Which waterproof jacket

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
Currently been using my endura mt500 on the hills , looking for chest and hand pockets and something I can where around town too.
I've had a look at past threads but nothing has caught my eye thanks.
 

tom

Thru Hiker
UL rain jackets don't have hand pockets usually ... ;) But I can recommend one without :biggrin: My Outdoor Research Helium II is still in top shape after 5 or 6 years (chest pocket too). A bit heavy for thru-hikes at almost 180gr but I use it regulary for day hikes (when I don't take my cu poncho), cycling and town - doesn't absorb water like some goretex either. And no need to size up :)
 

Patrick

Ultralighter
I've just recently bought a Berghaus Fast Hike waterproof, which comes in a 210g and does have hand pockets, though no chest pocket. The hood manages a stiffened peak too, which as a glasses wearer is something I'm loathe to do without. Seems to breath well, and currently beads moisture on the outside like nothing I've seen before - I guess that will wear off like any DWR does, though. Its pleasingly compact stuffed into its integral mesh bag, and seems the right compromise for me between weight and features.
 

edh

Thru Hiker
I've got an SL - impressed. Very well made.
The FL looks great, but....I already have the other...
A mate has one. It feels light yet capable (this is bullshit as I only wore it once)...
All good bits of my jacket minus stuff I don't use. Nice.
Hood overkill for walking but volume reduces well.
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
I've had the zeta Ar for about 3 years or so, heavier than most at 440g in XL, I love it, been through some proper wet stuff together, still looks in mint condition, it's a tough jacket rather than light.

I'm planning on getting the zelta sl (when I find the flux colourway on sale) wife has the beta sl, it's very light and she has no complaints about it, but shes only had it a year or so and it hasn't had half the beating my AR has, so not sure about long term rucksack carrying/general misuse
 

Baldy

Thru Hiker
If you're looking for something to ''last a good few hours of Scottish rain'' I wouldn't go too light or too cheap. Wet and cold is horrible.
Look for deals on Black Diamond or similar.
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalo...icGFnZSI6MywicGFnZVNpemUiOjQyLCJwb3MiOjI4fQ==
They say this is an emergency jacket ,I'd be hoping it would last a good few hours of Scottish rain.
Lots of choice on arcteryx site.Trying to keep cost down so using sportpersuit,just can't make up my mind.

If Sports Pursuit had it in an xl, I would have bought it, even in that blue colour for that price, aye the arcteryx site has the size and colour I want, but I'm fae Aberdeen, not paying full price for anything, plus I'm in no rush

The wifes SL hasn't had to put up with the 2 hours of crazy rain my AR had to a couple of weeks ago, so it's never been fully tested, I was pretty surprised how good the AR coped, unfortunately my ME "waterproof" trousers didnt.

I was going to get the beta sl, same as the wifes but when I was reading reviews on OutdoorGearLab I discovered that it's been discontinued and replaced by the Zeta.

There was something that stopped me looking at the FL range, cant remember what, might have been no waist pockets? They're a must have for me but both the SL and FL range get cracking reviews on gear lab
 

Whiteburn

Thru Hiker
If you're looking for something to ''last a good few hours of Scottish rain'' I wouldn't go too light or too cheap. Wet and cold is horrible.
Look for deals on Black Diamond or similar.
Experienced 6hrs of walking in continuous Scottish wind & rain earlier in the week & my cheapo Marmot PreCip kept me warm & dry; I've tried lighter jackets (e.g. Pertex Shield+) & wasn't really impressed......IME they wear out (usually shoulders & back) too quickly for my liking.
 

Baldy

Thru Hiker
Experienced 6hrs of walking in continuous Scottish wind & rain earlier in the week & my cheapo Marmot PreCip kept me warm & dry; I've tried lighter jackets (e.g. Pertex Shield+) & wasn't really impressed......IME they wear out (usually shoulders & back) too quickly for my liking.

Yep, Marmot Precip are the best of the bunch for the price.
 

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
If Sports Pursuit had it in an xl, I would have bought it, even in that blue colour for that price, aye the arcteryx site has the size and colour I want, but I'm fae Aberdeen, not paying full price for anything, plus I'm in no rush

The wifes SL hasn't had to put up with the 2 hours of crazy rain my AR had to a couple of weeks ago, so it's never been fully tested, I was pretty surprised how good the AR coped, unfortunately my ME "waterproof" trousers didnt.

I was going to get the beta sl, same as the wifes but when I was reading reviews on OutdoorGearLab I discovered that it's been discontinued and replaced by the Zeta.

There was something that stopped me looking at the FL range, cant remember what, might have been no waist pockets? They're a must have for me but both the SL and FL range get cracking reviews on gear lab
What's the sizing like on arcteryx jacket's,I'm usually a medium in jackets
 

Ally

Ultralighter
What's the sizing like on arcteryx jacket's,I'm usually a medium in jackets

I use an Arcteryx alpha FL year round from blizzards to summer showers and it does just fine. I would opt for pit zips next time around through for winter up hills.

Size wise I would say is true to size im a large in ME and Rab ( non alpine fit ). Large Arcteryx is spot on for me the alpha models slightly taper in at the waist for climbing which suits me as broad shoulder and chest with smaller waist.
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
I take the same size in Arcteryx as I do in everything else, except montane, I've stopped even looking at their clothing now as it never fits, and alpkit base layers/tops are the same (never tried their outerwear though)

Patagonia, fjallraven, Rab, ME, Arcteryx I take the same (xl) and they all fit perfectly
 

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
I use an Arcteryx alpha FL year round from blizzards to summer showers and it does just fine. I would opt for pit zips next time around through for winter up hills.

Size wise I would say is true to size im a large in ME and Rab ( non alpine fit ). Large Arcteryx is spot on for me the alpha models slightly taper in at the waist for climbing which suits me as broad shoulder and chest with smaller waist.
How's the length of alpha and is the noisy. I'm starting to like the zeta at for back length an internal pocket
 

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
I take the same size in Arcteryx as I do in everything else, except montane, I've stopped even looking at their clothing now as it never fits, and alpkit base layers/tops are the same (never tried their outerwear though)

Patagonia, fjallraven, Rab, ME, Arcteryx I take the same (xl) and they all fit perfectly
I'm the same with those companies too, medium it is then
 

Ally

Ultralighter
How's the length of alpha and is the noisy. I'm starting to like the zeta at for back length an internal pocket

Length's fine for me @5ft7 half ass cover I would say. Pretty sure the alphas are slightly shorter than jackets designed for general use.

To be honest noise is the least of my concerns in waterproofs so I don't pay much attention
 

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
Length's fine for me @5ft7 half ass cover I would say. Pretty sure the alphas are slightly shorter than jackets designed for general use.

To be honest noise is the least of my concerns in waterproofs so I don't pay much attention

I'm 5'7" too 30" waist and 37.5" chest and 17.5" shoulder width.
 

Ally

Ultralighter
I'm 5'7" too 30" waist and 37.5" chest and 17.5" shoulder width.

Would say its worth trying on i'm 45 inch chest no idea on shoulders and 34 waist..rugby player shape and a large fits spot on. I've found my shape fits much better into brands from over the pond Arcteryx marmot and so on.
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
I'm the same with those companies too, medium it is then

Thank you (I think) glad you put the link up to the jackets, I didn't realise SP had arcteryx back in, majority is skinny dwarf medium :D but i picked up a couple of base layer tops that I dont actually need
 
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