Good review there Andy. I've found one of the more important features for me is a decent collar on weatherproofs. Ive recently bought a very well known high end jacket which isnt designed as packable, that has a really floppy collar and hood so unless the zip is fully done up to the chin, it just sits wide open with no structure and provides no draught exclusion which isnt great so its definitely something to look out for.

Pit Zips! Same for my mountain biking, been using one with REALY long pit zips - cools when driving on, zip up when you stop

Ya know whats kept me dry for the last 40 years... my £10, 95 Pattern British Army Poncho. A raincoat has one purpose, it keeps YOU dry. Thats it!! Thats all theyre meant to do. Not keep you warm, that is NOT their function, and as everyone knows, raincoats make you sweat like a fat man in a buffet line. Especially when your multi layered and fleeced up in the winter beneath. So, that being the case, you have a single use item that costs hundreds of pounds yet only serves two purposes....namely, to keep you bone dry and have you sweat. A Simple 95 pattern poncho is solid (feel one). It wont rip, it dosent make you sweat therefore theres no need for vents that you cant open cos your bergen straps are in the way. And speaking of bergens, it keeps not only you 100% dry, but your kit dry too. Furthermore, try using your jacket as a shelter or windbreak or water catcher or basha or sleeping bag cover or stretcher....aint happening!! If your not in the market to be ego of the mountain with a Hilleberg on ya back but wanna keep you and your kit bone dry yet have five other functions for your money and any more you can think of, then maybe UNDERthinking your top layer is the wisest decision. But, what do i know, ive only been doing it for the last 40 years. Just food for thought here is all. It is a nice coat btw, just like all the rest though, sweaty, expensive and unpractical for my money.

@carsforpeople3351

8 ай бұрын

You just sound like you don’t have the money to spend on a quality jacket. There’s so many things that a modern gore tex jacket has over a regular raincoat, and you’d know it if you tried one. I don’t mean to offend you in any way but it just sounds like you’re hating on these expensive jackets just because of the price. It’s like the same as saying that you don’t need a bmw because you can get an opel for half the price.

@KittchenSink

8 ай бұрын

@@carsforpeople3351 no offence taken mate. I do have Berghaus, Rab stuff that I've been gifted I'll wear just shopping in the winter or rain or for work or whatever but climbing the fells in the Lakes with a Bergen on my back while sweating like a lunatic in freezin cold wind rain and snow i simply dont find funny nor practical. Try making a lean to with a coat. Try keeping ya Bergen fully dry with a coat. Try covering your tent with a coat. Not happening. I do use a packable jacket and if it's that bad I'll toss the poncho over me and all my kit. You maybe young I've no idea, but I'm from the school of thought that 1 item with 10 uses is far, far better than 1 item with 1 use, particularly when your in the field for days on end. I have nothing against anyone buying anything they like dont get me wrong. If people wanna spend 350 quid on a Arcteryx raincoat because they believe it's 'technically superior' that's their business. But they do say a fool and his money are easily parted. And particularly in this day and age, I see precious little to counter that thesis. It's just like the Hilleberg fanboys. They need to spend £600 on a tent before they realise they rip and the poles snap in 45mph wind, just like Vangos. At the end of they day, there will be people who learn and there will be people who learn the expensive way by consistently spending thousands year after year, on stuff they simply didn't need.

@carsforpeople3351

8 ай бұрын

Ohhh now I see your perspective better. You made some good points there, I'll give it to you. It is true that a regular raincoat is much more versatile but a "hightier" goretex raincoat is better for what it's designed for in my opinion. Keeps you dry while still being lightweight. There are pros and cons for both of them and a regular raincoat could be much more useful in many situations than an arcteryx for example. And also a very good thing about a regular raincoat is that you don't have to be so careful with it since it doesn't cost 500 euros xD. I think what people need to realise is that you don't need a hightier raincoat, but if you have a good use for it and are willing to spend the money on it, then go for it. There are so many more important things to invest your money in than a 500 euro goretex jacket haha. I'm not going to argue anything you said there, because I do agree with you. And also I am young haha@@KittchenSink

