[Closed] Waterproof jacket - not for biking?

Have a look at Alpkit, I have the Balance jacket and it is the best waterproof I have ever had.

I'm currently looking on exactly the same criteria, with addition also of chest pocket big enough for phone.

Shortlisted to Alpkit only so far and even that compromises on lack of chest pocket..

I got one of these, it’s great.

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/1091189

I have the Balance jacket and it is the best waterproof I have ever had

The reviews say there is an issue with the arms being too skinny. Have you found this to be an issue?

ME something or other

Edit, it's a Rupal, but at a pretty good price.

I have a ME Lhotse - I wanted a Changabang as it is less 'alpine fit' but couldn't find one anywhere for love nor money. A bit over budget but IMO worth it. Only issue is as I wanted to layer underneath I went a size up, which has resulted in long sleeves for the size - but if you're climbing that'll be good as they're designed to offer coverage even when your arms are raised while climbing. It's replaced a thoroughly worn out Changabang and if it even reaches half the lifespan of the older jacket, it'll be VFM.

I have a Rupal and a Makalu from ME.

The Rupal is a good unfussy jacket. It's been worn in some bloody awful conditions and performed as it should.

I've got quite a few jackets from other companies, but ME definitely have the best hood design.

Not sure if there is anything left from the ME outlet sale at Magic Mountain.

I got one of these, it’s great.

I've got one of those, and it is very good.

Alpkit is a no for me, I've not been mega impressed with stuff I've had from them, and the skinny arms reviews on their own site puts me off. The Fjern stuff looks really good, but I've had a couple of eVent jackets that again haven't impressed.

Rupal and Saltor still the favourites, that orange one is certainly bright enough LeeW! I'm, sure the wife gets a discount from Blacks with her blue light card too.

I'd love a Lhotse jakester, too many capiches though.

Futureboy77, aye, Magic mountain has been pillaged.

Had a ME Rupal for about a year now and it's been absolutely great, worn in all conditions and used for hiking, biking and skiing. I tried on loads when I was deciding which one to get including the Saltoro and think the Rupal is slightly more robust as uses 75D fabric throughout whereas the Saltoro is a mix of 75D and Paclite.

Hows the fit Doug? what chest are you and what size did you go for? I'm between M and L, but will probably go L for layering....

Is it fairly packable too?

If you want to stay dry then ME is the way, and they are still built to last, so you'll get your money's worth. Everything else will work for a week or two, then after that , who knows.

ME here too, I got a Tupilak as recommended by my mate who works for them but that was a few years ago so I don't know about any new options.

It's definitely stayed waterproof better than any other jacket I've had - you see a lot of guides wearing their stuff also which has to be a good sign.

I have found I keep reaching for my staff issue jacket - Berghaus Lite Trek (now a 'Chombu' I think in nomenclature).

It is cut really well - pockets that are above waist belt and don't fill with water, long arms, longer length without being thigh - so just below hips. Good hood, pit zips and an own brand 25k/25k fabric that is lasting well.

https://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Berghaus_Mens_Chombu_HydroShell_Waterproof_Jacket/

Edit: it is better fabric than my Montane Dyno of old (and the kids have one each), better hood and cut than my old ME Ogre, and better all round than my cheapo cycling Sherpa gear jacket.

Wifes blue light card took that down to 172 quid, superb, thanks all.

Matt - Yeah, Berghaus seem to have upped their game again these days, Athunder seems to win most tests, it just looks a bit last of the summer wine though! vane? me? naw!!! 🙂

I’m, sure the wife gets a discount from Blacks with her blue light card too.

You do, BL website says 15%, Black's website says 10% when you apply the code.

You actually get 20% off, just bought a second one for £172.

@nobeer you can have my bright Red Paramo if you want!! 🙂

My gf's mum very generously surprised me with a Patagonia Torrentshell for Xmas....I know that some say that they are a 'boxy' fit, but the medium fits my skinnyish frame really well. It's not rained here since, so I've not tried it out yet!

For me the cut/fit is perfect. I'm 6', 75kgs, 39/40" chest and went with a medium. Has been fine for layering (various combinations of Alpkit down vest, Montane Prism, Fjern mid layer etc). Why not just order both the medium and large so you can try on back to back then just send one of them back?

Packs down pretty well, not quite as small as a previous Rab eVent jacket but nothing really to worry about and it's definitely more durable/waterproof than that was.

Cool, Large will be fine, 2" taller than you and 10kg heavier, sounds perfect.

