Waterproof Jacket Recommendation

[steveG]

I'm want to buy a decent waterproof jacket as an outer layer for general camping/walking etc. Needs to be not too bulky and a fabric that breathes well.
I want something that will last a few years, and I'm prepared to pay for good quality that will last a long time (without going over the top).

I've had a look at ones in Anaconda and a couple of other outdoors shops.
There is a wide range of fabrics/waterproof/breathability and prices from about $50 to $500 so I'm more confused now than when I started.

Can anyone give me some guidance on particular fabrics/waterproof ratings and even particular brands that might help narrow things down a bit?

Steve

[seano87]

For good quality and breathe-ability, I don't think much beats Gore-Tex.

Yes, they are expensive, but they are light, very waterproof, will last many many years (mine is 7 years and still going as good as ever) and breathe very well. The basic design of the fabric is that the holes created in the weave are too small for water molecules, but large enough for air, so it works well!

You should be able to get a good quality jacket starting from around $200. Try sucking air through from the inside of the jacket, if its particularly hard (or impossible in the case of substance coated...) it won't breathe well and you will turn into a sauna!

HTH, Seano

[Barefoot Dave]

G'Day Steve. Mate, to clarify, are you after a 'storm jacket' (read medium weight) as such or more of a lightweight 'technical fabric' (gore-tex type) rain coat.
I guess it depends on your layering system, if you have one. 3 or 4 layers including shell.
Do you want a jacket to keep you dry AND warm -5 to 10, 0 to15, 5 to 20 degC?
Dave

[spudboy]

Wait until Kathmandu have a sale. We got a $500 gore-tex jacket for under 1/2 price. Big improvement over a non-breathable 'plastic' type jacket.

[steveG]

G'Day Steve. Mate, to clarify, are you after a 'storm jacket' (read medium weight) as such or more of a lightweight 'technical fabric' (gore-tex type) rain coat.
I guess it depends on your layering system, if you have one. 3 or 4 layers including shell.
Do you want a jacket to keep you dry AND warm -5 to 10, 0 to15, 5 to 20 degC?
Dave

Hi Dave. The gore-tex style rain coat I guess. Doesn't need to provide any warmth as I layer up as required and just need something to go over the top to keep dry. That way I can use it whatever the temperature.
Being smaller/lighter its also more likely to end up with me when its required rather than left at home or back at camp.

Steve

[waz]

I agree with Seano87. Spend as much as you can.

I got mine at a closing-down sale $450 down to $250 and I thought, "Why would someone spend $250 on a rain coat?" Best camping equipment money I've ever spent. It really shines in our humidity.

The gore-tex ones are great, but follow the care instructions(which may be counter-intuitive). these can include spraying with a water-proofing agent then tumble drying or ironing.

W

[steveG]

Wait until Kathmandu have a sale. We got a $500 gore-tex jacket for under 1/2 price. Big improvement over a non-breathable 'plastic' type jacket.

Definitely hoping not to pay full price!
I forgot about Kathmandu - I think there is still one in Geelong so will check that out once I've got a clearer idea of what I need.

Sounds like the Gore-tex style is the way to go, but I know there are other fancy named fabrics around now so would be interested any any info on those too.
Perhaps they are/were gore-tex anyway before the relative marketing departments got to them (since gore-tex has been around at least since the 80's).

Steve

[Sparksdisco]

mate go into a sailing shop and see what they have i have a full kit of sailing gear which is orsome in the cold wether on land. i recomend henery loyd or helly hansen gear. there not that cheep but i think some of the best gear by far

Cheers

Sparks

[Signal1]

Steve,

Following on from Sparks's idea, visit Whitworths Marine: Clothing/Apparel > Wet Weather Gear (http://tinyurl.com/y9g2dkt) to help with the research. Whitworths have a good website showing prices and pictures of their gear. Whilst some are very expensive ($1000+ :o) it's worth visiting them for a better price ;).

[Barefoot Dave]

Steve, You are right, there are many 'Gore-Tex'-like fabricks on the market. Some are much better than others. Using common sense, price is a good indicator.ygwypf
For what you are after, life-span wise you need to be budgeting ~$450-$550 retail. This should get you a reasonably good balance between toughness, weight and breathability.
I'd recommend a jacket in the 500- 600 gm range, with pit zips, peaked hood, taped and sealed seams and storm zipper.
Braethability is measured in 000gm/m2/24hrs. Gore-tex should be around 6000.
Alternatively there are some reasonably tough basic ultralights around for very little. More of a tough, breathable spray jacket aimed at adventure racers etc.
Montane do a 115g basic and a Jacket type 129gm, for ~$150. These equal goretex at 6000.
Keep an eye on the sales for 'unfashionable' last seasons wear. I was looking at a nice Gore Mountain Designs jacket the other day down from $650 to $420. Coming up to winter, reduced prices will be every where.
Hope this helps.
Dave.

