You could check out barbour, may find what you are looking for?
https://www.barbour.com/uk/categorie...weathercomfort
I'm a season ticket holder at The Rec (Bath Rugby) with a seat in the open. After last night's deluge (of Biblical proportions) I'm in the market for a (very) waterproof jacket and trousers. I walk to the ground (about 40 mins each way) so ideally at least the jacket would be sufficiently "breathable" to ensure I don't turn up looking like I've stepped out of a sauna. And sometimes I go for a meal before the match, so if the jacket could look reasonably presentable (and not like I'm just heading up a mountain) that would be even better!
Any suggestions?
You could check out barbour, may find what you are looking for?
https://www.barbour.com/uk/categorie...weathercomfort
I’ve just bought myself a wax jacket from Verney-Carron
Kind of French made Barbour that compares very favourably with Barbour and has some nice detailing to it
Got it in a small independent outdoors shop in the New Forest but I see them on eBay also
Not a brand I was familiar with but a great “find”
It was £109
Lol. I was there last night as well in the East Stand and yes, it was proper forty days and nights.
I was wearing a pair of Calloway Waterproof Golf Trousers (not over trousers) - with a base layer, Pijar boots (like Duck Boots). And an Aigle Parker. Stayed perfectly dry, although the chest pockets of my Parka filled up with water for some reason.
During the day I played golf (in the same weather) wearing the same trousers - they are that good, and a Galvin Green Goretex jacket. Again stayed perfectly dry.
My son's "waterproof trousers" purchased by his mum, failed after about 20 minutes! The moral of the story being you get what you pay for.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Many thanks for the suggestions; I have some googling to do. I have a Barbour jacket, but a traditional one - after all, I am a Bath supporter and need to fit the stereotype.
Great to hear from a fellow East Stander - my 10 year old Paramo rain jacket lasted about as long as your son's waterproof trousers!. Don't think I've ever been so wet, luckily didn't realise how wet until I got home. I suspect the game will become an "I was there!" moment, along the lines of the first Sex Pistols Manchester gig (well, maybe not quite like that).
Just rewash your paramo in nikwax all will be fine I’m sure, paramo are the only waterproofs I’ve used in god knows how long that haven’t let me down at some point .
Paramo. If it’s not working wash and reproof as above. Absolutely bomb proof stuff.
I don't want to turn this into a Paramo lovers vs haters thread, but I've not been convinced by my jacket when sitting down, especially in serious rain. Just seems to soak right through. Otherwise its been good.
Haglofs spitz jacket. Had mine 8 years totally waterproof still
Galvin Green Gore-Tex. Pricey, but worth every cent.
Henri Lloyd do some nice wax jackets that repel the water well and also look quite smart if needed. No hood though so maybe not great if its really coming down.
If not, maybe something from Jack Wolskin? I have a parka of theirs and its brilliant - warm, waterproof, comfortable, plenty of pockets etc.
I'm quite taken with the Verney- Carron mentioned earlier - seems like some nice styling. Be interested to know what the fit is like.
LOL - it was rather epic made slightly better by the result I suppose, although not a great match.
Did you notice God's little joke. The rain stopped at bang on 80 minutes.
Ref Wax jackets - traditional yes, but sooooo last century. Get yourself some proper tactical lightweight stuff with needs zero maintenance and leave the wax jackets to the old farts.
I do have a Matchless Wax jacket myself (being an old fart),but knew it would never survive without a brolly. If you fancy a more traditional look go for a shooting jacket with a goretex lining, the only problem being they weight a ton.
the other alternative - very Bath, would be a Quba Sailing jacket (made from sailing cloth), but it cannot beat Goretex.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
I work out side most day and the best you can buy is Galvin Green golf wear should last you for years or any think with gore-tex in.
If you can find or mail order some Patagonia gear you won’t go wrong. For my build the sizing is spot on and if it ever fails send it back for replacement. My first Patagonia waterproof jacket only started leaking after 25 years of service... I kid you not! Bought it in a little shop in Hereford while on holiday with my grandfather when I was 12 and last year (still fits) while fly fishing it started leaking at the seams.
Why it still fits you are probably thinking, I bought it to wear over my life jacket and gear when we went canoeing and now it fits under my life jacket etc... I am slightly larger now compared to when I was 12!
Last edited by canuck; 11th March 2018 at 01:04.
Many thanks for all the suggestions. Short term I’m going to try reproofing, so am off into town shortly to search out NikWax Tech Wash and reproofer. I’ve already got the washing machine on the hottest cycle to clean out any residual washing powder.
