What Is Water Resistance?
The water resistance topic answers three separate questions depending on the product line. IN TEXTILES two properties are measured: water repellency (the ability of the surface to drain water without retaining it, rated by the spray test) and water permeability (resistance to water permeation under pressure, measured by hydrostatic pressure). IN SHOES, the assembled product is tested to see if it is water permeable. IN SUN PROTECTIVE PRODUCTS, it is measured how much of the protection is retained after entering the water (water resistance retention). The three practices are governed by different standards and their results are not interchangeable.
Purpose of Water Resistance
The aim is to verify whether the product delivers the declared performance in wet conditions: that the clothing is waterproof in the rain, that the shoes keep the feet dry, that the sunscreen continues to protect after leaving the sea.
Which Products Is Water Resistance Applied To?
- Outerwear and raincoat fabrics
- Tents, awnings and tarpaulins
- Work clothes and protective clothing
- Membrane and coated fabrics
- Work safety shoes and boots
- Water-resistant sunscreen products
In Which Sectors Is Water Resistance Used?
Standards Related to Water Resistance
- TS EN ISO 4920 (textile — surface wetting resistance, spray test)
- TS EN ISO 811 (textile — resistance to hydrostatic pressure)
- TS EN ISO 9865 (Bundesmann rain simulation)
- TS EN 343 (protective clothing against rain)
- AATCC 22 / AATCC 127
- TS EN ISO 5403-1/-2 (leather — dynamic water impermeability)
- TS EN ISO 20344 / 20345 (shoes — all shoes waterproof, WR)
- TS EN ISO 16217 (sunscreen — water immersion process)
- TS EN ISO 18861 (sunscreen — water resistance retention percentage)
Water Resistance Conditions
- Sprey testi
- A certain volume of water is sprayed from a height defined in the standard.
- Hidrostatik test
- The pressure is increased at a rate defined in the standard; The value at which the third drop appears is recorded
- shoe experiment
- The product is subjected to walking movement in water at a defined depth
- sunscreen
- SPF measurement is repeated before and after water immersion; retention percentage is calculated
Equipment for Water Resistance
- Spray test device (spray tester)
- Hydrostatic pressure tester
- Bundesmann rain simulator
- Walking simulation water tank (for shoes)
- Water bath and SPF measuring device (for sunscreen)
- Reference photo sets
Sample Requirements for Water Resistance
- Separate sample sets for each experiment
- Fabric samples should be placed with the coated surface facing outwards.
- If the stitched area will be tested, a separate sample should be prepared.
- Completely assembled, unused pairs are required for shoe testing.
- If post-washing performance is desired, a washed sample should also be submitted.
Duration of Water Resistance
The spray test is short. The duration of the hydrostatic test depends on the rate of pressure increase and the level to which the sample resists; It is significantly extended in high-performance membranes. In the shoe test, the defined number of cycles determines the duration, and in the sunscreen test, the dipping and SPF measurement steps determine the duration.
Water Resistance Procedure
- 1Specimens are conditioned.
- 2In the spray test, the sample is stretched on the inclined device and a defined volume of water is sprayed; The surface is graded with the reference set.
- 3In the hydrostatic test, the sample is sealed to the cell and the pressure is increased at a defined rate.
- 4In the shoe test, the product is subjected to walking movement in the water tank and the inner surface is examined.
- 5SPF in sunscreen is measured before and after water immersion.
- 6Results are reported on a trial-by-experiment basis.
Water Resistance Acceptance Criteria
Acceptance criteria vary depending on the application: the minimum degree in the specification in the spray test, the class limits of product standards such as TS EN 343 in the hydrostatic test, the maximum wetting area defined by TS EN ISO 20345 for WR in shoes, and the retention percentage calculated according to ISO 18861 in sunscreen to support the declaration. Class and threshold values are confirmed from the current edition of the relevant standard.
Evaluation of Results
The results are read together. A high degree of spray but low hydrostatic pressure indicates that the surface finish is working but the fabric is not a water barrier. Material impermeability in shoes does not guarantee product impermeability; Water mostly enters through the seam or bottom joint. Re-measurement after washing reveals the permanence of the water-repellent finish.
