Quality Men’s Waterproof Jackets

Amazon – £160
Patagonia – £160
AlpineTrek – £160

Best for: Day hiking, backpacking and mountaineering in moderate climates

Waterproofing: H2No waterproofing (Patagonia’s own technology)

Key features:

• Weight: 340g
• 5-layer waterproof/breathable h2no performance standard shell
• Two-way-adjustable hood
• Microfleece-lined neck; self-fabric hook-and-loop cuff closures and adjustable drawcord hem seal out precip
• Center-front zipper with minimal-welt exterior
• Interior storm flaps
• Two zippered handwarmer pockets and venting pit zips (all with welted exterior storm flaps and dwr treated zippers)

The Patagonia Men’s Torrentshell Jacket is a middle of the range jacket, in terms of weight, price and features offered. Renowned for providing great outdoor gear, Patagonia has designed this shell to be durable, lightweight and versatile.

The 2.5-layer nylon jacket has a durable water repellent (DWR) finish but also promises a breathable barrier and some degree of wind protection.

The hood rolls down, stowing away in the collar – like many of its competitors – with a simple cord and hook design, but has the perk of a laminated visor and stiffened hood, to make sure visibility remains even when pulled up and drawn in.

Patagonia’s H2No performance-standard protection keeps the user bone dry and the jacket now has a 100% recycled 50D nylon ripstop fabric and interior storm flaps that create a zipper-garage chin guard.

It is water resistant with a high rating of 20,000 mm, the ventilating pit zips have storm flaps and even the main zips and pockets are treated with DWR. The addition of a microfleece-lined neck means that your chin won’t be rubbed red raw when it’s cold and wet.

Thanks to its midweight thickness, it can move between seasons with relative easy – perfect for summer with not too much underneath or allowing for a fleece or thermal during winter.

The tough construction is pretty durable and it can be packed down into its own pocket with a handy clip in loop to attach to a pack. Note – this jacket also comes in a half zip option and there is also a parka version.

What we like

• Good breathability with various venting options
• Good multi-season jacket

What we don’t

• Fiddly toggles and zippers
• Higher end of price range

Amazon – £87.95
The Northface – £100

Best for: Year-round hiking and camping

Waterproofing: Dryvent

Key features:

• Weight: 300g
• 100% polyester construction
• DryVent technology
• Bonded hood peak with one-way hood regulation
• Shock cord regulation adjustment at hood and hem
• Elasticated cuffs
• Mesh body lining

Lightweight and comfortable the Quest is soft and flexible but highly water repellant.  North Face uses DryVent, a breathable technology for waterproof protection but let’s moisture from the body permeate to the outside.

The fabric is softer and lighter than Gore-Tex, and this jacket has a brushed knit back neck and chin guard lining to stop rubbing or chafe in cold and wet weathers, while adjustable elements ensure a snug fit.

Although the hood provides reasonable protection, once the adjuster on the back is used to pull in the hood close round the face, the peak is flattened – making it somewhat useless. The roomy hand pockets are great and the elasticated cuffs stop water running into the sleeves.

North Face’s DryVent fabrics are engineered to be fully waterproof, windproof and breathable.

The polyester outer is treated with a durable water repellent finish and the multi-layer design is engineered to allow water vapour to pass from the inside to the outside.

In terms of wind-proofing, the fibres are tightly woven to block air flow and keep the wearer protected against wind-chill, but for anyone looking for a highly wind-resistant jacket, it would be worth looking at other options specifically designed for those conditions.

This jacket would be a good option for spring, summer and autumn but would need to be layered up in winter to provide the right degree of warmth.

What we like

• Soft and flexible – improving comfort

What we don’t

• Poorly shaped hood renders it virtually useless if tightened in with toggles

Amazon – £132.79
Montane – £160
UltraLightOutdoorGear – £135.99

Best for: Summer hiking, running and dusk or night activities where you need to be seen

Waterproofing: PERTEX Shield membrane

Key features:

• Weight: 380g
• PERTEX Shield + provides breathability at 25,000 MVTR and a 20,000mm hydrostatic head
• Micro-taped seams throughout
• Articulated arms design
• Adjustable helmet-compatible hood
• Zippered chest pocket

The Montane Minimus is a good looking simple but functional shell and very lightweight. Its ventilation and waterproof capabilities are great but the two things that set it apart are its suitability for warmer climates and its reflectiveness.

The PERTEX Shield membrane provides exceptionally high fabric breathability at 25,000 MVTR, which means that even in hot and humid environments, the user doesn’t feel like they are sealed in with no way of body moisture to escape – which would certainly be the case with some of the other shells we have mentioned.

