You can’t have both
May 8, 2025
Let’s start with what “waterproof” actually means.
Waterproofness is a material’s ability to resist water pressure without leaking. You’ve seen ratings like “10K Waterproof” or “20K Waterproof” on outdoor gear. Those numbers come from a lab test (ISO 811) where a column of water is pressed against fabric until it starts to seep through.
From this, you get the ratings used by all the outdoor brands.
Water column ratings (ISO 811) measure fabric’s resistance to water under ideal lab conditions. Here’s how they’re typically interpreted — but with important caveats.
5 000 mm (5K):
Suitable for light rain and short exposure. Offers minimal protection under pressure, such as sitting down or wearing a backpack.
10 000 mm (10K):
Handles moderate rain while moving, but waterproofness may degrade under wear, stretch, or prolonged exposure.
20 000 mm and above (20K+):
Withstands extended rain, gear pressure, and demanding conditions — in theory. Real-world performance still depends on seams, abrasion
Sounds solid right? But real life isn’t a lab.
In the wild, you’re not standing still under a water column. You’re sweating. You’re moving. Your gear is folded, rubbed, and crammed into a pack. And weather isn’t clean or controlled — it’s chaotic.
The myth of breathable and waterproof
The outdoor industry wants you to believe you can have both: a jacket that keeps water out and lets sweat escape. But the truth is simple: you can’t.
Breathability relies on a difference in humidity (inside versus outside). But when it’s raining, the air outside is already saturated. That difference disappears. The membrane stops working.
You sweat. The moisture stays trapped. You get wet from the inside.
And it gets worse. Most “breathable waterproof” jackets rely on a surface coating called DWR (Durable Water Repellent) to keep water beading off. But DWR wears off, and is everything BUT durable. It wear of from wear, washing, and weather. Once it’s gone, the fabric soaks up water and wets out. Now your breathable jacket is a heavy, soggy wrap.
Our approach: Separate the problems
At UR, we don’t design around myths. We design for real life.
We’ve stopped pretending one piece of fabric can do it all. Instead, we separate the problems.
When you’re moving, wear something breathable and light.
When it turns wet or cold, pull on real protection.
That’s where Dyneema® comes in. It’s naturally waterproof, doesn’t need coatings, doesn’t sag or soak, and doesn’t stop working after five washes. It just works. In every condition. Every time.
Why this matters
We believe in simplicity.
We believe in gear you can trust — especially when things go wrong.
And we believe the best solution isn’t always the most technical. It’s the most honest.
You can’t have both. But you can wear the right piece for the right conditions.
