Why do camping gear reviews always turn into a physics lesson?

I was looking at rain jackets online, and every review talks about 'hydrostatic head' ratings. It's funny because I just want to know if I'll stay dry, not pass a test.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_jamie1mo ago

The worst I saw was a tent review that listed the thread count of the mosquito netting. Like I'm picking out fancy sheets instead of trying to not get eaten alive. Next they'll include the chemical formula for the waterproof coating so you can study up before your trip.

henrywest1mo ago

I bought a Marmot PreCip jacket last year and completely ignored the tech specs. I just wore it in a heavy storm for twenty minutes to see if my arms got wet. What's the most ridiculous spec you've seen on a product page?

julia_rodriguez921mo ago

Lol the hydrostatic head thing kills me. They'll be like "this jacket survived a 20,000mm water column torture test." Bro, I'm trying to not get soggy on a hike, not recreate waterboarding in my closet. Next they'll tell me the zipper's tensile strength and expect me to bring a lab coat camping.