Waterproof or breathable — which matters more here?
Both, and the second one is the one people underestimate. A fully sealed jacket in 90% humidity turns into a sauna and ends up on the ute seat. Look for pit vents, a mesh or drop liner, and a cut loose enough to move air.
What do the ratings mean?
Waterproofing is quoted in millimetres — the height of a water column the fabric holds before it leaks. Higher is more waterproof and usually less breathable. Where a manufacturer publishes the figure it is on the product page; where they do not, treat the garment as shower-proof rather than a day in it.
Is there hi-vis wet weather gear?
Yes, including taped waterproof jackets. Worth checking the class before you buy — a wet season night on a road corridor is exactly the condition retroreflective tape exists for.
When should we order?
Before November. Everyone in Darwin wants rain gear in the same fortnight, and that is when supplier stock down south runs out. Ordering in the dry costs the same and actually arrives.