@LeeW, aye, noticed that, Not complaining!

it just looks a bit last of the summer wine though!

😆

I have a soft spot for some of the old skool colours and designs - I like the look of this for example:

https://www.gaynors.co.uk/mens-c4/waterproof-jackets-c25/sprayway-mens-reaction-long-m-jacket-p15783

If you like sprayway stuff, get a look at mountain magic!

Cool, Large will be fine, 2″ taller than you and 10kg heavier, sounds perfect.

I'm pretty much bang on the same weight and height as you. I'm a standard Large in just about everything inc. ME. You'll be grand.

Magic futureboy! thanks all, glad I asked.

I’ll second Alpkit, digoxin gear at a decent price point

I have the (bright red) ME Rupal too. Only worn a handful of times but keeps the weather out a treat. Pit zips if you run hot, a great hood, quite hard wearing material. I can get into a L but went XL on the basis I could be wearing a few layers underneath so not too snug. I paid £190 last Jan - online from Gaynors in Ambleside.

Maybe a bit late but would recommend checking out Keela, who supply a fair few of the piste patrol teams at scottish ski areas

https://keelaoutdoors.com/

e.g. the Cumulus MRT jacket
https://keelaoutdoors.com/product/cumulus-mrt-jacket/

or the Munro jacket
https://keelaoutdoors.com/product/munro-jacket/

I bought one of these Sprayway Torridon, this time last year. Very impressed with it. On offer here so just about at budget @£210
https://www.nevisport.com/sprayway-mens-torridon-jacket?gclid=Cj0KCQiA3NX_BRDQARIsALA3fIImA90uxUjwW4DFqoylx8awVtOTa8XLaoiCS3894s5b5U6ufxu3eFIaAs_HEALw_wcB#color_code=Lightning-Blazer&size_legacy=S

I'd love to buy a Scottish Keela, but tbh they're quite a weight (that munro jacket is over twice the weight of the Rupal) and they look a bit 90's too, sadly.

Bought a Rupal now (or RuPaul as it shall henceforth be known) but thanks anyway!

checking out Keela, who supply a fair few of the piste patrol teams at scottish ski areas

i hear this justification a lot, for paramo as well. did they actually choose it or was it just the lowest tender bid....

Keela is seriously heavy kit, I have a jacket and it is great for standing around or foul weather but not really active wear.

ME Rupal ordered based on this thread. Love the orange colour, got 20% discount using BLC and also seem to have got 8% cash back from Quidco. Winner.

There’s not much out there, I’m down to either a Mountain Equipment Saltoro or Rupal

I've got a Rupal for winter climbing and it's been great. I do quite a lot and it's seen a lot of abuse, squeezing up Cairngorm granite chimneys and such like. It's had 4 seasons of this and still looks good. Recommended.

or the Munro jacket

Hands down the worst waterproof jacket I've ever used. Unbelievably heavy, like 1200g heavy and improbably badly cut, like a 1960s combat jacket with mad bat-wings and more excess fabric than an end of season curtain shop sale.

Sorry, but like something from the last century.

Mountain Equipment's current shells are really sorted and beautifully cut. Really nice jackets. The only thing I'd be wary of is that the proper climbing helmet hood variant on stuff like the Tupilak and the Changabang is brilliant with a lid on, but so big that it's not so great with a bare head. Unless you're buying for climbing, you're better off with a Lhtose or similar. My go to mountain walking shell is one that I can't remember the name of, but is basically a Lhotse with heavier duty fabric and minus the chest pocket.

True-ish re the Tupilak but you can sinch it in easily enough with the sort of headband part of the hood. I use mine for skiing/ski touring so the helmet thing is v handy sometimes.

Good to hear RuPaul looks a good choice. I've spent a fortune updating my hiking stuff this year, was badly needing it tbh, just need to be allowed out in the bloody hills now!.

Edit - uncannily, a frind of mine in Gallwoay MRT just off the phone, asked him what they use, I thought they'd all get the same contract with a brand, apparently not. He said they tried Keela a couple of years ago and 'it wiz pish'! then Montane, which didn't fare much better, they use Rab now.

I do like Montane stuff, but I've purposefully stayed away from their jackets, as I've heard this from a few folks. Despite their discount site having some very good deals!.

If anyone's after a cheap Gore Tex active jacket I'm putting my Berghaus Vapour Storm one up for sale this weekend, size L. Ticks many of the boxes above but is too tight for me so I've hardly ever worn it. I bought a Rab Kinetic Alpine which is a better fit but not as good.