Fabrics for raingear

Breathable & waterproof fabrics for DIY rain gear: Membrane technology in 2-layer, 2.5-layer and 3-layer laminates protects from rain while allowing water vapor to escape. Compact, lightweight materials for functional outdoor projects.

In principle, all fabrics in the Breathable & Waterproof category are suitable for rainwear. These fabrics usually have a membrane that blocks rain while allowing moisture and heat or water vapor to escape to the outside. The membrane is laminated with an outer fabric and sometimes with a lining to form a very compact, thin fabric. These laminates are lightweight and compact, but they also rustle a bit. Unfortunately, this cannot be avoided due to the manufacturing process. Laminates can be divided into three subgroups. Depending on how many layers such a laminate consists of, it is a two-, 2.5-, or three-layer laminate. This structure influences the comfort, the technical properties, and how the fabric can be processed. Here is an overview for your reference:

	3-layer laminate	2.5-layer laminate	2-layer laminate	EtaProof
Lining	No	No	Yes	No
Weight	Generally lightweight, but can also be heavy due to robust outer material	Very lightweight	Medium	Medium
Pack size	Small	Very small	Medium	Relatively small
Suitable for backpacks	Yes	No	To a limited extent	Yes
Durable	Yes	medium	yes	yes
Feel	rather stiff, rustling	relatively soft, rustling	soft+flexible, rustling	soft+flexible, pleasant natural fiber feel
Wearing comfort	good	medium	high	very high
Breathability	medium-high, depending on the membrane used	rather high, depending on the membrane used	high, depending on the membrane used	very high
Performance+ waterproofness	very high	high	medium	low
Application	Trekking, mountain sports	Ultra-light application, emergency rainwear that always fits in your bag	Everyday use, hiking, weekend and day trips	Everyday use, hiking, weekend and day trips

Another option for rainwear is EtaProof or Ventile®. This is a windproof and rainproof all-weather fabric made from natural fibers. EtaProof or Ventile® consists of specially processed, very fine and very densely woven cotton fibers. When it rains, the cotton swells and then mechanically repels rain for up to 3 hours. The big advantage of EtaProof or Ventile® is that it does not require a membrane or coating that restricts water vapor transport. EtaProof therefore offers significantly higher breathability and is noticeably more comfortable to wear than membrane fabrics. EtaProof and Ventile® are also pleasantly soft, quiet, and easy to care for. EtaProof and Ventile® are perfect for everyday rainwear—for daily walks or bike rides, for the city, or for weekend hikes. Natural fibers such as EtaProof and Ventile® are also very popular in Scandinavia. It really shines in winter, in snow and wind, thanks to its excellent wearing properties. However, laminates are the better choice for pure alpine mountain sports or multi-day tent/backpacking tours, as they dry faster, are generally lighter (depending on the material) and remain completely waterproof even in prolonged rain.