Activity guides

Waterproof Jackets by Activity

A jacket that is excellent for sailing can be a poor choice for trail running. These guides describe what each activity demands of a shell — moisture output, weather exposure, movement, layering and durability — before naming any product.

15 activities

Hiking

Hiking is the broadest use case in this category, and the hardest to buy for, because a single walk can involve an hour of hard uphill effort followed by an hour of standing still in wind. A hiking shell therefore has to manage your own moisture as competently as it keeps rain out, and it has to survive being stuffed into a pack for months at a time between uses.

Published

Backpacking

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Trail Running

Trail running inverts the usual priorities. Output is high, the jacket spends much of its life packed into a vest, and no membrane can keep pace with the moisture a running body produces. A trail-running shell is therefore chosen for weight, packed size, fit over a vest, and how quickly it vents — not for maximum barrier performance.

Published

Running

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Cycling

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Commuting

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Travel

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Sailing

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Fishing

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Golf

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Climbing

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Mountaineering

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Skiing

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Snowboarding

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation

Everyday use

Guide in preparation — the requirements framework for this activity is being written.

In preparation