Waterproof shell (jacket) recommendations

I have found the difference between brand and non-branded kit to be quite significant myself. I like the Decathlon stuff, as it's great value but I went for an (reduced to the same price as the Decathlon option) Endura jacket last time and it was significantly better breathability.

Otherwise I'll recommend what I have for non-biking, a Berghaus Arran (3-1), I've had it for probably 5+ years, still a current item in their range, and not reproofed it, though it's still waterproof. Might not be the best for breathability though.

What are you priorities? Budget, weight, breathability, water resistance, suitability for a specific activity?

I just bought a Berghaus Paclite Peak Vent for £100.

https://www.e-outdoor.co.uk/p/Berghaus_Paclite_Peak_Vented_Mens_Gore-Tex_Jacket/

Another recommend what you have.

I've got a couple of Fjern jackets from Sports Pursuit. I have the Orkan for non bike and colder weather use. Also have the lighter, more packable Skjold for on the bike. 

I wouldn't hesitate to buy either of them again.  

I bought the Decathlon one that is recommended in the editorial. Mrs Zip said I looked like I worked in Sainsburys. The colour was a bit dull for the road so have bought one of these in a cheerful red.
https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/2304552
Marmot waterproof pertex in large for £125.

If you want absolute waterproofness, GoreTex Pro - bought a Montane last year for £125 in the sale - I go out in all weathers, it just works. I’ve also got a Montane Minimus Stretch jacket that is doing sterling service after 5 years - it’s my lightweight ‘summer’ jacket.

If you want absolute waterproofness, GoreTex Pro

I found over the years that all GoreTex is properly waterproof - they all meet the same waterproofing standard apart from Infinium which while it exceeds others waterproofing standards, does not meet Gore's.
What is different is breathability and durability.

I've just bought one of these to replace a worn out goretex active:

https://rab.equipment/uk/mens-kangri-gore-tex-paclite-plus-jacket

I chose it because it is a little longer than most, is packable, has pit zips and the hood is NOT helmet compatible.

I like it, can be had for around £180 too.

Also just bought a Kangri paclite plus as above, really happy with it. NB they also do a std Paclite which is a bit heavier/more expensive.

Gore sell and spec Paclite as an 'emergency shell' rather than an all-day one, the sort of thing you throw on for a sudden downpour. It's not as durable as standard 3-layer Gore-Tex or Pro, but the trade off is that it's cheaper, as well as being lighter. A friend who's an outdoor clothing designer actually refused to use Paclite because she felt it wasn't suitable for typical UK walking/outdoor use.

I'm not saying it's rubbish, but it's worth being aware of its intended use if you're going to buy it. Gore has done a pretty poor job historically of explaining the nuances of its various fabrics despite them being quite simple really, ie: Pro, designed for hard core mountain use, very abrasion resistant and quite light, but a bit noisy. Standard Gore-Tex, not as breathable as Active or Pro, but solidly waterproof and good for all-round, steady effort use. Active, more breathable than either Pro or standard Gore-Tex, not as tough, or ime, as durably waterproof, aimed at fast-moving, high tempo use.

Infinium is/was Windstopper and is about to become Windstopper again and is sold as a windproof. The ePFTE membrane itself is functionally waterproof when new and lacks the PU component that other Gore-Tex fabrics use to prevent the membrane from being contaminated by body oils, sweat, sun cream etc. When that does happen - this was an issue for the original Gore-Tex ePTFE membrane - you get a process called reverse osmosis when moisture is drawn in from the outside of the fabric, hence the addition of PU to Gore-Tex waterproof fabrics. The pay-off is better breathability. Mostly Infinium/Windstopper garments don't have taped seams (a very few do) so aren't fully waterproof, but they are very water-resistant. Eventually they leak at the seams in a very obvious way.

Anyway... what Gore-Tex has going for it, is that Gore is incredibly thorough when it comes to testing fabrics and garments made from them, has a pretty good warranty - if your Gore-Tex leaks, take it back to the retailer - and maintains a pretty solid grip on factories making Gore fabrics and those using them. That's why the stuff is expensive. For general walking, non high tempo stuff, standard issue 'Gore-Tex' is pretty good ime, the stuff with the C-Knit backer has a nicer, softer feel, but otherwise is the same.

I like Mountain Equipment's shells, but as ever it's about fit as well as features.

And then there's the new Gore-Tex ePE membrane, which will take over from ePTFE by Fall 2025... don't ask 🙂

Didn't we just do this?

Didn’t we just do this?

Well, strictly, no, this thread's about an off-bike jacket option, the other one was asking about a jacket to be used on the bike as well. The same thread happens pretty much monthly or more often still if you're going to be pedantic 🙂

eVent?

What's the difference between PacLite and PacLite Plus?

eVent

I bought a Rab eVent jacket, it stayed waterproof for not very long

Interesting rd Paclite use above. Yes it might not be designed for winter shitty conditions with big exposure but they are brilliant for dog walks, occasional walks, taking on holiday with limited space, wearing to work in the rain etc

eVent has a very bad rep for not staying waterproof for long.... mine didn't.  But I do have a Berghaus paclite jacket that's getting on for 10 years old I'd guess and despite a lot of abuse is still in decent shape.

My answer is Goretex pro, and get a jacket in whatever style you want at as reduced a price as possible.  Mine wasn't cheap even after discount, but after 3 years and a lot of days use (100's) I've never regretted buying it

I've had numerous Pac-Lite jackets over the years but they don't stay waterproof for very long. Not tried Pac-Lite plus. In recent years, the banning of hydrocarbons has means that manufacturers are having to use different DWR coatings to prevent wetting-out of the fabrics - new alternatives are nothing like as durable which is why 10 year-old stuff is still working, whilst newer stuff doesn't last as long.

What’s the difference between PacLite and PacLite Plus?

Paclite Plus is a bit tougher, the inner surface has some sort of additional abrasion resistant coating to make it harder wearing than boggo Paclite.

I have the Rab one linked earlier, it's ok, but after a year of so of wet dog walks it's not very waterproof.  This one, costs a fortune, has so far been great :  https://frahmjacket.com/collections/all-jackets/products/4-seasons-waterproof-jacket

https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/helium-rain-jacket/

If performance to weight ratio is your main concern, then you will struggle to find better than the OR Helium jacket. Does a better job than most at keeping the rain out, has great breathability and is surprisingly tough for something so lightweight (178g for a large). Drawbacks are that it's not the cheapest (£149 in the link above) and, like all lightweight options, it needs a little looking after to make it last.
Two other great options are the Enlightened Equipment Visp and the ZPacks Vertice, both outperform the OR jacket in every domain but they're tricky to get hold of

thanks

I recently got a Keela Pinnacle through work and I'm pretty happy with it.  Properly robust shell, managed 6 hours in some really filthy weather the other day and kept me dry.  And Keela do make an excellent hood.

I always washed my eVent with the Grangers 2-in-1 in wash and it seemed to work ok.

I had/have an Endura Venturi eVent jacket and a eVent Pace 3x3 and always thought they were great, and didn't need (or have) pit zips to keep comfortable.

Paclite is useless if you are going to be wearing a rucksack - just not robust enough for the wear from the shoulder straps.

I have a Rab jacket in pertex plus and it seemed pretty boil-in-the-bag to me, thankfully it has pit zips and I only walk in it.