Most raincoats are made from polyester, nylon, PVC, polyurethane coatings, or Gore-Tex style membranes bonded to fabric to keep you dry.
Walk through any city street on a wet day and you see a mix of glossy PVC coats, featherlight hiking shells, and classic waxed jackets. They all claim to keep the rain out, yet they feel and behave in different ways. The materials behind those shells decide how warm you feel, how sweaty you get, and how long the jacket lasts.
This guide breaks down what goes into modern rainwear, how each fabric behaves, and when one material suits a wet day better than another. You will see how base fabrics, coatings, and membranes work together so you can match a jacket to your climate, budget, and plans.
Main Materials Used For Raincoats
Most brands start with a woven or knit fabric and add a waterproof layer on top or inside. A few styles rely on solid plastic sheets instead. Here are the main categories you see on tags and product pages.
| Material | What It Is | Common Raincoat Use |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester | Synthetic fiber that resists stretching and dries fast | Everyday city shells, kids’ jackets, packable coats |
| Nylon | Tough synthetic fiber with good abrasion resistance | Hiking shells, mountaineering jackets, lightweight parkas |
| PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) | Flexible plastic sheet or coating | Slick festival coats, fishing gear, budget ponchos |
| PU Coated Fabric | Polyurethane layer on polyester or nylon | Mid range city jackets, fashion raincoats |
| Waterproof Breathable Membrane | Microporous or hydrophilic film such as a Gore-Tex type layer | Technical outdoor shells, high performance sports jackets |
| EVA | Ethylene vinyl acetate plastic, lighter than PVC | Children’s raincoats, fold up ponchos, travel capes |
| Waxed Cotton Or Rubberized Fabric | Cotton with wax or canvas bonded to rubber | Heritage jackets, workwear, cycling capes |
Each of these materials balances three basics: blocking water, letting sweat escape, and staying comfortable against skin or layers. Polyester and nylon give a stable base fabric, while PVC, PU, and membranes supply the real barrier against rain.
What Are Raincoats Made Of Today? Material Breakdown
Decades ago many raincoats relied on heavy rubber. Modern shells use lighter synthetic fibers, thin films, and clever coatings instead. When you read a hang tag that answers what are raincoats made of, you are usually seeing a layered fabric instead of a single solid sheet.
Synthetic Shell Fabrics
Polyester and nylon dominate the outer shell layer. Polyester keeps its shape, resists UV damage, and does not soak up much water. Nylon has higher strength for a given weight, which helps in packable hiking shells that scrape against rock or tree branches.
Brands tune these shells with different yarn thicknesses, called denier, and various weaves. A higher denier nylon feels rugged and stiff, while a fine polyester weave feels smooth and light. On their own these fabrics are not fully waterproof, so they pair with a coating or membrane.
Some shells mix fibers too, such as nylon in high wear zones and polyester panels elsewhere. This mix keeps weight down, adds toughness where packs rub, and shapes texture and drape.
Waterproof Coatings And Laminates
Many everyday jackets use a polyurethane coating painted or rolled onto the inside of the shell. This PU layer forms an unbroken film that blocks liquid water. Some versions are simple coatings; others are full laminates that sandwich a film between layers of fabric for better durability.
Higher end shells use waterproof breathable membranes similar to the Gore-Tex membrane used in mountaineering jackets. A membrane has microscopic pores that are small enough to stop raindrops but open enough to let water vapour from sweat move outward. Outdoor guides on waterproof breathable rainwear describe these fabrics as the backbone of modern hiking shells.
Many coated jackets also carry printed or knit linings that lift the film away from sweaty skin. That tiny gap makes sticky interiors less of a problem.
Solid Plastics And Classic Fabrics
PVC and EVA raincoats skip woven shells and rely on plastic sheets. They shed heavy rain with ease, which is why you see them in fishing gear and festival ponchos. The trade off is low breathability, so they can feel clammy once you walk at a brisk pace.
Waxed cotton and rubberized fabrics sit at the traditional end of the spectrum. Waxed cotton uses a tight cotton weave infused with wax. Rubberized fabrics bond a rubber layer to canvas or cotton. Both stay reasonably waterproof and give that vintage trench coat look, though they weigh more than modern synthetics.
How Waterproof Raincoat Fabrics Work
Good rainwear does two jobs at once: stopping raindrops from reaching your base layers and letting sweat vapour leave your body. The way a raincoat handles those jobs depends on its barrier layer.
