Rab Kangri GTX £330

The Kangri GTX is a well-established hillwalker’s favourite when it comes to waterproof shells built for the rough stuff. With its 3-layer Gore-Tex fabric, it’s designed for hiking, trekking and easier mountain scrambles. It features Rab’s smaller mountain hood, which is designed to fit over a bare head or beanie but doesn’t work so well with a helmet.

The Kangri has a two-way YKK AquaGuard Vislon front zip with an internal stormflap, plus laminated pit zips with two-way zippers for ventilation. There are two rucksackfriendly zipped hand pockets and an internal secure zipped pocket for a phone or GPS unit.

The hem can be quickly adjusted with one hand via dual drawcords, while the sleeves have chunky Velcro cuff tabs for a weatherproof seal around the wrists. Unusually, there’s also an internal rear drawcord to cinch the jacket in at the waist.

Though the Kangri has been around for several seasons now, for the first time it has been updated with a fully recycled face fabric, made from 70D nylon. This is bonded to an ePTFE Gore-Tex membrane, with a soft tricot inner forming a classic 3-layer construction.

It’s undeniably a well-built, protective jacket – well suited to cold and wet days. It didn’t leak in any conditions, even in some torrential north Wales downpours. In fact, this shell might be overkill for spring and summer use, particularly since its extra heft and bulk takes up a fair bit of room in a daypack.

■ MEN’S SIZES XS-XXL

■ WOMEN’S SIZES 6-18

■ WEIGHT 524g (men’s M), 468g (women’s 10) ■ FABRICS 3L 70D Gore-Tex fabric

(with a 100% recycled nylon face)