10 Best Hiking Jackets UK 2023 | The North Face, Berghaus and More
Love to be out on the trails all year round? A trusty hiking jacket is essential if you’re looking to protect yourself against the elements, and it's worth investing in a product that you know is going to be up to the job. However, as with most outdoor gear, the question is: what constitutes as being 'up to the job'?
To help you identify the perfect hiking jacket for your needs, we’ve put together a simple buying guide with advice on the different styles, the waterproof technologies to look out for, and other subtleties that'll help you feel just that little bit more comfortable. From there we’ll show you our favourites for both men and women, all available from reliable sites such as Amazon and John Lewis.
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The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 16-01-2023).
How to Choose a Hiking Jacket in the UK – Buying Guide
Without further ado, let’s get to the nitty-gritty. In the section, we’ll be looking into the different characteristics brought to the table by various styles, technologies and functionalities. While buying a hiking jacket might seem daunting, with just a little bit of extra knowledge you’ll be well-placed to make an informed decision.
① Consider the Different Styles of Jackets Available
First up, you’ll want to consider the style of jacket. While there are many variations, we’ve decided to narrow it down to the most common three. Below, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each of them.
Waterproof Shell Jackets Are Lightweight and Compact
This style of waterproof jacket is many people's go-to layer when the heavens open. They're generally small and lightweight and most of the time they're packable too, either fitting into their pocket or an accompanying pouch. This makes them an ideal choice if the climate is known to change frequently.
When it comes to these jackets, the lighter and the smaller they are the better, as you’ll want them to take up as little space in your pack as possible.
They do have a downside though, which is that they’re not very warm. So, if you're walking in the chillier seasons you’ll need to sort yourself out with a reliable layering system in case the temperature drops.
3-in-1 Jackets Offer Great Versatility
The classic year-round garment, a 3-in-1 is essentially two jackets: a waterproof outer and an inner fleece lining. They offer brilliant value for money as they can be utilised in three different combinations – the fleece when it’s cool but dry, the shell when it’s wet but mild and the two combined when it’s rainy and cold.
With a good base, this is practically a full layering system and due to the changeable weather conditions they can accommodate, they tend to be a favourite for hiking in the UK.
The only issue is that they are fairly bulky, so if you take the full jacket you’re going to hope the weather stays the same while you're out.
Down Jackets Are All About Breathable Warmth During Cold Weather
Down is often considered nature's best insulator, as it’s capable of providing real warmth in frosty conditions. Not only is it warm, but it’s also super lightweight and breathable, giving it a great warmth-to-weight ratio. Hence, it's the ideal material for those looking for a cosy, heated hiking jacket.
However, down coats do have their issues. Firstly, and importantly for the UK, they don't work as well when wet, as the moisture will cause the feather filling to clump together and lose its insulating properties. This could also cause long-term damage to the jacket.
Owing to this, they're also difficult to care for in terms of washing and drying, and finally, they tend to be on the pricier side.
② Know Your Gore-Tex From Your DWR: How Much Waterproofing Do You Need?
All of the top outdoor brands have their own versions, such as Jack Wolfskin's Texapore and The North Face's HyVent. Without getting too techy, they aren’t considered standalone membranes, but use a coated fabric with a layered system that functions as a membrane. They often have great wind- and waterproofing, however, they don't excel at breathability.
A coated fabric, meanwhile, won’t have a membrane at all. Instead, it will use a DWR (durable water repellent) or a PU (polyurethane) coating to protect the wearer. This means the jacket will be breathable, but its water-repellency will only stand up for so long and has nowhere near the same effectiveness as membrane technologies.
③ Pockets Will Keep Goods Secure and Your Hands Warm
A great addition to consider, pockets are not there just for keeping your paws warm but will also keep valuables safe. A decent rain jacket will have a minimum of two front pockets and one interior.
The more technical the jacket, the more chance of a higher number of pockets. This can be extremely useful if you’re out for a long hike as you don’t want to be taking off and opening your backpack every half an hour to get snacks, a GPS, or another camera lens.
④ Make Sure the Jacket Has Adjustable and Functional Fittings
A good hood is essential for extra protection, after all, it wouldn’t be wise to ascend Snowdon with a brolly. Look for a hood that offers complete coverage, ideally with the option of being adjusted so you can ensure it fits snugly.
Some options even come with wire peaks and a high chin fitting. Although not crucial, these do offer that extra bit of shelter that could make a big difference if you’re out hiking for a long time.
