Most buyers assume they must have a “fully waterproof” shell, then pay extra for 3‑layer membranes and 20,000 mm tags they rarely test in real life. In reality, water‑resistant jackets and mid‑range waterproof shells already cover most everyday and hiking scenarios if you understand their ...

Most buyers hear “down is warmer, synthetics work when wet” and stop there. That half-truth leads to bad purchases: swampy synthetic parkas in dry alpine cold, or soaked-down jackets in swampy duck blinds. The real science shows clear win conditions for each—if you know how CLO, moisture, and ...