Hillsound Trail Xl Fit Size 10 Heavy Pac Boots?

Nosotros all need them for British hillwalking – even if nosotros wish we didn't! Our expert equipment editor Chris Townsend puts a range of the latest waterproof jackets suitable for year-round use to the test.

A good waterproof jacket is an essential item for hillwalking and backpacking. Whilst in that location are ultralight jackets good for summer, and heavyweight jackets ideal for winter, at that place are many midweight jackets suitable for year-round use. That's what we're looking at here.

Before we movement on to reviewing a selection the best waterproof jackets for hill walking, here's what to look for when buying a waterproof.

Fabric

The type of fabric determines how 'breathable' a garment volition be. More expensive fabrics are usually more than breathable than cheaper ones. The thickness of a fabric affects immovability. The thinnest ones are lighter in weight but less suitable for prolonged wearable or crude usage.

DWR

Near waterproof fabrics have a durable water repellency (DWR) treatment that causes rain to bead upward and run off the garment. Whilst no DWR is really durable the best for many years were fluorocarbons (PFCs). However, these have been institute to be harmful to wellness and to persist a very long fourth dimension in food bondage and the environment, and so they are being phased out and replaced with more environmentally friendly though normally less durable alternatives. Any the DWR information technology volition wear off eventually, so the outer starts to soak up water. This doesn't hateful the jacket is leaking only it does hateful breathability will be reduced so condensation will occur more readily. The DWR can be replaced with various wash-in and spray-on treatments.

Hood

On the all-time waterproof jackets, hoods should be easily adjusted and ideally move with your head. A wired or stiffened peak is useful in wind driven rain. Helmet-compatible hoods should have volume adjusters so they tin can be reduced in size without affecting your vision for not-helmet habiliment.

Front Closure

Water-resistant zips are now standard in the best waterproof jackets. These are non fully waterproof all the time and should have an inner flap to repel whatsoever rain that gets through. A standard cypher with external and internal flaps is more than secure just institute on few garments these days.

Ventilation

Underarm/side zips tin can be awkward to utilise but do permit good ventilation at a crucial place. They can oft be used in rain when the front cypher has to be fully airtight. Zips that bend under the armpits are effective only the almost difficult to conform. Pockets can be opened for ventilation too if they are mesh lined.

Cuffs

Cuffs that can be opened wide are good for ventilation in the arms. Elasticised and narrow cuffs can lead to sweaty wrists.

Pockets

Whilst not essential, pockets that are accessible when wearing a rucksack hipbelt are useful for items like compass, phone, snacks, map (if big enough), hat and gloves and feature on many of the best waterproof jackets. Pockets can leak though so need water-resistant zips and/or covering flaps.

Fit

For the nearly efficient breathability, the best waterproof jackets should fit fairly closely. At the same fourth dimension, they shouldn't be so tight that they restrict movement. And a jacket should fit comfortably over all the layers you lot might need to wear underneath it. Size labels should be taken as a guide only – they're non consistent between makes.

11 waterproof jackets for 2020 reviewed

All-time Buy: Berghaus Athunder (RRP £250)

Best waterproof jackets: Berghaus Athunder

Rating: four.5/v

Likes: double front flap, pockets

Dislikes: None

The Athunder is a new jacket from Berghaus with an old-fashioned expect. Instead of an exposed water-resistant front zip information technology has a standard zip protected by double flaps. This was the normal pattern earlier water-resistant zips came along and I reckon it's still the most waterproof. I'thou pleased to see information technology return.

Read more: Berghaus Athunder review

Fjallraven Keb Eco-Trounce (RRP £450)

Best waterproof jackets: Fjallraven Keb Eco-Shell Jacket

Rating: 4/five

Likes: hood, pockets, recycled fabric

Dislikes: expensive

Materials: recycled Cfc-free Eco-Shell 3-layer stretch polyester |Hood: stiffened tiptop, volume adjuster, front drawcords |Front Closure: water-resistant AquaGuard zip with inner flap |Length: 74cm |Underarm/Side Zips: two-way water-resistant zips |Pockets: 2 breast, 1 inner, 1 sleeve |Hem: drawcord, extended dorsum |Cuffs: Velcro |Sizes: men XS-XXXL, women XS-XXL

The Keb Eco-Beat is an first-class jacket that performs well and is environmentally friendly. Its simply drawback is the loftier cost. Otherwise it might accept been my Best Buy. The textile is 3-layer and the outer, membrane and inner are all made from polyester and so the garment tin can exist recycled at the finish of its life. The fabric is soft with a pleasant feel. Breathability is good.

Read more: Fjallraven Keb Eco-Shell Jacket review

Montane Pac Plus (RRP £185)

Montane Pac Plus

Rating: 4/5

Likes: hood, pocket, depression weight, cost

Dislikes: none

This is the lightest jacket reviewed, and the best one for backpacking or any trip where weight matters. Information technology'southward good for most weather condition though not the best choice for severe wintertime storms compared with a heavier jacket. The fabric is Gore-Tex Paclite Plus, which is not the same as Paclite (I wish Gore had given it a different proper noun). Paclite Plus is a two-layer cloth with a new chafe-resistant treatment on the inside that makes a split up lining unnecessary and which feels quite pleasant confronting the skin. The fabric is sparse and flexible and packs down small. Breathability is good.