[dullbird]

if your prepared to pay the price look at north face gear

[Barefoot Dave]

Some reading on the subject of Gore-tex and the like.
Well worth 10 minutes of your time.
Rainwear (http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_Rainwear.htm#Materials)
Dave.

[waynep]

We have the Mont brand Tempest japaras/outer shell. Also their sleeping bags. Very high quality stuff.

www.mont.com.au (http://www.mont.com.au)

The parka style jackets are best because they come down over your bum.
Still need a pair of over trousers for the legs though.
They are made from a fabric called Hydronaute
You can buy them at the Wilderness shops.
About the same price as Gore Tex ones.

AFAIK ther stuff is still made in Australia ( must check the label )

[steveG]

Steve, You are right, there are many 'Gore-Tex'-like fabricks on the market. Some are much better than others. Using common sense, price is a good indicator.ygwypf
For what you are after, life-span wise you need to be budgeting ~$450-$550 retail. This should get you a reasonably good balance between toughness, weight and breathability.
I'd recommend a jacket in the 500- 600 gm range, with pit zips, peaked hood, taped and sealed seams and storm zipper.
Braethability is measured in 000gm/m2/24hrs. Gore-tex should be around 6000.
Alternatively there are some reasonably tough basic ultralights around for very little. More of a tough, breathable spray jacket aimed at adventure racers etc.
Montane do a 115g basic and a Jacket type 129gm, for ~$150. These equal goretex at 6000.
Keep an eye on the sales for 'unfashionable' last seasons wear. I was looking at a nice Gore Mountain Designs jacket the other day down from $650 to $420. Coming up to winter, reduced prices will be every where.
Hope this helps.
Dave.

Thanks Dave - excellent info. I've got a trip to NZ in March so hopefully I can get something at a decent price before then.
Its a pity its so hard to distinguish between real gore-tex fabrics and imitations as I'm likely to be in China later this month for work so could probably pick something up cheap there. If it was just a fashion item there are some good knock-offs, but in this case I don't really care what it looks like but it HAS to do its job.
Steve

[Bundalene]

Hi Dave,

I have a 'North Face' jacket - you only need 1 for a lifetime, as long as you don't grow out of it - not cheap but good gear. Wait for a sale if you can.

Erich

[miky]

I have a "One Planet" Gore-Tex jacket.
That said, any top quality Gore-Tex jacket would do.
Basically you can get a lightweight Gore-Tex or heavy weight. Heavy weight if you are bashing through scrub for example. Most bushwalkers would get a heavy weight jacket.
Also... make sure the length is OK for your needs. Mine comes down almost to my knees.

And I agree with not getting a jacket with built in "to keep you warm" lining, better to use the multy layer principle.

Mike

[steveG]

Hi Dave,

I have a 'North Face' jacket - you only need 1 for a lifetime, as long as you don't grow out of it - not cheap but good gear. Wait for a sale if you can.

Erich

Yes, Genuine North Face is great gear but there are a lot of non-genuine copies around which aren't actually Gore-tex (and difficult to tell just by looking). They even come with very nice "Genuine Gore-tex" labels.
I happen to have a couple of lined North Face storm jackets that are imitations - but they only cost me $40 each. Nice and warm but about as waterproof as a woolen sock once the silicon coating ages a bit. I got mine in China, but there are usually plenty of them on eBay locally.

I'll definitely be buying from a reputable store - hopefully on sale!!

Steve

[Vern]

Wait until Kathmandu have a sale. We got a $500 gore-tex jacket for under 1/2 price. Big improvement over a non-breathable 'plastic' type jacket.
I did this, got a $600 jacket for $300, i use this snow boarding and its brilliant, poops all over my burton snowbaording jacket:)
Also look at paddy pallin, they stock great gear.
Theres aother brands like MacPac (NZ), North face, Paddy Pallin, Kathamndu, Helly Hanson etc...

[dmdigital]

I'll also put a word in for North Face with Gore-tex. We have two shell jackets we bought in Vancouver for about 25% of the price of one of them here. Absolutely great, even good for the wet season up here if you want to try and keep dry.

The other thing to do is make sure the shell jacket you get is vented under the arm pits or near by with weather sealed zips. This can make a big difference when it comes to cooling down without having to discard too many layers.


