What does 2,000mm waterproof mean?  | Inside the Outdoors (2024)

FAQs

What does waterproof to 2000 mm mean? ›

The higher the rating the more waterproof it is. If a garment is 2,000mm waterproof this means the fabric can withstand 2,000mm of water over a day before water will start to penetrate through.

Avid skiers and snowboarders, especially those in wetter climates, should look for waterproof ratings in the 10,000 mm to 20,000 mm range or better.

Waterproof ratings are measured in millimetres (mm) and usually fall anywhere from 800mm to 10,000 mm. These figures indicate the amount of water pressure a fabric can withstand.

Gore-Tex®, for example, has a waterproof rating of 28,000mm.

A waterproof product does not let any water in and will withstand the weather whereas water-resistant jackets are perfect for drier conditions. Water-resistant materials are usually made from a tightly woven fabric that's harder for water to get through and penetrate.

Water-resistant jackets and pants usually have a DWR (durable water repellent) finish on the exterior that repels moisture and keeps you dry in light rain or snow. If the jacket features a waterproof breathable membrane, laminate or other comparable waterproof technology, then it is usually considered waterproof.

In the simplest sense, a waterproof jacket offers the highest level of protection from rain and snow. While a water-resistant jacket offers a good, but lower level of protection. Though there's a little more to it than that. The difference between water-resistant and waterproof arises from the fabric.

Something can be considered “waterproof” once it has a rating of 3000mm. This is the amount of water pressure the fabric can endure before water gets through. However, that level won't be nearly enough for stormy weather or marine work.

Is 3000mm waterproof enough for a tent? ›

To summarise, and help you choose your new tent, a general rule is that a good quality tent with a 1500 – 3000mm waterhead rating on the tent fly, along with a 6000mm+ rating on the floor or one made from durable polyethylene or PVC, is going to keep you sheltered and dry in all but the absolute worst of conditions.

If you are buying a waterproof coat for walking about town or dropping the kids to school, a waterproof rating of 2,000-5,000mm will be more than enough. If you were planning a weekend in the mountains, we would advise a rating of 5,000-8,000mm as the conditions can be much harsher.

Since 8 is the highest number on the IP water rating scale, any IP enclosure with a rating ending in 8 offers the best possible waterproof protection.

IP66 ratings are the highest level of waterproof protection. An IP68 rating is a next step up if you need the product to survive total submersion in water.

There's no internationally recognised standard of what specific rating 'waterproof' is, but 1500mm is widely accepted as being the minimum to be deemed waterproof and able to handle most rain conditions.

The most sustainable GORE-TEX alternative fabric is waxed cotton. Waxed cotton is exactly like it sounds: wax (typically beeswax or linseed) is applied to cotton, giving the cloth a hydrophobic coating. Nature applied to nature. That's it.

Waterproof ratings for tents are measured in millimetres and will usually be between 1000mm (the lowest level considered waterproof) and 10,000mm. The higher the rating, the more waterproof a tent will be.

If your Gore-Tex clothing is properly cared for, it should remain waterproof for 3-5 years. It can easily last for ten years or more if you store it properly and don't wear it that much. Of course, with regular active use, friction and heat can cause the DWR to break down more quickly.

In real-world terms, where you have wind and gravity pushing rain into a tent fabric you will need a measurement of around 1000mm to resist light showers. Heavy rain and driving wind will create more pressure on the fabric and require a higher number of around 2000mm.

1. POLYURETHANE. Polyurethane is considered one of the best waterproofing materials.

What material is 100% waterproof? ›

Polyurethane Laminate is the fabric of all fabrics that are waterproof in its own right. PUL is a polyester fabric that has a plastic backing comprising a thin waterproof layer. Polyurethane Laminate is a completely waterproof fabric, as well as being breathable and flexible.

Hydrostatic head, measured in millimeters (mm), is a measure of how waterproof a fabric is. In the case of a 10k or 10,000 mm fabric, if you put a cylinder with inner dimensions of 1” x 1” over a piece of said fabric, you could fill it with water to a height of 10,000 mm (10m) before water would begin to leak through.

Leaking waterproof

Jackets that have not been regularly cleaned will often appear to be leaking. Dirt and oils from your skin can clog the pores in your jacket's membrane; this prevents the transfer of moisture vapour out of the jacket meaning that it will feel damp inside without actually leaking.

Fit The fit should encourage layering underneath, but shouldn't be too loose. Remember that you should be able to cinch your rainwear down so it's snug enough if the weather turns. Move your arms, bend your knees. A full range of motion is essential.

How long does waterproofing last on a jacket? You should reproof your waterproof clothing around every 6-12 months, depending on how much you use it.

As temperatures drop outside your jacket, the warm humid air you produce inside the jacket contacts the cooler surface of the jacket and changes from vapour to liquid causing beads of water to form on the inside of your jacket.

Waterproof Jacket

This means the jacket has a waterproof coating on the outer fabric with fully taped seams and it may have a built in membrane lining. A membrane lining is a sheet of material with lots of tiny holes in it to help with breathability, because these holes are so small no water can penetrate it.