The shell could also be worn in cooler damp and humid conditions over a fleece and base layer.

The trade off for having a jacket that is so lightweight is that it lacks the same level of durability as its competitors. The PERTEX Shield membrane is somewhat fragile in that some users have reported some peeling in places where there is a lot of rubbing i.e. in the armpits and around the waste belt.

Although this can be reduced, and to an extent avoided, this jacket would not be suited for someone looking to use it regularly through multiple seasons of high wear and tear.

The zippered chest pocket (located to the left side of the full-length zip) is mesh ventilated, adding an additional level of breathability, but those who are accustomed to two large hand pockets may struggle as it is suited really only to carrying a map or light and flat essentials – another trade off for having a lightweight jacket.

Lightweight shells are pretty easy to come by, but finding one that moves as well as the Minimus is not.

Pertex’s two-way stretch shield fabric, along with the jacket’s articulated sleeves, allow the user to scramble around and climb up and over rocks and boulders with ease. The Minimus’ cuffs extend over the backs of the hands for extra drip protection too.

Something that the Montane Minimus has over its competitors is that it is built with 360-degree reflectivity, making it the perfect companion for biking, running or hiking after the sun has gone down (or before it comes up if you’re really keen).

The articulated arms are designed to allow for high-reaching movement without too much hem lift and the general all round fit and comfort is not as stiff as heavier shells.

The adjustable hood is controlled with three-point adjustment with a wired peak to keep rain running away from the face and it is also helmet compatible.

Other features that work well on this jacket are the Velcro cuffs to provide a secure and dry internal area, easy to use toggles around the hood and additional reflective zones on the elbows and chest.

The Minimus can be rolled up pretty tightly and stowed in a separate stuff sack, and with a pack size of a large apple it will hardly be noticed when not in use.

What we like

• Extremely lightweight and therefore perfect for hot weather
• Breathable and ventilated
• 360-degree visibility

What we don’t

• PERTEX Shield membrane not as durable as Gore-Tex
• Prone to being worn out
• Only one chest pocket

Amazon – £127.98
TrekInn – £133.99
AlpineTrek – £161.96

Best for: Spring/Summer outdoor hiking

Waterproofing: Gore-Tex

Key features:

• Weight: 480g
• 5 layer Gore-Tex
• Paclite technology and 100% polyster outer
• Attached adjustable hood
• Chest and hand pockets with water-resistant zipper
• Storm flap over main zipper
• Elastic drawcord hem
• Comes in five colours

The Minimalist jacket comes from the reputable outdoor-wear makers – Marmot. It has many similarities to a hard shell jacket but falls in the price range of a rain shell jacket.

Functional and basic without giving up any of its quality elements or aesthetic. The Gore-Tex construction means it scores well in the waterproof and breathability departments.

The jacket is made from Gore-Tex Paclite, which is the lightest fabric in the membrane range and means that it can be packed up smaller than some of its counterparts. As a result, the Minimalist Jacket is suited to those who are restricted to a small bag or looking to travel light.

The all-weather protection is completed by the well-designed hood, which offers a stiffened brim that can be adjusted via two elastic cinch cords, one to adjust the hood on the face and one to adjust the brow.

Taped seams ensure true weatherproofing by sealing up all points where wind and water could leak in. Toggles allow the user to adjust the fit, and the pit zips mean additional ventilation in warmer Spring/Summer months.

What we like

• Durable construction
• Good breath-ability with additional ventilation options

What we don’t

• Heavier than a basic rain shell

arcteryx.com – £322.50 (XXL only)

Best for: A hard-wearing jacket that will perform in harsh conditions

Waterproofing: Gore-Tex

Key features:

• Weight: 425g
• Gore-Tex three-layer construction
• Gore C-Knit backer technology
• Waterproof and breathable with DWR finish
• Watertight pit zips
• Low profile storm hood

The Zeta AR jacket is a part of the Arc’teryx Traverse range and is a heavier weight version of its well-loved predecessors. The Zeta AR Jacket falls somewhere in between being light and medium in weight, made from N70p three-layer Gore-tex fabric.

So whilst it’s thick enough, it’s not Arc’teryx’s most heavy duty shell, so it would not be too wise to subject it to scrapes and scrubs.

Nonetheless, it’s very high quality and plenty durable for standard wear and tear. The Zeta is suited for year round use thanks to its outstanding waterproofing combined with a lightweight construction and breathability.

Because it’s not too heavy, it also provides a good level of comfort and protection, feeling soft next to the skin but also being versatile enough to wear over multiple layers.