Also have a look here: www.mec.ca

[numpty]

Go Goretex, as it's worth the money. I have a Paddy Pallin jacket for bushwalking, which was very useful on the Overland Track.

Don't discount Chinese stuff, as a heck of a lot of the "brand" stuff is made there or Vietnam these days. Paddy's and Macpac particularly.

[Piddler]

Conclude with others; Yep I have a North Face with Zip out Fleece. The fleece is great light weight good for summer I wear it more than the coat.
The Gortex jacket is awesome though.

Cheers

[S_Squirel]

I concur 'North Face' if you're going to spend real cash.

Ridgeline from NZ are pretty good at almost half the cost, loads of hunters and walkers use their gear.

Highland Sports (http://www.highlandsports.com.au)

[steveG]

Go Goretex, as it's worth the money. I have a Paddy Pallin jacket for bushwalking, which was very useful on the Overland Track.

Don't discount Chinese stuff, as a heck of a lot of the "brand" stuff is made there or Vietnam these days. Paddy's and Macpac particularly.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't discounting Chinese stuff - as you say the brand stuff is mostly made there anyway.
Was just meaning to point out that its very hard to distinguish between a genuine product and a fake one, and its best to deal with a reputable store.

Steve

[Grockle]

I use Paramo,very good quality

[slug_burner]

I'll also put a word in for North Face with Gore-tex. We have two shell jackets we bought in Vancouver for about 25% of the price of one of them here. Absolutely great, even good for the wet season up here if you want to try and keep dry.

The other thing to do is make sure the shell jacket you get is vented under the arm pits or near by with weather sealed zips. This can make a big difference when it comes to cooling down without having to discard too many layers.


Also have a look here: Outdoor Gear - Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) - quipement d'activits de grande nature (http://www.mec.ca)

Are you a paid up member Derek?

[p38arover]

I'll also put a word in for North Face with Gore-tex. We have two shell jackets we bought in Vancouver for about 25% of the price of one of them here.

I wish I'd known that when I was in Vancouver! :(

I have a oiled cotton medium length Driza-Bone but I've grown too fat for it so it hasn't been worn for years. It has had very, very little use. :(

My raincoat in my work bag hasn't been taken out in the 8 years I've owned it.

[dmdigital]

West Broadway St in Vancouver is just lined with outdoor shops for one section. Best places to buy gear from as if one shop doesn't have your size you go to the next one. The biggest one, MEC, does mail order and the store is huge.

[p38arover]

I didn't find that street - I don't think. Ah well. :(

[jddisco200tdi]

Before you part with any money, have a looks in all the 'outlet' stores in Smith St, Collingwood. Alot of the gear is often just last years colours at very good prices.
Just before Christmas we bought some Macpac jackets for winter in Beijing. Got down to -14 deg C one morning.

Regards

John D - Defender 110 2.4

[300+]

I picked up a patagonia from their sale page. It was their version of goretex and has a lifetime guarantee.

I think it cost me $90 AUD. I was looking for something with more features, but they had sold out of my size so I ended up with a very basic shell. It has been 100% waterproof so far and I'm happy with it. It was also cheap enough that I don't care what happens to it.
Patagonia Web Specials - Featuring Discounts and our Patagonia Sales (http://www.patagonia.com/sale)

The downside is that you need a US shipping address to buy the sale products. I happened to be heading out there when I wanted to buy so I just had it shipped to my US office.

However, even the full RRP price is less than the local prices and they do ship internationally if you pay full wack. I looked in various Aus stores and couldn't find anything I'd buy for under $500.

Cheers, Steve

[d2dave]

My wife and I have one of these.
She has 3/4 length and I have full length.

Unfortunately they don't have a very good web site.
The coat I am talking about looks like the sterling.

We both absolutely love them and if anything happened and I had to replace it I would not look at anything else.

Dave.

http://www.totaltravel.com.au/link.asp?fid=540129

I found a better pic. This is the 3/4 coat.
http://www.mycountryclothing.com/product/pjacket/TRAV.html

[Sprint]

whats wrong with a Driza-bone?

[d2dave]

whats wrong with a Driza-bone?

Nothing if you don't mind looking like a cowboy.

Dave.

[dullbird]

Nothing if you don't mind looking like a cowboy.

Dave.


not true I have two driza-bones and neither are oil skin;)

[kenleyfred]

Does anyone have the premium jacket available from Land Rover dealers.
I have a voucher that is burning a hole in my wallet for Austral Land Rover.
Wanting to get some Land Rover gear and was looking at their jacket. $249. Expensive, but the voucher knocks a lot of that off.
Made in China and features "Finetex" Assume that is a chinese knock off for Goretex. It seems to be good quality.