Many jackets will also come with adjustable hems and cuffs to trap the warm air in and keep the biting wind out. Whilst pretty much any jacket worth its salt has these, it’s always worth double-checking. To save you the time, we’ve popped it in the specification table underneath each product.
Top 5 Best Hiking Jackets for Men in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Paramo Alta III | | An A* All-Rounder | |
2 | The North Face Evolution Triclimate Evolve II | | A Classic for a Reason | |
3 | Berghaus Tephra Stretch Reflect Down Jacket | | A Down Jacket That Has a Little More Fortitude in the Rain | |
4 | Columbia Outdry Ex ECO Tech Shell Jacket | | A Jacket That Comes With Plenty of Green Credentials | |
5 | Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody Jacket | | For Those Who Are Looking for Warmth Above All Else |
ParamoAlta III
£236.00
An A* All-Rounder
Equally adept at providing cover during a long walk through the mountains as it is a weekend jaunt through the meadows, this excellent jacket from Paramo is a brilliant all-rounder. It comes with a distinguished wired peak hood that enables full control over your visibility, even in the worst conditions.
The Nikwax membrane is up there with the best around and will protect admirably against water leaks. Plus, the drawstring waist will assure a snug fit that keeps out the wind, and the smart design also has zips around the armpits which give you some much-needed breathability when you're ascending uphill.
The North FaceEvolution Triclimate Evolve II
£182.35
A Classic for a Reason
If you've ever been on a hike, or for that matter a wet commute in the UK, the chances are you've seen a bloke wearing this jacket. And this is for good reason, because things don't become classics without earning it – this jacket is incredibly well-made and perfect for hiking.
As well as a cosy, breathable fleece inner, the outer layer comes equipped with The North Face's very own waterproof and windproof HyVent tech. There are fully adjustable fittings including the hood, which ensures that extra bit of protection from any damp getting in.
BerghausTephra Stretch Reflect Down Jacket
£152.61
A Down Jacket That Has a Little More Fortitude in the Rain
Ideal for colder conditions, this down jacket from Berghaus supposedly keeps you 20% warmer thanks to the internal ultra-light reflect technology, which channels body heat straight back onto itself.
Also, the hydrophobic (600 fill) down filling has been treated with Nikwax, so it should withstand those surprise downpours that little better than standard down jackets. The down itself is ethically sourced, a respectable step by the company which will appeal to many.
ColumbiaOutdry Ex ECO Tech Shell Jacket
£113.44
A Jacket That Comes With Plenty of Green Credentials
Every single part of this jacket is made from recycled plastic. And a jacket is a lot more than just the fabric, there are zips, toggles, webbing and even thread! So it's fair to say this product has earned its green credentials.
The jacket has an adjustable hood which comes with a good-sized peak, as well as adjustable fittings throughout. Unfortunately, there is no stuff sack, but the lightweight nature of the jacket ensures that it still has no problem packing down very compactly.
Arc'teryxCerium LT Hoody Jacket
£249.99
For Those Who Are Looking for Warmth Above All Else
Getting us underway is this rather cosy Arc'teryx down jacket. Surprisingly, with 850 fill (the measurement of how much down it contains) this garment is not only warmer than many other down jackets, but it's also considerably lighter. Plus, it can scrunch down and pack away into a small stuff sack.
Capable of being either an outer layer or underneath a waterproof shell, this is a versatile bit of kit. However, it is one of the most expensive pieces we've included, and the DWR coating is average at best so it's better suited to drier days.
Compare the Best Women's Hiking Jackets
Top 5 Best Hiking Jackets for Women in the UK
And here are our women's recommendations, including reliable and respected brands such as Columbia, Berghaus and the Canadain powerhouse Arc'teryx!
Looking for More Reliable Hiking Gear?
With your jacket sorted, it's time to consider whether there are any other bits of gear you need to guarantee a warm, dry, and comfortable hike. We have some footwear suggestions below, as well as our ten favourite Thermos flasks – because what's a good walk without a mid-way cuppa?
Summary
So there it is, our comprehensive guide to finding the perfect hiking jacket. We believe that if you follow our advice and take into account what each style of jacket has to offer and which high-performance fabrics you'd like, you'll find the perfect one for you and your adventures. Here's to some cosy winter walks!
Author: Lewis Clark
Top 5 Hiking Jackets
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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