Waterproof / Rainproof jacket

[Mr R]

Thanks for that Sparkyy. I've heard mixed reviews about Paramo. One of the reasons that I'm reluctant to buy another Keela, is that they are made of thin material (my jacket has gradually been reduced to shreds due to scrambling through hawthorn bushes etc.!) - are Paramo coats more robust?

The other alternatives that I'm considering are a decent Deerhunter or Seeland coat - but, again, the reviews are all over the shop!

[jansman]

Well, call me 'retro' but I am a big fan of Barbour wax jackets. I have a 20 year old Solway. Barbour fixed the zip 6 years ago and re waxed it/ fixed the holes. No charge. Tough as hell. I have shot/ fished/ rabbitted in it, slept under it and wrapped a dying dog in it. To name a few activities.

[Sparkyy]

Thanks for that Sparkyy. I've heard mixed reviews about Paramo. One of the reasons that I'm reluctant to buy another Keela, is that they are made of thin material (my jacket has gradually been reduced to shreds due to scrambling through hawthorn bushes etc.!) - are Paramo coats more robust?

The other alternatives that I'm considering are a decent Deerhunter or Seeland coat - but, again, the reviews are all over the shop!

They don't feel robust and probably not the best if you're crawling through Hawthorn (why would you want to do that ) but I've never had any issues at all with them and worst case if they do RIP they can be sewn without ruining their waterproofness. If you're doing more fieldcraft type stuff have a look at some thing like the keela Falkland it's ventile with a liner so tough and waterproof at sensible money. For what it's worth I've been wearing paramo for years and years for work and general out and about in the woods with the dog and stuff and never ripped any of them but if you're more in hawthorn gorse and brambles maybe ventile or monsoon etc would be better suited.

[Mr R]

Thanks for the reply.

I can assure you that I don't choose to go through hawthorn bushes out of choice! That said, most weekends I am out walking and once you get off the beaten track you are soon greeted by gorse, hawthorn, brambles etc. Whilst Keela make good clothing, my waterproof is not designed for that, which is why I am considering one of the 'tougher' jackets.

I had a look at the Paramo website this afternoon and like the look of their Halcon and Pajaro jackets. Are they similar to the Keela Falklands coat? (I had a look at one last week, but I wasn't overly impressed - I think that it had Velcro or was made of a 'noisy' material, which is not what you need if you are birdwatching.)

Following on from jansman's post (thanks for the comments) I had a chat with a colleague who owns a non-waxed Barbour, which I like the look of. Big pockets, warm and well made, but surprisingly a lot lighter than it looks.

I think that I am going to opt for one of the above, or the Deerhunter and get the Keela waterproof repaired to be used for day to day wear.

[Sparkyy]

The paramo halcon is my favourite jacket of all time from paramo I wear it most days walking the dog absolutely love it. The Falkland I tried on wasn't noisy from memory but it was a while back, the halcon has Velcro on the cuffs but that's it and in use is about as quiet as you can get for a waterproof. I've got a Barbour somewhere but I just don't like it, it's not as comfortable imo certainly not as breathable as the paramo but they're bomb proof. From memory I think gooutdoors carry the pajero jacket if you want to try one on

[lee3]

I have always worn an old beaten leather jacket and carried a. British army goretex overcoat in my backpack.....but as my old jacket is so nearly dead its unsalvageable I have just had bought for me a craghoppers aquadry coat with removable liner its supposed to be their version of goretex.....because I used to love craghoppers stuff and it was seen in a sale for £40 reduced from £140 at debenhams now my mum couldn't resist it....I have noticed a downturn in the quality of their stuff recently so I won't retire the goretex just yet.
I have to say one day in first impressions are good...it was very warm but remained dry inside good pockets and lightweight with the liner in is a bonus for me...my old jacket weighed a ton
It will be a bit late for this thread but I will let you know how its got on after a month or so of daily winter weather use

[Hamradioop]

.....because I used to love craghoppers stuff and it was seen in a sale for £40 reduced from £140 at debenhams now my mum couldn't resist it....I have noticed a downturn in the quality of their stuff recently so I won't retire the goretex just yet.
I have to say one day in first impressions are good...it was very warm but remained dry inside good pockets and lightweight with the liner in is a bonus for me...my old jacket weighed a ton
It will be a bit late for this thread but I will let you know how its got on after a month or so of daily winter weather use

craghoppers is now owned by Regatta, they have let the accountants loose and the quality has suffered.

[lee3]

Thanks for the explanation I have wondered why the quality technical stuff is disappearing and being replaced with very ordinary expensive for what it is goods....what a shame I have loved there goods for years.....I hope this coat works out....but for that price I can't complain!!!

[Mr R]

Many thanks for all of the advice / suggestions. I ended up at the Sportsman Gun Centre's sale yesterday and bought a Deerhunter Kamchatka jacket for £60. Very pleased with it - lots of pockets! Off to stand in the rain and test it!

Merry Christmas everyone.