Looking for Waterproofs

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What would you recommend looking for a good waterproof jacket and overtrousers...berghaus; paramo etc
Dave
 
What sort of activity do you have in mind? Four seasons or cooler months only? It makes a big difference. The high end, more expensive, gear is designed to wick moisture away from your body so you don't end up too sweaty when you're active. This doesn't matter so much if you're fairly static, sitting in a bird hide and so on. It also depends on your own physiology and how hot you run.

I'm pretty impervious to the heat, but not to humidity. Paramo is excellent, but far too warm for me most of the time. OTOH, my wife wears Paramo with a base layer and a fleece under it on the hills and still complains that she's cold!
 
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I tend to go for a good waterproof jacket and fairly basic quality over trousers. This is probably because I don't walk too often in rain that would need over trousers.

The best waterproof jacket I have used, by a wide margin, is a Paramo. Initially I found it a difficult concept to get to grips with. In heavy rain the outside is sodden but inside you are totally dry and IMO they are more breathable than anything else.

The jacket has one drawback for me and that is it is very warm, but I'm someone who can't stand too much heat. Walking in a sub-zero day in winter or if I need to be still on a cold day, it is brilliant, but too hot for summer and bits of late spring and early autumn.

Other than that, superb clothing.

My jacket is very old now and I think Paramo do a larger range of different weight clothing than in the past.

They are not cheap, but very good.

Having extolled the virtues of Paramo, there are many other excellent waterproofs. I'm sure others will be along with their views soon.


Dave
 
Sprayway Allday Rainpant - not over-trousers but lightweight breathable fabric waterproof trousers, absolutely excellent, I have worn them all day without any issues and thoroughly recommend them.
 
Good comments so far...
The type of activity you are going to use them for and your personal preferences dictate what you buy.
I'd highly recommend going to a proper outdoor shop with assistants who know what they are talking about.
When I bought my leggings for use on the mountains the shop assistant asked me if I was the sort of person who wore leggings all day whatever the weather or left them in the sack until I was already wet through! I'm the latter, so I have some very lightweight but not particularly waterproof over trousers; but they keep the wind chill down and suit my needs.

What are you planning to use them for?
 
Tringa said:
I tend to go for a good waterproof jacket and fairly basic quality over trousers. This is probably because I don't walk too often in rain that would need over trousers.

The best waterproof jacket I have used, by a wide margin, is a Paramo. Initially I found it a difficult concept to get to grips with. In heavy rain the outside is sodden but inside you are totally dry and IMO they are more breathable than anything else.

The jacket has one drawback for me and that is it is very warm, but I'm someone who can't stand too much heat. Walking in a sub-zero day in winter or if I need to be still on a cold day, it is brilliant, but too hot for summer and bits of late spring and early autumn.

Other than that, superb clothing.

My jacket is very old now and I think Paramo do a larger range of different weight clothing than in the past.

They are not cheap, but very good.

Having extolled the virtues of Paramo, there are many other excellent waterproofs. I'm sure others will be along with their views soon.


Dave
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Yip, I have a Paramo and it does keep me dry. However, it is a bit heavy therefore I don't wear throughout the year. I walk a lot, in all seasons, and have never found waterproof clothing that is perfect at all times. I now have a variety of jackets/trousers and try to select the most appropriate for the outing.
Not a golfer, but perhaps some of the clothing made for that activity has good potential.
 
Thanks everyone for your great replies. Apologies should have mentioned that I do not intend to go hill walking in ther depths of Winter or anything as dramatic as that.
Mainly plan some medium hikes in Spring/Summer or Autumn, Mac Loop, Peak District when I may get caught out by a few heavy showers.
I too get warm fairly quickly, so maybe looking for something light but waterproof....can you get waterproof trousers and overtrousers and if so, which are best
Thanks again for all your help
Dave
 
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Best waterproof jacket -coat I have ever had is a Rab Latok. Light, wind and water proof. Long sleeves to keep your hands out of the wind and massive pockets.
 
