– Expensive.

VERDICT: Arc’teryx never fails to impress. A hard-wearing and stylish jacket, beautifully designed and very hard to find fault with.

– The hood adjuster cord at the back has a tendency to flap around in high winds.
VERDICT: Patagonia’s H2No waterproofing technology performed very well out on the hills in the rain and snow. A reliable, no-nonsense jacket, with excellent freedom of movement.

+ A comfortable Gore-Tex jacket, with a generous length, mesh lining and plenty of adjustments to help get the best fit. The hood folds into a bellowed collar, and there’s a double stormflap over the main zip.

– The peak of the hood is wired but not stiffened, so it tends to flop around a bit. The pocket isn’t big enough to hold an OS map.

VERDICT: Comfortable, practical and long-standing bestseller, this is a good general walking jacket – but the hood could be improved.

+ Performed excellently in very wet and wild conditions, with its underarm venting, mesh lining, effective roll-away hood with high collar, map pocket, and secure, zipped inner pocket.

– The Gore-Tex fabric initially feels slightly stiff and restrictive.

VERDICT: A great-fitting jacket. Berghaus has put plenty of thought into a host of useful features – and it’s remarkably durable, too.

+ A simple, clean-cut jacket with excellent freedom of movement and plenty of thoughtful features.

– No externally accessible map pocket and the price is high.

VERDICT: A sleek, great-fitting Gore-Tex jacket from Mountain Hardwear, with a very effective and adjustable hood that doesn’t restrict your vision.

– Expensive.

VERDICT: Arc’teryx never fails to impress. A hard-wearing and stylish jacket, beautifully designed and very hard to find fault with.

+ A mid-thigh-length jacket, with plenty of capacious pockets.

– The rollaway hood doesn’t have much structure, tending to flop around, and when you tighten the drawcords it will often pop away from the collar. It’s heavy and there are no pit zips for venting.

VERDICT: A durable and generous-length jacket. The Gore-Tex fabric is canvas-like and traditional looking, and sure to be a popular choice for birdwatchers and those looking to blend in with the countryside. The women’s Halo offers a more urban feel.

+ The hood can be rolled away but its wired structure offers a surprisingly good fit. Easily accessible map pocket and discreet security zipped pockets.

– No pit zips for venting and the arms on both the men’s and women’s seem a little short, leaving wrists exposed.

VERDICT: A hard-wearing, longer-length jacket, using Rohan’s own Barricade waterproofing technology.

+ Excellent waterproofing and breathability, assisted by ventilation zips and a mesh lining.

– No externally accessible pocket big enough for a map. The hood lacks structure and can flap into your eyes.

VERDICT: Comfortable-fitting Gore-Tex jacket with a good range of movement and longer length. But the poor hood design, from a normally excellent and reliable company, is a disappointment.

+ Practical adjustable cuffs, with a grab strap for ease of use, lots of pockets, and pit zips. A reversed main zip makes it extra waterproof and the jacket is mesh lined.

– No fold-away hood option and the main zip is fiddly, especially with gloves on.

VERDICT: Good value, offering plenty of ventilation and pockets, and the welcome addition of hard-wearing silicon zones on the shoulders.