Three layer rain jackets are the most durable and highest performing option. As the name suggests, the fabric is a combination of three layers that are bonded together to make a durable, waterproof and breathable jacket. 

• The middle layer is the membrane, this is the waterproof layer of your jacket. It is made up of billions of pores (think skin). The crazy thing about these pores is that each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a water molecule but 700 times bigger than a water vapour molecule (think sweat). This prevents water from passing through your jacket but allows sweat to be released, creating a waterproof and breathable jacket.
  
• The inner layer is an extremely light woven fabric that acts as a protective barrier for your waterproof membrane to protect it from your skin's oils and salts, along with dirt and contamination from your mid/base layers. These will break down your middle waterproof membrane and cause it to delaminate from the outer fabric, making your jacket no longer waterproof. Three layer jackets are where it is at if you are looking for a long term investment and this inner layer is the main difference between a three and a two layer jacket. 
  
• The outer layer is on the front line when it comes to fighting the elements. It is protecting your waterproof membrane (the pores) from dirt and abrasion. This layer is treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) which prevents water soaking into the outer fabric - this is where the beading happens. If the outer fabric is prevented from ‘wetting out’ it allows water vapour (sweat) to leave and maintains the jackets breathability. If your jacket can’t breathe, condensation from your sweat builds up and you become wet.

When your jacket is ‘wetting out’ and the outer fabric has lost its repellency it is important to know that the middle layer is still waterproof but the outer layer just needs a little care. 

• Hand wash your rain jacket regularly using a delicates detergent in lukewarm water.
• Give it a thorough wash, making sure you have removed all surface dirt and body oils. 
• Rinse twice in clean water to make sure it is free of all detergent. 
• Don’t wring your jacket out, just pop it on the line and let it drip dry. 
• Pop your clean and dry jacket in the tumble drier on a medium heat, this will revive the DWR (Durable water repellent) treatment on the outer fabric.

Firstly, don't wait for a rainy day to treat your jacket - it will need to cure for up to 72 hours!

Use Gecko Guard to re-treat your jacket. Designed and made in New Zealand, it is the BEST durable water repellent (DWR) spray on the market!

Believe it or not, pretty much all the other DWR spray options on the market are water based 🤔 Gecko Guard is a mineral spirit base which offers unrivalled durability and staying power.

We prefer a spray on treatment over a wash in so it doesn't affect the breathability of the inner layer or the seam seal bonding. For best results, retreat your jacket after every wash.

Now you know how to look after your jacket, it is important to buy one that suits your adventures. 

Montbell is a Japanese brand who have two main design philosophies that drive product development, ‘Function is beauty’ and ‘Fast and light’. This is reflected in super lightweight, technical fabrics used together with minimalist hardware. Montbell boast some of the most impressive specs available on the market and are incredibly competitive in pricing compared with other jackets of the same quality. Many of Montbell's offerings have unrivalled weight to waterproof rating ratios.

Klattermusen, from Sweden, have quietly been pioneers of environmentally considerate outdoors wear since their inception in the 70’s. They were the first brand in history to develop a forever-chemical-free inner layer for their rainwear and it’s taken up until recent years for other brands to catch up. For Klattermusen, functionality and durability are of equal importance when designing their products. In their rainwear they move away from velcro fastenings and waterproof zippers, both of which can often break down faster than the jacket itself. Expect a Klattermusen jacket to have a buttery soft, almost unbelievably waterproof fabric, thoughtful and durable hardware and to be your wet weather companion on soggy missions for many years to come.