Waterproof vs Water Resistant: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to protecting our belongings from water damage, terms like “waterproof” and “water-resistant” are often used interchangeably. However, these terms have distinct differences. In this article, we’ll explore what waterproof and water-resistant mean, their examples, uses, and the key differences between them.

What is Waterproof?

Waterproof refers to a material that is impervious to water. This means that even if the material is submerged in water, it won’t allow any water to penetrate. Waterproof materials are designed to keep the contents they protect completely dry, even in the harshest conditions.

Examples of Waterproof

Rubberized fabrics
Dry bags
Diving watches
Waterproof cameras
Waterproof phone cases

Uses of Waterproof

Waterproof materials are often used to protect items that are vulnerable to water damage, such as electronics, outdoor gear, and clothing. They are also used in construction for materials that will be exposed to moisture, such as roofs and foundations.

What is Water Resistant?

Water-resistant refers to a material that can resist the penetration of water to some degree, but cannot completely prevent it. Water-resistant materials are designed to keep the contents they protect relatively dry, but are not guaranteed to keep them completely free from water damage.

Examples of Water Resistant

Gore-tex jackets
Water-resistant backpacks
Water-resistant watches
Water-resistant shoes
Water-resistant tents

Uses of Water Resistant

Water-resistant materials are often used in items that will be exposed to moisture, but do not need to be completely waterproof. They are commonly used in outdoor gear, clothing, and accessories.

Differences Table

Waterproof	Water Resistant
Completely impervious to water	Resists water to some degree, but cannot completely prevent it
Keeps contents completely dry	Keeps contents relatively dry, but not guaranteed to keep them completely free from water damage
Can be submerged in water	Can withstand brief exposure to water
Used to protect items vulnerable to water damage	Used in items that will be exposed to moisture, but do not need to be completely waterproof
Examples: rubberized fabrics, diving watches, waterproof cameras	Examples: Gore-tex jackets, water-resistant backpacks, water-resistant shoes
Commonly used in outdoor gear, electronics, and construction materials	Commonly used in outdoor gear, clothing, and accessories
More expensive than water-resistant materials	Less expensive than waterproof materials
Requires maintenance to retain water resistance	Requires maintenance to retain water resistance
Provides complete protection against water damage	Protects against minimal water damage
Designed for use in extreme conditions	Designed for use in moderate to mild conditions

Conclusion

In conclusion, the main difference between waterproof and water-resistant is the degree of water protection they offer. Waterproof materials are designed to keep contents completely dry and can withstand submersion in water, while water-resistant materials are only able to resist brief exposure to water and are not guaranteed to keep contents completely free from water damage.

Knowledge Check

Let’s test your knowledge on the differences between waterproof and water-resistant with these ten questions. The answers are provided below.

What does it mean when a material is waterproof?
Can water-resistant materials completely prevent water damage?
What types of materials are commonly waterproof?
What types of items are commonly water-resistant?
What is the main difference between waterproof and water-resistant?
Can water-resistant materials be submerged in water?
Do waterproof materials require maintenance to retain water resistance?
Which type of material offers complete protection against water damage?
Which type of material is more expensive?
Which type of material is designed for use in extreme conditions?

Knowledge Check Answers

Waterproof means that a material is impervious to water.
No, water-resistant materials can only resist water to some degree.
Rubberized fabrics, diving watches, and waterproof cameras are commonly waterproof.
Water-resistant backpacks, jackets, shoes, and tents are commonly water-resistant.
Waterproof offers complete protection against water damage, while water-resistant only offers minimal protection.
Water-resistant materials can withstand brief exposure to water, but cannot be submerged.
Yes, waterproof materials require maintenance to retain their water resistance.
Waterproof materials offer complete protection against water damage.
Waterproof materials are generally more expensive than water-resistant materials.
Waterproof materials are designed for use in extreme conditions.

10 Differences Between waterproof and water resistant