How To: Understand waterproofing numbers and Gore-tex technology

Waterproof fabrics are one of the most important technologies in the snowboard industry today. Even when you have the newest and spendiest equipment under your feet, if you're not warm and dry the day will not be fun.

So how are you to make sense of all the different waterproofing options on the market? Here at Exit, we understand that this could be confusing. Now you've got your very own guide to understanding the waterproofing systems.

The goal of any high quality waterproofed fabric is to keep snow and rain from permeating the shell of the jacket while also having a breathable lining that allows body heat to escape. Waterproof ratings are a measure of how much water, in mm, that a fabric can hold before it seeps through. A standard waterproof fabric rating is around 5,000mm and the gap bridges to the highest quality materials at 20,000mm.

Although waterproof ratings are a good measure of a fabric's ability to keep you dry, there are a couple of other factors also to take into consideration when purchasing outerwear. Breathability is a key component in keeping you dry and warm. If your body heat is unable to escape, you will most likely be uncomfortable for the day. While the outerwear industry is just beginning to post breathability ratings on their products, it doesn't hurt to look for them when buying. Breathability is measured by the rate water vapor passes through a fabric in a 24 hour period, (g/m2/d), or just g. Again breathability is measured similarly to waterproofing with standard fabrics at 5000 g and higher end fabrics reaching 20,000 g.


Another thing to consider when purchasing outerwear is whether there is taping along the zippers and seams, the most vulnerable part of the jacket. A well made jacket will have fully taped seams along all pockets and vents, and the zipper should boast either a fold over flap or other feature to protect it from the weather.

Gore-tex technology is an alternative to the standard waterproof fabrics on the market. You will notice a lot of larger brands feature Gore-tex labels on their outerwear. Working with companies to develop a formula specific to certain pieces, Gore-tex has established itself as the leading name in waterproofing.

Gore-tex is a registered technology developed in 1976 for use in space travel. While not soaring to extraterrestrial territories, Gore-tex has made a smash hit with outdoor enthusiasts. The Gore-tex technology works as a fabric membrane of 9 billion pores per square inch. Under weathering circumstances, each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet yet still large enough for water vapor to escape.

While Gore-tex does not ascribe to the standard waterproof rating of mm, many compare Gore-tex products to perform similar to 20,000 mm waterproof all the way up to 60,000 mm waterproof.


So whether you're looking for something quick to throw on for a warm spring day or rather a piece to perform on a grandiose back country adventure, now you've got the ability to determine which waterproofing is right for you! To take a look at our snowboard outerwear click here.