@beatbasher

8 ай бұрын

Ponchos are great, but on windswept mountains I'd rather a rain jacket any day of the week, other than that I love ponchos

@Errcyco

7 ай бұрын

Everyone should have a solid Poncho. Even if you have an awesome Patagonia rain jacket, a Poncho can be used for shelter or over you and your pack and rain gear in really bad weather. They can make a small shelter too.. or shelter your backpack with your supplies while you make shelter. They can be used to signal.. or to camouflage. They can actually save your life keeping you warm in a pinch. They block wind entirely and rain. Best part.. like $10-20 for a reusable backpacking one.

Couldn't agree more, I'd never buy a jacket without ventilation options anymore. No matter how good and breathable the material is and how cheap it is, that's a dealbreaker.

I just wear my paramo in the winter , might have to look at something like this for the summer as the paramo will be to warm .

I bought one of the first ten Gore-Tex jackets ever sold. Had pit zips. All my jackets have had pit zips.

Just bought the Fjällraven Keb Eco Shell jacket Mens. And the fit and feel for the jacket is really over the top better than anything I've tried. It's a little hard to breath in the jacket but it's also has ventilation vents under the armpits, and it's super silent and soft. But embedded adjustment cords for the front adjustment of the hood didn't keep the hood in place. The small plastic locks to keep the cord in place didn't work, so now I'm waiting to get a new jacket from Fjällräven and hopefully they will improve on this. For me something really important is always features to ensure durability, is the adjustment cords sewn into the garments or are the visible and easy to repair etc. How is the zippers working. Does the velcro on the wrist dangle about when tightened, etc. Great review with many protips.

Think really carefully about your layering. If you start with the jacket on just a base layer will be fine as you will heat up. If you are putting the jacket on in the field take layers off to ensure the least build up of warmth and humidity. Even with pit zips you will get damp. You just want this to be as little as possible.

Best feature: It's made in Europe, specifically Ukraine, according to the tag (same goes for the Back Up pants). That, combined with great products, puts them beyond their peer brands, like Fjällreven and Rab.

You 100% get what you pay for with waterproofs. I bought a Montane Alpine Pro (Gore-Tex Pro shell) jacket about 6 years ago I believe and it's still fully waterproof. It is a bit battered now as I've used and abused it, but I still trust it over any of my other jackets. I believe it was also about £260 new

@ipodgooroo

8 ай бұрын

@@SSSlid it has been washed maybe 10 times. Roughly twice a year I guess

@ipodgooroo

8 ай бұрын

@@SSSlid quite a lot. Not every day, but at least once or twice a week.

One thing I really need is a packable waterproof jacket that covers the groin area. That is the most important part to me. I don't care if my legs get wet. But if the groin gets wet. That becomes a very uncomfortable walk. That jacket fails. It seems most jackets stop short of the groin area sadly.

@cdb8315

6 ай бұрын

REI has a nice selection of lightweight packs le jackets that go past the groin. I was just there last week and the salespeople even showed me some running jackets that were surprisingly long. My 30 yr old Helly Hansen is well past the groin, however it’s not as packable as the neeer jackets and it gets pretty warm while hiking. So, I may have to wait for next year since it’s warming up already here in the Phoenix area. I did my last couple hikes in 55* rain wearing a t shirt with a change of shirts in the car.

@cdb8315

6 ай бұрын

Don’t mind the typos. iPhone introduced a crappy new operating system with the worst spellcheck ever.

Nice color

Nice jacket My first good jacket was a used north face softshell goretex apex flex (I think haha, long name) Just a brilliant jacket. The only issue which i guess is the same for all these jackets is that it wets out after a while . I’m currently looking at goretex shakedry Which won’t be being made in the future so I hear. There are cycling and running shakedry jackets but there was also a hiking one that was a bit thicker material for backpacks . But maybe it’s worth a look at other stuff as tech is changing all the time

Finally bought one which I am happy with but cannot for the life of me understand why they would put the side zips below the armpit where you do NOT sweat??? Let's see how it performs when I do a long hike. Great video though thank you 👍🏼

Sports Direct are selling Adidas Paclite Jackest for 85 quid now. Fully featured too.

