Do you often work outside? And do you often find yourself working in the rain? Or do you do work that brings you into contact with water? Then waterproof safety shoes and work clothes are an excellent choice for you. But how is it determined whether work clothing, safety shoes and safety boots are waterproof?
You see the term waterproof more and more often. However, waterproof and water repellent are often confused with each other. The difference between waterproof and water repellent is how much water pressure a material can withstand before allowing water to pass through. Water resistance is often measured by the 'water column'. This is a scale that indicates how much water the fabric can handle before it starts to leak. The amount of water is measured in millimeters per square centimeter.
Waterproof or water repellent
Water repellent is therefore not the same as waterproof. Water repellent can keep you dry for a while but with prolonged exposure to moisture it will penetrate the fabric. Although it does not mean that waterproof clothing or shoes always keep you dry. It is important that a fabric can breathe otherwise the clothing, safety shoes or safety boots cannot get rid of your condensation. Moisture then gets on the inside of your clothes or shoes. One of the most famous names known for waterproof products is GORE-TEX®. Products made of GORE-TEX® ensure that you stay dry and warm during different weather conditions such as wind, cold, rain and snow. View all here Gore-Tex® safety shoes & safety boots.
Breathable
It might click strangely. How can a fabric be breathable but also waterproof at the same time? This is because a drop of water is many times larger than the vapor of your sweat. So if the substance is fine enough it can transmit water vapor, but not water droplets. In addition to the fabric being waterproof it is also important that the zippers and seams are highly repellent.
Maintenance
With waterproof work clothing and safety shoes it is important that you maintain the material. You can extend the lifespan of a waterproof product so you can use your waterproof work clothing or safety shoes much longer. Therefore, follow the instructions provided regarding the maintenance of your items.