[Misc] Waterproof stuff that stays waterproof

[Cheeky Monkey]

Helly Hansen the best I've owned. 8 years on and still going strong in all weathers, and I'm far too lazy to get into waxing. The Norwegians know their stuff (see also Berghaus)
Ironically the best I've ever had is a charity shop bought pac-a-mac, non-breathable but totally waterproof, lightweight material. Best £4 I ever spent, sadly left on a train last year and I'm still not over it, scoured the internet for a like replacement with no joy.

 

[Half Time Pies]

I bought a Fjallraven Greenland Jacket a few years ago and its very durable, if it starts to lose its Waterproofing you can iron some wax in to it and its as good as new. https://www.fjallraven.com/uk/en-gb/men/jackets/winter-jackets/greenland-winter-jacket-m/

I re-waxed it and used it as my main jacket on a winter trip to Iceland a couple of years ago and it performed great.

I have had the same issues as you with other allegedly waterproof clothing (even the expensive stuff), and waterproofing spray and cleaner has never worked when I have tried it.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Withdean poncho

 

[Stato]

This morning I took the first great soaking of the 2024/25 shit weather for dog-walking season, and discovered that my wet weather gear from last season, which largely did a great job, seems to have lost much of its waterproofness.

We've got something that gets around this problem. It's a cat.

 

[The Clamp]

HOKA Anacapa 2 mid boots. Gore tex and I regularly spray. Never been breached by rain nor the deepest puddle. Best boots I have EVER had

https://www.hoka.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-HOKA-UK-Site/en_GB/Coveo-Show?q=anacapa%202%20mid&qs=1

Classic wax jacket. Can’t beat them in the wind or rain. But for proper weather I go for a Helikon patriot fleece with a Helly Hanson outer coat. You’d survive any weather in that combo. Genuinely.

Peter storm fleece lines waterproof trousers. Double sealed at the seams. Never met any water in.




Waterproof boonie hat.

Neck gaitor. Keeps wind and rain out of the neck area. Game changer.

 

[The Clamp]

 

[albionalbino]

I've had Meindl walking boots for a couple of years. Not cheap but really good, wax them twice a year and always dry feet even through streams

Men's Hiking Boots and Outdoor Footwear | Meindl UK

Explore the range of Meindl men’s hiking boots and shoes, available to buy from our stockists. Contact us for more information.

www.meindl.co.uk

 

[jcdenton08]

I’ve got a lovely old man style wax jacket I’ve had nearly ten years now, does the trick. No bloody hood though…

 

[Weststander]

This time last year I had a similar query, but without the South Downs ultra running. After lots of research including on Which? I bought:

Didrikson waterproof. It’s amazing, 100% of the rain just falls off it and its breathable.

Timberland boots. I bought a pair with Primaloft lining, for surviving -20c in Lapland. Also great, waterproof.

[Which? rate Cotton Traders as the best < £100 waterproofs].

 

[The Clamp]

I’ve got a lovely old man style wax jacket I’ve had nearly ten years now, does the trick. No bloody hood though…

I love a wax jacket. My latest one has a hood but I ha done before that didn’t.

I got a hood with poppers online and took it to a seamstress who married the two.

 

[METALMICKY]

RAB make excellent products

Great products but on the pricey side. I've a Microlight jacket and aside from looking smart the weight to warmth ratio is great. The only negative is that being high quality down you do need a waterproof on top if it's serious rain.

 

[The Clamp]

Been looking at arcteryx stuff. I like the look of it but don’t know anyone that uses their stuff.

Is it worth the money?

 

[jcdenton08]

I love a wax jacket. My latest one has a hood but I ha done before that didn’t.

I got a hood with poppers online and took it to a seamstress who married the two.

I am going to do this, hadn’t even thought of it! Thanks!

 

[jcdenton08]

I love a wax jacket. My latest one has a hood but I ha done before that didn’t.

I got a hood with poppers online and took it to a seamstress who married the two.

Okay, I looked up “big black hood with poppers” on Google Images and I’ve seen things I can’t unsee.

 

[Dr Q]

I've had Meindl walking boots for a couple of years. Not cheap but really good, wax them twice a year and always dry feet even through streams

Men's Hiking Boots and Outdoor Footwear | Meindl UK

Explore the range of Meindl men’s hiking boots and shoes, available to buy from our stockists. Contact us for more information.

www.meindl.co.uk

They are one, if not the best. My Meindl shooting boots are 12 years in, and with proper attention as you say with waxing etc, they have only leaked once, and thats when I walked into a deeper part of a stream than I thought it was.
Apparently though, with some of the more recent versions of the same boot, folk aren't seeing the same durability/longevity!

 

[The Clamp]

Okay, I looked up “big black hood with poppers” on Google Images and I’ve seen things I can’t unsee.

Amazon product ASIN B0BFX1QQ6Y

 

[Eric the meek]

I remember Nikwax when it was wax. It was a really good product in those days,, so it's good to see the more modern sprays being recommended on here.

Alternatively, and if the dog crosses its legs, only go walking when it's not raining.

 

[Taybha]

Worked on trawlers and tried loads of so called waterproof tosh,the only thing I ever found that was 100% waterproof was a hooded oilskin smock,bone dry

 

[Weststander]

Been looking at arcteryx stuff. I like the look of it but don’t know anyone that uses their stuff.

Is it worth the money?

I bought an Arcteryx ski jacket 10 or 15 years ago. Fantastic, but haven’t put it to UK test of relentless horizontal rain.

 

[Weststander]