Why you want a waterproof breathable maternity jacket
A waterproof maternity jacket is an essential part of your pregnancy and postpartum wardrobe if you spend any time outdoors, either for recreation, exercise, travel, commuting, or your job. There is no substitute for the performance of a waterproof breathable jacket when you really need it - it keeps out rain, wind, and snow, and lets out body heat so you don’t end up feeling wet and clammy from the inside or the outside of your jacket. You can wear a variety of mid or base layers underneath to match the season you are wearing it for, because it is truly a year round jacket.
When we set out to make maternity jackets, we knew that a waterproof jacket had to be among our first offerings. Yes, there are many maternity jackets on the market, but a technical waterproof breathable has been an overlooked need until now. Understanding the
A few of the key elements to pay attention to in any waterproof jacket, including the EverCrest Shell, are:
Waterproof
While there are no universal standards for waterproofing, the types of fabric used and their performance define what is waterproof versus what is just water resistant. A waterproof jacket is made of a fabric that withstands heavy rain, meaning it will not allow the water to permeate the jacket to touch your skin, even after you’ve been in heavy rain for a long time. The construction of this type of fabric means it has the same effect at keeping out winds.
Breathable
A key difference between a shell that will keep you dry and one that will keep you comfortable is the breathability of the fabric - one which lets out moisture as well as it keeps it out. A waterproof breathable fabric like we use for the EverCrest shell is made of a membrane that blocks rain and releases perspiration which is laminated to a more durable shell fabric. These laminated fabrics can be either two- or three-layers and offer the best combination of durability, breathability, and waterproofing you can get. Two-layer fabrics typically include a mesh lining to protect the more fragile membrane, and can therefore be heavier than a three-layer fabric, which has a protective layer laminated to each side of the waterproof breathable membrane.
Performance features
A durable water repellent coating (DWR) is applied to the outside of a breathable waterproof jacket to repel the water by making it bead up and roll off the fabric rather than just blocking it. A DWR coating is something that wears down over time through use or a build up of dirt, leading the still-waterproof fabric to allow water to sit on it so it feels heavy and damp, even though the fabric is still waterproof, and preventing internal moisture from being able to get out (also called “wetting out”). DWR can and should be reapplied through a wash-in or spray on product at home to keep any waterproof jacket performing well.
In addition, a fully waterproof jacket features taped internal seams and laminated zippers to keep all water out. Adjustable drawcords allow you to tailor the fit of the hood and cinch the bottom of the jacket, and Velcro adjustment straps allow you to tighten the fit at the wrists.
Why we made this
Personally, I knew we needed to make a waterproof maternity jacket after getting caught in the rain during my babymoon for my first pregnancy. We took a trip to see Utah’s national parks in the fall. I was late in my first trimester and just starting to show. We stopped to see Bryce Canyon National Park on a rainy day, and even just darting from the car to the overlook in my regular North Face raincoat left me soaked because I already couldn’t zip it with just a t-shirt layer underneath. I loved hiking throughout my first pregnancy and searched for a waterproof shell that would enable me to hike in the snow and feel protected from the wind - but it simply did not exist.
I’ve heard from dozens of you who don’t feel seen by the traditional maternity or maternity activewear market - professionals who work outside, people who continue to pursue their outdoor hobbies while pregnant and as new parents, and others who are looking for a more flexible fit than traditionally athletic fits in the outdoor industry offer. We created the first waterproof breathable maternity shell on the market featuring all of the technical specifications you would expect from a premium shell - 3-layer waterproof breathable fabric with a DWR finish and adjustable hood and hem details. It will be the jacket you wear year round through all weather conditions and phases of your pregnancy and postpartum journey.