Staying dry during a hillwalk can be a challenge, but pack the right waterproof jacket and you’ll be warm, dry and comfortable no matter what the mountain throws at you. It sounds simple, right? Sure, so long as you pick the right clothing options.
There are hundreds of choices out there, so to help you whittle down the field, we've tested four of the best on the lakeland fells. While we were out, we managed to assess not only the waterproofing of the jackets, but their general comfort, durability and, importantly, their ability to control condensation.
While we went the extra mile to put these jackets through their paces, that doesn't mean that they are your only choice. If these aren't for you, we've rounded up a wider range of the best men's waterproof jackets and the best women's waterproof jackets, too. We've also taken a look at the best for cycling and running.
But we digress - let's focus on the four we tested. We've been brutally honest with each jacket, highlighting what we love as much as the little niggles - it's all here, now you just need to make your choice. Here's what we found out:
The best we tested:
Montane Atomic
Paramo Alta III
Mountain Equipment Lhotse / Manaslu
Berghaus Stormcloud
The reviews:
Montane Atomic
Verdict: The weight and price are great, and the design is ideal for milder conditions, but in really wet and windy mountain conditions you may prefer different features.
IT'S GOOD: This light jacket packs down small, so you'll hardly notice it in your rucksack. The weight saving comes from the use of 2.5-layer Pertex Shield fabric, and there's no inner layer, just a printed surface to manage condensation. The fabric is quite thin and supple too. This all adds up to this being very comfortable. The sleeves don't ride up badly when scrambling and the hood has good face drawcords and rear volume drawcord adjustment, so it was easy to see even as I moved my head around to look for good holds during scrambles.
The two main pockets are well placed to allow access while wearing a rucksack, and both are large enough for a map too. These pockets are lined with mesh, which improves condensation control by allowing a means of adding airflow, while a pair of pit zips add further venting. So, in many ways there is lots to like here and for general walking in warmer wet weather this is a superb choice.
Related: The best Gore-Tex trousers | The best winter cycling jackets
HOWEVER: Problems start to show themselves when you really challenge the material. Firstly, this jacket is not as stiff as others, the fit is slightly closer than some and in the wind it feels a bit chilly. Also, as it is only a 2.5-layer fabric condensation develops easier than the 3-layer fabrics, so it did get pretty clammy once I overheated.
Those mesh pockets also allow water to pass right through the jacket, meaning I had to keep them closed properly during the gill scramble – not a problem you'd get with sealed pockets.
Other jackets also have a useful third pocket for a guidebook or phone, but here you have just two. Of course, all these small drawbacks could be reduced by adding features that would increase both the weight and the cost, so you need to decide if weight or comfort is your priority before parting with your money.
Paramo Alta III
Verdict: Unique fabric ensures that condensation is managed far better than other jackets but the extra warmth, extra weight and extra cash are the main drawbacks to consider.
IT'S GOOD: The unique Paramo fabric delivers far greater breathability and better condensation management than the other fabrics on test, and this is why I love wearing the Alta in cold, wet conditions.
The incredible six pockets – two inside, two chest (one map-sized), and two handwarmer – are all useable when wearing a rucksack. The jacket is a good length and zipped upper-arm vents offer top ventilation. The wired hood also moved really well with my head, with excellent hood adjustment. The Alta is the warmest jacket on test, so when the others were reaching for extra layers at the summit I just zipped up.
And good to know is that Paramo has strong ethical manufacturing standards, and doesn't use environmentally hazardous polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs).
Related: The best soft-shell jackets for autumn and winter hiking
HOWEVER: While I love wearing the Alta in cold conditions, it can be overly warm in summer (although Paramo does now make a lighter version of its fabric for summer use). Consequently, the Alta is the warmest and heaviest jacket here, and would bulk up a 'sack if solely being carried waiting for a shower.
Some care is also needed when leaning on wet rock during a gill scramble, as water can pass through the jacket under high pressure. The fabric dries exceptionally fast though, so I was totally dry during our waterfall adventures.
