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Now In: Mens Clothing

Mens Clothing Introduction:

Getting the Best Performance from your water proof / breathable jacket

Nothing can ruin a day in the great outdoors faster than not having the right clothing. Sometimes you need an 800-fill down jacket, other times all you need is a 3oz waterproof. Here you'll find all the outerwear, raingear, base layers, and casual clothing you need to support your adventure lifestyle.

Waterproof/breathable garments

Some people complain that their waterproof/breathable garments lose their 'breathability' and/or begin to leak. Whilst it is possible that a very small number of items may be affected by manufacturing problems, there are more common reasons why these garments appear to fail:

1. Absorbent clothing (such as cotton) being worn under the jacket. Perspiration is soaked up by the cotton, giving the impression that the jacket is 'leaking'. Cure: wear fast-wicking synthetic fibres that do not absorb perspiration.

2. Dirty face fabric. This prevents perspiration from escaping. Cure: wash the jacket.

3. Dampness around the neck, hem and cuffs. Cure: Seal these areas with the jacket's drawcords and velcro tabs to stop water dripping in or being drawn up into the garment.

4. Dampness under the parts of the jacket in contact with rucksack shoulder straps. Cure: perspiration is unable to escape because its progress is impeded by the straps, so open the front zip and/or underarm pit zips whenever practical to help as much perspiration escape as possible.

On the outside (or 'face fabric') of new waterproof garments is an invisible water repellent coating that encourages water to 'bead' on the surface of the material. After use this coating wears down, allowing the face fabric to become saturated (known as 'wetting-out'). This affects the garment's performance and can reduce its 'breathability'. The coating can be replaced with one of a number of proprietary spray or wash in treatments. Check that the treatment does not contain a waterproofing agent that might itself further reduce the garment's breathability.

Remember that a waterproof/breathable jacket is not a cure for all ills. There are some climactic conditions when the material will struggle to perform (such as ultra-humid or ultra-cold conditions). Nor will it stop you perspiring. Regulate your perspiration output by removing layers of clothing so the perspiration does not have to pass through so many garments.

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Mens Clothing Introduction: Getting the Best Performance from your water proof / breathable jacket

Mens Clothing Introduction:

Getting the Best Performance from your water proof / breathable jacket