Water Resistance Report
- Sample description and coating/membrane information, if applicable
- Applied standards and test level (material/product)
- Sprey testi derecesi
- Hydrostatic pressure value (cm of water column or kPa)
- Wetting area and amount of water intake in shoes
- SPF and retention percentage in sunscreen before/after dipping
- Results after washing, if any
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment (for protective clothing and footwear)
- Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 (for sunscreen claims)
Tekstil Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Water Resistance test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Textile testing answers two questions separately: does the fabric hold up physically over its service life, and does it carry any substance restricted for human health? These two axes require different laboratory infrastructure and different decision mechanisms.
On the physical side, breaking and tear strength, abrasion resistance, pilling, dimensional change, colour fastness and water and oil repellency are measured. Most of these tests depend on the USE SCENARIO: Martindale abrasion cycles are decisive for an upholstery fabric, while dimensional change in washing and colour fastness come to the fore for a shirting fabric. The same fabric goes through a different test set for a different use.
Colour fastness is a body of work of its own in this field and is not a single test. The fastness of the same fabric to light, washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, chlorinated water and ironing is measured separately; each represents a different moment of use. Results are rated from 1 to 5 on the grey scale and the specification gives a separate minimum rating for each agent.
On the chemical side, aromatic amines released from azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, alkylphenols and PFAS compounds are screened. These items come from REACH restrictions, brand restricted substance lists (RSL) and voluntary schemes such as OEKO-TEX. Brand lists are often stricter than legislation; the target customer is decisive.
There is NO CE marking on consumer textiles. The obligation has three legs: fibre composition and care labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions, and general product safety. Textiles claiming a protective function (workwear, flame-resistant clothing, high-visibility clothing) fall under personal protective equipment legislation, where CE is mandatory — this distinction is commercially critical.
Verifying the label declaration is the most routine work in the field. Quantitative fibre analysis confirms the blend ratio stated on the label; tolerance ranges are defined in legislation. An incorrect fibre declaration both misleads the consumer and affects customs classification.
Sustainability claims have added a new body of work to the field in recent years: verification of recycled content (GRS, RCS), organic content (GOTS), restriction of harmful chemicals and water/energy footprint declarations. These claims now require auditable evidence.
Method groups in this field
Strength and durability
Strip and grab breaking strength, tearing by the Elmendorf and tongue methods, seam strength, bursting strength.
Abrasion and surface
Martindale and rotary platform abrasion, pilling and fuzzing, fabric mass and thread density measurements.
Dimensional stability
Dimensional change in washing and drying, wrinkling behaviour, appearance after ironing.
Colour fastness
Fastness to light (xenon), washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, water and chlorinated water; rating on the grey scale.
Functional properties
Water repellency (spray test), oil repellency, waterproofness, air permeability, effectiveness of antibacterial finishes, UV protection factor.
Chemical analyses
Aromatic amines from azo dyes, formaldehyde, pH, heavy metals, phthalates, chlorinated phenols, PFAS and alkylphenols.
Commonly confused in this field
- A brand restricted substance list (RSL) may be stricter than legislation; REACH compliance does not mean compliance with the customer specification.
- Textiles claiming a protective function fall under PPE legislation and require CE; an ordinary textile test report does not satisfy that file.
- Colour fastness is not a single number; a rating cannot be interpreted without stating which agent it relates to.
- A result obtained for a fabric does not cover the whole garment made from it; lining, sewing thread, print and trims are assessed separately.
- Performance claims after washing are valid together with the stated number of wash cycles; the word "permanent" on its own is not verifiable.
Which decisions these results support
- Compliance with the brand restricted substance list (RSL)
- Verification of label declarations: fibre composition and care instructions
- Determining the performance class of upholstery and technical textiles
- Pre-import shipment inspection and lot acceptance
- Supporting sustainability and recycled content claims
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Resistance
Are waterproof and water repellent the same thing?
It is not. Water repellent is the ability of the surface to bead and drain water and is achieved by the finish. Waterproof is the ability to resist water under pressure and requires a membrane or coating. A product is water repellent and can pass through water.
Are the seams also tested?
Fabric experiments do not include sewing. A garment made from a waterproof fabric will absorb water through the seams if the seam holes are not taped. If final product performance is desired, the stitched sample or assembled product must be tested separately.
What is required for a sunscreen to declare 'water resistant'?
The claim is based on measurement demonstrating that a certain percentage of protection is retained after immersion in water. ISO 16217 defines immersion and ISO 18861 defines how retention is calculated. The measurement is carried out together with the SPF determination.