The most cotton type of outerwear fabrics is broken into two types: with or without membrane.
3 Layer Fabrics
When two fabrics are bonded together with a membrane in between. The purpose of a membrane is to make the fabric waterproof and breathable at the same time. This type of fabric normally has the most comfort but at the same time most expensive among the three.
2 Layer
When the membrane is bonded with another fabric. This is the cheapest method among the three, but jackets with two-layer fabrics normally require a lining, so there is no direct skin contact with the membrane.
2.5 Layer
This is basically a two-layer bonded fabric but with functional print at the back. For example, there are graphene or ceramic printing on the membrane, to increase insulation of the fabric.