The best waterproof jacket/ smock?

[hesslemount]

Hi Folk,

Im looking for the best waterproof jacket preferably with a longer back to keep my arse dry. Breathability is paramount! Anyone with any guidance who’ve actually used the jacket for a while in wet conditions. Harkie & Arbotech seems to be the market leaders. I always go back to cheap and cheerful usually finding cycling coats great especially with the three back pockets.

[Mark Bolam]

All of the specific arb jackets are overpriced shit.

[Joe Newton]

1 hour ago, Mark Bolam said:

All of the specific arb jackets are overpriced shit.

This, pretty much. 

 

Also you can have breathable or waterproof. Both just doesn't work. 

 

Swazi make some good shit.

[Mick Dempsey]

Every autumn I buy these for me and the hired man from the hire shop.

The inner warmer smaller bit can zip into the outer rain proof bit if you want.

We tend to keep them separate depending on the weather.

 

€60 iirc.

Chuck em away in the spring and get a new one.

[Pete Mctree]

Sip kieu is a good summer/light winter jacket. Swazi is the best I have ever owned by far -  can be a little warm for summertime 

[Vedhoggar]

Chrisforestry.co.uk sell a green/hi-viz lightweight waterproof jacket with longer back for £39.20, never worn this jacket but looks very similar to a jacket Sip Protection used to do which I have worn. PU coating keeps you dry in lashing rain but not as breathable as some of the more expensive jackets but some of those don't always keep you dry for that long in my experience.

[carlos]

ive got the sip keiu jacket at work, its a good fit, not too warm and good for climbing.

it doesnt seem to be 100% waterproof though.

the best jacket i ever had was a berghaus walking jacket, pissed all over any arb jacket ive had in terms of waterproofness.

[Stubby]

I think any " waterproof / breathable " jacket is always a compromise . They lean towards one or the other . For keeping rain out you need oil skins for keeping cool its a string vest . . 

[MattyF]

Problem is they are water proof until you get near hawthorn , blackthorn ,trees with roses in ect .. then they are fecked.. I try and buy a new pfanner Nanoshield every other year, keep a knackered one as a work jacket and general damp jacket but switch to the decent one if it’s all out pishing down.

[hesslemount]

Interesting replies and kind of what I expected. Anything greater than £200 has to last a few years or is too good for Arb work. I get the breathable/ waterproof trade off. Swazi stuff looks brilliant but way too nice for tree work. Interesting on the “over priced shit” comment as I’ve yet to find a highly priced Arb waterproof that’s better than a £60 berghaus (or similar) waterproof