Our waterproof clothing is built to last but will last longer and perform better if cared for correctly. Grease and dirt from body sweat, mud or even sun-cream can all impede the breathability and overall waterproof performance of your waterproof clothing, making you feel damp and cold, even if the clothing isn’t actually leaking.

Mountain Equipment began designing and manufacturing GORE-TEX jackets in 1977 with the launch of our Cascade Jacket; that same year Apple launched the Series II, its first home computer. Just as technology has moved on, so too have our jackets.

Waterproof clothing is deceptively complex: while it’s easy to make something waterproof it isn’t so easy to make it comfortable to wear. With terms like hydrostatic head, breathability, MVTR, RET, PFCs and DWRs there is a whole host of unhelpful jargon about waterproofs. This guide will cut through that and tell you what you really need to know.