Short answer
A raincoat is usually a woven or knitted base fabric, most often polyester or nylon, with a waterproof layer on top. That layer is a PU or PVC coating, a rubber or latex coating, or a membrane laminated into the fabric. PU feels softer, PVC is heavier and stiffer, and membranes are built for breathability. Ask each supplier for the construction and the water-resistance test method.
Key Takeaways
- Raincoat fabric has two parts: a base textile and a waterproof layer.
- The waterproof layer is commonly PU, PVC, rubber or latex, or a membrane laminate.
- Waterproofness and breathability pull against each other, so test both.
- PU coatings can age through hydrolysis and photo-oxidation, so ask for aging data.
- Always request the test method behind any water-resistance number.
What is a raincoat made of?
A raincoat is made of a base fabric with a waterproof layer applied to it or bonded into it. The base gives strength and shape, and the waterproof layer stops water passing through.
One 2025 study describes raincoat fabrics as made from synthetic, natural or blended fibres that gain waterproof and windproof properties through PU, PVC, latex or membrane coatings (Xomidov and Mamasidiqova, 2025). The same paper compared Oxford, Duspo, Taslan, twill, Greta, camouflage and membrane raincoat fabrics. In its tested samples, membrane and Taslan fabrics performed best on the mechanical and hygienic properties it evaluated. That is one small sample set, so treat it as an example, not a ranking.
Which base fabrics are used in raincoats?
Most raincoat base fabrics are polyester or nylon, woven or knitted into different constructions. The weave and the yarn affect strength, feel and weight before any coating is added.
- Polyester: a common base for coated raincoat fabric.
- Nylon (polyamide): used in lighter technical rainwear. One study on breathable coatings used a polyamide fabric with a PU coating (Padleckienė et al., 2009).
- Oxford and other weaves: tightly woven constructions that are strong but need a coating or finish to be waterproof.
- Knitted bases: used where stretch or a soft inside surface is wanted.
Which waterproof layers are used on raincoat fabric?
The main waterproof layers are PU, PVC, rubber or latex, and laminated membranes. They differ in how they are made, how they feel and how much air and moisture they let through.
- PU coating: a polyurethane layer applied to the base fabric, usually softer and more flexible than PVC.
- PVC coating: a polyvinyl chloride layer, usually heavier and stiffer, and generally less breathable.
- Rubber or latex: a coating used in traditional heavy rainwear.
- Membrane laminate: a thin membrane bonded between fabric layers. The 2009 study tested a three-ply laminate with a polyester outer fabric, a hydrophilic PU membrane and a polyester knitted lining (Padleckienė et al., 2009).
| Waterproof layer | How it is added | Typical feel | Breathability | Common drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU coating | Coated onto the base fabric | Softer, flexible | Better than PVC, varies by type | Can age, hydrolyse or peel |
| PVC coating | Coated onto the base fabric | Heavier, stiffer | Generally low | Can feel stuffy and rigid |
| Rubber or latex | Coated onto the base fabric | Heavy | Low | Weight and stiffness |
| Membrane laminate | Bonded between fabric layers | Light, fabric-like | Built for breathability | Higher cost, needs careful seams |
The table shows general patterns that suppliers and trade sources commonly describe, not test results for any product. For a closer look at PU and PVC as coatings, read our guide to PU, PVC and TPU coatings compared.
How is raincoat waterproofness measured?
Waterproofness is measured by pushing water against the fabric and recording the pressure at which it comes through. The instrument is a hydrostatic head tester, and the result depends on the test method.
The 2009 study used a hydrostatic head tester to measure resistance to water penetration and a sweating guarded hotplate to measure water-vapour permeability. It then examined how repeated stretching changed the water-penetration results, which matters because a raincoat flexes in use. Two numbers can look similar and still come from different methods, so always ask for the method name and the sample condition (new, washed or flexed).
Do raincoat fabrics breathe?
Some raincoat fabrics breathe and others do not, and breathability usually trades off against waterproofing. Heavy PVC coatings are generally the least breathable, and membrane laminates are designed for breathability.
