Any ramblers out there?

I've recently taken up walking .

The problem with my jacket - is that it's too waterproof. I get back home from a walk and look like I've just taken a shower.

Is there such a thing as a 'breathable' jacket - keeps rain from getting in but lets moisture out, or is it all a markteting ploy to bung a few extra quid onto the price?

Any recommendations?

Thanks ,
Chris

 

Get orf my land !

 

You need Gortex® or similar . I wore Gortex jackets and trousers when I was golfing. If you go to Go Outdoors etc they have lots of breathable jackets . Note they are not cheap ! Note 2 they are blooming expensive

 

I've never tried gortex, but I've been using a light waterproof jacket from Keela for a good fifteen years now on many rambles and it's still giving me good service.

It keeps me dry and doesn't seem to 'sweat' inside too much, I've found it's best used in combination with warmer layers underneath in winter.

Again, not cheap, but considering how long it's lasted me so far, I'd say it was money well spent.

 

Clanless(Chris) we do lots of walking but we don't tend to buy too much of the clothing with Wicking elements to them as they are usually quiet expensive,mind you if we had pots of money we would probably by the expensive stuff but I personally don't like wearing lots of layers all at once as I then start to feel a bit clostraphobic and too bulky

As others have said if you look around the net at some of the makes (Regatta etc) you might find something that you like and that won't make you feel soaking wet all the time

 

Yes there are breathable jackets etc, many use GORE-TEX® but there are other materials available.
There is a fundamental problem with breathable materials. They let water vapour through but not water, quite often the inside of the jacket is cold so the water vapour from the human condenses on the inside of the jacket and will not escape. This is particularly noticeable with serious exertions. Sometimes in cold conditions a layer of ice will form inside the jacket. Wicking materials will help disperse sweat from the skin. Some companies have got round the problem (I think Paramo is one) but they are seriously expensive. I have seen people use a poncho which has a lot of ventilation while keeping water off. Some jackets have underarm/ sleeve vents that increase ventilation again these tend to be more expensive.

 

Then again you can just sit in the country pub , watching people outside getting hot and sweaty in very expensive jackets

 

You could always catch a bus to where you wanted to go

 

How did Edmund Hillary ever manage to scramble up everest without a goretex jacket ?

 

My waterproofs cost around £200 about 20 years ago,the long Berghaus Goretex long jacket is still OK, just a few bits of tape missing from some seams, but it doesn't leak so I'm not bothering to get them re-done yet. I've looked at 'modern' designs, but they seem too short and I don't like the colours (plus I've got matching Berghaus Goretex overtrousers). £10 a year doesn't seem like lots of money me.

 

Thanks all.

Gore tex it is - I'll have a look in go outdoors. I think there's also an 'outdoor' type shop in the Warrington shopping centre, might ramble over there too

I'm trying to pace myself at the moment - I over did it a couple of weeks back - any boy did I pay for it - or more correctly my feet paid for it .

 

@clanless they have a Decathalon store in Warrington just off the A49 by the college.