Medium term, it’s time for me to research and buy a new waterproof jacket and trousers. I think I deserve to treat myself after Bath’s pretty poor performance this season, and England’s yesterday!
Thanks again.
Another vote for Galvin Green - I have a pair of their waterproof trousers and they’re brilliant. Went sledging last week in them!!
Another vote for Galvin Green, great stuff, if it’s good enough for Scottish weather....
Parimo here, both myself and my wife have jackets, I use it to walk the dog in, never been wet, really quite impressed. I also have a Barbour which I bought in 1986, its been reproofed many times and refurbished, but its not as waterproof as the latest technical jackets
Riding a motorbike goretex seems to be the only stuff that is truly waterproof longterm. They are cheaper solutions (such as Dainese D Dry) but goretex still commands a premium for a reason!
By “long term” I mean both sustained soaking and years or use.
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For jacket, Mountain Equipment Tupilak, or any of their other Gore Tex Pro jackets (Janak/Lhotse/Changabang) - whichever fits better.
They also have Tupilak trousers, but won't fit your 'and not like I'm just heading up a mountain' criteria.
Some people swear by Paramo, but I'm sceptical about how waterproof they actually are of you're standing in driving rain for a long time
I agree with the comments made so far washing and re-proofing any currently owned waterproof clothing. Most people don't realise from sweat you get a salt build up on the inside of your clothing and this can cause the breathability to be compromised, to the point that some people blame the outer jacket, when they are in fact wet from the inside!
If you would still like to go down the 'outdoor' jacket route. Try looking for one made with an Event membrane. Event is as waterproof as Gore-Tex (ie 100%,but in measured steps), but a lot more breathable.
In this country when we walk outside we tend to get out of the carand walk straight uphill. Gore-tex, whilst amazing in terms of waterproofing values (up 30K water column), just can't compete with Event in terms of breathability.
Alternatively, to keep in the Bath/General rugby set. Have a look at a Schoffel Country jacket.
I'll leave it at that, but, yes, I will admit to having a dog in this race. 20yrs in the Outdoor/Ski industry and current working for brands such as Schoffel (Skiwear), Icebreaker and Black Diamond
Good Luck with Your Search
John
Was in a bike shop today so asked about the difference between waterproof and breathable proprietary membranes (used by huge companies such as Dainese and Alpinestars) and the vastly more expensive goretex ranges from the same manufacturers. I was told it was the water pressure the membrane could cope with before letting go - the proprietary ones were 25 kg/cm2 (I think this was the unit of measurement) vs 35 for goretex. Unlikely to matter whilst watching rugby but interesting that there is an actual difference in use (at least for motorcyclists).
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Stuck my head in over half a dozen hiking shops in Cambridge today asking if they stocked Paramo without any luck.
Seems to be hard stuff to track down round here.
I shall continue my search though, following the recommendations on here.
A slight reduction in waterproofness, and an increase in regular proofing requirements. Seems a worthy price to pay for vastly better breathability. As I have always found waterproof membranes, Gore-Tex or not, to be clammy.
It only has a DWR coating; it's not a laminate - of course it's more breathable than Goretex.
I'm no fan of Goretex, in fact I hate wearing my waterproofs, but in terms of weather proofness, it's the best I've tried. And the breathability of the Pro version that the jackets I suggested are made of is half decent too
No problem good luck on your search, oh and I’ll also add paramo gear is pretty much rustle free so you don’t feel like a walking crisp packet but it is a bit warmer easily dealt with using layering in my experience. Dependant on use the halcon (longer coat I use for dog walking and football watching) or the bentu fleece and shell combination are the most versatile imo.
A few good brands are mentioned already. Another one: Musto. Not only for the Volvo Ocean Racers crossing the Roaring 40s of the South Pacific, but Musto also has a great line of 'land gear'.
When re-proofing I have personally found Grangers to be much more reliable than Nikwax at restoring the DWR coating.
I have also had significantly better results when I have used soft water to clean and re-proof, which means that I generally re-proof my gear while I am away on holiday in the Lake District, as the water is simply too hard at home. The application of gentle heat when drying definitely seems to improve the results, even if the instructions say that it is not strictly required.
My gear is all 3 layer Event by RAB and it has lasted very well. Their customer support is also superb.
I’ve used both wash in and spray on Nixwax on numerous items and it has always worked well. It also helps to tumble dry the items once proofed in my experience.
That's your best bet, www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/findaretailer confirms that they are the nearest outlet.
If you ever get up to London, the Paramo store in Marylebone stocks full range.
Sign up for a loyalty card and get 10% off your first purchase. If lucky the nice assistant will say you’re a RSPB member for a further 5%.
Also 50% off Nikwax bought at same time.