Rainy days and when it drips from him you need waterproof clothes. Then it is good to pay attention to the water colums of the clothes. What does a water column mean - calm, we guide you, how to think when you buy children's outerwear.
When we talk about water columns, or water column pressure, we mean how much water (measured in millimeters) that 1 square centimeter of a material can handle before the water penetrates. The higher the water column, the more water the material can withstand.
Water colums give an idea of how waterproof the garment is. The water column listed is for a new and unused garment. Over time, children's clothes wear out and therefore the water column falls. We advise against washing the garment too much and impregnating it again. In many cases it is enough to wipe off dirty knees and mud.
How high should the water column be for me to be sure that my child does not get wet?
There are several different definitions of which level of water column best suits different types and intensities of precipitation. Here you can get an indicative overview:
Up to 2,000 mm: Water-repellent.
4,000 mm: Resists light rain
6,000 mm: Can use a shorter time in heavy rain.
8,000 - 12,000 mm: Can be used in heavy rain for a few hours or for a really long time in light rain.
Over 12,000 mm: Can be used for a long time in heavy rain.
Remember that the wind can also force the rain through the clothes. If it is both windy and raining heavily, or if the children, for example, cycle in the rain, you may need a higher water column than expected to keep the water out.
If the child e.g. sitting down on a wet surface or on a wet swing, it corresponds to a water column of about 4,000mm. It should also be borne in mind that if the child carries a backpack, there will also be pressure on the material.
Taped seams and waterproof zipper.
Something that is also important is that the children's rainwear has taped seams. Taped or welded seams make them tight and thus do not let water through. When you are going to buy rainwear and shell clothing for your child, there is a lot to think about, not enough to find the right waterproofness and breathability. Details of seams, zippers and openings are also important and can be decisive for the extent to which the garment is waterproof.
When choosing outerwear, it is not only the water column that you should consider. Clothes can in principle not be 100% waterproof, because the water can find a little everywhere, but you clearly get up in percentage as a high water column combined with a proper material, waterproof zippers and taped seams.
Do the clothes breathe?
Shell clothes should not only be wind and waterproof, they should let through sweat and steam, which easily occurs when children play. If the garment breathes, it prevents the children from getting wet from the inside. Breathability is usually stated by how many grams of moisture per square meter are let through the pores of the material in a day.
