So I've currently spent the last week with my face buried in my phone looking at different types of cold weather/waterproof jackets and coats. Prices range massively and I've currently and so many different brands like the old school Berghaus, Sprayway which was the Chav choice back in the day.....but then there's North Face, Montaine, Rab and so on. I've currently set my heart set on Patagonia fitz roy down hooded jacket. Now im not going to the North Pole or up Everest or anything just yet, I'll be lucky if I get to walk to the pub in it!! I do however quite like the idea of exploring so mountain ranges that the UK has offer in the future. So before I shell out best part of 400 nicker on a coat ......are the cheaper brands any good? There's one brand called Peter Storm available at Blacks, 50 quid (sale price) gets you a decent jacket that doesn't look much different to the Patagonia I'm keen on! So is the expensive stuff really the best or overpriced compared to 150 quid berghaus or similar? Hoping there are some mountaineers out there who know there stuff!
I've 2 Patagonia jackets I've had for years. A thick primaloft one that's for mountaineering and a thinner version. Superb quality....they've both had lots of use and nothings broke on them. Expensive but worth the money. I bought a new Rab Nebula Pro last winter mainly for walking the dog on the moors etc and its spot on. I've some old Rab stuff as well....and again its stood the test of time. So its a thumbs up from me for those 2 brands. Just be aware the top of the range Patagonia mountaineering oriented jackets can get v warm if you're walking briskly...so you might want to look at a mid range unless you're a nesh lad
I think the Patagonia would be a nice cozy jacket for heading out to the pub (if you can find one that’s open), but I don’t think I’d recommend it for the great outdoors. For that you’d be better off with something that’s lightweight, waterproof and breathable, that way you can add layers underneath depending on how the weather is. Personally I’m a bit of a fan of Berghaus.
If you want to stay dry and have proper breathabilty, then go look at Paramo, I am out walking 5 days a week, it allows far more vapour from your body to pass through than goretex, so you stay more drier inside and is fully waterproof on the outside and unlike a goretex liner, if it gets punctured it’s still waterproof.
Looking at that Patagonia jacket - being a down jacket - it will likely need an extra outer shell to stay dry, if it starts raining when out on a hike. Once down is wet it stays wet. You might have to look into that. I have a Gore-Tex shell that has absolutely no insulation but goes over the top of any jacket - including my leather jacket for my bike ! Size is XL or XXL to make sure it is big enough to go over my leather jacket, or whatever other jacket that is not water proof. That is how I would look at it . Whether to get an all in one warm and waterproof jacket - or go for a down jacket that is very warm and light and get a breathable outer shell to go over the top of it if it starts to rain I had a nice puffer jacket that was lovely and warm and fine for street use - it was okay in a rain shower, but would not have been very good for hiking across open country in bad weather. Current jacket - Technicals - from Millets !
I have a Colombia goretex type jacket, not for keeping warm but very waterproof and lightweight. I also have some Craghopper trousers which are the same. Both have held up well in the 6 or so months that I have had them.
