Why not 100% waterproof

Gore-tex

they do and its called gore-tex

100% water proof is completely possible, but you'd be wearing a rubber jacket and soaking yourself in your own sweat, which defeats the purpose of waterproofing active wear. your jacket is still pretty waterproof (I'm assuming) and just feels damp because the DWR on your jacket has worn off. the 20k material used will still keep a majority of the water out, despite feeling damp.

here is an article that I'm sure would answer any question you have about waterproofing, if you take the time to read it:

http://blistergearreview.com/features/outerwear-101

yes it does matter if not you'll just be as wet from all the sweat which will make you cold. most companies put a different face fabric onto of there chosen waterproof membrane. this protects it from being damaged. ever notices how the outside of a goretex pro shell form arcteryx fills different from one form patagonia? turn them inside out and you'll see the gore

what I'm getting at here is that the outer layer of fabric is not always waterproof its just coated with DWR which over time wears out. when it does the fabric can become 'wetted out' but generally the waterproof membrane is still there in-tacked and working. its very rare the water will ever come through. in my case if its wet on the inside its from condensation.
try giving your jackets a wash with some tech wash. then spray on some re-proofer and see if that helps. it maybe that the DRW coating has worn off and the outer fabric is absorbing water.

hughlorin100% water proof is completely possible, but you'd be wearing a rubber jacket and soaking yourself in your own sweat, which defeats the purpose of waterproofing active wear. your jacket is still pretty waterproof (I'm assuming) and just feels damp because the DWR on your jacket has worn off. the 20k material used will still keep a majority of the water out, despite feeling damp.

here is an article that I'm sure would answer any question you have about waterproofing, if you take the time to read it:

http://blistergearreview.com/features/outerwear-101

i was 50 secs to late haha. i second this

PowPiratei was 50 secs to late haha. i second this

lol we were on the exact same train of thought.

everything he said is absolutely correct as well

I do not know what kind of membrane in the saga, but waders breathe and not get wet

Put rubber dishwashing gloves on and go for a decent run.

Then ask yourself if breathability is important.

20K from one company doesnt equal 20K from another company either. Put sagas 20k up against even a trew 20k and there is a huge difference.

Thye could do certain sections that are more water proof. Like the ass end of snow pants could do with more waterproofing while the rest could still be plenty breathable.

PowPirateturn them inside out and you'll see the gore

same goes for people

Rain and snow are two different ball games when it comes to waterproofing. If you don't want water to soak through your jacket you need an actual rain jacket not a tech jacket. Check out the lifties at a place like Timberline where they get a lot of rain and you'll see them wearing real rain jackets made out of something like PVC plastic. Sure you might sweat a little but overall you'll be a lot more comfortable in a real rain jacket if it is actually raining.

Why are you skiing in the rain?

cause you wouldnt' be here today

japanada20K from one company doesnt equal 20K from another company either. Put sagas 20k up against even a trew 20k and there is a huge difference.

Could you explain this more? Like is it not a standard test they do or what? Thought the measured all waterproofing the same.

Pricing also plays a big factor.

Orage developed a new backcountry line for next year called Prime 30, which features 30k waterproof and ~ 60k breathability. We're using new materials that allow us to hit those numbers while keeping the jacket lightweight and durable, but a big issue is that they are super expensive to work with.

MousseauPricing also plays a big factor.

Orage developed a new backcountry line for next year called Prime 30, which features 30k waterproof and ~ 60k breathability. We're using new materials that allow us to hit those numbers while keeping the jacket lightweight and durable, but a big issue is that they are super expensive to work with.

this is very true as well. that's why a 3L shell is exponentially more expensive than a 2L shell, even though (functions wise) a 3L is much better as far as breathing and water proofing goes.

.lenconCould you explain this more? Like is it not a standard test they do or what? Thought the measured all waterproofing the same.

I feel like I've read about this before... waterproof testing is conducted using a piece of fabric covering a hole, then they put a hollow tube over this fabric and fill the hollow tube with water and wait 24 hours. the number 20k is referring to the amount of water that seeps through the material. This is either for waterproof or breatheablility. I may unintentionally be making that completely up.

The other test is conducted doing the same setup, but measuring the amount of water they put in the hollow tube, so the water sits on top of the fabric, and they measure the specific amount of water dropped into the hollow tube. The weight of the water when the fabric allows water to seep through is the number they put on the fabric. This is also a vague guess that I feel like I read somewhere.

To answer your actual question though, I would assume that the companies could just say that the fabric held 20k mm of water for a few seconds before it leaked through compared to a companny that waits for a much longer period of time. both rate at 20k, but one fabric holds up to that extended time.

All of these things are assumptions based on thinking I read something about this at some point in time. If I am completely wrong, my bad.

^^^^that makes sense. Now that you mention it I thought I read somethung similar. Would like to get word from someone in the outerwear industry tho.