Raincoats

There is more than one definition of the term ‘waterproof’. You can't tell by a raincoat’s design, but you can tell by the waterproof rating specified on the label. Your raincoat’s waterproof rating is the amount of water in millimetres that the fabric can withstand per square centimetre before it starts to leak. A waterproof rating of 1,000 mm is waterproof in a light rain shower, but only if it doesn’t last too long. A waterproof rating of 15,000 mm is completely waterproof, even if it’s raining cats and dogs. So the higher the number, the more waterproof it is. Also check whether your jacket has taped seams and a zip with a double flap. That will definitely keep you dry. 

But won't it get very hot on the inside if everything is so hermetically sealed? Thanks to revolutionary membranes such as the GORE-TEX membrane or The North Face FUTURELIGHT, your raincoat will still be breathable. Water won't get in from the outside, but your perspiration can still evaporate. The best of both worlds!

Put your rain coat in the washing machine without thinking, and you might start to feel very wet very quickly. To ensure your jacket stays waterproof, you need to make a watertight choice in terms of maintenance. 

• Follow the washing instructions: if you really want to wash your jacket in the washing machine, make sure you read the label first. 
• Use special maintenance products: regular washing powder or detergent can damage your coat’s waterproofness.
• Rewaterproof your raincoat: jackets with a waterproof coating and those with a membrane both need proofing from time to time. Waterproofing treatment will restore the fabric’s water-repellent and breathability properties.
• Beware the dryer: it’s best to hang wet jackets on a drying rack to dry. If you want to use a tumble dryer, first check the label and don’t put too many clothes in the machine at the same time. 

This depends on what kind of trip you are going on and how much stuff you like to take with you. Your travel destination (sunny south or cold north) also plays an important role. However, a suitcase of 80 to 100 litres is generally not a luxury for a two-week trip. Do keep in mind that the larger the contents of the suitcase or travel bag, the more likely it is that you will use up all that space, resulting in a heavier trolley (and possibly extra charges from the airline).