The best budget waterproof jackets reviewed (2023)

When window shopping in an outdoor gear store, it's nice to gaze in wonder at the top-end hiking jackets. But few of us really need them. While a waterproof jacket is hiking essential, there are some excellent budget waterproof jackets.

Some would argue 'cheap and waterproof' is an oxymoron and, of course, for the most part, you do get what you pay for. One of our most important pieces of advice is to get the outdoor gear that suits you best. If that means saving up for a little longer, we think it's worth it. But even so, many of us don't want or need to spend big money on a feature-rich winter waterproof jacket. Or a super high-tech, lightweight waterproof, for that matter. Just a reliable hillwalking waterproof please.

Waterproof jacket bargains are out there if you know where to look. In this round-up, we've selected the best budget waterproof jackets under £200. That's still a relatively hefty price tag, but we've tried to mitigate that age-old risk of 'buy cheap, pay twice'.

The best budget waterproof jackets at a glance:

Best in Test: Mountain Equipment Garwhal Jacket – View on Cotswold Outdoor

Best Value: Berghaus Paclite Dynak Jacket – View on Berghaus

Best waterproof jacket under £150: Rab Downpour Eco Jacket – View on Cotswold Outdoor

Each jacket selected (except one) has an impressive hydrostatic head rating of 20,000mm or higher – a solid guarantee that it can cope with a torrential downpour. We've also kept an eye out for rain-resisting features such as visored hoods, zipper stormflaps, durable fabrics and sealed seams.

The best budget waterproof jackets in detail

How to buy the budget waterproof jacket for you

Fit: Opting for a regular fit or something slimmer depends on what you're using your jacket for. If you're a summer hiker and don't need to layer much, you can go for something with a more athletic cut. But 3-season and year-round hikers are better served by a jacket you can layer with.

Fabric: In most cases, you can forget about Gore-Tex. In the lower price range, brands most often use their own waterproof membranes. That's not necessarily a bad, and some are pretty good. It's just worth being realistic.

Most affordable waterproof jackets are made from polyester because it's cheaper than nylon. Nylon is used in more expensive jackets because it's stronger, but polyester is still a good option.

Construction: Whether to go for 2-, 2.5-, or a 3-layer construction is a common question. Regarding budget waterproof jackets, when the price range gets under about £170, there aren't many 3-layer jackets to be found. A triple-layer construction is the most durable and suited for harsh conditions but, predictably, the most expensive.

The 2- and 2.5-layer approaches are more widely used. It's partly for cost reasons but also because not all jackets need to be suitable for mountain use. 2.5-layer waterproofs are generally quite lightweight and good for stashing away in your pack for when you need them. 2-layer waterproofs vary quite a lot in performance, depending on how they're made. Some are very weatherproof, others are more for everyday use.

Features: Although unlikely to carry a rich list of features, you should still expect a number of important additions on a more affordable waterproof jacket. These include Velcro-adjustable cuffs for a tight fit around the wrist, stormflaps, good pockets, and adjustable hood.

Waterproof jacket care and maintenance

Care and maintenance are vital to jacket performance and longevity. Some of our favourite gear care products come from Grangers and Nikwax. Their products are both effective and PFC-free.

Grangers Performance Wash or Nikwax Tech Wash (below) are both far better at cleaning waterproof gear than washing detergent because they maintain the fabric's DWR coating. If you want to rejuvenate your gear's waterproofing, too, grab the Grangers or Nikwax kits.

And if you want to save yourself more money over the medium and longer term, remember to repair, not replace. If your jacket zip breaks, a seam needs fixed, or your jacket gets torn, investigate repair options. More often than not, you can get your jacket repaired as increasing numbers of outdoor retailers and outdoor brands are introducing or expanding their gear repair services. Use these, they save you money and promote sustainability.

How we test

As you would imagine, we do indeed spend a lot of time in the rain to find the best waterproof jackets for real-world conditions. But we do more than that. While value becomes a greater priority for budget waterproof jackets, we still consider every aspect of the garment, which includes waterproofness, breathability, durability, comfort, and sustainability. After all, if you get a cheap waterproof that isn't comfortable and doesn't last, well, that's hardly good value, is it?

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James Forrest is a freelance gear tester for Live For The Outdoors and Trail Magazine. He's a prolific peak-bagger and wild camper who's climbed hundreds of mountains in the UK and abroad, James gives his gear a serious thrashing on every trip.