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Waterproof or water-repellent?

Everything you need to know about membranes and coatings

You need to be able to rely on a rain jacket, especially when riding a motorbike. Rain jackets are not just made of waterproof fabric: there are many different designs to keep you dry. Here you can find out everything you need to know about waterproof clothing.

What is a membrane?

Everyone has heard the word membrane before, but there are many myths surrounding the topic – especially about its actual properties. Let's clear things up: 

The principle is less complicated than it sounds. A membrane contains tiny pores through which water vapour can escape from the inside to the outside. At the same time, water droplets cannot penetrate from the outside. 

This works because the pores are about 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, but at the same time about 700 times larger than a water vapour molecule. The result: sweat can escape, while rain stays outside. 

GORE-TEX® vs. solto-TEX®

iXS uses two different membranes (solto-TEX® and GORE-TEX®). Products with these membranes can usually be recognised by the suffix -STX or -GTX in their name.

STX is a two-layer membrane and can withstand a water column of up to 10,000 mm.

GTX can be two- or three-layer and offers a water column of up to 20,000 mm.

Reliable protection against rain

An overview of our membrane products.

The limits of membranes – and why water-repellent coatings are crucial

In order for a membrane to "breathe" optimally, the material above it must be water-repellent. If the outer material gets wet, the breathability of the membrane is severely restricted. The membrane can only work effectively if the fabric remains dry. Water-repellent coatings prevent this moisture from seeping through and ensure that the breathability is maintained.

Additional protection

Waterproof seams

For a sewn product to keep you dry, the material used must be laminated. Sewing involves piercing the material, which can let water through. To prevent this, a narrow strip is placed under each seam. This ensures reliable protection from rain.

Zips

Not only the seams, but also the zips affect whether a product keeps you dry. iXS sometimes uses special zips designed to prevent water from getting in. A textile cover is added under the zip to make sure water runs off and you stay comfortable.

DWR coating: protection that can be reactivated

DWR coatings are one of the best-known methods of making textiles water-repellent. They allow water to bead up and roll off the surface while maintaining breathability.

The molecules of a DWR coating have a water-repellent part and a water-attracting part. The water-attracting part binds to the textile fibres, while the water-repellent part forms a kind of protective wall that prevents water from penetrating.

However, all waterproofing wears off over time. The advantage of DWR coatings is that they can be easily reactivated. For iXS products, this can be done by washing according to the manufacturer's instructions and drying in the tumble dryer.

If the coating is heavily worn and can no longer be reactivated, it can be renewed with a DWR spray to restore reliable protection.

It is advisable to ensure that the sprays used do not contain PFAS. 

PFAS are so-called "forever chemicals": they are hardly biodegradable, accumulate in the environment and can pose health risks. 

iXS therefore deliberately avoids using PFAS-based waterproofing and instead relies on environmentally friendly alternatives. 

Reliable moisture protection with our GORE-TEX® products

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