In case anyone hadn't noticed, it rains occasionally in Britain, and a decent waterproof is possibly the most important piece of kit you should buy. Certainly if I had a budget of £100 for a waterproof and a knife, I would spend £10 on a knife and £90 on the waterproof, rather than the other way around.
If you go to the outdoor shop, you will find many excellent jackets, but in rather scary colours – I prefer to blend in rather than stand out when in the woods. Finding a decent waterproof jacket in a discrete colour seems to be quite a problem, judging by how often the issue comes up on Kit Chatter. So here is a brief report -my own opinion only- on six field jackets.
I have not included camouflage jackets. Probably the cheapest route to a decent waterproof jacket is to buy a military surplus waterproof, such as the British DPM or German Flecktarn types. They are often goretex or similar. They are inconspicuous in the woods, but not in public - some people are suspicious of folk in camo, seeing them as SAS wannabees or worse. A lot of the stalkers near me wear DPM, but usually in conjunction with plus fours or a deerstalker, neither of which, as far as I know, are typical SAS issue.
Craghoppers Pakka
Lightweight, moderately breathable hooded jacket at around £30-£40.
Taped seams, simple but effective hood, single storm flap.
Measured weight is 350g including stuff sac.
A lot of the time, the waterproof is being carried rather than worn, and lightweight, small pack size waterproofs are ideal. Similar options include the lightweight goretex 'Paclite' and breathable taped seam jackets like 'mac in a sac'.
The Craghoppers Pakka came top in a test of lightweight waterproofs, and is/was available in 'Bark' – kind of brownish green.
I use this as my spring summer waterproof.
Barbour Northumbria
Waxed Cotton
Optional detachable hood press-studs on.
Measured weight with hood 1900g.
I like the Barbour – it is well made in the old style – brass zips, and heavy duty high quality cotton. There are under arm grommets for ventilation. They are very waterproof, repairable and abrasion resistant.
Obviously designed to be worn with a hat, as the hood is an abomination, it comes off easily, and gives inadequate rain protection.
The linings are warm but wax cotton itself is not ( it feels cold to the touch on a winters day).
A good jacket when the weight is not an issue: wildfowling/shooting, walks in the woods, etc. The weight and pack size make it unsuitable for expedition use. Having said that, I have climbed Ben More Assynt and Conival in this one, in January.
Keela Munro
'Innovation' breathable fabric
Measured weight 1100g
Technical features: double storm flap, adjustable wired hood, large enough for helmet, pit zips, scooped back, waist and hem drawcords
This is a full-blown mountain jacket that is current issue to several UK mountain rescue teams. Unusually for mountain gear, it is available in discrete colours – this older one is a grey-brown that Keela justifiably call 'Covert' although the current Munro is available in Olive.
When its force 11 on the Cairngorm plateau, this is the jacket to have. it has a proper mountain hood that gives good protection without compromising visibility.
It is a little heavier than similar mountain shell jackets but it is also significantly warmer. I think it may be too hot in summer. The fabric is very breathable however and with long armpit zips you don't get too sweaty.
If I was to have only one jacket I would choose this one.
Issue OG Jacket
Probably p.u. nylon.
Measured weight 700g
Underarm mesh for ventilation.
Thse are available cheaply – I think they were on issue for Northern Ireland. A good subtle colour but the epaulettes give it a military appearance. Non breathable but surprisingly comfortable due to mesh in the armpit areas.
Weather protection is very good, but it rustles terribly.
Barbour Berwick Breathable
Cordura (or something similar) with drop liner
Optimised for shooting with articulated elbows, hold open cartridge pockets.
Detachable hood included but not very good.
Measured weight 1650g
This is one of the first of Barbours 'modern jackets'. They did a good job but made it almost as heavy as a wax cotton jacket! The latest versions are lighter. Excellent abrasion resistance and great weather protection except for typically dreadful detachable hood. good breathability
It is very smart and makes you look 'respectable', but weight and pack size make it hopeless when travelling distances on foot.
There are various other manufacturers making similar shooting jackets. Many do not have hoods and beware that some features have downsides. For instance, some have a rubber strip on the shoulder to stop the rifle sling slipping – a useful feature, but not if you are carrying a heavy rucsac.
Hilltrek Single-layer Ventile Windshirt
Measure weight 550g
It is hard to categorise the ventile as it is not fully waterproof, and this smock is sold as a windshirt rather than a shell jacket.
Maybe 90% of the time you will be more comfortable in ventile than anything else – it is light, totally breathable, windproof and protects from modest rain.
However, when wet it gets stiff, a bit heavier, and may take a long time to dry if you do not have a fire. I would not use it alone for multi-day mountain trips, for instance. Also it works best over wool, where a little water ingress does not compromise insulation.
For ultralight use I am considering teaming it with a bivi bag and poncho, as it would be good to have the poncho option in prolonged rain.
