Jacket Functionalities
What do the Icons inside your jacket mean?
Our design team set out to create jackets that perform in real life – whether the weather shifts unexpectedly or you’re simply going about your day. This all results in a collection made from high-performance materials that blend technology, sustainability, protection, and all-season versatility. Each piece has icons printed on the inside to help you understand its key functions. Below we explain what each symbol means and why it matters.
Windproof Level
Wind can strip away body heat, so a good jacket should stop cold air from cutting through. We test the outer shell fabrics of our jackets using a recognized standard that measures air permeability, the amount of air that can pass through a fabric.
We use the ISO 9237:1995 test method, a common benchmark in the industry, which allows for easy comparison to similar jackets from other brands.
Based on the results, we assign one of five windproof levels:
· Level 5 – Highly windproof: Fabrics with ultra-low air permeability (0–5 litres per square metre per second). These materials are used in wind stopper jackets, for heavy weather conditions and high-performance soft shells.
· Level 4 – Excellent wind resistance: Fabrics with very low air permeability (5–10 L/m²/s). Ideal for sporty jackets, shells protecting you from the elements and lightweight soft shells.
· Level 3 – Moderate wind resistance: Fabrics with low air permeability (10–40 L/m²/s). Used in jackets and many other outdoor garments.
· Level 2 – Low wind resistance: Fabrics with medium air permeability (40–100 L/m²/s). Suitable for basic outdoor and sportswear.
· Level 1 – Not windproof: Fabrics with high air permeability (over 100 L/m²/s). These are typical in casual, everyday clothing.
The windproof level printed in your jacket describes the fabric itself. Design details such as cuffs, hem drawcords and zips also affect how wind tight the jacket feels in practice.
Water Repellent Level
No one enjoys getting soaked. To keep you dry in unexpected showers, the outer shells of our Superior Comfort jackets are treated with a water-repellent finish. We test this finish using the ISO 4920:2012 Spray Rating method, which rates the fabric from 0 (fully soaked) to 5 (dry). Here’s how to interpret the levels:
· Level 5 – Excellent water repellency: No soaking or sticking of water droplets. Rain beads up and rolls off.
· Level 4 – Very good: Slightly moist in small areas, but water does not stick.
· Level 3 – Moderate: Noticeable wet parts over a moderate area. Provides short-term protection.
· Level 2 – Poor: Significant wet areas over most of the surface. Fabric will absorb water over time.
· Level 1 – Very poor: Almost complete soaking of the surface. Minimal protection.
Levels 4–5 are used for high-performance rainwear and DWR-treated soft shells. Levels 2–3 are found in everyday jackets that resist light showers but may absorb water over time. Levels 0–1 offer no real protection. Over time, washing and wear will reduce water repellency, so reproof your jacket when water stops beading on the surface.
Recycled Shell, Padding and Lining
Choosing recycled materials is one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental impact. We cut down on the need for newly sourced raw materials, keep waste out of landfills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Our jackets show the Recycled icon only when the shell, padding or lining contains at least 90% recycled content.
You can find the precise percentages on our website or on the care label. Using recycled fabrics helps to extend the life cycle of materials and supports a more circular economy.
For more information about our approach to materials and sustainability, please visit the sustainability page on our website.
BIONIC-FINISH® ECO
Traditional durable water-repellent treatments often rely on highly fluorinated chemicals (PFASs) that persist in the environment. Our Superior Comfort collection uses BIONIC-FINISH® ECO, a unique and patented water-repellent impregnation from the Rudolf Group.
This finish is fluorine-free, meaning it contains no PFASs. Instead, it uses a special structure of hyper-branched polymers inspired by natural water-repellent surfaces. The result is excellent water repellency without the environmental impact of conventional treatments.
Because of its fluorine-free formulation, however, BIONIC-FINISH® ECO does not repel dirt and oils, so regular cleaning will help maintain its performance.
For more information, visit: https://rudolf.de/brands/bionic-finish-eco
All Season Versatility
A jacket you can wear year-round needs to balance protection and comfort. Our all-season jackets combine a bad weather resistant outer shell with a light insulation.
In colder months, the insulation helps trap body heat; in milder conditions, the construction prevents overheating. Features such as adjustable hoods, cuff tabs and hem drawcords allow you to customize fit and ventilation, making the jacket adaptable for everything from spring showers to winter winds.