Cold rain is one of the most demanding outdoor conditions: water cools the body faster than air, wind accelerates heat loss, and sweat must continue to evaporate despite waterproof protection. Equipping for these situations requires a precise balance of internal moisture management, external protection, and controlled warmth. The AYAQ collection, built around ultra-performance membranes (52,000 Schmerbers), RWS merino wool, and technical insulated jackets, effectively meets these challenges.
1. Understanding the hazard of cold rain
Cold rain causes conductive cooling: water extracts heat from the body up to 25 times faster than air. Combined with wind, it creates a “fridge effect” that can quickly exceed the body’s heat production capacity, even in motion. The clothing system must therefore:
- block water before it reaches insulating layers,
- prevent wind penetration,
- continue to evacuate internal moisture,
- maintain stable warmth without over-insulating.
This is achieved by AYAQ hardshells combined with appropriate base layers.
2. Base layer: managing internal moisture
An unsuitable base layer under cold rain leads to rapid cooling. The RWS merino wool used by AYAQ is essential to prevent this. It stays warm even when wet and gradually wicks sweat away.
- SHIRWALI (men / women): merino + Tencel (~240 g), warm and ideal for cold, wet conditions.
- MEFONNA (men / women): 100% versatile merino, perfect for sustained activity despite rain.
- BIAFO (men / women): 100% lightweight merino, for high and continuous intensity.
The goal: prevent body moisture from turning cold under the hardshell.
3. Mid layer: controlled, breathable warmth
In cold rain, the mid layer must stay warm even if moisture passes through the system, without excessive vapor buildup.
KOKANEE (men / women)
Ideal during cold rain if activity remains high: highly breathable, preventing internal saturation.
AROLLA (men / women)
Warmer, useful for rest phases or dropping temperatures, but to avoid during very intense effort.
BATURA (insulated hardshell jacket)
BATURA is the only AYAQ down jacket with a waterproof membrane. It combines premium insulation with full rain and wind protection. It excels in cold rain for:
- waiting phases,
- moderate-intensity activities,
- very wet and exposed environments.
A piece designed to stay warm despite water exposure.
4. Outer layer: AYAQ hardshells, the benchmark for cold rain
AYAQ’s three hardshells — SKORA (men / women), LONAK (men / women), and LONAK-XT (men / women) — use a non-microporous hydrophilic membrane tested up to 52,000 Schmerbers, an exceptional waterproof rating in outdoor gear, combined with breathability RET < 12. They protect in all conditions:
- Prolonged cold rain
- Saturated snow
- Heavy fog
- Strong wind
All three models share the same membrane and are suitable year-round:
SKORA (men / women)
The most streamlined hardshell: lightweight, simple, perfect for dynamic outings where weather can change rapidly.
LONAK (men / women)
AYAQ’s flagship product, raglan sleeves, external tapings inspired by Inuit clothing. More enveloping and structured, ideal for prolonged cold, wet environments.
LONAK-XT (men / women) (formerly LONAK-XT (men / women))
The most functional version: chest pockets, revolver pockets, skin pockets, drawcords, RECCO. Designed for extreme conditions and long-duration activities in wet climates.
All three offer perfect cold rain protection thanks to their unique, ultra-light membrane (170 g/m²), PFC-free, and clog-resistant.
5. Pants for cold rain: high-performance hardshell and softshell
NUNATAK (men / women)
Fully hardshell pants using the same membrane as the jackets. Fully waterproof, perfect for long outings in saturated terrain, wet approaches, ski touring in rain/wet snow.
BATURA PANTS
Waterproof insulated pants, ideal for cold, wet environments where warmth and protection must coexist.
RIMO (men / women)
Softshell with windproof membrane on the front, highly effective in light to moderate rain, breathable, ideal for intense efforts in unstable cold weather.
6. Building an effective system for cold rain
Some relevant combinations based on effort:
- Active effort in cold rain: BIAFO (men / women) + KOKANEE (men / women) + SKORA (men / women) or LONAK (men / women).
- Moderate effort, prolonged rain: MEFONNA (men / women) + AROLLA (men / women) + LONAK (men / women).
- Waiting phases, very wet weather: SHIRWALI (men / women) + KOKANEE (men / women) + BATURA (jacket).
- Effort in saturated terrain: merino base layer + KOKANEE (men / women) + LONAK-XT (men / women) + NUNATAK (men / women).
The goal: protect from external cold while allowing body moisture to escape.
7. 100% European manufacturing and responsible materials
Like all AYAQ pieces, garments designed for cold rain are:
- made in France, Italy, Germany, Portugal,
- crafted from premium recycled materials and RWS merino wool,
- durable, tested in real conditions by Mike Horn, Vincent Defrasne, and field teams.
Cold rain demands a serious system: AYAQ builds it around uncompromising membranes, high-performance natural wools, and European textile expertise.
Conclusion
In cold rain, performance depends on a delicate balance: staying warm without trapping moisture. Thanks to its 52,000 Schmerbers hardshells, technical insulated jackets like BATURA, breathable midlayers, and RWS merino base layers, AYAQ offers a coherent, reliable system to face the harshest wet conditions, even over long durations.