Kenley

[dullbird]

Does anyone have the premium jacket available from Land Rover dealers.
I have a voucher that is burning a hole in my wallet for Austral Land Rover.
Wanting to get some Land Rover gear and was looking at their jacket. $249. Expensive, but the voucher knocks a lot of that off.
Made in China and features "Finetex" Assume that is a chinese knock off for Goretex. It seems to be good quality.

Kenley


well we have had a few jeckets from landrover...and I have tio say they are not built like there cars so go for it.:D

they actually make good quality gear

[Tombie]

I have a oiled cotton medium length Driza-Bone but I've grown too fat for it so it hasn't been worn for years. It has had very, very little use. :(

My raincoat in my work bag hasn't been taken out in the 8 years I've owned it.

Ditto... Can't beat an Oil-Skin :cool: Mines full length and I love it...

Bit tight now... But then I havent worn anything warmer than a t-shirt in 10 years.... :cool:

[kenleyfred]

well we have had a few jeckets from landrover...and I have tio say they are not built like there cars so go for it.:D

they actually make good quality gear

Thanks for that. I bought it today. Hopefully I go somewhere wet and very cold soon.
See how well fine tex compares to gore tex.
Kenley

[ramblingboy42]

jeez guys. so close to australia day and all. none of the cockeys wear "gortex" poof gear, they wear driza-bones as soon as the weather comes in, look around you next youre out bush in your 4wds

[Sprint]

Nothing if you don't mind looking like a cowboy.

Dave.

better than looking like a trendy metrosexual...... :angel:

[warren9981]

Hi have a Macpac hiking jacket. It's excellent, comes below the bum and is designed to wear with a full pack on. Drizabones are good but don't pack down real small from memory. You really need to look at how you will use your jacket to decide what you will get. Hiking with pack, bushwalking, 4wding etc all have different requirements.
Just my 2c.:D

[cucinadio]

save your money mate ..and go for something like this..water proof, lined and bloody warm in winter ....the fur lining is removable for summer ....mine was only $130 and Ive had for ten yrs now ..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1117.jpg


cheers

[steveG]

A quick update on what we ended up getting.
My wife picked up a Kathmandu Goretex jacket (Paclite Shell) from Smith St store for $200. Its quite a light jacket and packs up nice and small

I had to go to China for a couple of weeks for work, and ended up getting a local Mobi Garden brand jacket at a big Chinese New Year sale at a large department store. Its a heavier Goretex style fabric, with zip out warm lining (similar to North Face summit series jackets). Got it for half price - AUD$80 - so figured I couldn't go far wrong. I checked out the spec on the fabric and its almost identical to Goretex.

There were a lot of good Goretex jackets in Shanghai, but prices weren't any cheaper than what you can buy on sale in Oz.

Steve

[Hoges]

A quick update on what we ended up getting.
My wife picked up a Kathmandu Goretex jacket (Paclite Shell) from Smith St store for $200. Its quite a light jacket and packs up nice and small

I had to go to China for a couple of weeks for work, and ended up getting a local Mobi Garden brand jacket at a big Chinese New Year sale at a large department store. Its a heavier Goretex style fabric, with zip out warm lining (similar to North Face summit series jackets). Got it for half price - AUD$80 - so figured I couldn't go far wrong. I checked out the spec on the fabric and its almost identical to Goretex.

There were a lot of good Goretex jackets in Shanghai, but prices weren't any cheaper than what you can buy on sale in Oz.

Steve

yep good gear! most production goes out the front door to o/s shops/dept stores ...then there's "local" brands which is same stuff with diff label... and generally lower price... ah! the bennies of occasional intn'l trips! ;)

[3 Lions]

I have a Berghaus Gore tex jacket, with separate fleece inner jacket, bought in the UK 10 years ago.It was expensive then, so was cheaper to get ordered and posted to Germany to Bro in the Forces, bit of hassle but knocked off around 30% of the price.

Jacket is still going strong, waterproof and rolls up small n light.

Also a big fan of Northface, have a puffer jacket of theres bought in Anaconda, in Geelong last year.Waited for a sale so got it for a pretty good price.Not exactly waterproof but very warm and toasty for out walking in.:)

[longreach]

save your money mate ..and go for something like this..water proof, lined and bloody warm in winter ....the fur lining is removable for summer ....mine was only $130 and Ive had for ten yrs now ..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1117.jpg


cheers
looks good were do you buy them ??