That got us thinking though, that we’re looking at every possible item from Montane so it would be good to narrow our search down even further and only look at Montane branded products within the Waterproof category. The cost of Montane Waterproof The Rab Arc Eco was given Gold in our TGO awards for sustainability and it has really stood out from the other men’s waterproofs here too. On test since last autumn, the fully recycled fabric has so far resisted wear and tear, with the 20,000 hydrostatic head and 15,000 MVTR (breathability rating), continuing to keep us completely dry. There are however some methods that you can use to determine a product’s quality without needing to physically have it. Tierra are a Swedish company that specialise in wet weather gear – no less than the Swedish Alpine Mountain Rescue association are equipped with their kit. The material the product is made from is often a sign of the quality for Waterproof. Take a look at the product details over at Go Outdoors to get a feel for this.

Peak District-based brand Alpkit have made a name for themselves in recent years, producing functional kit that doesn’t come at eye-watering prices. When buying Waterproof, the quality of the product is going to be one of the factors that you really scrutinise before you commit to buying. Its main body is 100% recycled 50 denier, with tougher 75 denier on the wear points. The entire shell has been treated with a PFC-free (less environmentally damaging) DWR to repel water.

A standard Gore-Tex waterproof membrane is employed here. It’s not the top spec Gore-Tex Pro but the quality is still impressive. Another factor that can be a great indication of product quality is the brand. Brands like Montane are of course extremely well known, especially for Waterproof. This particular product from them, the Balance, is certainly reliable. It’ll keep out wind and rain while providing a decent level of breathability too. Weight-wise, it’s not the lightest of three-season shells, but it’s not heavy either. To give that price some context we then looked at all of the products available from Go Outdoors in the Waterproof category. We found 111 items in total. What’s the price of Waterproof?

The downside to buying online is that you can’t actually get hold of the product to try it out first.Waterpoofing, breathability, adjustment, fit, features, sustainability and of course price. There’s a lot to consider, but by carefully weighing these up you can make a well-informed choice and invest in a waterproof shell that could serve you well and for a long, long time. How waterproofness and breathability are measured