FABRIC WATERPROOFING
A fabric's waterproofing is determined by measuring its resistance to the pressure exerted by a water column, measured in mm (test based on ISO 811 standard). The higher the pressure, the more waterproof the fabric. These are the waterproof characteristics of the RC100 jacket: 3,000 mm before washing, 2,000 mm after 5 washes.
FABRIC BREATHABILITY RET => 7.95
To see whether a fabric is breathable, we test its evaporative resistance or RET (based on the ISO 11092 standard). The lower its resistance, the more it lets water vapour produced by the body escape, therefore the more breathable it is.
• RET <6: extremely breathable, suitable for the most intense workouts
• RET 6 to 12: breathable, designed for moderate exercise
• RET 12 to 20: moderately breathable, not enough for exercise
• RET >20: little breathability, unsuitable for exercise
MEMBRANE OR COATING?
The RC100 jacket is made from a coated fabric.
Coating is a layer applied to the interior of the fabric which makes the fabric waterproof. It costs less than a membrane, and requires a lining to protect it.
The membrane is a type of very thin micro-perforated plastic film (polyurethane) which makes the fabric both waterproof and breathable. It is also very supple, lighter, and more breathable than a fabric with a coating.
