The Well Made Raincoat

A raincoat negotiates between water outside and heat within. Absolute impermeability is easy if comfort is abandoned; breathability is easy until the weather becomes serious. The well-made version manages openings, seams, cuffs and movement as a single system. Its hood should turn with the head, its pockets remain accessible under rain and its hem keep weather away without interfering with the stride.

The final article will test fabric, construction and repair rather than repeat laboratory numbers. A coat becomes convincing after several wet seasons, when its fasteners still align and worn areas can be restored without replacing the whole garment. The useful environmental claim is longevity under actual weather. A raincoat should make rain ordinary and ownership uneventful.