Thanks Gramps and Andy for the extrta info.
 
Being a golfer,I can recommend "Galvin Green" expensive but good.
 
I bought Berghaus gear about 3 years ago - whole package from head to toe... Cost me a small fortune (could've bought a 17-40L at the time) but it has paid for itself on so many levels.

Still looks great, actually is waterproof and can wear it pretty much anywhere too.

Rab also make some great gear, but it sure does stick out which wasn't great - I like subtle.
 
Paramo, Rab, Berghaus, Mountain Equipment and others make excellent gear, but choosing what to buy is a bit like selecting a camera. One size doesn't fit all. We can give our opinions on different brands, but that doesn't really give you any idea of how well they'll work for you.

Your own experience is the best guideline. Lacking that, you could do a lot worse than checking out http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/. Lots of reviews, and you can join the forums and ask questions. I'd also visit a good outdoor shop and tell them what you plan to do, where and when. Try on different brands and see what feels comfortable.

For mid level hiking in reasonable conditions you might also consider a good soft shell jacket coupled with a lightweight, waterproof, hardshell.
 
Thanks for the advice and links Guys
 
Forgot to add to my post, but I got my gear from Tiso. Don't know if there is one near you but the staff are very knowledgeable and the prices were good too.

Anyway, good luck on finding the right stuff! :thumbs:
 
If you're looking for gear for the warmer months then all you really need is a lightweight shell. If you get warm quick then something that breathes is obviously a bonus, and on a jacket look for 'pitzips' which are, quite literally, zips in the armpit of the jacket for ventilation.
 
i had a Paramo Velez smock for the past 3 years, and I love it. Totally waterproof, even under a downpour, wind-proof, light to wear, breathable and it does not crumple when packed at the bottom of the camera bag.
The downside: it is not cheap
 
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A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to be passing a decen outdoor shop just as the blackest cloud I've seen for ages went over and started empying itself. Of course, I had no waterproof jackey wit me so looked like I was in for a soaking.
Fortunately, I was in the market for a waterproof anyway so nipped into the Moorland Rambler ( any Exeter based members may know it already and the deserve the plug!) and did my normal thing with regards to specialist clothing - walking boots etc and started at the bottom of the range and worked up until I had found what I considered to be the best value for money. I can't remember the exact cost but IIRC it was around the £60 mark and is a Berghaus. No model name or number on the thing and it's probably been replaced in the range anyway but it's 100% waterproof, machine washable (handy if it gets sweatty - it's not a posh, breathable one) and comfortable. Zip front, 2 large pockets (into which it will roll for carrying), mesh lined so it doesn't sweat up too fast and IMO, worth every penny it cost me. No pitzips though but they're not essential IMO.
 
Yep, TISO are a good place, used the Inverness one a few times, but all their shops are in Scotland.

Dave
 
Nod said:
A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to be passing a decen outdoor shop just as the blackest cloud I've seen for ages went over and started empying itself. Of course, I had no waterproof jackey wit me so looked like I was in for a soaking.
Fortunately, I was in the market for a waterproof anyway so nipped into the Moorland Rambler ( any Exeter based members may know it already and the deserve the plug!) and did my normal thing with regards to specialist clothing - walking boots etc and started at the bottom of the range and worked up until I had found what I considered to be the best value for money. I can't remember the exact cost but IIRC it was around the £60 mark and is a Berghaus. No model name or number on the thing and it's probably been replaced in the range anyway but it's 100% waterproof, machine washable (handy if it gets sweatty - it's not a posh, breathable one) and comfortable. Zip front, 2 large pockets (into which it will roll for carrying), mesh lined so it doesn't sweat up too fast and IMO, worth every penny it cost me. No pitzips though but they're not essential IMO.
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Its possible that this is the berghaus paclite jacket, although I think they are slightly dearer these days £90-£100 ish.
 
Very possible - it packs into a pocket and is light. Mine's black though and not the woman's version!
 
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