You can be wearing a waterproof coat and still feel damp inside it. Anyone who has poo picked out in the rain, schooled a lazy horse and then stood still to watch a lesson knows that staying comfortable takes more than keeping the weather out.
That's where breathability comes in. It helps the moisture your body produces escape, so your waterproof coat can protect you from rain without feeling like a plastic bag. Here's what the numbers mean, how they're tested and how we use them when designing EQUIDRY outerwear.
What Does “Breathable” Actually Mean?
When you move, your body produces heat and sweat. Some of that sweat evaporates into moisture vapour inside your clothing. A breathable waterproof fabric allows a measured amount of this vapour to pass outwards while its waterproof barrier resists liquid rain coming in.
Breathability does not mean rain can travel through the fabric in the other direction, and it doesn't necessarily mean air blows freely through the membrane. It also doesn't mean a coat can prevent you from sweating. If you work hard in too many layers, moisture can build up faster than any fabric can release it. Ventilation and choosing the right warmth matter too.
Why Does Breathability Matter So Much For Riders?
A rider's activity level changes constantly. You might walk to catch a horse, carry water, groom and spend an hour schooling before standing beside the arena. Your body produces different amounts of heat and moisture at each stage.
If that moisture stays inside a coat, your base layers can feel clammy. Once you stop moving, damp clothing can feel cold. A breathable waterproof fabric helps manage the vapour produced during activity; appropriate layers and ventilation help manage the rest. This is why we consider warmth and breathability separately. The warmest coat is not always the most comfortable choice for a busy, mild day, and the most breathable shell may need extra layers when you're standing still in winter.
How Is Breathability Tested?
The figure commonly shown on waterproof clothing is MVTR, or moisture vapour transmission rate. It is expressed as g/m²/24hr: the mass of moisture vapour that moves through one square metre of a fabric sample over 24 hours under specified laboratory conditions.
For example, 14,000g/m²/24hr describes a laboratory result for EQUIGUARD® fabric. STORMLITE™ fabrics reach up to 50,000g/m²/24hr, depending on the garment. A higher MVTR figure generally indicates more vapour movement when measured using the same test method. Different laboratory methods, temperatures and humidity conditions can produce different results, so the numbers are a guide to fabric performance, not a precise forecast of how much you'll sweat on your next ride.
For an MVTR test, a laboratory places a fabric sample in a controlled setup and measures how much moisture vapour moves through it over time. The result is standardised to grams per square metre per 24 hours. Test methods can differ in how the sample is positioned and how moisture is presented to it, which is why the method matters alongside the headline number.
Our technical fabrics are independently laboratory tested for performance, including waterproofness and breathability. We also examine properties such as abrasion resistance, tear strength, seam performance and colour fastness.
How Do We Design Breathability Into An EQUIDRY Coat?
We choose a waterproof barrier that can release moisture vapour
Many of our waterproof technologies use a TPU barrier behind the outer fabric. This forms part of the protection against rain while allowing moisture vapour to move through the fabric. The barrier is paired with an outer selected for the job: lighter shells for active riding, or tougher materials for regular yard use.
We offer different levels of warmth
Breathability and insulation are different jobs. A lightweight Varsha or Nimbus shell lets you choose your own layers and is useful in milder weather. An Evolution offers mesh, thin fleece or thick Sherpa fleece lining options so you can choose how much warmth is built in. Our insulated THERMASHIELD™ puffers Tor, Talia & Thora focus on comfort in colder conditions. The lining or insulation changes how warm a garment feels; it should not be confused with its waterproof or breathability rating.
We consider movement and ventilation
Sometimes the fastest way to cool down is to let warm, humid air out through an opening. The Frontier, Aura & Iris jackets, for example, have underarm vents. Fit and garment design also affect how freely you can move, what you can wear underneath and whether you can adjust your layers as your day changes. Check the details of the individual style for its ventilation features.
We help the outside shed rain
A durable water repellent finish, or DWR, encourages water to bead on the face fabric. If the outer fabric becomes saturated, known as wetting out, it can feel heavier and colder, and the coat may feel less breathable even if its waterproof barrier is intact. Looking after the outer finish helps the whole system feel comfortable in the rain.
How breathable are EQUIDRY's waterproof coats & jackets?
|
Technology |
Breathability rating |
Designed for |
|
STORMLITE™ |
Up to 50,000g/m²/24hr |
Lightweight waterproof shells, including Varsha, Nimbus, Frontier and Verbier; the figure varies by garment |
|
WEATHERFLEX™ |
22,000g/m²/24hr |
Flexible, non-insulated protection in the Storm Smock |
|
PROSHIELD™ |
15,000g/m²/24hr |
Fitted waterproof styles with lightweight insulation: Iris, Brontë and Neve |
|
EQUIGUARD® |
Over 14,000g/m²/24hr |
Hard-working oversized outerwear with different lining choices: Evolution, Original and Shortie, plus other styles |
|
RIPSHIELD™ |
34,000g/m²/24hr |
Durable ripstop waterproofs: Freya jacket and trousers, and Aura |
|
DURATECH™ |
Over 10,000g/m²/24hr |
Durable protection in the Nevada Smock |
|
THERMASHIELD™ |
Approx. 4,000g/m²/24hr |
Insulated waterproof puffers: Thora, Tor and Talia |
Why might I still feel damp inside a breathable coat?
There are several possibilities. You may be producing sweat faster than it can escape, especially during demanding yard work. Too many warm layers can make you overheat. A saturated outer can reduce comfort. Cold, very humid conditions can also slow moisture movement and allow condensation to form inside. And water may have entered through an open zip, cuff or neckline rather than through the fabric itself.
If your coat feels damp, check where the moisture is and what you were doing. Evenly distributed dampness after hard activity may be perspiration or condensation; a localised wet patch near an opening or seam may point to a different issue. Follow the garment's care label, and contact us if you need extra support.
Which breathability rating should I choose?
Start with your day, not just the largest number. For active riding and milder rain, a lightweight, highly breathable shell may suit you best. For changing weather and frequent yard work, look at the balance of breathability, durability and the lining you prefer. For cold hours spent standing still, insulation may matter more to your comfort than maximum MVTR.
Our waterproofing guide explains hydrostatic head and how the whole garment keeps rain out. Our EQUIDRY Thermal Rating guide helps you choose the warmth you need. Together, those guides help you find a coat that keeps you comfortable from the first yard job to the last ride of the day.
