It’s positively cosy in the rain, and there’s soft material around the chin to reduce potential chafing. We are huge fans of the 3D adjustable hood which protects you like a golf umbrella. It laughs in the face of the harshest conditions.Īdmittedly, at 846g for a medium it is heavy, but the flip side of this heft is years of use, and a jacket that, unlike most made with modern fabrics, feels like it will bed in and look good, even after years of constant wear. Being rubbed against rocks and constant wear from backpacks will not worry this jacket. This jacket is considerably thicker than the competition, more like a wax jacket than a crinkly waterproof and what’s more, they’ve used a Duracoat surface treatment that improves durability in high-abrasion areas around shoulder, hips and sleeves. Made from Klattermusen’s proprietary three-layer Cutan waterproof shell it will not leak, and you’ll be impervious to high winds and quite a lot of chill too. It’s the toughest on test, and arguably the most stylish, and only misses out on being our best buy simply because it’s just too much jacket for most people. If you intend to spend a lot of time outdoors this winter and need a jacket that will survive unnecessary levels of abuse, we strongly recommend this exceptionally expensive jacket, the Klattermusen Draupner (£496). Pros: Great performance and value three-layer construction Cons: Not lightweight, hiking snobs won’t love you Previous Decathlon jackets we’ve tried have relied on the cheaper DWR coating rather than multi-layered construction, but this isn’t an issue here, as, just like with a premium design you get the benefit of both an external waterproof coating and a membrane sandwiched in between for longer lasting performance. Taped seams, three-layer construction and a 15,000mm waterproof rating means it'll keep you dry for hours, the stretch fabric is comfortable, the hood adjustable with a semi-rigid visor and the contoured fit – in both men’s and ladies versions - is a world away from our idea of a ‘cheap waterproof.’ There’s also loads of pockets inside and out and it’s appreciably breathable. With over 1,400 stores in 45 countries, Decathlon is the largest sporting goods retailer in the world, and the success of own brand Quechua is only too evident to anyone camping at a festival or hanging out in the mountains.īut is it worth buying? Often considered cheap and cheerful by outdoor types, WIRED has been increasingly impressed by Decathlon, and in this case the bargain-priced Quechua MH500 (£65). Mens: £350 | Check price on Arc'teryx | Cotswold Outdoor | Selfridges Pros: Lightweight comfortable waterproof Cons: Nothing of note The peaked hood is helmet-compatible, fully adjustable and the high zip has a brushed microsuede liner to avoid chafing on your chin, and while the cut through the arms and body is slim the ergonomics work well, offering unimpeded freedom of movement. And speaking of packs, the pockets are positioned nice and high to make them usable, even with your backpack waist strap done up. Yes, you can unzip the front, but it’s not so easy if you’re carrying a backpack with straps done up. The Beta LT is a great choice for warmer months thanks to the inclusion of two large pit vents which help dump excess heat in seconds. Firstly, the price has dropped (from £450) which is always a bonus, the jacket is softer to the touch and less crinkly compared to most Gore-Tex Pro jackets, and finally, unless you’re going to be cuddling rock faces or scaling peaks in Nepal you’re not going to notice a drop in performance between the two fabrics. So yes, technically the 2021 version has been downgraded, but that doesn’t make it bad. The previous incarnation of the Beta LT jacket used the premium Gore-Tex Pro waterproofing layer, whereas this makes do with the slightly cheaper mid-range Gore-Tex waterproofing. With the new Beta LT (£350) they have updated a hugely popular line and produced the ideal spring/summer jacket for outdoor adventures. In our opinion they make the best waterproof jackets, balancing technical performance, versatility and style to perfection. This is now the third time an Arc'teryx waterproof has been awarded our overall WIRED Recommends jacket.
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