The jacket is a great option for hikers and trekkers that need to be able to wear it throughout Spring and Autumn but who might also be braving harsher conditions.

The pit zips allow for ventilation, so the wearer doesn’t have to endure that sweaty clammy feeling during exertion.

The Gore C-Knit backer material feels good against your skin, the scooped tail provides extra protection for cyclists, the internal pocket has the added bonus of a zip, and the hood adjustments work well – allowing the hood to move with you as you turn without impairing your vision.

The fact that the zips on the pockets move downwards (to help stop rain flowing into the pockets) is a bit of a faff in gloves, but wasn’t a deal breaker. Despite it being pretty (actually very) pricey, we found it to be one of the most effective and comfortable jackets on the market and in this case you certainly get what you pay for.

And the fact that you can pack it into its own hood to stow it away in your bag is the cherry on top.

What we like

• High quality
• Stylish
• Lightweight for a hard shell
• Water resistant zips
• Packable

What we don’t

• The price
• The reverse zips which open downwards

Amazon – £78.53
Marmot – £100

Best for: Extreme lightweight protection from the elements

Waterproofing: Marmot NanoPro

Key features:

• Made from 100% Recycled Nylon 2.4 oz/yd
• Weight: 286g
• 10,000mm water column
• Taped seams and angel-wing movement cut
• PFC-free DWR treatment
• Available in 21 colours

Marmot is well-known and respected for its high-quality performance products and designs.

Their Precip Eco is a great middle of the range shell equipped with NanoPro Eco, one of the most advanced coatings on the market.

The jacket promises to stay completely windproof and waterproof, no matter how long the rainstorm lasts. Even with armpits zips semi-open in a downpour, not a drop will pass through.

The NanoPro-finish and DWR treatment (durable water repellent) has a waterproofness of 10,000 mm and all seams are fully taped.

The permanently attached hood with a slight bill provides reliable protection and can be adjusted with the drawcords on the sides and Velcro on the back.

If you’re looking for full-function rainwear that is suitable for both backcountry and urban use, this is it.

The breathable membranes and angel-wing movement cut support all levels of intensive activities. So whether you’re hiking, climbing or hanging out at camp, you won’t feel restricted.

It is one of the lightest jackets on our list and unlike the ultralight options, it boasts 2.5 layers rather than being just single-layered.

That said, it is still quite thin, so consider sizing up if you want to wear layers or a thin down jacket underneath.

You’ll hardly notice that you’ve got it on thanks to the weight and freedom of movement and when you’re done you can pack the entire jacket down into its left pocket.

Other things we like are the chin guard on the front zipper that is lined with DriClime-fleece to wick away moisture and prevent chafing, and the fact that the jacket is made from 100% recycled nylon.

What we like

• Lightweight yet fully wind and waterproof
• Great freedom of movement in all activities
• Sustainable/eco-friendly design and construction

What we don’t

• Pricey for a shell
• Lack of zip pullers makes it tricky to undo in gloves

Amazon – £86.73
Helly-Hansen – £125
NordicOutdoor – £129.95

Best for: A perfect blend between style and function that provides the right amount of warmth and waterproofing

Waterproofing: Durable Water Repellency Treatment (DWR)

Key features:

• 100% Polyester
• Weight: 450g
• Adjustable waist (using strings)
• Comes in eight colour options
• Left breast and waist pockets

Helly Hansen’s crew mid-layer jacket possesses the same quality that customers have come to expect from their outdoor clothing range.

The jacket is included within HH’s sailing line, built to withstand repetitive ocean spray and plenty of upper body movement.

As such, even torrential rain won’t present an issue, with droplets rolling right off the Polymer Polyurethane (PU) based membranes and coating.

The seams are 100% taped, preventing water from entering the small gaps between the stitches of the seams.

The PU membrane also provides softness and stretch to the fabric, allowing plenty of give for those who hike with poles or might occasionally find themselves scrambling over rocks.

The micro-porous membranes are hydrophobic yet allow water vapor to pass out, offering plenty of breathability.

Polartec 100-gram fleece lining ensures wearers maintain sufficient warmth, so you may find yourself layer just a T-shirt or light long sleeve underneath.

The downside is that it’s not a good jacket in warmer months as the lining cannot be removed and it won’t take long before you overheat.

The pockets are deep and also fleece-lined, secured with heavy duty zips, and the collar and slightly longer sleeves keep you warm and dry throughout your hike.

And to top it all off, the design is sleek and simple, so you can wear it around town as well as on the trails.

A bit of a design flaw is the fact that both the external and internal chest pockets are on the left-hand side, meaning that if you were to utilise both you’ll end up with quite a bulge.

