Waterproof Lightweight walking jacket

[Puglet1]

Can anyone recommend a good breathable/ waterproof walking jacket that doesn’t leak?
I’ve tried a few brands lately but none of them do what it says on the label.
My wife was gifted a brand new one recently which cost a staggering £480 ….. Guess what? She wore it in moderately heavy rain last Saturday and returned home like a drowned rat.
We walk / hike several miles everyday there it needs to be relatively lightweight.
Gone are the times when a good old Barbour wax jacket was worn.

 

[lazybones51]

You can still get a good old Barbour wax jacket if that's your style.

 

[Puglet1]

You can still get a good old Barbour wax jacket if that's your style.

Unfortunately they’re not really suitable for hiking up the surrounding hills/ mountains that we venture to.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I swear by ridgeline for foul weather

 

[MysterG]

I've had a couple of North face ones which actually were reasonable at keeping you dry.
Don't find any to be particularly breathable though, but pit zips help a lot.

Major issue is stuff being too short so your legs just get soaked by the run off.

 

[hotponyshoes]

If you don't mind being invisible the army surplus gore-tex jackets are breathable, light, totally waterproof and about £45-50 quid new from the place local to me.
They are not particularly well fitted and the seams can be a bit scratchey if you don't have a layer underneath but they stuff down pretty well so easy to carry one with you just incase the rain comes in.

 

[addjunkie]

I swear by ridgeline for foul weather

I like my Ridgeline coat, warm comfortable. But if it lashes down the outer layer holds water, and takes an age to dry.

Im currently in the market for new, but not paying Kaiwaka prices.

Kaiwaka Mens Stormforce Parka

Kaiwaka Mens Stormforce Parka Designed to endure the storm. Made utilising a durable ripstop outer and Twin-Skin technology, this high-performance parka.

hollandscountryclothing.co.uk

 

[DanZac]

I've got one of these from decathalon for walking, one of these for running and one of these for cycling.

None are cheap but all have been 100% waterproof even in torrential rain for hours.
You just need to be careful that your not sweating too hard or they all get damp / wet inside (theres a limit to how breathable anything is).

 

[voipio]

A High Point waterproof coat has served well over the years, and stayed waterproof. Darned if I can find a link. I think the coat was intended for the shooting fraternity. Also Peter Storm trousers have been good.

 

[Migmac]

Well coming from very very soggy Argyll, I’ve tried a few jackets over the years. The best are just skins, no linings. You just wear layers to keep warm. Swazi are really good but get pipped at the post by Kuiu. Expensive but they keep you dry. They’ve just had a sale, 60% off. They have sales very regularly, sign up to their news letter.
I had ridgeline stuff, it’s good but not as good as Kuiu or Swazi

 

[Misterg]

Major issue is stuff being too short so your legs just get soaked by the run off.

Amen!

I wear shorts quite often and want a coat that comes down to the bottom of the shorts legs (like all the 'outdoor' coats used to). I've been looking for years, but I only ever found one from Berghaus that was obscenely expensive for an anorak.

I've now resorted to 'stockman' style coats for dog walking, etc. but they're not exactly lightweight.

 

[Puglet1]

I swear by ridgeline for foul weather

Thank you I’ll check them out.

 

[Puglet1]

I've had a couple of North face ones which actually were reasonable at keeping you dry.
Don't find any to be particularly breathable though, but pit zips help a lot.

Major issue is stuff being too short so your legs just get soaked by the run off.

My 10year old North face never leaked. I bought another North face about two years ago and was like a sieve. Many these modern Eco friendly materials aren’t as good?

 

[Puglet1]

If you don't mind being invisible the army surplus gore-tex jackets are breathable, light, totally waterproof and about £45-50 quid new from the place local to me.
They are not particularly well fitted and the seams can be a bit scratchey if you don't have a layer underneath but they stuff down pretty well so easy to carry one with you

Thank you I used to wear the German Flektarn ones when I did Fishing ,they’re pretty good but I’ll stand out like a sore thumb if we walk Mont Blanc.

 

[Puglet1]

I like my Ridgeline coat, warm comfortable. But if it lashes down the outer layer holds water, and takes an age to dry.

Im currently in the market for new, but not paying Kaiwaka prices.

Kaiwaka Mens Stormforce Parka

Kaiwaka Mens Stormforce Parka Designed to endure the storm. Made utilising a durable ripstop outer and Twin-Skin technology, this high-performance parka.

hollandscountryclothing.co.uk

I’ve never heard of Kaiwaka but will look them up

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I like my Ridgeline coat, warm comfortable. But if it lashes down the outer layer holds water, and takes an age to dry.

Im currently in the market for new, but not paying Kaiwaka prices.

Kaiwaka Mens Stormforce Parka

Kaiwaka Mens Stormforce Parka Designed to endure the storm. Made utilising a durable ripstop outer and Twin-Skin technology, this high-performance parka.

hollandscountryclothing.co.uk

I have the monsoon smock, never had an issue with it holding water. Is yours the moleskin type soft shell?

 

[Ton-up]

I have a 10 year old Berghaus, I treat it with a good water-proofer every 3 or so years. It does not leak, even in heavy rain.

 

[Puglet1]

A High Point waterproof coat has served well over the years, and stayed waterproof. Darned if I can find a link. I think the coat was intended for the shooting fraternity. Also Peter Storm trousers have been good.

There seems to be many manufacturers that have High Point in their line I might come across one suitable.

 

[Puglet1]

Well coming from very very soggy Argyll, I’ve tried a few jackets over the years. The best are just skins, no linings. You just wear layers to keep warm. Swazi are really good but get pipped at the post by Kuiu. Expensive but they keep you dry. They’ve just had a sale, 60% off. They have sales very regularly, sign up to their news letter.
I had ridgeline stuff, it’s good but not as good as Kuiu or Swazi

The fact you come from Argyl gives me confidence that the product you use must be good. I’ll check them both out.

 

[Puglet1]

I have a 10 year old Berghaus, I treat it with a good water-proofer every 3 or so years. It does not leak, even in heavy rain.

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, my 10year old jacket performed similarly. It could be down to the poor performance of modern day materials ?