Grading a used raincoat
Grading a used raincoat is a waterproofing inspection. The grade leads with the coating and seams that keep water out — cracked or peeling laminate, delaminated seam tape, and a failed DWR finish — then checks the zipper, storm flap, and any tears, because a raincoat that lets water in has lost its purpose.
What to check
- Waterproof coating — cracking, peeling, or delamination
- Seam-tape integrity on the inside seams
- DWR finish — beading vs. wetting-out (sponginess)
- Zipper, storm flap, and tears in the shell
How to grade it, step by step
- 1
Inspect the coating
Check the inner face for cracked, flaking, or peeling laminate and run seams for lifting tape — the failures that let water through and lead the grade.
- 2
Check the seams
Look at the taped inner seams; delaminated or curling tape is a waterproofing flaw even when the outer shell looks fine.
- 3
Test hardware and shell
Run the main zipper, check the storm flap, and scan the shell for tears and abrasion.
Graded examples
| Grade | Why |
|---|---|
| 9 (NWOT) | Intact coating, sealed seams, crisp zipper. |
| 6 (Good) | DWR wetting out slightly, coating and tape intact. |
| 3 (Poor) | Peeling inner laminate and lifting seam tape. |
Every grade sits on the GradeThread 1.0–10.0 scale.
Flaws to watch on this garment
Frequently asked
- How can I tell if a raincoat is still waterproof?
- Check the inside. A failing raincoat shows cracked or peeling coating on the inner face and seam tape that's lifting or delaminating — both let water through even when the outside looks fine. A tired outer DWR that no longer beads water is a lesser issue; interior coating failure is what lowers the grade most.
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