Shtormovka - a popular tourist jacket

The word "storm" immediately conjures up pictures of incredible adventures, long journeys and the violence of the elements. Such things are worn by people whose lifestyle is associated with extreme hobbies, hiking, staying in adverse weather conditions. Storm is the clothing of tourists and travelers, as well as fans of sports and an active lifestyle.

Many perceive the storm jacket as a wardrobe item from the unisex category: the main thing is that it protects against bad weather, and its appearance is of secondary importance.

However, girls tend to care about how they look even in extreme conditions. Therefore, for quite some time manufacturers of sportswear produce female models of such jackets. We will talk about them in today's article.

Traditionally, the word "storm" is used to define an elongated jacket with a hood, stitched from a waterproof, dense material designed to protect against rain, hail and snow.

Previously, storm cloaks were made exclusively from tarpaulin, but today, to replace this rather heavy material, modern synthetic fabrics have come in, not inferior to it in their protective properties.

The storm has a free cut, as it is supposed to be worn on warm clothes. It should not hamper movement, so the storm is always very spacious, it does not fit the figure. This jacket is designed to protect the upper body: head, neck, arms, back, chest and abdomen.

Usually, the back is slightly longer than the front - this is done for comfort of movement, additional protection of the area below the back and ease of fixation of the safety system.

The hood of the crib has a high neck and a small visor protecting it from wind and precipitation. In some models, the hood covers part of the face. Most stormcoats have a very voluminous hood, which is pulled down with the help of special puffs - in case you need to wear a helmet or helmet under it.

Puffs are also available on the sleeves and on the hem of the crib - this provides maximum protection from cold and wind.

There are usually not so many pockets on a storm jacket, but they are all big enough so that it is more convenient to climb them with gloves or mittens.

The pockets are equipped with zippers with protective pads that protect the contents from moisture. Such zippers are provided on all parts of the jacket. In addition to zippers, Velcro is also used - they are much more convenient than buttons or buttons.

Another mandatory element of the storm is a kind of "ventilation holes", protected by a grid. They are needed so that the body can breathe in a dense, airtight material.

• waterproof material;
• ability to protect from wind and precipitation;
• the ability to keep warm well;
• non-staining but bright color;
• the free style which is not constraining movements;
• convenient fasteners and pockets;
• availability of ventilation.

The largest group of people who wear storm jackets are not professional athletes, lifeguards, etc. (so they usually have a special uniform), but ordinary tourists. Those who are keen on hiking in the mountains, the forest, river rafting, fishing and hunting, choose storm jackets as the “uniform”.

Clothing for hiking should be light and multi-functional - so that you do not have to take with you a whole bunch of clothes for different occasions.In addition, it must protect from the weather, to be comfortable and durable. All these requirements are perfectly matched by a storm jacket, which is why it is so popular with tourists.

Above, we have already said that modern blinds are not sewn from tarpaulin (although such models can be easily found on the market), but from dense synthetic material. This material is called the "membrane" and has several varieties. The type of membrane depends on the key characteristics of the harness, including its price.

The membrane is characterized by the following main criteria:

• chemical composition - all membranes are made on a polymer base, but the types of polymers differ from different manufacturers;
• structure - the membrane can be applied to the underlying fabric as a liquid coating or thin film;
• water resistance - this parameter indicates what height of the water column the membrane can withstand without missing water;
• vapor permeability - this indicator indicates how much water vapor can miss 1 m² membrane tissue.

Consider several popular types of membranes that are used to produce storm jackets:

• Gore-tex - the very first membrane, invented by the American company in the late 70s of the last century; the membrane is a microporous tissue based on polytetrafluoroethylene.
• Dermizax-MP- Japanese membrane fabric designed for extreme sports; the manufacturer promises to preserve the protective properties of the membrane even after many washes.
• Entrant-HB - the newest material, which is characterized by a fundamentally different structure, which is something between a microscopic pore and a laminated coating without pores.
• eVent - the membrane of this company is very similar in composition and properties to the fabric from Gore, but it is endowed with additional protection against dirt; In addition, this membrane absorbs very well and removes excess moisture.
• Sympatex - one of the few membranes, which has a non-porous structure, thanks to which it provides a high level of protection against strong wind and rain; since this membrane is very elastic, the storming will retain its properties even at the fold points.
• Dry Factor - This variety includes several types of membranes, which differ in the degree of moisture resistance and vapor permeability; All fabrics consist of micropores and are water-repellent.

• The length of the harness should be chosen, depending on the type of activity. In hiking trips, a jacket covering thighs, but not constraining movements, will be appropriate. If you are planning to go climbing, then you need to choose a shortened version of the storm (but make sure that when you raise your hands did not expose the waist).
• The hood is the most important element of the storm cloak. Extreme athletes choose a hood that can be worn over a protective helmet. Ideally, the hood should have a visor that protects the eyes from the sun, dust and prickly snow. Removing, putting on and adjusting the hood should be comfortable wearing gloves.
• It is also easy, without taking off the gloves, it should be convenient to fasten and unbutton the curtain, tighten the elastic bands, adjust the cuffs, get into the pockets, etc. Try to do all these actions in the store, before buying a jacket. Fittings should be as comfortable and durable as possible.
• Air vents on the storm jacket play a very important role, because the fabric itself, from which such clothes are made, almost cannot breathe. Ventilation may be in the armpits (this option is most common) or on the hull of the storm jacket itself.
• If you are planning to wear a crib often and for a long time, then pay attention to the models in which the parts prone to wear are “reinforced” with inserts of more durable material. Usually additional protection is needed on the shoulders, hips and in those areas that are in contact with equipment.
• There are not many pockets on the storm jackets, as it is assumed that all the necessary tourist carries in a backpack. But a pair of pockets is required. For ease of use, the pockets should be located at the top of the jacket. In addition, they should reliably protect the contents from moisture, so it is recommended to give preference to models with safety valves and waterproof fasteners.

If you are thinking about purchasing a storm jacket, then most likely you are planning a long trip to nature, an exciting adventure, or are going to master a new sport. In this case, in addition to storming, you must purchase special shoes (for example, trekking boots), thermal underwear and suitable pants. In a pair of jacket to buy a storm trousers, made from the same material.

If you need a storm jacket just to protect you from the weather in urban environments, it can be worn with ordinary clothes - sweaters, jeans or warm pants, rubber boots or high "military" boots.

Sportswear-style accessories — bright hats, scarves, and gloves — are perfect for her.