protection from the rain, the closest are women’s lightweight waterproof jackets with a water column of 10,000-15,000 mm and taped seams. For longer outdoors, there are women’s outdoor jackets and parkas with 15,000-20,000 mm. A longer cut also covers the hips and seat, and the differences between a coat, a parka and a jacket are described in the guide Winter coat, parka or jacket?
Men’s or women’s waterproof jacket: how does the choice differ?
Men’s and women’s models differ in cut and sizes; the materials and parameters are read in the same way. Almost all the jackets in the collection Waterproof jackets have a Regular fit, meaning classic rather than close-fitting. Women’s sizes are mostly 34-44, men’s S-XXXL. Try the jacket on with the layer you will wear underneath it.
- Women’s: lightweight waterproof jackets, outdoor jackets, autumn and spring jackets.
- Men’s: light waterproof jackets, outdoor jackets, autumn and spring jackets.
You can try on a men’s or women’s jacket in our stores, and compare your measurements with the size charts.
Waterproof jacket or softshell?
A softshell is enough for wind, showers and wet snow while you are moving. It has a water column of 10,000 mm, but classic softshell jackets do not have taped seams. Rain that lasts all day calls for a jacket with a membrane and taped seams. The difference is covered in the guide Softshell or hardshell, and the choice of a softshell in the guide How to choose a softshell jacket.
Which waterproof jacket suits winter and skiing?
Winter and ski jackets with a membrane have insulation as well. NORDBLANC ski jackets have a water column of 10,000-30,000 mm, almost all have waterproof zips and a snow skirt; the choice is described in the guide How to choose a ski jacket. On winter jackets with a membrane the water column ranges from 3,000 to 20,000 mm, most often 10,000 mm.
On NORDBLANC down jackets no membrane or water column is stated, and the Waterproofness scale shows the lowest level, Light rain. In the rain, therefore, wear them under a waterproof jacket. The choice of a down jacket is described in the guide How to choose a down jacket and down coat.
Frequently asked questions
Does a waterproof jacket stop the wind as well?
Mostly yes, but the degree varies. On NORDBLANC outdoor jackets wind resistance is almost always High, on lightweight sports jackets with a membrane mostly only Medium, on a few High, and on the odd one the figure is missing. You will find the parameter on the product.
Is a jacket without taped seams enough for the rain?
For a short shower, yes. The needle perforates the fabric when it is sewn, and without tape stuck on the inside of the seam water seeps through these holes, whatever the water column of the fabric. For rain that lasts hours, choose a jacket with taped seams. Classic softshell jackets and winter jackets and coats with a membrane do not have them.
Is a waterproof jacket suitable for cycling?
A lightweight, visible jacket is suitable. Cycling is listed among the activities on some NORDBLANC waterproof jackets: lightweight sports jackets with a membrane, mostly lightweight softshells with a water column of 10,000 mm, and some lightweight waterproof jackets with 15,000 mm. Almost all have reflective details. The activity on outdoor jackets is hiking; cycling is not among them.
Does a waterproof jacket keep you warm, or do I have to layer?
Outdoor jackets and spring and autumn jackets have no insulation, so they do not warm you by themselves and you build up warmth in layers under them. Advice on layering is in the guide Spring and autumn jacket. Ski jackets and winter jackets with a membrane are insulated.