UK: Wet weather clothing

OK, after spending 4 1/2 hours last Sunday afternoon, getting absolutlely soaked in this beautiful Great British weather, I'm finally giving in and am preparing to buy some decent all-weather clothing.

Currently I wear (do you really want to know? - OK then) thermals (if it's going to get really cold) maybe jeans (or combats) with waterproof overtrousers on top.

Top-wise, I tend to try and wear several layers, like T-Shirt, shirt, fleece and waterproof jacket.

The problem then is that I look like the "Michelin Man" and feel like Neil Armstrong did on the moon. (Now that was a good photograph!)

At least "waterproof" was what the jacket was supposed to be. Except within about 15 minutes of leaving the car, I could literally feel the wet, coldot to mention the wind right through to my skin!

However, as it was a paid job I could hardly simply "give in and go home"

So, given that anything you guys might recommend needs to be obtainable in the UK, can you give me some ideas of what YOU wear when it's wet, cold, and maybe windy - to keep what Mother Nature throws at you at bay.

Something I did wonder about was a poncho type cape - as this would then cover my second camera and keep it relatively dry until I need it. Anybody use/wear one?

[Edit: I do tend to move around quite a lot, whether it's walking or just moving to get better angles (at a music event) etc, so whatever I get need to allow for the fact that I won't just be "sitting still" waiting for a duck to come along ]

Thanks

TJ

I've got some Berghaus DWR leggings that keep me dry in whatever weather (even cycling through near tropical downpours).

Thanks Pete... DWR?

TJ

TeeJay wrote in post #4377123
Thanks Pete... DWR?

TJ

It's a technology from Berghaus (Durable Water Resitstant). I'd recommend it. It's goretex, but it doesn't delaminate in the same was as other makes do.

However, if you're like me and really hate rustly noises from waterproofs, then take a look at Paramo. Really good kit.

Pete wrote in post #4377309
However, if you're like me and really hate rustly noises from waterproofs....

You mean like a present wrapped up at Christmas - yeh, been there, sounded like that!

I'm off to "Go Outdoors" shortly, I'll have a look and see if they have something suitable. (pun intended)

Cheers Pete.

TJ

I might actually help a bit with this, even though normally for me there's snow not rain.
First it depends on temperature. Down to 0c I normally wear Craft underwear (it's meant as sport/active underwear and is done so that it keep you warm while moving water/sweat to outer side of material away from skin), and on top of thin technical jacket (I'm happy with really thin Adidas or a bit thicker Salomon) and pants. It's not much, but if you are moving quite a bit, you get warm. Nothing what can keep you warm and still not sweating too much, won't be 100% waterproof. It works fine for first month or two, and even that just for hour or two of moderate rain, but if it's more, get yourself some rain poncho. You can get them in pretty much any climbing/mountaineerin​g store... just as above mentioned jackets. But for jackets, be prepared to pay A LOT! 300-400eur for jacket only is pretty normal price, and 500 or 600eur is nothing all that special either.
When it gets colder (down to something like -5c), I add another layer under jacket (normally thin fleece or softshell), and I change pants for bit thicker softshell/schoeller pants. This schoeller is cool thing, since it doesn't get wet all that easy, and when it gets wet, it's dry in second.
For real cold, you don't really need to worry about waterproof anymore, since with -10c, snow is dry, and you are not wet even after 5 hours of constant snowing

Primoz (and Pete), I appreciate your responses, thank you.

I've just got back from "Go Outdoors" - they sell everything related to outdoor persuits (hence the name! )

I've gone for an Artic Gemini 3 in 1 jacket by Berghaus (although I can't work out where they get the "3" from!) which has a shell construction with a Gortex membrane (and not too noisy!) along with a pair of "Kiwi - Craighoppers" Winter Lined trousers (which should mean I don't need my thermals)

I'm going to try them over the next few days (forecast says rain on the way - again) and see how they go.

TJ

TeeJay wrote in post #4381506
although I can't work out where they get the "3" from!

I don't know this particular model, but normally 3 in 1 means you can wear just outer shell (1), just inner fleece (2), or both together (3). It's nothing so new (if you don't count fancy name), but marketing people did invent completely new jacket.
Otherwise these jackets with fleece which you can put in or take out, are good solution for such weather. So hopefully you will be dry and warm next time

There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.

Or so I keep telling myself....

TeeJay wrote in post #4381506
Primoz (and Pete), I appreciate your responses, thank you.

I've just got back from "Go Outdoors" - they sell everything related to outdoor persuits (hence the name! )

I've gone for an Artic Gemini 3 in 1 jacket by Berghaus (although I can't work out where they get the "3" from!) which has a shell construction with a Gortex membrane (and not too noisy!) along with a pair of "Kiwi - Craighoppers" Winter Lined trousers (which should mean I don't need my thermals)

I'm going to try them over the next few days (forecast says rain on the way - again) and see how they go.

TJ

Nice choice. I've got some Craghopper leggings that I use for walking. They're not waterproof, just quick-wicking.

I used to spend hours out in appalling weather when I cycled in Britain. My experience - cheap waterproofs are horrible because you sweat and it does not let the sweat out.

For lightweight, look for nylon jackets and trousers from camping shops. For warm as well, Swedish army surplus jackets are waterproof and warm. For trousers I haven't found much better than the camping shops supplied.

Either that or go commando

rhys wrote in post #4384984
My experience - cheap waterproofs are horrible because you sweat and it does not let the sweat out.

Hehe from my experience (about 20 years in top level xc skiing) ANY waterproofs are horrible... at least when it comes to active sport Goretex specs sound great, but they always manage to somehow turn it wrong way Water comes in, and sweat doesn't go out. And believe me, I used (and still do) pretty much anything from cheap copies of Goretext to so original Gore stuff, which is so expensive that Canon cameras seems cheap compared to that thin layer of clothing. And unfortunately nothing works as advertised. It works fine when it's brand new, and until you start moving more. But soon as you start sweating at least a bit, any of these things works as completely waterproof plastic stopping sweat from going out.