There are cheaper jackets than the Alta, but if you sweat a lot then it will at least quickly pass through this jacket to the air so you'll be dryer than in a cheaper one!
Mountain Equipment Lhotse / Manaslu
Verdict: A seasoned performer, with high-end fabric and brilliant design, wear it with confidence in any conditions in the British mountains.
IT'S GOOD: The Lhotse continues to be the benchmark against which other jackets are measured. Built of tough 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro it's incredibly durable, giving armour-like protection in storms and high levels of waterproofness and breathability, so I was never damp on our final test day in Langdale, even with changing conditions.
The design also delivers when it comes to practical features, providing both good body coverage and unrestricted movement, with sleeves and hems staying put when reaching for holds on the steep rock. The three external pockets are in just the right places, clear of rucksack straps, allowing 'hands in pockets' walking and a chest pocket large enough for a map or guidebook.
Pit zips, which aren't stiff under the arm, open easily to improve ventilation, and the hood with a well-stiffened peak and rear volume adjuster kept the wind and rain out without restricting vision whilst walking and scrambling.
HOWEVER: With top-spec gear, the cons are often weight and price, and it's not the lightest jacket available. It could be argued that it's over-specced for most Lakeland days out, and a lighter jacket would suffice, but if you walk year-round in the UK as we do, and you're looking for one jacket that'll tackle everything, then the extra weight is worth it.
Moisture management relies on having the right combination of base layers underneath, so in changing conditions it was fleece on/off a number of times to maintain ideal temperature and prevent overheating.
However, I can't fault the fabric or the design, and coming onto the summit of Harrison Stickle into a cold, rain-laden wind, with both test jackets in my pack, it was the Lhotse I instinctively reached for.
Berghaus Stormcloud
www.blacks.co.uk
Verdict: Buy it if you want a lightweight low-priced jacket for stowing in your rucksack and just wearing during short showers when any condensation will be tolerable.
The big advantages here are the price and weight, as both are very appealing. The fabric is a 2-layer Hydroshell, which kept the water at bay while scrambling up the gill but soon became very sweaty inside as there is no inner layer to hide or soak up the condensation. But importantly the pockets are not mesh lined, unlike some higher-priced lightweight jackets, so even if water entered the pockets I didn't get wet inside.
The hood fits quite close and did move a little with my head, but higher-priced designs offer better adjustment. When scrambling the cuffs and hem tended to ride up far too easily, which left my body more exposed to the elements than all the other jackets here. The two main pockets are both annoyingly small and too low to allow the optimum access while wearing a rucksack hipbelt.
PROS: Price and weight are the main benefits here for hillwalkers.
CONS: Lots of condensation build-up, and not the best pockets nor the best hood design.
Keeping warm and dry
It's about keeping warm as much as it is about keeping dry, so we've got a buyer's guide to base layers and the best down jackets (which are ideal for wearing under a waterproof).
It's not all about the torso though - if you're heading out in the drizzle, don't neglect your legs and take along a pair of the best rain pant overtrousers.
What is the best lightweight jacket?
Well, here you’re going to have a choice between the Montane Atomic and the Berghaus Stormcloud. The Atomic has great waterproofing, courtesy of the 2.5 Pertex material. The Stormcloud is a slightly cheaper and lighter option, and though still a very accomplished jacket, is also more prone to condensation.
What is the best breathable waterproof jacket?
Of the four we tested, the most breathable jacket has to be the Paramo Alta III. This is thanks to the jackets excellent (and unique) Paramo fabric. The breathability is ideal for condensation management, especially on cold and wet days of hard hiking.
What is the best Gore-Tex waterproof jacket?
For us, it has to be the Mountain Equipment Lhotse / Manaslu, because it uses 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro material that is incredibly waterproof and durable. As anyone who has used before Gore-Tex will know, these excellent properties are accompanied by brilliant breathability - keeping you dry inside and out.
A quick video guide to layering
Now, this video from the American YouTube channel Next Adventure PDX is talking about mountaineering - most of use aren’t regularly heading off in snow to reach some peaks. However, the basic principles are all here to be applied to autumnal and winter UK walking.