It’s also not particularly light, weighing in at almost 500 grams, but this is down to its insulation properties and durable construction.

What we like

• Warm and soft fleece lining
• Stylish
• 100% waterproof

What we don’t

• Unuseable in warmer months or climates
• Heavy-ish

When and where will you be using your jacket and for what activity. On the whole, it’s probably going to be for hiking and general outdoor use. This means that something relatively basic, but still of a good quality, will suit your needs.

What type of weather will you be mostly using your hiking jacket in? Are you going to be using it all year round or just in colder temperatures?

You might want to consider the period of use each time you wear it – whether it will be for a day or two, or a few weeks. Chances are it will be in a temperate climate, but if you’re going somewhere with humidity then you’ll certainly need something breathable with under-arm mesh or zips.

Always make sure you buy a jacket that has room underneath for additional layers, without buying one that is so loose that it gets in the way.

For anyone needing a specialist cold or extreme weather jacket (for example if you’re heading off to climb Everest or sail the Pacific), you would want to buy something specifically suited to your adventure.

For most hikers and weekend ramblers, a rain shell jacket made using 2 or 2.5 Layer construction with sufficient layering will happily meet their needs for rain and warmth protection.

Even though you might think there’s not much of an issue with carrying a few hundred grams extra here and there, weight is a factor you should consider.

Whether it’s on you or rolled up in a ball in your backpack, you could be carrying the jacket for ten hours at a time, amongst other things, and you’ll start to notice the difference. On the whole, rain shells will be lighter than hard shells.

It’s unlikely you’d find any quality jackets that are not waterproof to some extent (unless you’re buying a fashion jacket from a high street brand – in which case, you’ve made your first mistake). Instead, you should be looking at what type of waterproofing they have.

One of the most common types you’ll see will be Gore-Tex, the clever technology that keeps water out but let’s air pass through to allow ventilation and help wick sweat away from the body during exercise. A Durable Water Resistant (DWR) coating is what is used to keep the outside of your jacket from getting saturated – so look out for this on the label.

As you can probably tell by this point, there is an almost infinite number of options and technologies in materials available for waterproof jackets. In a dream world, you want something that combines waterproofing with some level of breathability and ventilation.

The best jackets will be both waterproof and breathable so water can’t get in but moisture/sweat can escape. A DWR-only rain shell may not have any breathability, so it would be important to look for vents and pit zips to counteract this.

Although there are some cool puffer jackets on the market, they’re infinitely less practical than their shell counterpart. They are bulky, hard to condense down into your bag and can be a nightmare once wet.

Our advice here? Avoid.

On a similar note, there are specialised jackets for extremely windy environments – like sailing or cycling.

Some of them are pretty high-tech and lightweight but they will generally have minimal waterproof capability and are therefore not very well suited to hikers.

You can go all out and get a tougher hard shell jacket but in truth, that isn’t necessary for most. The ‘good news’ I refer to is that, in terms of waterproof protection, rain shells are probably the most accessible in terms of price and you can get a reasonable one from anywhere between £40 at the lower end to £200 or more at the higher end.

Hard shell jackets are the fully blown waterproof jackets made with 2, 2.5 or 3 layers of material. The extra layers are fully breathable and totally waterproof.

The base internal layer enables friction-free movement between your clothes and the jacket and protects the middle layer, which is waterproof and breathable.

The outermost layer is usually nylon or polyester and water repellant. These rain jackets are cleverly design and the toughest waterproof option but carry a hefty price tag – meaning they’re an overkill for the average hiker.

Further down the scale is a soft shell jacket, designed to be a light rain jacket and suited to generally good weather with the risk of light rain. Soft shells are lightweight and have some water repellent capabilities but would not hold up in a storm.

The ideal option is a rain shell jacket, which lies somewhere in between. This category of jacket is perfect for hiking enthusiasts that will be out on the trail for between a few hours and a few days.

They offer a good a level of water repellency (almost as good as a hard shell) but lack the same level of breathability. However, unless heading off to more humid climates, this wouldn’t be an issue.

You can also get multi-purpose waterproof jackets that have layers built into them. For example, a hard outer shell with a fleece or jersey layer zipped into inside of the jacket. Although it might seem like a good idea, they’re less flexible than choosing your own layers.

Depending on what you’re using your waterproof jacket for, there be additional features that might further enhance your outdoor experience.

Some things that we would definitely want to look out for would be a hood that rolls up and zips or velcrows into the collar, pockets, pit zips (if your jacket isn’t very breathable, storm flaps that cover your zip during heavy downpours, and adjustable cuffs and hem draw-cord to keep the jacket tight around your body.

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