For outdoor activities I am dubious as to whether I need to be spending £200 upwards on Mountain Equipment Jackets, there are some activities where spending that little bit extra may be essential but not for all. However for safety reasons, you should not scrimp money wise and leave yourself potentially exposed to harmful conditions, you need to fully research what you are purchasing.
Take skiing for example, do I really need to be spending two to three hundred pounds on a ski shell, if it is snowing then the majority of snow will bounce off as I ski down the slopes, if it is raining then I know I won’t be going out skiing that day, so cannot really justify spending such an extortionate amount of money on a jacket, as the Gore-tex properties would not really benefit me. Now ski pants, that’s another matter, not being a particularly proficient skier, Gore-tex trousers are a godsend (as I spend about half my time on my backside!).
Gore-tex ski jackets are probably the most expensive there is, however if you know you don’t need this supreme material, there are several other options out there that will not be so hard on the wallet, yet will serve the purpose you intend to use them for. Many manufacturers today have their own breathable and waterproof fabric that will be just as effective without breaking the bank, Marmot, Patagonia, The North Face and Berghaus to name just a few.
When out hiking or walking in all elements, I do not mind spending that little bit (or sometimes rather a lot!) extra on a jacket I know I will make full use of, one of my more extravagant purchases, though at £90 it wasn’t that expensive, was a The North Face Denali Jacket, a multipurpose fleece jacket that has taken a real hammering, but it is still as effective as when it was brand new. For someone who enjoys outdoor activities it is wholly comfortable to wear, without sacrificing functionality, it keeps me warm and protects me from the harsher British elements. It has the versatility that puts it way ahead of its competitors, and can handle varied weather conditions one experiences when outside, from the rather cold, to the milder climates, although in extremely cold weather I do tend to wear a lightweight shell over the top. Not only that, but away from the trail, the jacket’s fashionable enough to wear around town. So in this instance the extra money has been well spent, as it has proved to be durable with full performance maintained.
Another property of a jacket I feel is essential is its ability to keep the rain out when hiking or climbing, in Britain you can bet good money on a downpour during your voyage. Walking or climbing when saturated through to the skin is miserable and could even be life threatening, so this is another area I would insist on paying a little more. At the lower end of the market, you can buy a cheap (supposedly) waterproof jacket for as little as £10, however this is madness if you’re a regular hiker or even a novice if you know the weather situation is poor. Inexpensive jackets are not breathable, and while they will stop water from getting in, they won’t allow perspiration to escape, resulting in condensation inside and damp clothing, very unpleasant to wear and once you stop will make you feel cold very quickly.
Another old faithful is my battered navy Barbour, again not one of the cheapest options (but this was a gift 17 years ago, so didn’t impose on my pocket!), but it has certainly stood the test of time. Yes it looks well loved (worn), but it is still capable of performing its duties, though admittedly it has been well looked after i.e. cleaned as per manufacturers instruction and it gets re-proofed annually.
I think with many jackets you are paying for the technology, rather than the design and performance factors, you are also paying extra for the logo or brand name, and in some situations it really isn’t worth the extra money. Ultimately however it is the activity, style, fashion value, fit, personal taste and budget that will dictate which jacket an individual will purchase.
