How to Choose a Hiking Jacket: The Complete Guide
How to Choose a Hiking Jacket: The Complete Guide
3 August 2026 (10-minute read)
Heading up to the Lake District next weekend and wondering which jacket to throw in your pack? Few things ruin a day on the fells faster than getting drenched in a sudden downpour — or boiling alive on the climb out of the valley. The right hiking jacket comes down to the weather, the terrain and how hard you're pushing. Here's how to find the one that actually fits the way you walk.
Table of Contents
Softshell, hardshell or windproof: which jacket should you choose?
Men's vs women's hiking jackets: how to choose the right fit
Softshell, hardshell or windproof: which jacket should you choose?
Picking the right jacket for your next hike — whether that's a Snowdonia ridge walk or a long day in the Peak District — shapes how comfortable you'll be when the British weather does its thing. Each of these three jackets answers a different need depending on your effort level and the conditions you're heading into.
The hardshell: your waterproof shield against UK rain and wind
The hardshell is built for the worst the hills can throw at you: driving rain, sleet, snow and exposed winds on summits like Helvellyn or Ben Nevis.
It uses a waterproof membrane that blocks water from getting in while still letting sweat vapour escape.
You'll find them built in 2-layer (more affordable and easy to wear), 2.5-layer (very light and packable) or 3-layer construction (the most durable and best suited to mountaineering). A solid waterproof jacket packs down small in your rucksack when the sun comes out, and it's your most reliable ally on multi-day treks like the West Highland Way, where staying dry isn't optional.
The softshell: breathable and stretchy
The softshell sits between protection and breathability. Its soft, stretchy fabric moves with you on tougher efforts, while still holding off the wind and the odd light shower. It doesn't have a full waterproof membrane, so it breathes far better than a hardshell.
It really earns its place in the shoulder seasons or on fast-moving activities like trail running and ski touring in the Cairngorms. It replaces both your rain jacket and your fleece in one layer, which keeps your pack lighter without sacrificing comfort.
The windproof: ultra-light and always within reach
The windproof is your minimalist back-up layer. Ultra-compact and lightweight, a good men's windproof jacket folds down small enough to live in a hip pocket, ready for sudden weather shifts or summit breaks where the wind chill kicks in fast.
It won't hold up to sustained rain, but it's brilliant in dry, blustery conditions — the sort of day you often get on Pennine ridges. Pull it on for fast descents too, when an icy wind cuts straight through your insulating layer.
Here's a quick side-by-side to help you choose:
How to choose the best waterproof jacket?
Hydrostatic head: 20,000 or 30,000 mm?
The hydrostatic head (sometimes labelled with a Schmerber rating) measures how well a fabric resists water pressure, expressed in mm of water column. In practical terms, a jacket rated at 10,000 mm can hold back the pressure of a 10-metre water column before water starts to seep through.
Match the rating to the way you walk. A 10,000 mm jacket is fine for occasional walks in light showers. From 20,000 mm upwards, you've got solid protection for regular hill days, even under sustained rain. Above 30,000 mm, you're equipped for the harshest conditions: prolonged downpours, high altitude or multi-day expeditions in the Scottish Highlands.
Waterproofness alone isn't the whole picture. Check the breathability too, usually given as an MVTR value (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate) or an RET value (Resistance to Evaporative Heat Transfer). An MVTR above 10,000 g/m²/24h or an RET below 12 means your jacket will move sweat away properly when you're working hard.
Gore-Tex membranes and the alternatives
The Gore-Tex membrane is still the benchmark for waterproof, breathable jackets. Its microporous structure blocks rain droplets while letting water vapour from your body escape. The result is that you stay dry, whether the moisture is coming from the sky or from your own effort on the climb.
Other proprietary membranes now perform on a similar level. eVent, Dermizax and Sympatex all use comparable technologies with their own specifics. Some brands also develop their own recycled membranes — Picture is one of them, combining technical performance with a real commitment to sustainability.
All of these membranes work on the same waterproof and breathable principle. What really sets them apart is durability, weight and finishing. A high-end women's Gore-Tex jacket will hold up to more than 100,000 flex cycles without losing its properties, where some cheaper alternatives can start to fail after 20,000.
The features that matter: hood, pockets and ventilation
The technical details are what turn a waterproof jacket into a genuine hill companion. The hood should adjust on three points (volume, depth and height) so it tracks with your head, even over a beanie or a climbing helmet. Make sure it still gives you a clear field of vision to the sides.
Pockets deserve a closer look. Go for chest pockets sitting high and centred, so you can reach them even with a rucksack strapped on. Napoleon-style pockets that open diagonally are still the most practical out on the trail. Check that the zips are taped or sealed and protected by storm flaps.
Pit-zips under the arms make a real difference on steep climbs. They let you dump heat fast without taking the jacket off. Pair them with adjustable drawcords at the hem and cuffs to lock out cold draughts. These features, combined with a solid membrane, keep you comfortable whatever pace you're moving at.
Men's vs women's hiking jackets: how to choose the right fit
Finding the right men's mountain jacket
Men's cuts are built around broader shoulders and a longer torso. For mountain days, the choice between a robust hiking jacket and a lighter hardshell mostly depends on how long you're out.
If you're heading off for several days — say a wild camp through the Cairngorms — go for a model with plenty of well-placed pockets: you want to reach the essentials (map, snacks) without dropping your rucksack. For day walks, a compact waterproof that packs into the lid of your bag is more than enough.
Picture's men's hiking jackets are cut to let you move freely under a loaded pack, with no pressure points across the shoulders.
Choosing the right technical jacket for women
Women's anatomy needs a specific fit through the waist and hips. Women's-specific models have a tailored cut that follows the shape without squeezing, unlike unisex versions that often run too straight or too wide.
Check rucksack compatibility carefully: the straps shouldn't rub against the shoulder seams of your hiking jacket, or you'll end up with hot spots after a few hours on the trail. Women's technical jackets also come with adapted sleeve lengths and hoods that adjust properly without blocking your peripheral vision.
Have a look at the Picture women's waterproof jacket range, made with high-performance recycled fabrics and details tuned to the way you walk.
Which jacket for winter hiking?
Winter on the British hills — whether that's an icy crossing of Striding Edge or a snowy day in the Brecon Beacons — calls for a complete rethink of your layering. A single warm jacket won't cut it: layering the right pieces together is what really keeps you comfortable.
The classic three-layer system stays your best bet. A breathable base layer moves sweat away from the skin, an insulating mid-layer (a down jacket or fleece) traps body heat, and a waterproof outer layer blocks wind and snow.
Depending on how hard you're pushing, you can run a lined softshell on cold, dry days, or go for the hardshell-and-light-down combo when conditions turn nasty with rain or wet snow. The second option gives you more flexibility: peel off the down jacket on the climb to avoid overheating, then layer back up at the top.
Check that the hood fits cleanly over your hat or a helmet, with drawcords you can reach with thick gloves on. Pockets should also stay usable with mittens. Those details are what makes the difference when the temperature drops below freezing.
How to choose a hiking down jacket?
Your down jacket plays the insulating layer role in the layering system: it traps heat between your base layer and your waterproof shell. Two options open up depending on how you use it.
Synthetic fill copes well with moisture and dries quickly, which makes it the right pick for short outings in changeable British weather. Natural down delivers the best warmth-to-weight ratio: a down jacket packs down small in your rucksack — but it loses its loft and insulation as soon as it gets wet.
For hiking, go for a lightweight and packable model that won't take over your kit. This lightweight jacket becomes essential the moment you stop moving or the temperature drops with altitude in places like Snowdonia.
FAQ
Answer with action
