Waterproof jacket and trousers

[andy1984]

Hi all,

At the moment the only waterproofs i have is the crappy non breathable ones but as you can imagine you cant really wear them unless doing next to nothing!

I'm after a light weight 100% waterproof jacket and trousers but breathable!

I need a set for me and one for my partner... trouble is money is tight and couldnt really spend much more than £50 each!!

any suggestions?

cheers

Andrew.

[RedLeader]

You could try Regatta Isotex 5000 stuff. Its supposed to be breatheable and is reasonably priced.

[billy backpack]

Have you checked out M&M Direct they have a sale on some Berghaus jackets that are full goretex and very reasonably priced around £50-£60 although as usual the range of sizes are not great.

[chris]

I wouldn't get hung up on trying to stay 100% dry If I were you. All day in the hills in the driving rain you'll get wet eventually! A good set of water proofs is a must (and something I don't own! just never got round to buying them!) But i would be more inclined to look at things that will keep you warm when wet and also dry quickly, I.e a good base layer wool is best for this, thin socks etc

[andy1984]

thats interesting chris, so would my cheap non breathable waterproofs do for now then?

would i be better spending the money and getting a good base layer?

at the moment i just use a normal cotton t shirt but this of course gets wet with sweat then can get cold when i stop?

what is the best base layer?

[chris]

Its up to yourself to be honest. Waterproofs are just something I never got round to owning, I always found it hard to justify spending so much money on something I might not use on the majority of trips! Cotton is one of the worst things to wear because it holds moisture and does not insulate when wet. You should try and get into the system of a good wicking baselayer (I use a helly hansen one which I find good but when I'm getting a new one it'll be wool), and then something over that (avoid cotton). That should be fine warmth wise for general walking. If you get a decent waterproof then you can throw that on when you stop to block the wind.
I'm not trying to tell you how to spend your money or anything mate but in my opinon I think you'd be better off looking at base layers etc and sticking with the waterproofs you have for now, especialy since the better weather is on the way(fingers crossed!)

[RedLeader]

So what do you do if you're out for a whole day in the rain?

[andy1984]

some good points there... i did know that cotton was the worst you could wear but didnt have anything else.

will a wickable base layer  make a big difference then? something like this:

http://www.millets.co.uk/clothing/men/baselayers/product/011465.html

[NeilB]

Andy if your on a budget and with 3 kids and nearly 4 in few months I always am go have a good hunt around in tk max normally can get some cracking bargains boots trousers jackets, just go have a goo hunt around

[RedLeader]

some good points there... i did know that cotton was the worst you could wear but didnt have anything else.

will a wickable base layer  make a big difference then? something like this:

http://www.millets.co.uk/clothing/men/baselayers/product/011465.html

A baselayer was and still is the best bit of outdoor gear I got. It keeps you warm when its cold and cool when its warm. Plus for a sweaty git like me its essential to have something that wicks well and baselayers really do.

[andy1984]

well i'm a bit of a sweaty git myself so i think a baselayer is going to be my next purchase!!

[ulsterwalker]

So what do you do if you're out for a whole day in the rain?

Get wet? 

Getting wet isn't really that big an issue as long as you're comfortable and warm. On the move I can't wear anything more than a base layer or I overheat and if I wear a waterproof I generally get as wet as I would if I hadn't put it on.

Cotton ain't great in the cold, but when you're in really hot places it rocks at keeping you nice and cool! If you have a footy top from the last 5-10 years, they will most probably be made from a similar baselayer fabric to Helly Hansen

[andy1984]

interesting about footy top.. i do have some... i think they are nylon?

i do run pretty hot aswell when under load!!

[RedLeader]

Anything made of polyester will work as a wicking baselayer as far as I know. I have a black, skintight, longsleeved baselayer from Helly Hansen that I got in the Cotswolds sale. Its a year old and is still going strong after dozens of washes. Only downsides are its so tight that unless you're proper fit it makes you look like bleedin' Father Xmas and since it's black on a really hot day its like being in an oven...

[Kirth]

I think it would be worth your while heading down to Lindsays in Coleraine.  They have a warehouse bunged full of gear and loads of Berghaus & North Face really cheap.  You will also get trousers, base layer, stoves etc.  Plus loads of other useless crap you dont need.