One day hiking.

[AimlessWanderer]

what are some good not cost the earth water proof for hiking?

will any old fleece do?  you can tell i dont hike much...

They're a couple of good questions, but with no really easy answers.  if you stick to some of the bigger names; Berghaus, North Face, Montane, Rab, Marmot etc then you wont likely buy a bad jacket.  You'll likely be spending a minimum of £80 and potentially a lot more.  However I would say that it's a bit of kit worth investing in and avoid anything cheaper.  One thing I'd strongly suggest is to make sure that it's well fitting, nothing worse than walking around in what feels like a oversized bin-bag.

Personally I'm a lot less fussy about fleeces, though the same 'well fitted' advice stands, it's likely to end up under your nice jacket and it should be comfortable. 

Well worth going to a good outdoor store and trying stuff on and asking advice.  I do normally avoid the big chain shops though places like Millets and Blacks.  Fine if you know exactly what you want to buy, but too concerned with pushing their own brands if you ask their advice (in my experience anyway).

I'd agree with this, but with a bit of experience you don't need to spend big money. I've done very well with cheapo £10 fleeces and £15 packable jackets as part of the layering system (layering being the key). It's a matter of balancing warmth, wicking, waterproofing and breathability. Unfortunately, there's no "Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket" to what is the right thing to buy. It's a bit like EDC items - you need to find what's right for you, which might not be right for others. I'd also suggest that (like many do with EDC) start cheap, and play with things till you find out what works for you and what doesn't. The concept of what you need is more important than the product that you need - that's just a natural conclusion.

I'd also agree with Gareth as to avoiding the High Street stores, they are more interested in selling high value product than meeting your individual needs - that's their business. Cheapo stuff can work REALLY well, providing you have the right combo. Unfortunately everyone needs a different combo according to their activities, environment, companions, physical limitations, bio tendancies (not everyone feels heat/cold the same or perspires the same etc). There are (just like with multitools) trade offs to make too - waterproof can mean lack of breathability (sweaty - even with "breathable" fabrics"), warm doesn't mean windproof, packable can mean less durable (lighter weight fabrics).

I'd encourage folks to look and listen, absorb and understand the basics, keep safe and have a back up plan, but TRY things - explore ideas. I've spent many days out and about getting it wrong and being uncomfortable after taking other peoples advice, but I had to go through that curve to know that X aint for me, and I need Y instead ... but that's half the fun 

Also, it's just as improtant to get boots, pack and equipment that suits YOU as it is getting the proper attire to fit and work for you. Just because a pack is £125, doesn't mean it won't feel like you're giving a piggy back to a fat kid in a Kendo suit when you're 5 miles in.

[ryan1835]

i have some alright hi tec hiking boots - they served me well when i hiked up a mountain so im happy with them.

what about the jackets with the removable fleece inner are they just as good as a fleece and a waterproof?

[Millhouse]

what about the jackets with the removable fleece inner are they just as good as a fleece and a waterproof?

Depends on the intended use of the jacket. A lot of waterproof jackets that can zip in a fleece are intended for urban/casual use, where it is convenient to have both garments together. Also, your buying choice is more limited as you may not be able to get the right jacket/fleece combination that suits you.

Out in the hills zip in compatability is not important. With clothing, it is all about the ability to layer, and to be able to swap layers easily. Also, with the fleece zipped in, you have about an inch gap down the centre of the jacket where the fleece does not cover.

[Gareth]

I've tried one and, just as Milhouse says, there's no particular advantage and putting on/taking off layers just becomes a faff.  You'll inevitably end up wearing it as two separate garments anyway.

[AimlessWanderer]

what about the jackets with the removable fleece inner are they just as good as a fleece and a waterproof?

Depends on the intended use of the jacket. A lot of waterproof jackets that can zip in a fleece are intended for urban/casual use, where it is convenient to have both garments together. Also, your buying choice is more limited as you may not be able to get the right jacket/fleece combination that suits you.

Out in the hills zip in compatability is not important. With clothing, it is all about the ability to layer, and to be able to swap layers easily. Also, with the fleece zipped in, you have about an inch gap down the centre of the jacket where the fleece does not cover.

I've tried one and, just as Milhouse says, there's no particular advantage and putting on/taking off layers just becomes a faff.  You'll inevitably end up wearing it as two separate garments anyway.

Fully agree, I got a £220.00 combo from a speSmurfpillst outdoors shop, and a £20.00 combo from Aldi - both are excellent for cooler / foul weather urban wear, but when out and about you want to be able to adjust your layering quickly and easily. The one from Aldi is an excellent urban jacket, as it doesn't have a "hillwalking" look to it.

Personally I hate wearing them seperately though as the fasteners which are on the collar and cuffs to keep the two items together get quite annoying on seperate items. The waterproof fasteners feel uncomfortable against your neck and wrists without the fleece in place, and the fleece fasteners snag on things if the waterproof isn't there - well at least on the two items I've got anyway.

[ryan1835]

Going to get just a normal fleece for when its colder but i went shopping today and ended up with a wind-stopper fleece - i wanted this for cycling mainly as well as walking and a light weight water proof. With a base layer and a t shirt ill be alright for the current weather i reckon.

next i need to look at waterproof trousers for the moment ill use my ones from work haha hiking in hi-viz

[Gareth]

Folks often don't realise just how much even a light wind can cool you down.  The act of putting on a wind proof layer, even a totally uninsulated one, can make you so much warmer.

t-shirt, base layer, fleece, waterproof and activity is going to be perfectly warm enough I'd say.

[ryan1835]

yeah, just had the opportunity to test the waterproof glad i bought a decent one, shake it off and all the water flies off i know it won't stay that way forever but its still nice.

definitely going to invest in some good trousers too after the soaking i just had 


http://store.berghaus.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product8_11201_10252_4-20119_-1_Mens%5EClothing%5EFleece+%26+Insulation_Mens_

thats the fleece in question, just wondering what does water resistant mean? could it cope with light showers?

[Millhouse]

That's a softshell jacket. They are fairly water resistant, except in heavy rain. Unlike a waterproof, the seams aren't taped, so that is where water usually gets in.

[ryan1835]

ah, thanks for the info

[ryan1835]

well i was plenty warm enough. The weather was a bit annoying kept raining then dry then rain then dry all day. Did about 16 miles and i can honestly say im feeling it today! 

[Gareth]

16 miles is definitely a respectable yomp mate.

[ryan1835]

  discovered i have blisters after all today, hopefully they wont rub too much.

does anyone use trekking poles here?