Really good looking jacket and obviously the colour is great for not standing out when stealth camping but £260 is a lot of money 🙈

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

Any product with Gore-Tex costs a fair bit. Some own-brand membranes are excellent too!

If you're on a hike, gortex pro is rubbish, it's impossible to wick sweat heat away so you end up drenched anyway, Spot on what you said

@BackpackingUK

11 ай бұрын

Gore Tex is great but it definitely has its limitations, especially when you are working hard or if it’s warmer.

Hey Andy, I've had a few 'waterproof' shells over the last few years (I say 'waterproof' cos some haven't even coped with a sustained light shower). I tend to produce a lot of sweat/sweat vapour if I'm even slightly warm, so I have to keep pretty cold to prevent moisture build up inside a jacket. Gore-Tex and all those similar membrane technologies are all problematic, pit zips definitely help, but water will only escape through a membrane when: the outside layer isn't saturated; the moisture is still vapour. The fundamental problem is that in cold weather, or if you're producing more sweat vapour than can escape through the membrane, it will condense. Once the water is liquid it cannot get out through the membrane (and will cause further vapour to condense, too). I've had warm wet weather hikes, wearing Gore-Tex, with every vent open, and there was so much moisture build up I may as well have not worn a jacket at all. So for me the real game changer in waterproofs has been discovering Paramo/Nikwax Analogy technology (I remembered a guy I used to work with, before I got into hiking etc, that if I should ever buy a waterproof then just buy Paramo, don't waste my money on anything else). Far more breathable than membrane waterproofs in the first place, and crazy how it 'pumps' moisture out of the jacket (you can actually see the moisture being pushed through the outer skin). The only downside is Paramo jackets are not as light and packable as the more lightweight membrane jackets. So I have a Montane Pac Plus XT if I know the jacket is going to spend most of its time in my pack. But if I'm going to be wearing it for any length of time then it's my Paramo Velez Jacket all the way. Seriously, have a look on Paramo's website about how the tech works and believe every word. Oh, and finally, they're much more comfortable against the skin than the plasticky feel of conventional jackets, and much more durable (and you can repair them yourself with a needle and thread, without affecting their waterproofness!). I'll shut up now, but I do recommend you check Paramo out. Genuine game changer.

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Very helpful.

@davesheffield3620

Жыл бұрын

Paramo are brilliant winter waterproofs

@deaneager

Жыл бұрын

@@davesheffield3620 they are. I've not had mine long enough to test in Summer, but it's the reason I got a Velez Jacket, cos it's less insulating, and I figured I can add layers under it during winter (exactly what I did on Friday/Saturday this week). But I really am interested in how it performs in Summer. Gore-Tex, in a sustained downpour in Summer just doesn't work for me, I have to stop moving to prevent moisture build up inside the jacket. If I know when the rain will stop and I can dry out then I'll just wear a baselayer and take the hit.

@vamboroolz1612

Жыл бұрын

I have a velez too for the exact same reasons. I run very hot on hikes and its the only jacket that I have owned that remains highly breathable. If I remember rightly, Paramo dont rate this jacket as waterproof as their others but I have never had a problem with it no matter how heavy a rain shower or downpour. Best jacket I have owned,(though the sleeves seem to be extremely long).

