Water-resistant vs. Waterproof: The Difference?

Water-resistant vs. Waterproof

An unexpected downpour can ruin the joy of zipping around the neighborhood or down nearby streets on your electric scooter. 

Regardless of whether you only ride your e-scooter occasionally or if scooting is your primary form of transport, know that you’ll have to deal with wet weather conditions from time to time. The puddles and wetness can make riding an absolute misery. This has led to many electric scooter riders asking whether the water-repelling rating on their e-scooter can safeguard their ride during a downpour or in wet conditions. 

This article will consider what water resistance and waterproofing mean, what protection each offers against water damage, and other things to know about rain rides. Keep reading to find out!

Note: If you own a Kaabo Mantis 8, riding it in the rain is not recommended in order to avoid destroying your electric scooter and its internal electronic parts.

With a rugged tubeless tire design and great suspension handles, however, you can ride the Mantis 8 on slippery surfaces, perhaps after a downpour when the road is still wet.

Why it’s Not Safe to Ride in Wet Weather Conditions

It’s not safe for you and your bike when riding in the rain, especially during a heavy downpour. It’s important to let you in on the problems you could face if you ride an electric scooter under wet conditions.

First, rain reduces your visibility as a rider, making it hard to spot obstacles on the road. This problem will be more pronounced if the riding takes place at night. Second, when riding in wet conditions, the friction between the tire and the road surface is reduced. The slippery road surface can lower your bike’s traction on the ground and cause you to lose control of your bike. If you slip on your ride, this can result in a fall or accident that can lead to severe injuries, including broken bones. Further, another dreaded challenge of riding during a downpour is water seeping into the ride. When you get your e-scooter soaked, so to speak, you’ll be exposing the internal parts to rust and corrosion, as the electronics inside are not waterproof. Also, the battery, which gives your scooter its power, could be damaged.

However, it’s possible to get caught in the rain or in wet weather conditions – that’s understandable! This is one reason many riders ask if the water-resistant/waterproof rating feature on their electric scooter can provide enough protection against water damage. This leads us to the next point.

Water-Resistant vs. Waterproof: The Difference?

Unfortunately, some riders have an incorrect understanding of these two terms and confuse both. Let’s, however, quickly get the basics right. A water-resistant scooter can keep water from seeping in quickly as you hurry to the nearest cafe for shelter. On the other hand, a waterproof electric scooter can resist water for an extended period or be submerged entirely in water.

An electric scooter can never be entirely waterproof due to the chassis and other tiny little openings. It can only be water-resistant to some extent or degree. Here comes the water-resistance scale

Electric Scooter Water Resistance Scale Rating

Ingress Protection (IP) rating of a scooter measures how well the scooter is protected from the elements – solid objects such as dust and water in the form of rain, moisture, and the like.

You might have noticed that there’s always one or two figures attached to an IP rating, e.g., IP65. The first number (6) indicates protection against solid materials, while the second number (5) points to the product’s resistance to water. Many electric scooters have the number “5” on the water-resistance side, meaning they are resistant to water splashes coming from any direction. A figure of 6 or 7 means enhanced but not total water protection.

What to Do After Riding in a Rain

If you have a few splashes of rain on your Mantis 8 scooter as you make it to a shelter or when riding on a wet surface, wipe it the ride before bringing it indoors. A dry towel is usually enough to remove the water from the ride. Doing this will help prevent water from seeping into openings on the scooter. Also, humidity may cause moisture buildup on the inside of the ride and cause some internal components to rust. So do not store your electric scooter in places with high humidity but in a dry and cool place.

The Bottom Line

If you’re outside riding your electronic scooter when it suddenly starts to rain, or you notice unfavorable weather conditions, ride to the nearest shelter or wait until the weather is favorable. Even if your e-scooter comes with a pretty good IP rating, keep in mind that water seepage into the ride’s internal compartment can lead to costly repairs or replacements. If you’re looking for an electronic scooter with great power and handling on wet surfaces, check the Kaabo Mantis 8 out. The electronic scooter has a great design and other desirable features a modern e-scooter should have.