Read more: Montane Pac Plus review

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (RRP £160)

Rating: four/v

Likes:double front flap, hood, recycled material, weight, cost

Dislikes: pockets cut off past hipbelt

Materials: recycled H2NO Performance Standard 3L nylon |Hood: stiffened meridian, volume adjuster, front end drawcords |Front Closure: zip with internal and external tempest flaps | Length: 72cm |Underarm/Side Zips: two-way zips with external flap |Pockets ii handwarmer |Hem: drawcord, extended back | Cuffs: Velcro | Sizes: men XS-XXL, women XS-Twoscore

Patagonia has beefed up its Torrentshell jacket this twelvemonth by changing from a 2.5 layer to a 3-layer fabric that is more durable and handles condensation better. The nylon fabric is a little slicker than polyester ones but notwithstanding feels pleasant. Breathability is not up with much more expensive jackets but withal okay about of the fourth dimension.

Read more: Patagonia Torrentshell 3l review

Snowpeak Wanderlust ii.5L (RRP £450)

Best waterproof jackets: Snowpeak Wanderlust 2.5L

Rating: 3/v

Likes: lightweight

Dislikes: very short, expensive

None of the jackets reviewed could be described equally long but nearly of them are compared with the Wanderlust. This jacket is very brusk, which is fine if y'all vesture waterproof overtrousers with it, or perchance for activities other than walking, such as cycling. The designers may well have had the latter in mind as the jacket has a large zipped pocket on the lower back which, of course, is useless when carrying a rucksack.

Read more: Snowpeak Wanderlust two.5L review

RECOMMENDED: Paramo Velez Run a risk Smock (RRP £245)

Rating: 4/5

Likes: fabric, hood, pockets

Dislikes: heavy, short

This smock from Paramo is the shortest garment reviewed and designed to exist worn with Paramo trousers in pelting. I've e'er liked Paramo Nikwax Analogy fabric as it's extremely breathable and comfy. In common cold weather it'southward my commencement selection. I do find information technology as well warm in summer. I only use it when I expect to vesture it all twenty-four hour period due to the weight equally well. The warmth and breathability mean it works well as a warm windproof garment also as a waterproof and the softness and comfort means information technology's fine in camp. This is far more than a crush.

Read more: Paramo Velez Adventure Smock review

Salewa Sella PTX Responsive (RRP £360)

Salewa Sella PTX Responsive

Rating: 3.5/5

Likes: hood, pockets

Dislikes: cost

A new jacket from Salewa, the Sella is made from an unusual material. Salewa says "Responsive technology uses minerals embedded into polyester fibres to recycle the body'due south infrared free energy. Fabrics using Responsive engineering science intercept far-infrared radiation (FIR) energy produced past the body, and gradually transmits information technology back into the torso over time, increasing muscle microcirculation and oxygenation. Studies conducted by the Academy of Turin show that this improves operation and recovery; subjects gained on average 5.5% college claret oxygen capacity (VO2) and xviii% lower blood lactate". Does this really make whatsoever difference when using this jacket for hillwalking? Non that I can tell. I haven't felt any different. Mayhap in extreme sports it'south noticeable. These claims bated the fabric feels pleasant, breathability is okay, and the jacket design is good.

Read more: Salewa Sella PTX Responsive review

Arc'teryx Beta AR (RRP £500)

Arc'teryx Beta AR

Rating: 3.v/ five

Likes: cloth, pockets

Dislikes: collar, price

Gore-Tex Pro is the well-nigh durable version of Gore-Tex. Arc'teryx says this jacket is even more than durable equally they take adult a new version of the fabric with Gore called Gore-Tex Pro with About Rugged Technology. The fabric is slightly stiffer than others tested and does cockle a picayune. It's yet comfortable to wear though and very breathable.

Read more: Arc'teryx Beta AR review

Columbia OutDry Ex Reign (RRP £155)

Columbia OutDry Ex Reign

Rating: 3.5/5

Likes: fabric, price

Dislikes: hood, pockets

OutDry Extreme is an excellent and unusual material. The waterproof layer is on the outside rather than sandwiched between other layers. This means there's no need for any DWR treatment. The inside of the garment is a soft wicking material. I've plant OutDry Extreme to exist very breathable and comfortable to wear. The textile does take a slightly rubbery expect and the taped seams are on the outside. I don't mind this. Performance is all!

Read more: Columbia OutDry Ex Reign review

RECOMMENDED: Mount Equipment Rupal (RRP £270)

Best waterproof jackets: Mountain Equipment Rupal

Rating: four/5

Likes: hood, pockets

Dislikes: None

The Rupal is a straightforward jacket suitable for twelvemonth-round use. Information technology'south made from a robust-feeling iii-layer Gore-Tex that isn't quite as soft as some of the other fabrics reviewed but yet feels comfortable. The hood is splendid – Mountain Equipment take had some of the all-time hoods for many years. Information technology's helmet compatible but can be easily reduced in book without likewise much bunching of the fabric. It fits closely round the face up, moves with the head, allows adept side vision, and has a large potent wired peak for dandy protection. The chest pockets are big and easily hold maps and a stretch inner pocket for a phone or other small particular. The chest pockets are Gore-Tex so if the water-resistant zips leaks – at that place's no flap over them – rain won't go through to your inner garments.

Read more: Mountain Equipment Rupal review

Keela Cairn (RRP £170)

Keela Cairn

Rating: 3.5/five

Likes:hood, lightweight, cost

Dislikes: pockets cut off by hipbelt, cuffs

The Cairn is the 2nd lightest jacket reviewed and one of the concluding expensive. The fabric, Keela'south own brand i, is soft, flexible and comfortable with practiced breathability. The low weight means it doesn't feel as substantial as heavier garments and it probably isn't ideal for apply in a blizzard just otherwise it should cope with all weather condition. The low weight makes it worth considering for backpacking.

Read more: Keela Cenotaph review

For more than of the best waterproof jackets, check out our full range of waterproof jacket reviews.