Water column overview

Water column, also called water column pressure, is a measure of how much water pressure the material can withstand before it lets water through. It is often abbreviated with WC. Water column describes the water pressure in millimeters that the material can handle before the water penetrates the material. Imagine placing a glass tube on a garment and refilling it with water. When you have filled the tube up to 15 000 mm, ie 15 meters, the water passes through the material. Then the garment has a water column of 15 000 mm.

Water resistance (mm)	Weather conditions
6 000 – 10 000 mm	Withstands light rain, moderate snow, light pressure.
11 000 – 15 000 mm	Moderate rain, average snow, light pressure.
16 000 – 20 000 mm	Can handle long trips in heavy rain, wet snow, a little pressure.
20 000 mm +	Withstands heavy rain, wet snow, with high pressure.

We test all waterproof garments' water column in a lab and label them with water column so that you can easily get an overview of how waterproof that particular garment is. It is also a certificate for you as a customer that the garment's fabric has been tested for its water resistance. We also test all garments in nature with real weather conditions at different temperatures and seasons to ensure optimal functionality.

Breathability

Like water column, breathability is measured in a lab. Breathability is a measure of a material's ability to release body moisture. It is measured in g / m2 / 24h, ie the amount of liquid, measured in grams, a square meter of fabric can release in a day. Lab testing is a good way to get a measure of breathability but it is more complicated. Outdoor temperature, humidity, activity, rain, sun, everything matters to how good a garment's breathability is. RevolutionRace tests the breathability of all waterproof garments in real life, out in nature in varying weather conditions and seasons to ensure functionality.

Climbing tops, shirts & t-shirts

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