Understanding the Difference Between Water Repellent and Waterproof

Choosing a water-resistant material for bags is crucial for those who spend their daily lives outdoors. As we all know, outdoor weather can be unpredictable, especially considering the current unstable global climate. Bags serve as the most effective storage for our frequently used items. There are many water-resistant applications available in the market, and one of them is Water Repellent.

1. Water repellent is a hydrophobic polyester material, meaning it repels water. For example, if your bag gets caught in the rain, the water will not saturate the bag and will simply flow off. However, it’s essential to note that the water repellent property of polyester is not permanent, and thus, the fabric’s water resistance is not everlasting.

Many people mistakenly believe that water repellent and waterproof applications are the same. However, numerous articles clarify that they have distinct explanations. Water repellent is generally a substance applied to the outer layer of polyester fabric, while waterproof is directly attached to the inner part of the fabric.

2. Waterproof has a straightforward definition – it refers to a material that water cannot penetrate. If you drop water onto polyester fabric, it will only be absorbed into the fabric threads. The fabric has an inner layer (the back of the fabric) that is impenetrable by water.

Waterproof applications come in various types for polyester fabric, such as PU coating, PVC coating, polyurethane coating, etc. Usually, the more types of waterproof substances used, the higher the cost of the fabric.