Taped Seams Explained
In brief: Taped, or sealed, seams have a thin waterproof tape heat-bonded over the inside of each stitched seam to seal the tiny needle holes that sewing leaves behind. Without sealing, water can seep through those holes even in a waterproof fabric, so taped seams are essential to genuinely waterproof jackets and trousers. Fully taped means every seam is sealed; critically taped means only the most exposed seams are. It is a key feature to check on any waterproof garment.
What are taped seams?
Taped seams are stitched seams that have been sealed with a thin strip of waterproof tape, heat-bonded over the seam on the inside of the garment. The reason they exist is simple: every time a needle passes through waterproof fabric to sew a seam, it leaves a row of tiny holes. Even though the fabric itself is waterproof, those needle holes are weak points where water can seep through under rain and pressure. Sealing the seam with tape covers the holes so water cannot get in, turning a merely water-resistant construction into a genuinely waterproof one.
How seam taping works
After a garment is sewn, a special machine feeds a waterproof tape over the inside of each seam and uses heat and pressure to bond it permanently to the fabric, covering the stitching and the needle holes. The tape becomes part of the garment, creating a continuous waterproof barrier along the seam line. Done well, it is barely noticeable from the outside, but on the inside you can see the smooth strips of tape running along every sealed seam. The quality of the taping, how well it is applied and how durable the tape is, has a big effect on how long a waterproof garment stays waterproof.
Fully taped vs critically taped
Not all waterproof garments seal every seam. A fully taped garment has tape over all of its seams, giving the most complete waterproof protection, and is what you want for serious wet-weather use. A critically taped garment seals only the seams in the most exposed areas, such as the shoulders and hood, while leaving less exposed seams untaped to save cost and weight. Critically taped gear offers good protection in showers and lighter conditions but can let water in through the unsealed seams in sustained heavy rain. Knowing which one you are buying tells you how much weather it will really handle.
Looking after taped seams
Seam tape is durable but not indestructible, and it is usually the first thing to fail on an ageing waterproof. Over years of use, heat and flexing, the tape can begin to peel away at the edges, at which point water can start getting in. To extend its life, follow the care label, wash with technical cleaners rather than harsh detergent, avoid very hot washes and aggressive drying, and store the garment dry and loosely rather than crumpled. If tape does start to lift, repair tapes are available, but prevention through gentle care is far easier than fixing peeling seams.
Taped-seam outerwear at OD's Designer Clothing
At OD's Designer Clothing we stock waterproof jackets and outerwear from premium brands with taped seams for genuine wet-weather protection, chosen for construction that keeps the rain out. Taped seams are a core part of what separates a true waterproof from a merely shower-resistant layer. We offer next-day delivery and free click and collect, and customers in the North West are welcome to inspect the construction in person at our St Helens store.