Garment waterproofing
This garment was validated in a shower test under 60 L of water/m²/hour for 2 hours. This test replicates the average conditions of a rain shower.
These overpants are made with a water-repellent fabric: it lets water slide over its surface without seeping in. As a result, the fabric doesn't soak up the water and remains lightweight and breathable. A fabric becomes water repellent by applying a treatment to its outer surface. We also taped 100% of the seams.
How to ensure your top-layer pants stay waterproof over time
To maintain good water resistance over time, the fabric's water-repellent properties must be regularly reactivated. We recommend doing this every three washes or after a dozen uses in the rain. The waterproofing can be easily restored by heating the fabric: in a tumble dryer or with a hairdryer for a relatively short period. If you wash the garment, it must be thoroughly rinsed.
Waterproof rating expressed in mm or Schmerber
We measure the resistance of a fabric to water pressure expressed in mm of a water column (test based on Standard ISO 811). The higher the water pressure, the more waterproof the fabric. A component with a 2,000 mm waterproof rating can withstand the pressure of a 2,000 mm column of water.
Component breathability
To determine a fabric’s breathability, we measure its thermal evaporative resistance coefficient (RET) based on the ISO 11092 standard. The lower the fabric's resistance, the more water vapour generated by physical activity can escape, and the higher the fabric's breathability.
- RET < 9 = extremely breathable fabric
- 9 < RET < 12 = very breathable fabric
- 12 < RET < 20 = breathable fabric
- RET > 20 = little or no breathability
A score for comparing products' environmental impacts
On a scale of A to E, this jacket obtained a B rating.
Our products' environmental impacts are calculated over their entire life cycle. A rating from A to E helps you easily identify products with the best environmental performance by comparing and contrasting products of the same type (T-shirts, pants, backpacks).
Decathlon is committed to displaying its products' environmental information.
Learn more at: https://youtu.be/8t63KkRwn_8
Working toward more environmentally-friendly dyes
Our teams work to find innovative processes that reduce water consumption and pollution during the production process. The dope-dying (bulk dying) process uses as much as 60% less water and significantly reduces CO2 emissions. This also reduces colour fading in the garment over time. We've been using this new procedure on these top-layer pants since 2019.
How to choose waterproof overpants based on activity and level of exertion
When you're active, you perspire to varying degrees, depending on the intensity or length of the effort. If the fabric's breathability is not suited to the type of activity/exercise, your perspiration will condense inside the garment. This makes you feel damp: this isn't rain getting through, but condensation from sweat. This means you need to choose top-layer pants suitable for your activity. This product is designed for 2-hour hikes at no more than 5 km/h.
Guarantee
Our hiking top-layer pants are guaranteed for 2 years.
Our commitment? To offer you long-lasting products that you can use on all your country hikes and walks. Because the products we love the most are those that have a story behind them... and plenty of life in them yet!
