High-end rain jacket

[Mark Bolam]

There have been plenty of threads about waterproof jackets for work.

I’ve had a few both for work and general outdoors stuff.

 

I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I’m after something that really works well, and wil have longevity.

This isn’t particularly for work, I still have my Pfanner which is good, although not as good as I’d hoped.

 

I have a North Face Paclite Circadian and a Ridgeline Pintail smock, which now both leak like sieves despite reproofing.

 

This will be mainly for camping, dog walks, mooching around up the woods and hopefully boarding again.

I’m a big layer fan, so nothing too bulky.

I’m not interested in ex-army Goretex or any of the ‘rain’ jackets that the dealers on here all sell.

I want something genuinely waterproof with a decent hood that will stay waterproof, hopefully for a few years.

 

I’m thinking about something like the Arcteryx Theta AR or similar.

Very expensive, but I’ve spent so much on jackets that have let me down over the years I’m prepared to bite the bullet.

 

Any reviews of really good jackets welcome.

Please do read the criteria I have specified, and I’m also not interested in anything in hi-vis as I still shoot a bit.

 

Thanks.

[Woodworks]

Total convert to the Paramo after years of Gortex. Gortex is great when new but as they get older they tend to breath less so you end up wet. The Paramo breaths better than anything I haver tried and all you have to do to get it back to new is a wash in Tech Wash and TX10 Direct. What finally swung it for me was chatting to a chap that had damaged two panels after years of use sending it back to them in the UK for repair. £60 for two new panels, sorted. I have one for work and one for everything else. Might fail on the too bulky?

Edited August 26, 2018 by Woodworks

[felixthelogchopper]

Good waxed cotton, regularly reproofed? I have a Drizabone which is handy for keeping the rain off myself and my rifle.

[Steve Bullman]

Mark, if you want something proper waterproof I would suggest going down to your nearest chandlers and look at their ranges.  The likes of Gill and Musto make some awesome stuff.

[westphalian]

No matter what WP breathable jacket I have bought I’ve still got a damp neck and shoulders in heavy rain

I know you said layers but have you tried Buffalo?

 

[drinksloe]

This is 1 of those topics that even thou it shoudn't (its either waterproof or its not) seems to be personal preference. Depending if they had a good 1 (not a fri avo version) and how they use it (ie standing about/walkig slowly or being quite active and sweating)

Throu the winter i spend quite a bit of time working dogs on shoots, so have seen plenty of eye wateringly expensive jackets (£4-500+) and the 1 thing i'd say is they almost all leak.

 

Lot of folk wearing Rab now in past all Berghaus and Mountain Eqiup

 

I'm similar to u and prefer layers, I quite like cheaper berghaus goretext from the local factory shop

Not going to say 100% waterproof but to be fair for the money pretty good.

I'm too tight and prefer to spend less and have slightly lower expectations as seen the really dear 1's leak anyway

Usually start of with the newest 1 and if really bad weather it might be wet by lunch so put the next 1 on when back at my pick up.

If u have decent layers on (ie proper base and fleece) even if ur jacket is damp u don't get cold like u would wearing a rugby top/jeans.

 

Got a few Deerhunter items to and usually pretty good.

There is a compabny called Sportsman Gun centre (basicly a shooting wharehouse) it has some very good deals on often 80% for discontinued lines. Just got a long trench coat jacket for walking dogs in extreme weather and so long comes right down to welly level so no wet legs, only £26 (far heavier duty than i expected) and got a few of those orange jackets again about 30 quid and 80% off again good for dogs in the winter, not 100% waterproof but has to be bloody wet afore they get damp

[Stubby]

3 minutes ago, drinksloe said:

This is 1 of those topics that even thou it shoudn't (its either waterproof or its not) seems to be personal preference. Depending if they had a good 1 (not a fri avo version) and how they use it (ie standing about/walkig slowly or being quite active and sweating)

Throu the winter i spend quite a bit of time working dogs on shoots, so have seen plenty of eye wateringly expensive jackets (£4-500+) and the 1 thing i'd say is they almost all leak.

 

Lot of folk wearing Rab now in past all Berghaus and Mountain Eqiup

 

I'm similar to u and prefer layers, I quite like cheaper berghaus goretext from the local factory shop

Not going to say 100% waterproof but to be fair for the money pretty good.

I'm too tight and prefer to spend less and have slightly lower expectations as seen the really dear 1's leak anyway

Usually start of with the newest 1 and if really bad weather it might be wet by lunch so put the next 1 on when back at my pick up.

If u have decent layers on (ie proper base and fleece) even if ur jacket is damp u don't get cold like u would wearing a rugby top/jeans.

 

Got a few Deerhunter items to and usually pretty good.

There is a compabny called Sportsman Gun centre (basicly a shooting wharehouse) it has some very good deals on often 80% for discontinued lines. Just got a long trench coat jacket for walking dogs in extreme weather and so long comes right down to welly level so no wet legs, only £26 (far heavier duty than i expected) and got a few of those orange jackets again about 30 quid and 80% off again good for dogs in the winter, not 100% waterproof but has to be bloody wet afore they get damp

I have a Deerhunter coat . It is waterproof so far  (3 years ) but I find it way to hot unless the temp is below zero .

[Mark Bolam]

Some great stuff to ponder already fellas, thanks, and keep it coming!

You all seem to have a good grasp of what I’m after.

[Steve Bullman]

This is my local chandlers where I get most of my base layers etc from.  They have this one on offer which looks pretty nice

https://www.foxschandlery.com/gill-os23-jacket-red-graphite?gclid=Cj0KCQjwn4ncBRCaARIsAFD5-gX3CXLtTna1lco6MB8nBIfXfqUH-Rrct36sOSvLUJuCUZXxKEXtZmgaAmxmEALw_wcB#93=698&158=602

[gary112]

 I bought a cheap jacket and trousers(20 quid) from local farm supplies made by B dry and to be fair its really good been out in a fair bit of rain lately and its done the job