Which textile is the most hydrophobic?

Answer

Dear Swann,

The jacket that can best withstand the rain is made of some kind of thick plastic: nothing can get through it. However, that also means that no water vapor can pass through and that you will be wet with sweat in no time. So if you want to make some effort (walking, cycling, …), buy a jacket that can also breathe.

Nowadays every good brand has a material that is both very waterproof and very breathable… If you have the money to spare. Accurate technical data is rarely found and the pseudo-scientific explanation of these brands is of no use at all. So it’s best to just go to a few shops and compare prices.

There are also superhydrophobic coatings (see video), but they are often poorly breathable and also wear out quickly. So don’t just ask about waterproofing in the store, but also about breathability and wear resistance. Coats with 2 and 3 layers are often of better quality.