This post was created by Triple F.A.T. Goose, an outerwear brand that Travel and Leisure magazine named as a top pick and said, "This is the best goose down winter coat I’ve ever worn" when describing Triple F.A.T. Goose down coats.
Companies go to great lengths to ensure that their rain gear is water resistant to withstand wind and rain, but how can you tell if it will repel as much incoming precipitation as you need it to?
In all rain repellent clothing and gear, there is a certain grade of measuring waterproofness. The process is called the Hydrostatic Head Test (HH for short). To be classified as waterproof, all garments must undergo this test for a waterproof rating.
HH Meaning And Calculations
Essentially, HH is measured in laboratory environments using hydrostatic pressure. The test is fairly straightforward: First, the fabric to be tested is pulled taut and sealed in a controlled chamber. Water is then slowly poured into a graduated cylinder placed on the fabric (which adds pressure to the surface). Once this pressure becomes too great, water begins to permeate through the fabric. Depending on how many milliliters of water is able to penetrate will determine how it scores on the HH test.
Becoming familiar with HH grading numbers is a handy tool to use when deciding what outerwear grade best suits your needs. The range is generally from 1,500mm (low) to 40,000+ (highest).
|
HH Grading Scale (mm) |
“Best Used In” Weather Conditions |
|
1,500mm to 5,000mm |
Light to average conditions: rain showers and light snow dustings |
|
5,000mm to 10,000mm |
Moderate Conditions: steady rain and snowfall |
|
10,000mm to 40,000mm+ |
Extreme Conditions: heavy rain and snowstorms |
From a consumer perspective, these numbers are what will determine the level of waterproof rating you need in a garment.
Learn more about Triple F.A.T. Goose, a brand with a 35 year history that has been featured in Outside, Esquire, Vogue, Elle, Men's Journal, Cosmopolitan, Robb Report, and more. All Triple F.A.T. Goose coats have a fill power rating of 675 and up. Shop the collection.
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Scenarios
If you live/work in an area of infrequent/light precipitation, you’ll be better off with a jacket or coat that has an HH grade between 1,500mm and 5,000mm. This grading is considered ideal for urban and travel wear.
On the other hand, if you live/work in an area prone to frequent and steady precipitation levels, anything ranging from 5,000mm (water-resistant) and 10,000mm+ (true waterproofness) is closer to the mark.
There are a few instances where HH results may vary:
- Not all labs use the same method of HH testing.
- Since the test is conducted in a laboratory on new fabric, real-life conditions, like regular wear and gradual DWR breakdown, do not apply.
- The test does account for external factors such as wind velocity and rain volume.
- Garments that do or do not have sealed or heated seams will have different waterproof ratings and might change the performance.
Outerwear Facts Adds Up
Remember, numbers never lie. Whether it’s ratings for HH grading, waterproofness, down, or layering, for a consumer it’s important to be wary and informed of all the technical information available on product labels.
Triple F.A.T. Goose is a direct-to-consumer luxury outerwear brand. For over 30 years, we have produced men's and women's parkas, down puffers, and shell jackets for consumers around the world. Our products are available exclusively online with free shipping and free returns.
