Answer

By Country Walking magazine

I asked Country Walking's gear expert, Tom Hutton, about this one. He suggested that it might not be leaking, but rather that perspiration is building up on the inside of the jacket and making it feel damp: even the most technical fabric can’t ‘breathe’ under a rucksack belt.

Another possibility is that where the hip-belt rubs against the jacket, it’s worn the water-repellent finish. Try reproofing it in your washing machine with Nikwax or Granger’s products. It’s worth checking that your pockets are done up. Rain pours into open pockets – I know from experience!

Finally, the manufacturers we talked to said please send it back. They’re keen to see any faulty product so they can fix it or replace it.