3 Pieces Of Waterproof Gear That Will Actually Keep You Dry
We blasted countless of products with high-pressure h2o. Here are the ones that passed the test
Many gear tests come with the feeling of, "Yeah, but how do they know for sure that's the best?" It's a good point, because most gear tests don't account for the worst-case scenario the gear could go through. No one's testing the durability of your office chair by having Brock Lesnar suplex it through an announcer's table, you know?
Well, when it came to our waterproof gear trials, we wanted to fix that. We lined up two honest-to-goodness fire hoses and shot them full blast at a bevy of jackets, slacks, and boots all claiming to be 100-percent water-stopping.
After more than a dozen rounds of soaking, we were left with three clear winners (and one writer who still can't believe he earned a degree for this).
Mountain Hardwear ThunderShadow
This light nylon shell was the best blast shield of the bunch. It felt closer to a scuba suit than a Sith Lord cloak. Pit zips vent heat when you're moving fast. $175, mountainhardwear.com
- Breathability: 9/10
- Comfort when wet: 8/10
- Protection: 9/10
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Columbia South Canyon Casual Rain Pants
Other pairs felt like rubber sleeves—stiff, squeaky, baggy. But these are cut like regular pants, so they're just as appropriate in the office as out in the elements. $80, columbia.com
- Breathability: 7/10
- Comfort when wet: 8/10
- Protection: 9/10
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Arc'teryx Bora 2 Mid GTX
You could water ski in these boots and your feet would still stay dry. Gore-Tex liners and a snug ankle grip prevented water from pouring over the top of the boots. $330, arcteryx.com
- Breathability: 8/10
- Comfort when wet: 10/10
- Protection: 10/10
Tyler Daswick is a former Men’s Health staffer who has also worked for Relevant, a Christian magazine and culture brand. He is currently a books editor at National Geographic.
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