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Looking at picking up a gilet and the manufacturer website says that it's waterproof to 20000mm. My understanding is that means heavy rain but they said light shower when I emailed them.
Am I misreading/misunderstanding waterproofing ratings or is their support person playing it a bit safE?
20k is fully waterproof, perhaps its actually 2k?
How waterproof a jacket is will depend on its waterproof rating. The higher a jacket’s waterproof rating, the longer the fabric will remain waterproof for.
Rating Resistance Weather
0 – 1,500mm Water resistant / Snowproof Very light rain
1,500mm – 5,000mm Waterproof Light to average rain
5,000mm – 10,000mm Very Waterproof Moderate to heavy rain
10,000mm- 20,000mm Highly Waterproof Heavy rain
Mountain warehouse website
Well it's a gilet so water will just work it's way around the body if it's raining hard. Plus it may not have taped seams (not that it would make a lot of difference with a gilet).
I get the fact that due to the lack of sleeves it'll never be waterproof as such, it was more about form factor and lightness. They do a 10k jacket too which may fit the bill and it's only slightly more expensive and still under 100g
Why on earth would you even bother with any level of waterproofness in a gilet?
well I've got a gilet that when it's pissing it down may as well not be there. that means, if I'm on a long road ride, my core temp drops and it becomes a problem particularly on longer descents. Given I've got a few multi-day rides planned, I don't fancy being stuck somewhere because I'm just too cold to ride after a heavy rain.
Contrast with a castelli bin-bag (I guess that's not the name), the core temp stays a bit higher because there's little water getting in to chill me and I can ride. Two probs with the binbag; 1, you sweat like a pig in it so there's a lot of on-and-off with it and 2, mine is knackered after 6 years of use.
well I've got a gilet that when it's pissing it down may as well not be there.
They're all like that!
Just carry a proper lightweight GTX shell stuffed in a jersey pocket.
Just wanted to add - you can buy iron on seam tape from eBay. I used it when altering some waterproof trousers, and it works nicely. Seems to be the same stuff the manufacturers use.
When it's not raining, but the trails are wet.molgrips - Member
Why on earth would you even bother with any level of waterproofness in a gilet?
When it's not raining, but the trails are wet.
Mudguards....
... are also an option, though it's difficult to get something with complete coverage and they introduce other issues.
Gave up finding the right one at the right price after I found a 7mesh rain and wind jacket for 100 euros. Done.