Best budget waterproof jackets 2024: affordable hardshells

Mountain Equipment has a long-standing reputation for reliable waterproof jackets. Garhwal is Mountain Equipment's second cheapest offering. Made from Gore-Tex's Paclite fabric – a 2.5-layer construction of 100% polyester with an ePTFE membrane – the jacket has a 28,000mm hydrostatic head rating and a breathability rating of RET <6.

Not everything in a waterproof can be judged on geeky stats alone, but these figures are as good as it gets for a budget waterproof.

In use, the Garhwal strikes an impressive balance: it feels light and minimalist enough for high levels of comfort and breathability, yet simultaneously, it's tough and sturdy enough to keep you dry when the heavens open. Features include Velcro cuffs, a waist drawcord, two large handwarmer pockets, an internal stormflap, and an adjustable hood with peak. The fit is best described as 'athletic', and it's the lightest jacket here.

The 'alpine fit' suits skinnier body shapes and may feel too tight around the chest for fuller figures. In a show of admirable honesty, the brand admits that despite "advanced construction techniques", in "exceptionally wet conditions, water may get into the pockets".

Check out the women's version.

This is the cheapest Gore-Tex jacket in this round-up and the most affordable option if you want the reassurance of the big name in membrane technology.

Made from a lightweight and packable Gore-Tex Paclite fabric (100% polyester with ePTFE membrane), the Paclite Dynak has a 28,000mm hydrostatic head rating and a breathability rating of RET <6. It's a touch roomier – and thus better for layering – than the Mountain Equipment Garwhal and Montane Spirit, and it has good features too.

The hood is adjustable, with a stiffened visor, protective chinguard and good coverage of the face. The waist hem can be fine-tuned for a good fit, Velcro cuffs prevent water ingress, and the central zipper has an internal stormflap. Two handwarmer pockets have both internal and external stormflaps, and the dropped hem provides extra coverage of your backside.

A few features are omitted, including pit zippers and internal pockets. The handwarmer pockets are big enough to take an OS map, but the small pocket entrance makes getting the map in or out rather awkward. All-round performance is, perhaps, ever so slightly lower than the Spirit or Garhwal.

Check out the women's version.

This is Rab's cheapest waterproof jacket. The 50 denier Eco Downpour looks excellent on paper: 20,000mm hydrostatic head and 20,000g/m²/24hr breathability, with good all-round features including Velcro cuffs, adjustable hem, underarm vents, two handwarmer pockets, YKK zippers throughout, large external stormflaps on all zippers, and an adjustable hood with flexible peak.

Made from a 100% recycled 2.5-layer Pertex Shield Revolve fabric, it has excellent eco credentials too. Interestingly, because the jacket is a monopolymer (both the outer and membrane are 100% polyester), the jacket has "the potential to be recycled at the end of its life".

Compared to Gore-Tex fabrics, the recycled Pertex shell feels thinner, softer and less noisy. This might limit long-term performance and durability, but it enhances comfort a fair bit. However, the fit around the waist and backside feels tight.

We have confidence in the Pertex fabric, but nevertheless, the Downpour Eco ultimately seems best suited to light showers.

Check out the women's version.

This jacket is a total left-field option for hillwalkers, but we've included it as a maverick alternative – mainly because it's the cheapest 20,000mm-rated jacket we could find anywhere.

The catch? Modern waterproof jackets aim to strike a perfect harmony between waterproofing and breathability. The Moss doesn't bother trying – instead, it only aims to be waterproof. Breathability is nil, and, therefore, when you're working hard, it can be a complete sweatbox – a clammy, sweaty, plasticky nightmare of condensation.

For many, this will be a deal-breaker, but for those who walk slower (and tend not to overheat or over-sweat), it may work.

Based on the original 1950s Helly Hansen fisherman's raincoat, the 2-layer Moss is made from the brand's Helox+ fabric – a 100% polyurethane shell. This provides a thick, tough barrier to rain.

