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Mountain Equipment's Lhotse/Manaslu jacket has long been a Trail favourite (it won best waterproof jacket in our Gear of the Year 2021 awards), but for £130 cheaper the Makalu is another great option at an excellent price. Made from Gore-Tex Performance using both 50-denier and 75-denier fabrics, the Makalu has a minimum HH rating of 28,000mm and an RET breathability grade of <13. It has a fully recycled, 3-layer construction with a PFC-free DWR coating, and an articulated fit described as 'alpine' by Mountain Equipment. I'm 5ft 9in with a slim build, and the volume and length of the men's medium is ideal for my body shape, but the arms are slightly too long and baggy. Features include a superbly protective, adjustable hood with a visor so big it's almost like an integrated cap, as well as YKK water-repellent zippers, three good-sized external pockets, Velcro wrist cuffs, cinchable waist hem, and main zipper with press stud closure, stormflap and zipper garage at the chin. You also get a laser cut and laminated internal pocket, which is handy for a car key or small wallet. All of this for under £300 is pretty impressive, considering the sky high prices of comparable products in this list.

Verdict

Well-designed jacket made from Gore-Tex Performance at an excellent price - but it's worth checking the fit before buying
OVERALL SCORE
Key features ★★★★★
Performance ★★★★★
Value ★★★★★