Cut
The cut of these top-layer pants was designed to be sufficiently wide so they can be put on and taken off easily.
Structure Overpants / Three Layers
These top-layer pants are made up of 3 layers, the best protection there is on the market: the membrane is glued between the inner and outer component layer (hence it being called "3-layer").
The membrane is a kind of very thin plastic film (polyurethane) that makes the component waterproof while remaining breathable.
It is protected by knitted fabric and has the advantage of being softer, lighter, more durable, and often more breathable than a coating.
Waterproofness test
The fabric and pants are tested for waterproofness.
This fabric has waterproof rating of 15,000 Schmerbers: this means that it resists the pressure exerted by a 15,000 mm water column (ISO standard test).
They have also been through a shower test reproducing storm conditions of 30 cm of rain in 3 hours.
To learn more:
How to Restore the Water-Repellent Property of Overpants
A fabric’s water-repellent property is its capacity to make water run off its surface without soaking through. This means the overpants don't absorb water and they stay lightweight and breathable. The fabric’s outer surface is treated to repel water, but may become less effective with use.
Restoring the water-repellent properties:
Breathability test
The breathability of a material is its capacity to wick away the moisture generated by perspiration. During intense effort, it's essential to wear very breathable clothing so you don't stay wet.
Breathability is measured by RET, the fabric’s evaporative resistance. The lower the number, the more breathable the fabric:
RET ≤ 6: very breathable fabric
RET ≤ 12: breathable fabric
RET ≤ 20: little breathability