[header] How to buy a waterproof jacket [title] Distinguish between water resistant and waterproof. [step] Waterproof jackets are made with a waterproof membrane woven directly into the jacket. They allow small perspiration droplets to leave your body while keeping larger water droplets out, making them breathable. 
Water resistant jackets have no membrane, but are treated with a water repellent material designed to keep water droplets from seeping through the jacket. [substeps] Waterproof jackets have all of their seams taped or otherwise covered to make sure moisture doesn't penetrate the jacket via stitching.