Most times, it's dirt and crud that are covering the water-repellent coating, making your jacket soak up water. Also important to note, using household detergents to clean can leave behind residues that attract water, so it's important to use a technical cleaner for items with water-repellent coatings.

However, unless unworn, with regular use you should aim to wash your jacket around once every month or so if you want to keep it in top condition. A good quality waterproof can be washed in the washing machine using a gear oriented cleaner such as Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash.

<1000mm means it's water resistant, not waterproof, and fine for temporary use in light rain. 1000mm~1500mm is a good range for lightweight gear that's waterproof, and with good maintenance it can hold up for long-term use. 1500mm~5000mm is for use in moderate rain for an extended time and it will keep you dry.

What is 1000 mm waterproof rating? ›

The minimum rating to be considered waterproof is 1000mm. This rating means that the fabric will hold back a one inch diameter, 1000mm high column of water for more than one minute before a single drop will travel through the fabric. You may notice the letters PU before or after a given waterproof rating.

Place your item in the washing machine (ideally 1 item per wash) and use a standard non-biological soap or a waterproof washing liquid to add extra protection. If you cannot read the label, you should wash your clothes on a gentle cycle and a slow spin - around 30 degrees is optimal.

However, even for some experienced campers, we remain unaware that tents are not fully waterproof! Feeling the material, we might think that tents can repel water completely, but contrary to popular belief, tents are only water-resistant.

To that end, waterproofing is essential to a functional tent and a comfortable camping trip. Every tent, from a cheap pop up to a high-end backpacking tent needs a water-resistance refresh from time to time. So, if you want to make sure you stay dry while camping, you'll have to waterproof your tent from time to time.

1500 – 5000mm Waterhead = Very Waterproof

A 1500mm rating should keep you dry in a rainstorm with 120kph winds but if you're camped out in a large family tent in these kinds of conditions a waterhead rating will be the least of your concerns.

Most are about 2 to 4mm thick. There are essentially 2 types of membranes, sheet based membranes and liquid applied membranes. Ideally, a waterproofing membrane should be strong, flexible, tear-resistant and elastic so that it can stretch to cover cracks and also move with the building.

It is Atatic Polypropylene based bitumenous watrproofing membrane. it is available in 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm thickness. length is 10 Mtr.

The waterproof rating is measured by the fabric's resistance to water pressure, expressed in terms of the height of a water column in mm (test based on the ISO 811 standard). The higher the water pressure, the more waterproof the fabric.

At The North Face®, when we say a fabric is waterproof we mean it's impervious to water. We test our waterproof fabrics in lab conditions to ensure the fabric can withstand a given amount of water. Once the fabric passes that test, it can be called 100% waterproof.

If a product has an IP67 rating, that indicates it is "waterproof." The 6 indicates "complete protection against dust over extended time" as well as "protection against contact with objects greater than 1mm in diameter, such as a wire or a small tool."

What IP rating is needed for outdoor use? ›

IP ratings of between 44 and 65 may be used for both indoor and general outdoor use. Anything lower than IP44 should only be used indoors, however. IP44 outdoor lights can withstand rain and are safe to use outdoors, however should not be exposed to pressurised water such as a jet wash.

In short, “water resistant” describes an item's ability to resist water penetration to a certain degree but perhaps not entirely. On the other hand, “waterproof” technically means that it's impermeable no matter how much time it spends in the water.

Higher numbers mean more water resistant fabric. A fabric rated 20k for waterproofness resists approximately 66 feet of liquid stacked up in that 1-inch square tube before any seepage begins.

10,000mm – 15,000mm: A waterproof garment in this range will withstand most downpours as well as heavy snow, but will soak through over time if subjected to pressure, such as crashing in wet snow, kneeling or sitting down, or a heavy pack.

2 litre/m2 at 1.5mm dry film thickness. Waterproofing must be in accordance with AS3740. Surfaces to be waterproofed must be sound and free of dirt, dust, grease and other contaminants and allowed to dry before priming.

Hydrostatic head, measured in millimeters (mm), is a measure of how waterproof a fabric is. In the case of a 10k or 10,000 mm fabric, if you put a cylinder with inner dimensions of 1” x 1” over a piece of said fabric, you could fill it with water to a height of 10,000 mm (10m) before water would begin to leak through.

Something can be considered “waterproof” once it has a rating of 3000mm. This is the amount of water pressure the fabric can endure before water gets through. However, that level won't be nearly enough for stormy weather or marine work.

5,000mm or 5 metres (16.4 ft) is how far you could fill the tube before it would start to leak through the fabric. So in theory, you could stand out in the rain until 5,000mm of rain fell before you would start getting wet.

IP68: The Top IP Waterproof Rating

Since 8 is the highest number on the IP water rating scale, any IP enclosure with a rating ending in 8 offers the best possible waterproof protection. However, IP68 is usually acknowledged as the most protective IP waterproof rating in common use.

However, even for some experienced campers, we remain unaware that tents are not fully waterproof! Feeling the material, we might think that tents can repel water completely, but contrary to popular belief, tents are only water-resistant.