Waterproof jackets

[Frnc]

Note. All the above are called hardshells, but one or two might be described as softshells in they look and feel like a softshell. They will be highly waterproof though. I have a jacket like that. In fact I have three. One is a Montane Further Faster Neo Jacket. The other two are Madison Flux.

All jackets give a waterproof and breathability rating. Waterproof rating is called Hydrostatic Head. Downpour Plus is Hydrostatic Head: 20,000 mm, Breathability: MVTR 20,000g/m2/24 hrs

Waterproofness Ratings:



5,000mm: This is the minimum rating for a jacket to be called rainproof, however, it won’t stand up to much more than a light shower.

10,000mm – 15,000mm: A jacket in this range will withstand most downpours as well as heavy snow, but will soak through over time if subjected to pressure, such as crashing in wet snow, kneeling or sitting down, or a heavy pack.

20,000mm and Up: This is the rating you should look for if you plan to be out in all conditions carrying a heavy load.

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Breathability Ratings:

5,000 – 10,000g/m²: This level of breathability is fine for resort skiing, urban travel or camping in the rain, but will get a bit clammy during high-intensity hiking or climbing.

10,000 – 15,000g/m²: Jackets in this range are suited to more adventurous travel or backcountry skiing, but breaking trail through snow or straight uphill might prove too much.

15,000 – 20,000g/m² & above: An extended trip to the hills, trekking in warm climates or otherwise working hard and perspiring heavily will require a jacket this breathable.

https://www.snowandrock.com/expert-advi ... ained.html

Also, all good jackets should have an adjuster toggle at the back of the hood to reduce the volume. The Flux don't have this, but they are aimed at cyclists. I put my helmet on top and no adjuster is needed or wanted. Look out for "Front and rear hood adjustment"

[Happyhatter]

Great tips, didn't realise about waterproof/breathable ratings (every days a school day) and layers definitely work for keeping warm maybe because I'm a cheapskate and refuse to put heating on until it's stupidly cold

[Zedsdead]

2nd hand shops!! I got a north face racket in decent condition for a fiver and more recently I found a berghaus mera peak in perfect condition for only 20 quid! That’s a £200 jacket or more

[Trojanhorse]

Arktis or Ark Air - there is a few on ebay currently. I have a few and all very good.

[Frnc]

Yeah, one of my Madison Flux's (yellow, for cycling) was £25 off ebay (RRP £125), tiny oil mark on arm (stated in ad), clearly not worn much. I draw a line at used next to the skin cycling bib-shorts that "have a slight odour" though, I kid you not, that was a real advert.

Material on Flux was so good I forked out for a new one in black for day to day use, I just wish it had a rear hood adjuster, but they are made for cycling.

[Rusty74]

ex army dpm gortex trousers and jacket here

[Frnc]

ex army dpm gortex trousers and jacket here

Goretex of course was the gold standard for years and still is one of the top makes. But then other manufacturers created alternatives.

There's one called NeoShell I mentioned earlier. It's made by by Polartec (the people who made the original fleece). I have a Montane jacket with it.They claim that it is the world's most beathable fabric technology. Also it's very stretchy, hence why NeoShell jackets (and similar products, copies) sometimes get called softshell.
NeoShell was launced in 2011 but it has become hard to find. Apparently manufacturers replaced it with Gore-Tex, or proprietary air-permeable waterproof fabrics which are basically copies of Neoshell fabric.

So why did NeoShell not catch on?
Apparently reasons were cost, production issues, and the fact that the Hyrostatic Head (waterproofness) was only 10,000mm which is a bit low to be able to market to the masses. It is still available on a few expensive American products.

Best similar one I've found is the Madison Flux jacket, but that's for cyclists and the hood isn't adjustable. Also it's said to be not completely waterproof, although I've never had an issue with it. Manufacturer claims 20,000mm waterproof rating and 30,000gms breathability. The great thing about it is it is very soft, matt, non-rustly, fairly thin and light, and stretchy. You feel like you're wearing a thin softshell, not a hardshell.

[rik_uk3]

+1 vote on the Navy/RAF gore-tex jacket, well made. The army jackets are good and the French army gore-tex are excellent, very well made and have more pockets.

If you have a good budget Rab and Berghaus make top kit (for me all my down kit is Rab and gore-tex is Berghaus).

When covid arrived and my wife left retirement to go back nursing a pallet load of PPE turned up on the ward and for some strange reason it included two boxes full of the Navy/RAF jackets...including some XL size