Hello!
My first post here!
I'm very gradually building up my gear collection and am currently onto waterproof jackets. I've been using a not so breathable jacket from Decathlon for about 10 years that I got for about £80 maybe, but the seams have disintegrated now. I'm going to repair it for daily use but would like to treat myself to something a bit more technical for hiking, scrambling, climbing.
Ideally I'd like an all-rounder. The jackets in the 'mountain shells around £200' review seemed good - particularly the Rab Arc Eco. However, the Rab (and actually all of the other jackets in that review) were reported to be a bit restrictive when worn with a helmet and the coat fully zipped up (if I'm buying something specialist I'd prefer it not to have any limitations in that area). I've read some forum posts and other reviews about the Arc Eco saying it's not so durable and sometimes wets out under rucksack straps...?
Does anyone have any recommendations for all-rounder jackets that, in order of priority, 1) use no PFCs, 2) are definitely fully helmet compatible, 3) are long and roomy enough to go over a down jacket for colder days, and 4) are ideally built to last.
As these are my priorities, I'd compromise a bit on other things, including weight. I thought about shelling out on more of a winter jacket and using it for other seasons too, but think it might be a bit too much for warmer days, and also better to save an expensive winter jacket for what it's designed for. The £200 mark of the group test felt fairly bearable for something decent, but I could also stretch to 300+ for something that seems worth it and will last.
The Marmot Mitre Peak seems like an ok option judging by the review, so would be interested to hear about it's longer term durability!
Thanks!