• Classic walking, scrambling & backpacking styles made from more durable materials for the more frequent user.
  
• Fully specified mountaineering shells for winter use in the UK or trips to the major mountain ranges of the World.
  
• Everyday styles for use on the High Street first and hills second.
  
• Lightweight jackets that are carried “just in case” the weather breaks.
  
• Ultra-lightweight & extremely breathable garments for those who seek to reduce weight to the absolute minimum.
  
• Packable waterproofs for the world traveller.
  

In order to help you find your ideal jacket we have broken our range up into 4 end use categories: -

• Extreme Mountain – designed for use in the high mountain ranges of the world and also suitable for use on Britain’s hills in winter. They have plenty of cargo space with at least 2 chest pockets which will not be covered by your climbing harness or rucsac straps; they have a fully specified mountain hood that is large enough to get over a climbing helmet and also fitted with volume adjusters which will reduce the size when necessary; many of them will have some form of mechanical ventilation (either by means of under-arm pit-zips or mesh backed chest pockets) and last, but by no means least they are constructed from the most durable waterproof, breathable fabrics available. These jackets are for the serious mountain enthusiast.
  
  
• Mountain – jackets aimed at the regular year round UK user. They are made from similar fabrics to our jackets in the Extreme Mountain category but they don’t have quite the same level of features. They have large protective hoods (some of which roll away), at least 2 external pockets, a map/security pocket and many are cut to give freedom of movement for use when scrambling. These jackets are for the regular outdoors person.
  
  
• Walking – these jackets are made from softer, more comfortable fabrics; they have either rollaway or detachable hoods, they will still have plenty of pockets and their colours and styles are such that they will not look out of place in the high street. These jackets are your everyday coat first and walking jacket second – STYLE MATTERS!
  
  
• Fast & Light – these jackets are primarily designed with weight and pack-ability in mind. They have minimal level of features but, as they are made from good quality waterproof, breathable fabrics they do offer a high level of comfort when in use; some are aimed at specific end uses such as running or cycling however most are ideal as spring/summer walking jackets. These jackets are for general use when weight is your most important requirement.
  

Within each end use category you will find the level of features vary enormously, from the most plain & simple styles which will offer the cleanest lines through to those that have all the “bells and whistles” offering many features aimed at more specific end uses.

As a general rule you will find that the jackets designed for the British mountains or general UK walking will be the most simple, those aimed at serious mountaineering will be the most complex and those made primarily for “everyday” use will fall between these two.

The price of our jackets range from £50 to £300; this reflects not only differences in the durability & breathability of the fabrics from which they are made but also the number & complexity of their features. You can help differentiate the likely performance level of waterproof jackets by looking at the retail price: -

• Under £60 - waterproof only.
  
• £60 to £120 - waterproof and reasonably breathable.
  
• £120 to £200 -waterproof & breathable with a substantially longer useful life.
  
• £200 and over – the most breathable and most durable waterproofs.
  

Budget jackets (£60 and under) are made from basic waterproof fabrics, their seams are fully taped, they have storm flaps protecting the zips & pockets from the elements and they will have either fixed or rollaway hoods. As the fabrics are waterproof but not breathable you will find that if the garments are used for any length of time then you will create a very damp & clammy microclimate inside! In other words they will keep everything out but they will also keep everything in; if used for any reasonably active end use you will become uncomfortable due to the moisture your own body creates.

At the next price level up the garments are again designed to keep all elements outs with fully taped seams, storm flaps etc. but they are made from higher performing fabrics; as well as being totally waterproof these fabrics have a reasonable level of breathability. That means that the fabric is capable of allowing moisture vapour to escape from inside the garments whilst keeping moisture in its liquid form (rain!) out! When used in active situations you will find that these garments offer a much higher level of comfort when compared to the budget styles.

As you can appreciate our range of waterproof jackets is broad and ever changing as the latest product developments become available. Let our expert Product Advisors help you select that ideal product which will help you to enjoy your adventure to the full.