It is great in intermittent rain, as it saves putting raingear on and off.
Great kit, but not as your only waterproof in the colder months.
If you go to the outdoor shop, you will find many excellent jackets, but in rather scary colours – I prefer to blend in rather than stand out when in the woods. Finding a decent waterproof jacket in a discrete colour seems to be quite a problem, judging by how often the issue comes up on Kit Chatter. So here is a brief report -my own opinion only- on six field jackets.
I have not included camouflage jackets. Probably the cheapest route to a decent waterproof jacket is to buy a military surplus waterproof, such as the British DPM or German Flecktarn types. They are often goretex or similar. They are inconspicuous in the woods, but not in public - some people are suspicious of folk in camo, seeing them as SAS wannabees or worse. A lot of the stalkers near me wear DPM, but usually in conjunction with plus fours or a deerstalker, neither of which, as far as I know, are typical SAS issue.
Craghoppers Pakka
Lightweight, moderately breathable hooded jacket at around £30-£40.
Taped seams, simple but effective hood, single storm flap.
Measured weight is 350g including stuff sac.
A lot of the time, the waterproof is being carried rather than worn, and lightweight, small pack size waterproofs are ideal. Similar options include the lightweight goretex 'Paclite' and breathable taped seam jackets like 'mac in a sac'.
The Craghoppers Pakka came top in a test of lightweight waterproofs, and is/was available in 'Bark' – kind of brownish green.
I use this as my spring summer waterproof.
Barbour Northumbria
Waxed Cotton
Optional detachable hood press-studs on.
Measured weight with hood 1900g.
I like the Barbour – it is well made in the old style – brass zips, and heavy duty high quality cotton. There are under arm grommets for ventilation. They are very waterproof, repairable and abrasion resistant.
Obviously designed to be worn with a hat, as the hood is an abomination, it comes off easily, and gives inadequate rain protection.
The linings are warm but wax cotton itself is not ( it feels cold to the touch on a winters day).
A good jacket when the weight is not an issue: wildfowling/shooting, walks in the woods, etc. The weight and pack size make it unsuitable for expedition use. Having said that, I have climbed Ben More Assynt and Conival in this one, in January.
Keela Munro
'Innovation' breathable fabric
Measured weight 1100g
Technical features: double storm flap, adjustable wired hood, large enough for helmet, pit zips, scooped back, waist and hem drawcords
This is a full-blown mountain jacket that is current issue to several UK mountain rescue teams. Unusually for mountain gear, it is available in discrete colours – this older one is a grey-brown that Keela justifiably call 'Covert' although the current Munro is available in Olive.
When its force 11 on the Cairngorm plateau, this is the jacket to have. it has a proper mountain hood that gives good protection without compromising visibility.
It is a little heavier than similar mountain shell jackets but it is also significantly warmer. I think it may be too hot in summer. The fabric is very breathable however and with long armpit zips you don't get too sweaty.
If I was to have only one jacket I would choose this one.
Issue OG Jacket
Probably p.u. nylon.
Measured weight 700g
Underarm mesh for ventilation.
Thse are available cheaply – I think they were on issue for Northern Ireland. A good subtle colour but the epaulettes give it a military appearance. Non breathable but surprisingly comfortable due to mesh in the armpit areas.
Weather protection is very good, but it rustles terribly.
Barbour Berwick Breathable
Cordura (or something similar) with drop liner
Optimised for shooting with articulated elbows, hold open cartridge pockets.
Detachable hood included but not very good.
Measured weight 1650g
This is one of the first of Barbours 'modern jackets'. They did a good job but made it almost as heavy as a wax cotton jacket! The latest versions are lighter. Excellent abrasion resistance and great weather protection except for typically dreadful detachable hood. good breathability
It is very smart and makes you look 'respectable', but weight and pack size make it hopeless when travelling distances on foot.
There are various other manufacturers making similar shooting jackets. Many do not have hoods and beware that some features have downsides. For instance, some have a rubber strip on the shoulder to stop the rifle sling slipping – a useful feature, but not if you are carrying a heavy rucsac.
Hilltrek Single-layer Ventile Windshirt
Measure weight 550g
It is hard to categorise the ventile as it is not fully waterproof, and this smock is sold as a windshirt rather than a shell jacket.
Maybe 90% of the time you will be more comfortable in ventile than anything else – it is light, totally breathable, windproof and protects from modest rain.
However, when wet it gets stiff, a bit heavier, and may take a long time to dry if you do not have a fire. I would not use it alone for multi-day mountain trips, for instance. Also it works best over wool, where a little water ingress does not compromise insulation.
For ultralight use I am considering teaming it with a bivi bag and poncho, as it would be good to have the poncho option in prolonged rain.
It is great in intermittent rain, as it saves putting raingear on and off.
Great kit, but not as your only waterproof in the colder months.
