Waterproof jacket advice

[Memyself]

Hi,

I'm attempting the WHW at the end of the month and was looking for recommendations from you seasoned walkers for a decent waterproof jacket up to about the £300 mark?

Thanks in advance

[Sgurr]

I know some people think that paramo is just for oldies, but oldies know they want to stay dry through bitter experience. Husband has a Paramo alta, and you can get them in ebay seconds shop. They are often seconds because they are funny colours

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Paramo-Second ... 1787442048

Try the Make an Offer button. I got mine for considerably less that way, and now wish I had gone lower. You can always increase your offer.

However, if you want plain black like everyone else, you prob have to pay.

[TheFox]

Well, you're not giving us much to go on. All the major manufacturers have what you are looking for.

You don't need a super-tough mountaineering shell, but considering you will be carrying a moderately heavy backpack you shouldn't go for the super lightweight fabrics either. The WHW will not push you to the limits of exhaustion physically, but on the other hand temperatures at the end of May may well be high enough to get you sweating when walking up a gentle slope, so you should be looking for something breathable.

Which doesn't leave us any wiser, because there are still close to a hundred jackets out there that'll do the trick. It's really down to personal preference, and whatever features you may want.

Are hikes like the WHW in spring/summer the only thing you want to do in the shell? Do you also hike in winter? Do you do (or plan to do in the future) any more 'serious' activities such as climbing or mountaineering? Do you want a helmet compatible hood? Does the jacket need to be very light/packable? Do you sweat easily and need the ultimate in breathability? How many pockets would you like?

If you answer these questions we can offer some more targeted advice

[Memyself]

Well, you're not giving us much to go on. All the major manufacturers have what you are looking for.

You don't need a super-tough mountaineering shell, but considering you will be carrying a moderately heavy backpack you shouldn't go for the super lightweight fabrics either. The WHW will not push you to the limits of exhaustion physically, but on the other hand temperatures at the end of May may well be high enough to get you sweating when walking up a gentle slope, so you should be looking for something breathable.

Which doesn't leave us any wiser, because there are still close to a hundred jackets out there that'll do the trick. It's really down to personal preference, and whatever features you may want.

Are hikes like the WHW in spring/summer the only thing you want to do in the shell? Do you also hike in winter? Do you do (or plan to do in the future) any more 'serious' activities such as climbing or mountaineering? Do you want a helmet compatible hood? Does the jacket need to be very light/packable? Do you sweat easily and need the ultimate in breathability? How many pockets would you like?

If you answer these questions we can offer some more targeted advice [/quote][/quote]

I'm just starting out, but would like a shell that would do winter as well. I'm not planning on moving into climbing or mountaineering, pockets don't really know yet tbh.

Thanks.

[TheFox]

If you want to use it in winter, it should be at least a bit roomy, so you can fit several layers underneath. For winter, when the weather can get pretty gnarly, a nice hood with wired peak and a high collar is great to have, as it keeps the wind/sleet/ice out. Other than that, pretty much any jacket will do the trick.

This is a pretty good article on 'How to buy a waterproof jacket': http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/cl ... ing-advice

Frankly, most brands do have something like that in your price range. Just to throw some names in:

Millet Trident (£160)
Mammut Juho (£180)
Mountain Equipment Odyssey (£200)
Mountain Equipment Ogre (£230)
Vaude Croz 3L II (£230)
Mountain Equipment Firefox (£275)
Mammut Crater HS (£300)

Just a couple of jackets that should fit the bill.

At the same time, Decathlon (their Quechua and Simond brands in particular) do some pretty good stuff, both relative to the price and in general. Not Arc'teryx or Mountain Equipment level, but generally very well regarded. Their Quechua Forclaz 400 shell gets very good reviews and is only £60.