There is a set standard in the united states.Government uses psi to determine beneva whether a rain jacket's fabric is waterproof;Anything over 25 psi on the fabric without the wearer getting wet means the jacket is 100 percent waterproof.
What Tiffany UK does the 5k, 10k, or 20k rating mean?It measures what volume of water over a 24 hour period the fabric can withstand without the wearer getting wet.A 20k jacket can withstand 20, 000, 000 mm(Nearly 66 feet)Of rain in 24 hours before it permeates.5k can withstand 16 feet in a 24 period;And 10k can withstand 32 feet in a 24 hour period.
These numbers and ratings Cheap Tiffany are for the fabric only, not the jacket itself.Seams are either sealed or unsealed, and zippers are typically not sealed.These seams and zippers are structural weak points and might lead to water getting in the jacket.
Knowing the record rainfall for 24 hours is around 6 feet, almost any jacket rated 5k to 20k will keep you dry for a day trip or jaunt through seattle.But if you are going to be in the rain or wet for prolonged periods, stick to jackets rated 10k to 20k to stay dry.