Compared two rain jackets side by side in a downpour and one was a joke

I bought a cheap $30 jacket from a discount store last month and used it during a storm near Portland. Soaked through in 10 minutes, water dripping down my back. Then I tried my buddy's old military surplus coat he got for $50 at a surplus shop. Same rain, same walk, dry as a bone after two hours. The difference was the fabric. The cheap one had a thin waterproof coating that just wore off, while the surplus coat had a thick waxed cotton that actually repelled water. Has anyone else found a big gap between budget gear and used military stuff?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_hayden20d ago

Man I had the exact same thing happen with a jacket from Target and my grandpa's old army poncho.

riverh4919d ago

Yeah @shane_hayes nailed it - I switched to waxed canvas and never looked back.

shane_hayes20d ago

Yeah "the cheap one had a thin waterproof coating that just wore off" is exactly the problem. Those cheap jackets use a DWR (durable water repellent) spray that fails fast. Waxed cotton is totally different, it actually blocks water at the fabric level. I'd suggest washing any surplus coat with wax re-treatment every few years to keep it going. Also check the seams on the cheap ones, they often aren't taped or sealed so water gets in through the stitching. Military gear is usually built with heavier thread and proper seam construction. If you want budget gear that lasts, look for something with a minimum of 3 layers or a wax coating, not just a spray on layer.