The idea of getting wet despite wearing a high-quality rain jacket is frustrating, but an all too familiar reality for many outdoor enthusiasts. You invest in an expensive, waterproof and breathable jacket, and yet at some point you find yourself standing in the rain - dry on the outside, but drenched in sweat on the inside. Why is that? Often it is not the manufacturer's specifications or the quality of the jacket that is to blame, but other factors that lead to this unpleasant situation. In this Contribution we want to shed light on precisely these factors and help you avoid typical mistakes.
If you get wet despite wearing a rain jacket, one of the first questions you should ask yourself is: Am I wearing too many items of clothing? This is a common cause of sweating during hiking, cycling or other outdoor activities.
The human body must maintain its temperature at around 37°C in order to perform all vital functions optimally. It is important to understand that the body gives off heat through four main mechanisms: Radiation, convection, perspiration and respiration. At lower temperatures, the body relies mainly on radiation and convection. These mechanisms work well as long as the outside temperatures are cool and clothing dissipates the excess heat. However, if too much clothing is worn or the external conditions do not allow this, the body begins to release excess heat through sweating.
A proven concept for preventing overheating is the Onion principle. This involves wearing several thin layers that can be put on or taken off as required. This allows you to better regulate your body temperature and avoid excessive sweating. It is important that all layers are breathable in order to effectively wick away heat and moisture.
The next question you should ask yourself is: Has my Movement patterns changed? This is especially important if you are on a longer tour where the intensity of your activities may change.
Imagine you are riding your bike on a flat route and feel comfortable in your rain jacket. But as soon as you climb a steep incline, you start to sweat profusely. What has happened? Due to the increased physical exertion, your body produces more heat and sweating increases.
In order to avoid such sweating spurts, it is advisable to keep the speed of movement as even as possible. When cycling, you can pedal a little harder on easy stretches and ride more slowly uphill to keep your muscle work and therefore heat production even. The onion principle also helps you to adapt flexibly to changing conditions.
Another often overlooked cause of sweating under a rain jacket is additional Heat barrierssuch as rucksacks, bags or even special equipment that is worn directly on the body.
A rucksack that is tight against the back prevents heat from being dissipated from the body. Even the most breathable jacket cannot prevent heat build-up in such cases, which promotes sweating. Carrying a heavy rucksack can cause considerable problems, especially on longer tours.
When choosing your rucksack or other equipment, make sure that it has air-permeable padding. This allows for better ventilation and helps to dissipate excess heat.
Even the best rain jacket can only be fully effective if the clothing underneath is also breathable. One of the most common causes of getting wet and feeling uncomfortable is wearing non-breathable clothing next to the skin.
Clothing that lies directly on the skin has the task of absorbing perspiration and wicking it away from the skin. If this layer does not work, moisture collects on the skin, which can lead to an uncomfortable and cold feeling. It also prevents evaporative cooling, which is necessary to keep the body cool.
Choose functional underwear that fits snugly and is specially designed to wick away moisture. Avoid cotton as it tends to retain moisture and worsen the wearing comfort.
Climatic conditions play a decisive role in sweating under a rain jacket. High humidity and warm temperatures can make it considerably more difficult to transport moisture from the inside to the outside.
The sweat secreted by the skin must be drained into the environment in order to achieve the desired cooling effect. This drainage works best when there is a pressure gradient between the moist, warm air under the Rain jacket and the dry, cool air outside. However, if the humidity outside is high and the temperatures are similar to body temperature, this pressure gradient cannot occur.
If the weather is particularly warm and humid, it may be advisable to forgo the rain jacket and wear quick-drying functional clothing instead. Opening ventilation openings on the jacket can also help to improve air circulation.
Sweating is a very individual matter. Differences in gender, physique, fitness and acclimatization to different climate zones all play a role.
Men tend to sweat more than women, and people with a higher body weight usually sweat more than thinner people. Exercised people, who release heat more efficiently, also often sweat more, especially during physical exertion.
Understand how your body reacts to different temperatures and stresses and choose your clothing and equipment accordingly. If you know that you sweat a lot, you should choose lighter and more breathable clothing and possibly do without additional layers.
If you have taken all other factors into account and still have problems with sweating, it could be due to the Quality of your rain jacket. Not all rain jackets are the same, and the differences in breathability can be significant.
Rain jackets usually consist of several layers: an outer layer that provides protection against water and wind, a waterproof layer in the middle and an inner layer that increases wearing comfort. The middle layer, the so-called membrane or coating, is crucial for breathability.
Breathability is often measured by the RET value (Resistance to Evaporating Heat Transfer) or the MVTR value (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate). A low RET value or a high MVTR value indicates good breathability.
It is important to choose a rain jacket that meets your specific requirements. For most activities, a jacket with medium breathability is sufficient. Make sure that the jacket has been tested under real conditions and read reviews from other users.
An often neglected aspect of breathability is the correct care of your rain jacket. Dirt, oils and other contaminants can clog the pores of the membrane and significantly reduce breathability.
Regular washing and waterproofing of your rain jacket is essential to maintain its waterproof and breathable properties. Use special cleaning agents that are suitable for membrane fabrics and make sure to re-waterproof the jacket after every wash.
To maximize the lifespan and functionality of your rain jacket, you should care for it regularly. Neglected care can severely impair breathability.
There are many factors that can cause you to get wet despite wearing a rain jacket. But the good news is that most of these problems can be avoided with the right measures. Here is a summary of the most important points:
With these tips, you'll be well equipped to stay dry and comfortable even in bad weather. Don't forget: the key lies in the right combination of clothing, movement and choice of material. Stay dry and enjoy your outdoor adventures, whatever the weather!
