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There's a term I've not used for yonks!
I could have said..... Cagoule 🙂
Looking for:
Hooded, breathable, pit zips, packable. Dark grey / carbon / slightly off black. Doesn't need to be scooped for cycling, just an every day thing that's waterproof and not boil-in-the-bag as I tend to run hot and a little moist at the best of times. Perhaps a long pocket for a moon on a stick? 😉
> 100 quid
(Bear in mind I'm in Aus but flying out to UK end of March so could always pop into Go Outdoors or similar (does GO even still exist??). My nearest Decathlon is around 3,500km away so no, not nipping in for a gander.
Columbia outdry..
Ticks lots of the boxes.. also the bonus of not having to worry about dwr coating so can go straight in the washing machine on normal washes
Do Montane have anything. I have loads of their jackets as I really like them. My waterproof doesn't have pit zips but folds up small enough (maybe 1L) and has been good for slightly damp pub walks and 4000m snowy passes.
Alpkit would be another one to consider.
I’ve got an OR Helium jacket stashed in my hip pack as an emergency back up. Very happy with it, holds up well in prolonged rain, fits over a softshell and packs down small.
No pit zips unfortunately and also slightly over budget but have seen them discounted at various times in the year.
Live that cagoule experience. Unlined hood sticking to your face.
I picked up a Higher State waterproof lite jacket for £40 recently (RRP £140 so they say). Independent reviews were very positive so I thought it was worth a punt. Have worn in several times in various showers and am very impressed so far. Packs down really small too.
Mountain Equipment Zeno. It's in my pack/worn more often than the Lhotse or Tupilak.
I’ve managed perfectly well using a £20 Peter Storm jacket for the last few years, mostly in the winter worn over a Special 6. Not perfectly waterproof, but adequate enough to stay dry underneath. After ten hours or so outdoors the Buffalo would be slightly damp on the surface. It won’t get much of a look-in this winter, because I’ve been issued a decent breathable hi-viz jacket that doesn’t turn me into a boil-in-the-bag human, but it’ll keep for outdoor use over a mid-layer or a fleece.
spacemonkey - how did you find the sizing on the Higher State jacket? Looking at the sizing guide on the site I'd need a size smaller than normal
I've just ordered one in grey/orange size large. I'm weirdly shaped tall but short body and long arms.
Hopefully it arrives in Aus before I fly to the UK!
Arrived in Australia already. A week, standard delivery. Not bad!
For forty quid, really not bad at all. I'm 6'1" 80kg. Large fits great. Bit loose with just a t shirt but plenty of cinch points. Went for the black (more v. Dark grey) with orange bits. Would be perfect with a light fleece mid layer. Sink / sleeve splash test: beads off noice! Breathability? Not worn in anger. Only sat and watched Gomorrah in. Slightly tense at times. Not BITB at all so far.
Oh yeah, packs down small too. Handy backup jacket. Thanks for the ideas.
Edit: doesn't have pit zips tho.