The 2025 raincoat fabric study lists waterproofness and air permeability as its key properties. The 2009 study measured breathability as water-vapour permeability, which is the usual way to describe how well moisture from the body can pass out. A buyer should ask for both numbers for the exact construction.
How long does a PU or PVC raincoat fabric last?
There is no universal lifespan, because it depends on the coating quality, the base fabric and the climate. PU coatings can age, and the main failure modes are hydrolysis and photo-oxidation.
A 2025 study in Polymers exposed a PU-coated polyester fabric outdoors for 24 months at three sites in China (Wang et al., 2025). The authors attribute the damage to hydrolysis and photo-oxidation, and they report coating thinning and lower tear strength. The study used one fabric system and five samples per site, so it shows a mechanism, not a rainwear lifespan. Common signs of an aged coating are:
- Peeling: the coating lifts from the base fabric.
- Cracking: the surface splits along folds.
- Leaks: water starts to pass through worn areas and seams.
What should buyers and product makers check?
Buyers and rainwear makers should ask for the full fabric construction and the test method behind each performance claim. The list below keeps a request specific.
- Construction: base fabric, coating type and whether a membrane or laminate is used.
- Weight and thickness: grams per square metre and thickness for the exact product.
- Water resistance: the hydrostatic head method, the result and the sample condition.
- Breathability: the vapour-permeability method and the result, when breathability matters.
- Seams: how the seams are sealed, because stitching holes can leak.
- Aging and flex: hydrolysis and flex test results for the coating.
- Chemical rules: documents that match your target market, for example under REACH in the EU.
- Samples and terms: an A4 sample, the MOQ per colour and the lead time.
Our guides on PU vs PVC leather and faux leather testing standards explain the tests in more detail.
How does Fuzhou Leather approach this?
Fuzhou Leather (Dongguan Fuzhou Leather Co., Ltd.) is a PU and PVC synthetic leather and coated fabric manufacturer with OEM/ODM and custom development. Its site has several pages for rainwear and technical rain gear:
- Synthetic leather for raincoats and technical rainwear
- Water-based PU leather for raincoats
- Solvent-based PU leather for raincoats
- Semi-PU leather for raincoats
The site describes semi-PU as a PVC-resin base with a thinner PU surface layer, and its pages label it as waterproof. No test method or water-resistance value is listed, so ask for the method and result for the product you want. The raincoat pages list a standard MOQ of 800 m per colour, so confirm the figure for your project. Read the semi-PU page for the full description.
Developing a raincoat or rainwear product?
Share your product, target market and performance needs, and Fuzhou Leather can discuss PU or semi-PU options, sampling and production.
Request a quoteFrequently Asked Questions
What is a raincoat made of?
A raincoat is made of a base fabric, usually polyester or nylon, with a waterproof layer such as a PU or PVC coating, a rubber or latex coating, or a laminated membrane. The base gives strength, and the waterproof layer stops water passing through.
Is PU or PVC better for a raincoat?
PU is not simply better than PVC for a raincoat; PU is usually softer and more breathable, while PVC is usually heavier and stiffer. The better choice depends on the product, the climate and the performance you need, so compare supplier test data.
Is a raincoat made of plastic?
Many raincoats contain plastic polymers, because PU and PVC coatings are plastics applied to a fabric base. Some raincoats use membranes or rubber instead, so check the construction of the specific product.
What does a raincoat waterproof rating mean?
A raincoat waterproof rating tells you how much water pressure a fabric resists before water comes through. The number depends on the test method and the sample condition, so ask for the method name, not only the figure.
Why do coated raincoats peel?
Coated raincoats peel when the coating separates from the base fabric. A study of PU-coated fabric attributes coating damage to hydrolysis and photo-oxidation, and heat, humidity and flexing add to the stress.
Bottom line
A raincoat is a base fabric plus a waterproof layer, and the layer you pick sets the feel, weight and breathability. Ask suppliers for the construction, the water-resistance method and aging data, and test an A4 sample before you commit to a bulk order.
