Stay dry with EQUIDRY
All of our coats are manufactured with EQUIGUARD® Tech Fabric to ensure we offer an HH rating of 15,000 - 20,000 mm
How do we test how waterproof an EQUIDRY is?
As funny as it is for us to drag members of staff out to the yard so we can soak them "for quality control purposes" there's much more that goes in to making sure every garment we produce here at EQUIDRY really is as waterproof as we say.
Hydrostatic head, or HH, is a unit of measurement given to fabrics after a laboratory tests them to indicate how waterproof they are. The measurement is provided in millimetres (mm) and is calculated by carrying out a test that involves using a tube that’s open at each end. The fabric is tightly secured over one end of the tube and at the other, the tube is gradually filled with pressurised water. When the water starts to come through the fabric, the height of the water is measured and that is the hydrostatic head rating of the fabric that is then used to produce your EQUIDRY.
So, in short, if water starts to seep through when the water is at 3 metres / 3000mm, the hydrostatic head rating for that fabric is HH 3000mm. Over time machines have been improved so that they no longer need to use such huge long tubes and they can now use a much smaller machine to simulate that amount of water which is why at EQUIDRY we can test our fabrics to ensure they are always a HH rating of 15,000 - 20,000mm.
Hydrostatic head, or HH, is a unit of measurement given to fabrics after a laboratory tests them to indicate how waterproof they are. The measurement is provided in millimetres (mm) and is calculated by carrying out a test that involves using a tube that’s open at each end. The fabric is tightly secured over one end of the tube and at the other, the tube is gradually filled with pressurised water. When the water starts to come through the fabric, the height of the water is measured and that is the hydrostatic head rating of the fabric that is then used to produce your EQUIDRY.
So, in short, if water starts to seep through when the water is at 3 metres / 3000mm, the hydrostatic head rating for that fabric is HH 3000mm. Over time machines have been improved so that they no longer need to use such huge long tubes and they can now use a much smaller machine to simulate that amount of water which is why at EQUIDRY we can test our fabrics to ensure they are always a HH rating of 15,000 - 20,000mm.
Hydrostatic Head Measurements Explained
An EQUIDRY will give you protection from rain or other water for a significant period of time, while a water-resistant coat will prevent water penetration, but only to a certain level. If you’re a fair-weather rider who avoids riding in the rain then a water-resistant coat may be sufficient, but if you plan on riding out and being at the yard in all weathers, a fully waterproof coat like an EQUIDRY is the way to go.
Like us, some manufacturers will provide their HH waterproof ratings so this guide should help you to determine whether a coat is only water resistant or actually waterproof.
Hydrostatic Head (mm) Waterproof ratings explained
0–1,500mm = Water resistant, suitable for very light rain
1,500–5000mm = Waterproof, suitable for light to average rain
Over 5,000mm = Very waterproof, suitable for moderate to heavy rain
10,000 - 15,000mm = Highly waterproof, suitable for heavy rain
20,000mm = Extremely waterproof, suitable for heavy rain and snow
With a rating of up to 20,000 you can rest assured you’ll stay dry with EQUIDRY
Like us, some manufacturers will provide their HH waterproof ratings so this guide should help you to determine whether a coat is only water resistant or actually waterproof.
Hydrostatic Head (mm) Waterproof ratings explained
0–1,500mm = Water resistant, suitable for very light rain
1,500–5000mm = Waterproof, suitable for light to average rain
Over 5,000mm = Very waterproof, suitable for moderate to heavy rain
10,000 - 15,000mm = Highly waterproof, suitable for heavy rain
20,000mm = Extremely waterproof, suitable for heavy rain and snow
With a rating of up to 20,000 you can rest assured you’ll stay dry with EQUIDRY
EQUIDRY'S 20,000mm Rating
Everyone's demands are different which is why we offer 2 waterproof ratings on our coats.
Our All Rounder, Pro Ride, Shortie & Parka ranges have taped seams to keep moisture out and a Hydrostatic Head rating of 20,000mm making them the go to for wet and wild conditions.
Our All Rounder, Pro Ride, Shortie & Parka ranges have taped seams to keep moisture out and a Hydrostatic Head rating of 20,000mm making them the go to for wet and wild conditions.
EQUIDRY'S take on the pac-a-mac
Designed for the warmer weather, the EquiMac has taped seams and offers a waterproof rating of 15,000mm making it great for the lighter spring, summer rain. With our take on the pac-a-mac you'll be wearing a coat that is waterproof, breathable and not insulated so it's perfect for those summer showers.
Keeping your coat waterproof
Even a brilliant waterproof coat will begin to loose some of its waterproof properties after a while. This happens for a number of reasons like a buildup of dirt and oils or because of abrasion. Fear not, this does not mean you will need to invest in a new EQUIDRY! In just a few simple steps you can revive your coat by giving it a clean and applying a spray on DWR.
You can test your EQUIDRY by spraying some water on it. If the water beads up and rolls off as shown here or flys off with a good shake, you are fully protected. If on the other hand the fabric begins to darken where the water has seeped through it means it’s time to reproof your coat. A coats waterproof properties can easily be rubbed off of high contact areas like the cuffs, elbows and collars. Other areas of the coat that regularly come into contact with surfaces can also react to abrasion .
A DWR coats the individual fibres of the fabric to create a microscopic spikey surface. When water comes into contact with the coated fibres, it increase their surface tension and forces the droplets to bind together on the surface of the fabric and then roll off. When this coating gets rubbed off the water can find ways to penetrate the fabric thus making you feel damp.
To make our coats as waterproof as possible we tape all of our seams, use the highest quality fabrics and use EQUIGUARD® to provide the best level of protection possible.
You can test your EQUIDRY by spraying some water on it. If the water beads up and rolls off as shown here or flys off with a good shake, you are fully protected. If on the other hand the fabric begins to darken where the water has seeped through it means it’s time to reproof your coat. A coats waterproof properties can easily be rubbed off of high contact areas like the cuffs, elbows and collars. Other areas of the coat that regularly come into contact with surfaces can also react to abrasion .
A DWR coats the individual fibres of the fabric to create a microscopic spikey surface. When water comes into contact with the coated fibres, it increase their surface tension and forces the droplets to bind together on the surface of the fabric and then roll off. When this coating gets rubbed off the water can find ways to penetrate the fabric thus making you feel damp.
To make our coats as waterproof as possible we tape all of our seams, use the highest quality fabrics and use EQUIGUARD® to provide the best level of protection possible.