@deaneager

Жыл бұрын

@@vamboroolz1612 I don't recollect seeing anything on Paramo's site regarding it being a lesser waterproof. I wore mine through 1.5 days of hiking and wild camping in The Lakes last weekend, in all weathers. I didn't want to be faffing about adding and removing layers, so just wore a merino wool baselayer and the Velez Jacket whilst on the move. Temperature varied between 11°C and around 0°C at the summits, with wind chill. There were times I was sweating and could feel it running down my back and forearms, and other times I had to zip everything up to keep the rain, hail, and cold out. Took my jacket off after I'd pitched up and I was dry as a bone underneath. I did have to keep my phone in a waterproof pouch on day 2, though, cos there was that much vapour moving through the pockets that it was condensing on my phone's screen, making it very hard to use (until I was able to dry it off properly in the tent).

I bought a tog24 craven pac a mac but I know its not the best but its all I could afford, are they suitable??

Serious question ... Can't you just open the front if you get a bit sweaty? If it's raining, won't you let in rain with the side zips? (obviously less through side zips than through the front, but still ... wouldn't you just walk a bit slower in rain?)

could you not find something more expensive?

@marthinlarsen1473

9 ай бұрын

Keb Eco shell haha. That's 400 pounds

@nathanlockhart3876

9 ай бұрын

@@marthinlarsen1473bergtagen eco is even more. And then mountain engineering has one over $700

@davidholmes2283

14 күн бұрын

To quote Gene Berg: “buy the best and cry once”. But this is out of my price range.

Some of my clothes just get short when I bend over-- expose my back -- comfortable. There should be a way to seal around your gloves so the water coming down your waterproof jacket and your sleeve will not fill up your glove. How is that problem solved with what is now being sold?

I have only very recently realized that my (cheap Quechua) jacket actually got this arm pit vent!

@TomDutch

3 ай бұрын

Got that Quechua soft shell with pit zips too. Its a decent jacket for the price. I've got quite a lot of stuff from decathlon. Not the best but great price / quality.

Great stuff. I'm on the hunt for one as my cheapo old Peter Storm one insists on my arms getting wet in the rain, despite me trying to boost it with Nikwax rainproofing.

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

This is obviously quite an expensive jacket, however, my Sprayway jackets have always been 100% waterproof too and cost much less.

@mikefoster6018

Жыл бұрын

@@BackpackingUK Cheers! The bit I find perturbing is that I can usually get away with 'XL' sizes at M&S or t-shirts etc ... but these outdoor fitness companies are brutal and anything smaller than a XXL jacket feels too skin tight! XD

@cdb8315

6 ай бұрын

I’m not having the best of luck with an old Shelly Hansen and NikWax either. The REi peeps said to try washing ithe NikWax in again - or hand wash it in a bucket. What do you do with nice looking gear that doesn’t keep out the rain - use it for a windbreaker? lol

Hi Andy. Thanks for the advice re the jackets. It really is a lottery. Packable shower-proofs are one thing, but a serious waterproof is another altogether. Ta very much.

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

Totally agree! I won’t be getting rid of my ‘heavy-duty’ gore-tex waterproofs anytime soon! I’ll continue to use them when I know the forecast is full rain all day.

Good review! I’m still using a Rab jacket made of e-vent (a Gore-Tex competitor) that I’ve had for 17 (yes 17!) years. It’s still completely waterproof, despite the battering I’ve given it. Rab don’t seem to make them any more, if anyone knows why I’d appreciate it. Cheers!

@jonathanshone5517

11 ай бұрын

Because Rab went over to Gore-tex. I believe the eVent brand was sold to a Chinese company and I don’t know where it’s used now.

@vvs3796

Ай бұрын

I have a similar montane event jacket with pit zips. It feels great, pity that that are almost no event jackets sold anymore..

Good review Andy. Is that a size Medium you are wearing?

@BackpackingUK

8 ай бұрын

Small 👍

Hi mate, do you think you could do a review on the berghaus transition 400. It’s supposedly a 4 season synthetic sleeping bad but there is not a single review about it across the whole of the internet

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

I can’t but from experience 4 season synthetic bags are either huge and heavy or they’re really a 3 season bag. If you can stretch, I’d highly recommend a down bag, they’re game changers!

