Quick Guide to buying a Waterproof Jacket

A good waterproof and breathable Jacket should be the most important investment in your outdoor wardrobe. Take time out to try on as many jackets as your wife or partner will let you before they get really fed-up.

 

A good place to start is to have a long hard look at your chosen activity; this could save you time and a great deal of money. Take your time until you feel you have chosen the right jacket for you.

A Sou’wester is fine on a fishing trawler, Captain, but chances are you’ll drown in your own sweat if you went for a mountain hike in one. On the flip-side of the coin, a flimsy, pack-away jacket is as much use as a handkerchief on Cairngorm when it’s blowing a hoolie.

But what should you look for?

Waterproof jackets are available in many different guises: lightweight and longer cut jackets with linings are great for walking the dog or traipsing around the high street, but you’ll need a more durable and breathable jacket for attacking the mountains. Spend as much as possible on what you know is the right jacket for you.

If you are heading for the hills, here’s a short list of attributes and features that you’ll find useful in a waterproof jacket:

• Make sure there’s room to get two layers on underneath; waterproof jackets are not thermal.
• If you carry a backpack, reinforced shoulder and hip areas will be useful
• Do you wear a helmet when scrambling or mountaineering? Yes? Make sure the hood is helmet compatible? A wire peak is handy too.
• External chest pockets should sit above the waist belt of a backpack
• Are all the seams taped? It won’t be waterproof without them.
• Can you adjust all the cords with one hand? Yes? Good. Now try doing it with gloves or mitts on.
• Make sure the jacket is comfortable to wear; you might be spending a great deal of time in it.
• Can you move your arms above and around freely?
• Water resistant or waterproof zips are a must. 
• Under arm zippers are cool.

 

·        Buy a brightly coloured jacket; it’s easier for the rescue team to spot you.

What about materials and fabrics?

Waterproof jackets are the main barrier against the weather, but good waterproof jackets will also help to keep you warm and dry from the inside too.

 

Waterproof and breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex or Event membranes are built into waterproof jackets and are designed at great pains to afford a high degree of breathability to remove the build up of moisture from inside your jacket.

 Many outdoor clothing brands now employ ‘proprietary’ or non-branded waterproof membrane fabrics. This does help to help keep the costs down somewhat, and although they may not be regarded as market leading technologies, these waterproof fabrics seem to be holding their own against the likes of Gore-Tex and eVent in certain areas of the market.

Vive la difference!