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 conditions requires a precise balance of internal moisture management, external protection, and controlled warmth. The AYAQ range, built around ultra-performance membranes (52,000 Schmerbers), RWS merino wool, and technical insulated jackets, effectively meets these challenges.
1. Understanding the Danger of Cold Rain
Cold rain causes conductive cooling: water draws 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.
AYAQ hardshells combined with appropriate base layers achieve this.
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.
- SHIRWALI (men / women): merino + Tencel (~240 g), warm and ideal for cold, damp conditions.
- MEFONNA (men / women): 100% versatile merino, perfect when activity remains steady despite rain.
- BIAFO (men / women): 100% lightweight merino, suited for sustained high 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 for cold rain when activity is high: highly breathable, it prevents internal saturation.
AROLLA (men / women)
Warmer, useful during rest phases or colder temperatures, but to avoid during intense effort.
BATURA (insulated hardshell jacket)
BATURA is AYAQ’s only down jacket with a waterproof membrane. It combines premium insulation and full rain-wind protection. It excels in cold rain for:
- waiting periods,
- 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) — feature 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 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)
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 provide excellent cold rain protection thanks to their unique, ultra-light (170 g/m²), PFC-free membrane that resists clogging.
5. Pants for Cold Rain: High-Performance Hardshell and Softshell
NUNATAK (men / women)
Fully waterproof hardshell pants using the same membrane as the jackets. Perfect for long outings in saturated terrain, wet approaches, and ski touring in rain or wet snow.
BATURA PANTS
Waterproof insulated pants, ideal for cold, damp 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
Recommended combinations based on activity level:
- 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
As with all AYAQ pieces, garments designed for cold rain are:
- manufactured in France, Italy, Germany, Portugal,
- made with premium recycled materials and RWS merino wool,
- durable, field-tested by Mike Horn, Vincent Defrasne, and the 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.