@gekoclaw

Жыл бұрын

@@BackpackingUK thanks for the reply and advice, recently found your vids and appreciate your posts and help

Honestly, within the realm of “water jackets,” it seems to me that everything these days is relatively compact and packable. It’s nylon sheet for goodness sake’s. Yes, there are differences in use, denier, etc., but how much space/weight really is at stake here? An expedition insulation piece… now we’re talking measurable difference. PAC-lite vs. 80/40 GTX Pro - some, but I’d rather error on more than less for the last line between the elements.

Great review as always Andy 👍 however what size are you wearing? As I'm looking to buy one as I'm 5'10 and 39" chest. Thanks

@BackpackingUK

8 ай бұрын

This is a size small and I’m 172cm (5’8”) and 70kg.

@Braveheart2305

8 ай бұрын

Thanks mate 👍

Trekkit are selling them for £180.00 at the moment.

@BackpackingUK

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing 👍

Nice review Andy. Might look into this as I went on a 21 km hike today in the pouring rain. I wore my apparently full waterproof Rab rain jacket with armpit zip like yours. Now I'm just trying to work out why I was soaked inside. Was it that the rain came through or is it through my sweat as I was walking at a decent pace for a good few hours. When I got home I tried to test it with water and made like a bowl out of the jacket but no water came through when I filled it up. I'm proper confused???

@BackpackingUK

8 ай бұрын

Not sure really, maybe it’s a bit of both?

@barrypanaretou9124

8 ай бұрын

@@BackpackingUK I dunno as Rab is an apparently decent make and all the seams are sealed like yours. It wasn't cheap either. Maybe it's because I didn't zip it all the way up to the chin. Anyway like I said that's a top review you did mate so thank you I think I might look into them after I test this jacket for a second time but properly close up. Keep up the good work, love your channel man 👌🏼.

@barrypanaretou9124

8 ай бұрын

Hi again mate. So I went on to Trekkit like you said and typed in Tierra back up gen 3 but it does not state gen 3 in the description. There is one which looks the same as yours reduced from £240 to £180, is this the same jacket even though it does not say gen 3? Thanks

@beatbasher

8 ай бұрын

Best test is stand in the shower, if your shower head has a jet/massage setting then even better to replicate being lashed with rain. If you're wet inside from that then you know you're not wetting out with condensing sweat.

@barrypanaretou9124

8 ай бұрын

@@beatbasher that's a bloody good idea mate. Thanks 👍🏼

Noticed you were more or less wearing jean material for pants, correct? What do you recommend for pants to stay dry? It is one thing to stay dry on top, but are your pants also waterproof in this video?

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

These are DUER jeans. They’re wind proof and stretchy hiking jeans. You can buy them from @trekitt

@beatbasher

8 ай бұрын

You can get stretchy and water resistant denim, they're DWR treated but not waterproof from what I remember.

Way too expensive, best budget suggestions with pit zips??

My Berghaus fellmaster 3in1 gore Tex does me fine at £130.

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a good deal!

@craigdavies1747

Жыл бұрын

@@BackpackingUK always look around. 👍

The biggest thing for me after many nicer rain jackets is not sounding like a trash bag, and being comfortable and durable. Patagonia is where it’s at. Just got a 4 year old used rain jacket replaced for a much newer model for free. Ten years down the line when this one wears out.. I’ll do that again. Patagonia is an investment.

Looks a great jacket but too pricey for me. Do you have any cheaper recommendations that'd be suitable for multi day hiking?

@typo4000

Жыл бұрын

I bought a Marmot Precip on the recommendation of a friend who'd had one several years. I've only had mine for three years and it's done me well so far. Mine is a medium and 311g on the kitchen scale. Pit zips, mesh pockets and velcro cuffs mean decent ventillation, in the summer months but I'd admit, not so good in winter as the cut is quite close for midlayers. I paid about £60 for mine, but currently you might do better than that. I've since looked at the very well regarded Patagonia Torrentshell (~£100). I can't comment on how good it is, but again the cut was no better than the Marmot.

