The North Face Polartec Pants

Waterproof vs. water-resistant

• A waterproof jacket keeps out hard, driving rain
• A water-resistant jacket can handle light rain for a brief time and is more breathable

Windproof vs. wind-resistant

• Any waterproof jacket is also windproof to shield you in stormy weather
• A wind-resistant jacket will offer much lighter protection

Hard shell vs. soft shell

Like a waterproof and windproof rain jacket, a hard shell will offer the most protection, but less breathability than a soft shell.

Do you need insulation?
For very cold rainy weather, consider an insulated shell, which will have down or synthetic fill for warmth while being waterproof and windproof.

Proper care is key to performance

Every rain jacket or rain pant needs regular maintenance to keep on keeping you dry, so follow care instructions to keep yours lasting.