Performance Jackets -- Waterproof, Windproof and Warm
The outer layer makes or breaks comfort outdoors -- it is what stands between you and the wind, rain and cold. Performance jackets range from wafer-thin windbreakers to fully waterproof shells and warm insulated layers, and knowing which does what saves you both money and misery. This hub explains waterproof and windproof shells, insulation and warmth, and how to choose and care for a jacket, featuring The North Face and Berghaus. It links to the flagship activewear types guide and the best waterproof jackets guide.
Waterproof & Windproof
Waterproof Shells
Fully sealed protection for serious rain.
What it is
A waterproof shell uses a waterproof, breathable membrane and taped seams to keep rain out while letting sweat vapour escape. The North Face uses membranes such as Futurelight and DryVent; Berghaus offers reliable waterproofing at strong value. Look for a good hood and pit zips.
Why it matters
A true waterproof shell is the only thing that keeps you dry in sustained rain. Browse The North Face jackets and Berghaus jackets.
Windproof Jackets & Windbreakers
Light defence against wind chill.
What it is
A windproof jacket or windbreaker is light and often packable, blocking wind to cut the chill without the bulk or full waterproofing of a shell. The North Face WindWall is a typical windproof finish. Many shrug off light showers too.
Why it matters
Wind steals warmth fast, so a windbreaker punches above its weight for its size. It is the easy layer to stuff in a bag for changeable days. See the coats and jackets range.
Softshell Jackets
Stretchy, breathable weather resistance.
What it is
A softshell trades full waterproofing for stretch, breathability and comfort, resisting wind and light rain while moving freely. It suits high-output activity in dry-to-showery conditions where a hard shell would feel clammy.
Why it matters
Softshells are the comfortable middle ground for active days that are not truly wet. They breathe far better than a waterproof shell when you are working hard. The fabrics hub explains the trade-off.
Insulation & Warmth
Insulated Jackets
Trapped-air warmth for cold, still days.
What it is
An insulated jacket uses down or synthetic fill to trap warm air, giving a lot of heat for its weight. Down packs smallest and is warmest for the weight; synthetic keeps insulating when damp. Peak Performance and The North Face both make strong insulated pieces.
Why it matters
When it is genuinely cold, insulation is what keeps you warm at rest and on the move. Browse the Peak Performance collection and see the best winter jackets guide.
Down vs Synthetic
Choosing the right kind of insulation.
What it means
Down offers the best warmth-to-weight and packs tiny, but loses loft and warmth when wet unless treated. Synthetic insulation is heavier and bulkier for the same warmth but keeps working when damp and dries faster, making it the safer choice for wet British conditions.
Why it matters
The right insulation depends on your climate and activity. For reliably dry cold, down wins; for damp or high-sweat use, synthetic is more dependable. The fabrics hub covers insulation in detail.
The Layering System
Base, mid and shell working together.
What it means
The classic three-layer system pairs a wicking base, an insulating mid-layer and a protective shell, so you can add or remove layers as conditions and effort change. The jacket is the shell, but it works best over the right layers beneath.
Why it matters
Layering beats one thick coat because it adapts -- you regulate warmth by adding or shedding layers. The base layers hub explains the foundation the whole system sits on.
Choosing & Caring
Choosing the Right Jacket
Matching the jacket to the job.
What to do
Choose by activity and weather: a waterproof shell for sustained rain and hillwalking, a windbreaker for changeable dry days, a softshell for active dry-to-showery use, and an insulated jacket for cold. Consider fit over layers, hood quality, pockets and packability.
Why it matters
The best jacket is the one matched to how and where you will use it, not the most expensive. The best waterproof jackets guide and North Face vs Berghaus guide help you compare.
Jacket Care & Reproofing
Keeping waterproofs working for years.
What to do
Wash waterproofs with a technical cleaner (not detergent), then reproof with a wash-in or spray-on DWR to restore water repellency when the fabric stops beading. Do up zips, follow the care label, and tumble or warm-iron gently to reactivate the finish if advised.
Why it matters
A jacket that no longer beads water wets out and feels clammy long before the membrane fails -- reproofing restores performance cheaply. The care hub covers washing and reproofing in full.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant?
Waterproof means the fabric will keep rain out under sustained pressure -- it uses a waterproof membrane and taped seams, so no water gets through the fabric or stitching. Water-resistant (or water-repellent) means the fabric resists light rain and showers, usually thanks to a DWR coating that makes water bead and roll off, but it will eventually let water through in heavy or prolonged rain. Windbreakers and softshells are typically water-resistant; hardshells are waterproof. For serious or all-day rain you need genuinely waterproof; for showers and wind, water-resistant is lighter and more breathable.
Do I need a waterproof jacket or a windproof one?
It depends on your conditions. If you regularly face sustained rain -- hillwalking, dog walks in bad weather, British winters -- a waterproof shell is worth it, as only that keeps you dry all day. If your main enemy is wind chill on mostly dry days, a light windproof jacket is more breathable, packs smaller and weighs less. Many people own both: a packable windbreaker for changeable days and a waterproof shell for when the forecast is genuinely wet. If you can only have one for the UK, a good waterproof breathable jacket is the more versatile choice.
Is down or synthetic insulation better?
Neither is universally better -- it depends on conditions. Down gives the best warmth for its weight and packs down smallest, making it ideal for dry cold and travel, but it loses warmth if it gets wet unless it has a water-resistant treatment. Synthetic insulation is a little heavier and bulkier for the same warmth, but it keeps insulating when damp and dries faster, which suits wet, changeable British weather and high-sweat activity. For reliably dry cold, choose down; for damp conditions or hard use where it might get wet, synthetic is the safer, lower-maintenance choice.
How do I make my jacket waterproof again?
Waterproof jackets rely on a DWR (durable water repellent) finish on the outer fabric that makes water bead and roll off. Over time this wears away and the fabric starts to soak up water, feeling wet and clammy even though the membrane still works. To restore it, first wash the jacket with a dedicated technical cleaner (never normal detergent, which harms the finish), then apply a wash-in or spray-on reproofer and gently heat it -- a cool tumble dry or warm iron through a cloth, per the care label -- to reactivate the DWR. Do this when water stops beading, and your jacket performs like new for a fraction of the cost of replacing it.
Which brand makes the best performance jacket?
It depends on the use. For technical waterproof performance, The North Face leads with breathable membranes like Futurelight and DryVent across everything from everyday to serious mountain shells, while Berghaus offers reliable British-tested waterproofing at strong value. For ski and technical mountain insulation, Peak Performance excels with refined, high-quality jackets. For lightweight running shells, On Running is a good pick. The best brand is the one whose specialism matches your activity -- the North Face vs Berghaus guide and the best waterproof jackets guide compare the leaders directly to help you choose.