@derreckdeckerson9917

Жыл бұрын

@@typo4000 I'll look at those then. Thanks

@TheAsgaard83

Жыл бұрын

Agree on Precip. Used it qute a lot, some summer hiking but mostly city use. I also own discontinued Essence to compare fit-wise - Precip is not as refined i.e. boxy with shorter sleeves and poorer range of motion, stiil not too bad. However, price vs. performance is outstanding. For such basic jacket, it offers good protection and durability. Boxy fit had also some advantages e.g. was able to put it on Patagonia Performance Better Sweater + Arcteryx Gamma MX making it trully all year rain jacket. Having bought Essence 2 years later, I gave it to my dad who loves it so much that he wears it as his main jacket even with no rain. I wonder how long it lasts.

@typo4000

Жыл бұрын

@@TheAsgaard83 I'd have to go up a jacket size with either of those midlayers to avoid condensation problems on my arms in particular. A Patagonia Tech Face and merino baselayer work well for me down to about 5 degrees when active. Any colder, I use a bulkier jacket.

Thoughts on Ventile jackets?

@grahamriley8124

7 ай бұрын

They do not work! Heavy, packing is a nightmare when they are sodden and will take an age to dry. And water does get through. They are excellent in dry or snowy weather though.

What size is that one you are wearing andy?

@BackpackingUK

8 ай бұрын

Small 👍

@barrypanaretou9124

8 ай бұрын

@@BackpackingUK thanks buddy 👍🏼

any opinions on pertex shield plus?

@BackpackingUK

2 ай бұрын

It ticks a huge amount of boxes. As always, these jackets / materials have limitations on breathability depending on you and the conditions.

@vvs3796

Ай бұрын

Actually its not the plus but AP pertex that I have...but anyway,I don't think there is huge differences anyway..thank you

I really like that jacket, does it have an internal phone pocket?

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

No, but in theory you could gain access to mid-layer pockets through the pit zips.

What size are u wearing in the video?

@BackpackingUK

2 ай бұрын

Small 👍

@raffaelepellegrino7996

2 ай бұрын

@@BackpackingUKand could you please tell me how tall you are, just trying to understand what size it would be ok for me, I see the sleeves are pretty long, and I’d like to avoid that

I'm fine with Columbia watertight 2.i have two. I won't buy a waterproof>75$

ONLY 280$ I AM IN

Dude I love it, I just can't go 300 + U.S. $. Could you go something more affordable ?

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

I’m sure there’s many alternatives with pit-zips for much less. If I find some I’ll share!

@hennebux

Жыл бұрын

Word

260 pounds? I'll stick with my Marmot Precip 120 Dollareedoos. 300g. Money a huge factor.

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

As soon as you add an official Gore-Tex liner the price increases dramatically!

I know you get what you pay for (in most cases) but this is way to much cash for me, I actually turned off when you said the price, good job you put it at the Andy 🤣🤣

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

Fair enough 😂 The main thing to take away is I genuinely believe pit-zips are a must for packable waterproofs!

Expensive wa-erproof jacket.

Oh my G...! I had to stop abit over halfway through there...!😄 How much...?!?!🤔😯🤣 £260...!!!???🤯 I think I'll have to stick with my £20 Peter Storm & cut some slits under the armpits...!!!😂👍💯👊

@BackpackingUK

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

@beatbasher

8 ай бұрын

And we know who'd have the more comfortable hike, I had a cheap Peter Storm one, may as well have been wearing a bin bag. You really do get what you pay for. The difference between budget and premium is like night and day especially for temperature management. Keeping the rain out is only half the battle.

Do you want to speak a bit slower mate?

@chefgav1

2 ай бұрын

A bit slower? Cant be serious

Anything GORE tex IS a forever chemical…PTFE [goretex] so IF you are concerned about that sort of thing..then buyer beware… Still….its a great jacket! 😊

@EyalBor

17 күн бұрын

What kind of material is health friendly for a rain jacket?