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Cheap waterproof jackets and walking trousers
Good waterproof jackets, walking trousers and overtrousers are often expensive, but there are some decent cheaper brands that will keep you dry and comfortable.
While a jacket from much-loved brand Paramo will set you back more than £200 on average, Cotton Traders is around a quarter of the price and well rated by Which? members.
Berghaus and Rohan, which topped the table in our walking and overtrousers survey, cost upwards of £70 – but we’ve sifted through the research to find decent trousers that cost less than £50.
Read on to discover which brands are best on a budget.
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Well-rated waterproof jacket for under £100: Cotton Traders
- Cotton Traders 80%
- Average price paid: £52
If you’re looking for a cheaper jacket that still protects you in a rainstorm, turn to Cotton Traders. You’ll get a decent piece of outerwear that owners rated highly in most categories – including five stars for value for money – at a snip of the price of most brands in the survey.
Its lack of breathability, however, lets it down: the brand’s jackets only scored two stars in this area, making them less suitable for serious walkers. One owner summed up the brand: ‘It hasn’t got all the qualities of a more expensive jacket… but you get what you pay for.’
Note: Cotton Traders was the only jacket in our survey that achieved four stars for water resistance and cost less than £100.
Verdict: A great budget choice for everyday wear.
Shop Cotton Traders jackets direct
See how Cotton Traders measures up to all brands featured in our waterproof jacket survey.
Well-rated walking trousers for under £50: Craghoppers and Brasher
- Craghoppers 80%
- Average price paid: £41
Craghoppers trousers are ideal if you don’t want to spend a fortune. But they aren’t just cheap; owners rated the brand the full five stars for value for money. Its hiking trousers scored decently in most categories, and readers commented on how well they washed. You might be willing to overlook the two-star water-resistance rating, especially if you buy Craghoppers' five-star water-resistant overtrousers to pull on over the top during rainy spells.
Verdict: Excellent value
Shop Craghoppers trousers direct
Shop Craghoppers trousers at Cotswold Outdoor
Shop Craghoppers trousers at Go Outdoors
- Brasher 79%
- Average price paid: £49
Brasher’s walking trousers are breathable, comfortable and should go the distance according to owners, who rated the brand four out of five stars in each category. They also commented on the ‘useful’ number and arrangement of pockets. The brand's walking trousers scored just two stars for water resistance, although keeping you dry is what overtrousers are for - so you can always pull on a pair of those over the top.
Craghoppers got a higher value-for-money rating than Brasher, though, and members told us they paid less for Craghoppers trousers on average. So when shopping for cheaper walking trousers, look at both brands.
Verdict: Decent, reasonably priced trousers, but Craghoppers are better value
Shop Brasher walking trousers direct
Shop Brasher walking trousers at Go Outdoors
Well-rated waterproof overtrousers under £50: Craghoppers and Regatta
- Craghoppers 72%
- Average price paid: £45
Most people who own Craghoppers overtrousers told us they’re excellent at their core job: keeping them dry. The brand also got high ratings for durability, comfort and value for money, but a middling three stars for breathability. This is where pricier brands Berghaus and Rohan come into their own (see our full overtrousers survey results), but you pay for it – their overtrousers cost £30-£50 more per pair, on average.
It might be worth compromising on breathability if you want to make a saving.
Verdict: The perfect compromise between quality and price
Shop Craghoppers overtrousers direct
Shop Craghoppers overtrousers at Cotswold Outdoors
- Regatta 72%
- Average price paid: £21
Which? members gave Regatta overtrousers the same overall customer score as Craghoppers, but paid less than half the price for them. However, with that lower price comes even less breathability - the brand scored just two out of five stars in this category, with one survey respondent telling us Regatta overtrousers ‘can make you sweat’.
If you can put up with this, you’re likely to get a bargain pair that will keep you dry in a sudden deluge and will last - Regatta was rated four out of five stars for durability.
Verdict: Cheap and cheerful
Shop Regatta overtrousers direct
Shop Regatta overtrousers at Decathlon
Research notes: Surveys about waterproofs were carried out in May/June 2023. The findings are based on the responses of 2,770 Which? Connet panel members who own waterproof jackets, 1,223 members who own walking trousers and 894 members who own waterproof overtrousers bought in the past five years.