GORE-TEX has been the gold standard for many years but it comes with a significant environmental impact. While the manufacturing footprint might be forgivable given the longevity of these garments, the chemicals used in traditional GORE-TEX (PFAS/PFCs) don’t break down easily and can wash off into the environment. If this concerns you, look for GORE-TEX products labeled “PFAS-free” or those that mention the newer ePE membrane, which is designed to be more eco-friendly.

Other brands now offer their own waterproof technologies that are often comparable and in some cases, even better than GORE-TEX.

When buying a waterproof, not water-resistant, jacket you are looking at 2 things; the waterproof rating millimetres (mm) and it's breathability represented in Grams per square meter per 24 hours (g/m²/24h). If it's very waterproof but not breathable you are going to end up wet from sweat.

Anything above 10,000mm is considered waterproof but I would only consider items that are above 20,000mm.

Waterproof jackets don’t stay waterproof without proper care. If yours isn’t performing like it used to, you can often restore its water resistance with a DWR (durable water repellent) wash and a quick spin in the tumble dryer as the heat helps reactivate the DWR coating.

Alternatively, reproofing sprays are a great option, especially for jackets with mesh linings that make wash‑in treatments trickier. 

However, if the issue is due to worn seams, there’s usually not much that can be done. Seam tape failure is tricky to repair and often signals the end.

ALWAYS LAYER!
When buying a jacket or any outdoor gear it’s better to invest in layers rather than an all‑in‑one solution. For example, when purchasing a waterproof jacket, choose a shell rather than an insulated waterproof. This approach gives you more control over your body temperature and greater flexibility when selecting your gear.

It’s far easier to remove a fleece or puffer mid‑layer to cool down in the rain than to choose between getting soaked by the weather or drenched in sweat.

Please see base layers section for more information.