It's hardly feature-rich. The hood is only adjustable at the front and doesn't have a proper peak, and the cuffs are only adjustable via press stud buttons, for example. But you get two handwarmer pockets, chunky zipper stormflap and a cinchable hem.

Check out the women's version.

With jackets sporting the Gore-Tex name you immediately categorise them as a proper hiking waterproof jacket. While that's fine, a bona fide hiking jacket isn't necessarily what we all need. Some of us, for example want a waterproof we can use around town, commuting, and weekend walks.

This is where Sherpa's Nima 2.5-Layer Jacket comes in. While it doesn't have the same waterproof rating of Gore-Tex (10,000mm HH vs GTX's 28,000mm HH) it's still high enough for fending of rain - just not persistent driving rain. It also has a number of other hiking-friendly touches. Firstly, it's very lightweight, weighing less than 300g thanks to the 2.5-layer construction. We also like the mesh-lined pockets and pit zips which aid breathability. There are Velcro cuffs, double storm flap on the main zip, and an adjustable hood too, which are useful weatherproofing touches.

For use in urban environments and travel, this jacket is better than many waterproof jackets because it's a lot more subtly stylish.

One of the other huge strong points with this jacket is its eco credentials. Apart from being recycled and PFC-free, the brand has a mission to support Nepalese schoolchildren, and employment opportunities in Nepal through its Handcrafted Collection, which we think is pretty cool.

Check out the men's version.

Like a throwback to the era when hillwalking jackets were uncompromisingly bombproof, this jacket is easily the toughest shell on test – the kind of jacket designed for an apocalyptic downpour when you're halfway up a Munro in far-flung Sutherland.

For some, it'll feel too heavy, clunky and boxy – it's not for fast 'n' light outings – but for others, the strong, muscular build will be reassuring. Made from Keela's in-house membrane, Aquaflex Extreme, which has a 20,000mm hydrostatic head rating and a 17,000g/m²/24hr breathability rating, the Pinnacle has a 3-layer construction.

The price is excellent for a 3-layer jacket – we couldn't find any cheaper from a reputable brand. Top-notch features include helmet-compatible hood, underarm vents, adjustable waist, four pockets and Velcro cuffs.

Check out the women's version.

There is minimal variation between the Montane Spirit and Mountain Equipment Garwhal. Same price, similar weight, near-identical features, same waterproofing stats, same breathability rating – it's tricky to pick out any differences.

This is because they're both made from Gore-Tex's Paclite fabric (28,000mm hydrostatic head and RET <6 breathability), with a classic 2.5-layer design and all the features you'd expect.

Unlike the Garwhal, the Spirit's pockets have a mesh lining, which may enhance ventilation but increases the risk of water ingress. The Spirit is also 21g heavier, using a 75-denier construction compared to the 40-denier Garwhal. The Spirit's front hood adjustment – with internal toggles rather than external, as on the Garwhal – is a tad fiddlier, but means the toggles are tucked away and don't flap around.

Other features on the Spirit include fully taped seams, two map-sized handwarmer pockets, an AquaGuard central zipper with internal stormflap, cinchable waist hem, Velcro cuffs, reverse hang loop, superb hood with stiff peak, and an athletic fit.

Check out the women's version.

Bluesign-approved and PFC-free, this water-based fabric cleaning is ideal for any technical or waterproof fabric, including Gore-Tex.

Like Grangers, this is water-based and PFC-free. It too is a very effective cleaner of outdoor and technical garments.

This kit supplies a big one-litre volume of Tech Wash and the 300ml bottle of reproofing TX.Direct. With TX.Direct, add it to the washing machine and run a second cycle after cleaning with Tech Wash.

This combo is perfect for cleaning outdoor garments and then adding durable water repellency to waterproof fabrics. The Performance Wash is used like a laundry detergent, while the Repel Plus is a simple spray.