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What to look for when buying Jackets
Most of the major manufacturers now have their own fabric technology delivering waterproofing and breathability, these differ widely on how they feel.
Jackets
When you purchase a jacket make sure the zip down the front has a storm flap to help prevent water entering, you should allow space to wear a couple of layers underneath, including a fleece, making sure that the jacket is not to big as this will hinder its performance in breathability.
Zips
These must be waterproof, so check that they have a storm flap, zips do not only provide access to your pockets but they play an important part in the ventilation of the jacket, some jackets have underarm zips, make sure you can easily reach zips with you rucksack on, make sure your zips have a pull tag on so you can use them with gloves on.
Pockets
Pockets should have storm flaps, as to the number that is a personal preference, I like a to have somewhere for my hands, and storage for my compass plus an internal pocket.
Hood
Here you have two choices a fixed hood or a hood that you can roll away into the collar when it is not needed, this again is personal preference but it is a good idea to have a hood that will fit over any other head gear and to have draw strings to pull the hood tight in bad weather.
Cuffs & Collar
The cuffs and the collar should be adjustable and the collar should be able to be tightened under your neck comfortably to keep out the weather.
Looking after your Jacket
Your jacket will come with manufacturer instructions on how to care for your jacket, these will advise on how to wash and dry the jacket plus how to reproof the fabric, to prolong the life of your jacket it is advisable to follow these instructions.
Fabrics
Gore-Tex®
The most well established fabric technology is Gore-Tex®. Gore-Tex® is a thin film of Teflon based material which is waterproof and breathable, it is usually bonded to a nylon layer, this is referred to as 'two ply' construction. Another layer may be bonded to the other side of the Gore-Tex® film this third layer is usually very light to keep weight down.
Triplepoint® Ceramic
Triplepoint® Ceramic is a registered trademark of Lowe Alpine. It is a breathable coating applied to nylon face fabrics and absorbed into the weave of the fabric.
Sympatex®
Sympatex® is a membrane technology based on a non-porous polymeric structure. It provides high levels of protection from wind and rain and is breathable.
Nikwax Directional Fabrics®
Clothing made from Nikwax Directional Fabrics® are designed to keep off the rain and pump water away from your skin, protecting your insulation and keeping you warm and dry. | 