From sudden downpours to windy summits, discover the waterproof jackets designed to keep you exploring.
Waterproofing For the Unexpected: Rohan's Guide to Waterproof Jackets
Thereās something wonderfully unpredictable about heading outdoors. Even after you plan the route, check the forecast and pack for every eventuality, the weather can still work against you.
A clear morning can turn into an afternoon downpour, a gentle breeze can become an exposed-ridge headwind and, on colder adventures, staying dry is only half the challenge - staying warm matters too.
Thatās why choosing the right waterproof jacket isnāt simply about preparing for rain. Itās about having the confidence to keep exploring, even when conditions change.
At Rohan, our waterproof jackets are built around our Barricadeā¢ fabrics. Offering different constructions and features, theyāre ready for anything; from everyday walks to demanding hikes and colder-weather adventures.
So, which waterproof is right for you?
First things first: what makes a jacket waterproof?
At the heart of Rohan waterproofs is our Barricadeā¢ fabric.
Our Barricadeā¢ clothes combine water-resistant outer fabrics with a solid hydrophilic PU membrane, creating a barrier against rain while helping move moisture away from the body. Unlike microporous membranes that rely on tiny holes, this membrane transports moisture at a molecular level. So, the harder you work and the more you sweat, the faster the membrane works to move that moisture away, maintaining comfort regardless of your exertion level.
On the outside, our PFC-free Durable Water Repellency (DWR) treatment encourages rain droplets to bead up and roll away, rather than saturating the outer fabric. Keeping the outer fabric from becoming waterlogged also helps the jacket maintain its breathability.
The result? Waterproof protection designed not just to keep the rain out, but to help you stay comfortable while youāre on the move.
But not every adventure demands the same jacketā¦
For serious hikes: Valen Barricadeā¢ Waterproof Jacket
When the forecast looks challenging or your route is taking you through rapidly changing weather conditions, reach for the Valen Barricadeā¢ Waterproof Jacket.
Available for both men and women, the Valen uses a premium 3-layer construction, where a lightweight protective layer is permanently bonded to the back of the waterproof membrane. Rohan's 3-layer construction is designed for demanding activities such as mountain hiking and backpacking, where lightweight performance and protection are particularly important.
The Valen brings that technology together with recycled materials and weather protection designed for wet and windy adventures.
Choose the Valen if: your adventures take you further into the hills and mountains, you're expecting demanding conditions, or if you want a technical waterproof built for more challenging days outdoors.
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For the all-round adventurer: Coniston Barricadeā¢ Waterproof Jacket
Not every walk involves summits, scrambling, or a pack full of expedition kit.
Sometimes you need one dependable waterproof that can handle the countryside, take on the hills, and tackle whatever the British weather decides to throw at you.
Enter the Coniston Barricadeā¢ Waterproof Jacket.
Its classic 2-layer construction bonds the waterproof membrane to a durable outer fabric, with a separate inner lining providing comfort and protecting the membrane. These qualities make it particularly suited to traditional hill walking and hiking in changeable conditions.
The Coniston adds practical features to our 2-layer construction, including 4 secure pockets, windproof protection and our DWR finish, creating a versatile jacket ready for active adventures.
Choose the Coniston if: you want a dependable all-round waterproof for walking, hiking and days outdoors where versatility matters more than shaving every possible gram from your outfit.
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When warmth matters too: Altus and Aeris Barricadeā¢ Waterproof Jackets
Rain isn't always the only thing standing between you and your destination.
When temperatures drop, protection needs to work harder.
The men's Altus Barricadeā¢ Waterproof Jacket and women's Aeris Barricadeā¢ Waterproof Jacket combine our Barricadeā¢ fabric with Insuloft, our synthetic insulation, bringing together weather protection and warmth in one jacket.
Both jackets adopt our 2-layer construction and incorporate practical features curated for active adventures. Here, the Altus builds on its core features with AquaGuard zips, three secure pockets and windproof protection, while the Aeris similarly offers AquaGuard zips and secure pockets as well as an adjustable hood for challenging winter hikes.
Choose the Altus or the Aeris if: you're heading outdoors in colder conditions and want waterproof protection and insulation working together, rather than relying solely on your waterproof shell.
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Waterproof doesn't have to mean clammy
Keeping rain out is only one side of the equation. On an active walk, moisture is also being generated inside your jacket.
That's where breathability becomes important.
Our Barricadeā¢ clothes utilise a solid hydrophilic membrane designed to transport moisture away from your body at a molecular level. As activity, heat, and perspiration increase, the membrane's moisture-transfer process accelerates.
In simple terms: your waterproof shouldn't become the reason you feel wet.
Whether you're climbing steadily uphill, picking up the pace as the clouds gather above, or simply spending the day outdoors, waterproofing and breathability need to work together.
How waterproof is waterproof?
One of the most common ways of comparing waterproof fabrics is their hydrostatic head.
It sounds technical, but the principle is straightforward: the hydrostatic head measures the height of a column of water that a fabric can withstand before water passes through it. A rating of 20,000mm for example means that the fabric can withstand the pressure created by a 20,000mm column of water. The higher the number, the greater the level of waterproofness.
It's a useful reminder that there's a difference between something being water-resistant and something being designed to protect you through sustained bad weather.
Looking after your waterproof
A good waterproof is an investment in many adventures to come and looking after it can help maintain its performance.
After use, shake off excess water rather than rubbing the outer fabric. Periodically wash your waterproof following its care instructions, using non-biological liquid detergent and making sure all pockets are empty and all zips are closed. After washing, appropriate low heat can help reactivate the DWR treatment. When water no longer beads effectively on the surface, it's time to consider reproofing.
Looking after the DWR is particularly important because, once the outer fabric becomes saturated, the jacket's ability to manage moisture effectively can be reduced.
Ready for whatever comes next
The best adventures aren't always the ones where everything goes according to plan.
Sometimes they're the walks where the heavens open halfway around the route, the weekends where the forecast changes overnight, or the trips where you turn a corner and discover the conditions are completely different from the ones you left behind.
You can't control the weather.
But you can be ready for it.
Whether that means equipping the technical 3-layer protection of Valen, the versatile all-round performance of Coniston, or the waterproof warmth of Altus and Aeris, Rohan's Barricadeā¢ range is designed to help you keep moving when conditions outdoors have other ideas.
When you're properly prepared for the unexpected, a change in the weather doesn't have to mean a change in plans.
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