Pay for premium

If you are really serious about hiking a premium jacket is certainly worth the extra cost. A good hiking jacket has two main requirements. Firstly it must protect you from the elements. This could be rain, wind, hail and snow. Secondly it has to protect you from your own body moisture (sweat) and not hold it against your body. To do these two vital jobs the material the jacket is made from has to be lightweight, waterproof and breathable. The inner lining should be made from a soft fabric that is gentle to the skin and does not rub or itch.  The underarms on top quality jackets are normally ventilated and allow air in whilst remaining watertight.

Most hiking jackets have removable hoods and many have lots of concealed zipped pockets that are handy for keeping other essential equipment such as maps and your mobile phone. Some jackets have a reflective trim for added safety.

Cheap fashion jackets tend to be bulky and heavy rather than lightweight and are not as weather resistant. You may find that it leaks especially around the zip. Also the fabric is less likely to be breathable and if the weather turns warm you may find yourself feeling clammy, sweaty and uncomfortable.

Whether you decide to spend a lot of money on a really high quality jacket probably depends on how often you plan to go hiking and if you intend to go in colder weather. If it is something you intend to do on a regular basis as a pastime it is definitely worth the extra money to buy a high quality jacket rather than a cheap one. You may be able to buy a good one online and save yourself a few pounds but check that it is a genuine make and not a fake.

You will be glad you paid the extra money if the weather turns bad.

Webtogs are a new company which sells outdoor clothing and camping equipment. They sell brand-name footwear, Berghaus jackets, tents and rucksacks. They also have a ‘carbon neutral delivery’ policy in place. With your order you can pay an extra 25p, that Webtogs matches, which goes to Carbon Footprint to offset CO2 emissions.