Microporous Membranes
Membranes made from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, such as classic Gore-Tex, contain billions of tiny pores in each square inch. Liquid water droplets are far larger than these pores and stay out, while smaller water vapour molecules drift through the gaps and escape. Technical notes from Gore describe how each pore is far smaller than a raindrop yet large enough for vapour to pass.
Other brands use similar microporous or mixed membranes based on polyurethane or polyester. The performance varies by recipe and construction, yet the core idea stays the same: block liquid water, vent out humid air.
Hydrophilic Coatings
Some PU coatings and membranes use a hydrophilic structure that absorbs moisture at the body side and passes it along the polymer chain to the outer face, where it evaporates. Industry guides on waterproof breathable fabrics describe these layers as non-porous yet still able to move vapour.
The outer shell usually carries a durable water repellent finish, often called DWR, so raindrops bead up and roll away instead of soaking into the surface. Once that finish wears down, the face fabric can wet out, which harms breathability even if the inner membrane stays intact.
Pros And Cons Of Common Raincoat Fabrics
Before you buy a jacket, it helps to match fabric type to how and where you’ll wear it. This comparison sums up strengths and trade offs.
| Material | Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester Shell With PU | Affordable, neat drape, wide colour range | Breathes less than membrane shells, coating can peel over time |
| Nylon Shell With Membrane | Strong, light, packs small, handles rough trails | Needs care to protect membrane and DWR finish |
| PVC | Completely waterproof, easy to wipe clean, low cost | Traps sweat, can feel heavy and stiff, disposal raises health questions |
| EVA | Lighter and softer than PVC, folds into small pouches | Less tough, can tear at stress points, limited style range |
| Waxed Cotton | Classic look, quiet fabric, repairable with new wax | Heavy when soaked, needs periodic rewaxing |
| Rubberized Fabric | Durable in harsh work settings, strong weather block | Bulky, low breathability, can crack with age |
| High End Membrane Shell | Great mix of protection and breathability for active use | Higher price, needs gentle washing and care |
If you mostly stroll around town, polyester or PU coated shells feel fine. If you hike all day with a pack, a nylon shell with a good membrane keeps you drier on the inside. PVC and EVA work best for short, heavy downpours or static work in driving rain.
Choosing The Right Raincoat Material For Your Needs
Start with your climate. Hot, humid areas reward breathable membranes and light nylon shells. Cooler, breezy regions can handle less breathable but warmer fabrics such as waxed cotton or lined PU coats.
Next, think about activity level. Slow walks to the office or school put fewer demands on breathability. Trail runs, bike commutes, and long hikes build sweat fast, so a lighter shell with a quality membrane makes more sense. Budget also matters: coated polyester gives solid everyday service, while technical membrane shells cost more but shine for frequent outdoor use.
Fit matters just as much as fabric. A shell with room for layers, sealed seams, and an adjustable hood handles real rain better than a tight fashion coat.
Care Tips For Different Raincoat Materials
Good care keeps any raincoat working longer. Hang the jacket to dry after each use so mildew does not grow in folds. Brush off mud, then spot clean or machine wash based on the care tag.
Membrane and PU coated shells need mild detergent and thorough rinsing so soap does not clog pores or sit on the coating. A gentle tumble dry cycle can help reactivate the DWR finish on some fabrics. Waxed cotton jackets like cooler water and special soap bars, then a fresh layer of wax when water stops beading on the surface. PVC and EVA coats wipe clean with a damp cloth, though they should stay away from high heat sources that can warp plastic.
Are Raincoat Materials Safe And Eco Friendly?
No fabric is perfect, and each raincoat material has safety and sustainability questions attached. Soft PVC can contain additives such as phthalates, and research groups linked PVC production and burning with dioxin release, which has raised health concerns. Some guides from health bodies list raincoats among common PVC products.
Classic Gore-Tex membranes use fluoropolymer chemistry that has drawn scrutiny, so the brand now promotes newer membrane lines and finishes designed to limit certain persistent chemicals. Many outdoor labels now offer PVC free and PFC free shells, more recycled polyester, and repair programs that extend jacket life. When you check what are raincoats made of on a label, look for clear fibre names, coating types, and any mention of recycled or lower impact lines so you can match your rain protection to your values as well as your weather.