Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket review: durable, dry, and great value
A straightforward, hard-wearing raincoat that punches above its modest price and handles the UK’s damp moods without fuss.
Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket
Ideal for: Hiking, UL wildcamping, daily wear
Not suitable for: Fastpacking, deep winter use
The Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket is a lightweight, two-layer Hydroshell shell designed for walking, hiking and commuting in the UK. Weighing 291 g, it’s slightly heavier than some ultralight rivals — a trade-off for added durability. Key features include a double-adjustment hood for improved coverage, elasticated cuffs for a secure fit, and taped seams to block water ingress. The jacket remains waterproof for several hours thanks to its DWR finish, and it offers solid wind protection for exposed walks. Packing down small , it’s ideal for day hikes, wild camping trips, and everyday wear in unpredictable British weather.
The Good
Durable Hydroshell fabric
Adjustable hood fit
Solid waterproofing
Year-round versatility
Packs down small
Quiet in use
The Bad
Limited breathability
No pit zips
No stow pocket
Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket review
Berghaus is a proper British institution, born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1966 by climbers Peter Lockey and Gordon Davison — now headquartered in Sunderland — specialising in tough outdoor gear and known for its Hydroshell waterproof fabrics and sensible durability. We’ve reviewed other Berghaus kit before, such as the MTN Guide Alpine Pro jacket, and found a reassuring through-line of rugged value and functional polish.
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Enter the Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket, which sits comfortably between a hardy outdoor shell and a city-ready layer. It’s designed for versatile UK use — from wild camping to the morning commute. At a reported weight of 291 g it’s a touch heavier than sleeker rivals like the Helly Hansen Loke — but that extra weight brings a tougher, longer-lasting fabric. It packs down to roughly 20 cm × 6 cm × 6 cm, which is still reasonable for popping in your rucksack. At £120, it offers an appealing balance of price, durability, and performance.
In the market, it sits above the lighter Marmot Precip Eco (£90, 291 g) and alongside the Helly Hansen Loke (£120, 219 g), offering a more robust build than either. If you’re searching for the best lightweight waterproof jackets for UK use, the Deluge is well worth considering.
How we tested the Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket
We tested the Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket on Dartmoor hikes, where it handled strong winds and persistent drizzle well. The storm flap behind the zip helped keep moisture out, though damp grass brushing the sleeves could still wick through over time. The DWR finish caused rain to bead nicely, though it will need reproofing after extended use.
We also used it for daily commuting and dog walking. Here, its balance of style and function really shone — it didn’t scream “mountain jacket” but still offered enough weather protection to handle short to medium-length walks in grim conditions. For most everyday users, this is exactly the kind of waterproof jacket for walking that earns its place in the kit cupboard.
A closer look: design and performance in the real world
Slip your arms through and the first thing you notice are the elasticated cuffs. They’re simple, unfussy, and keep the weight down — no Velcro straps to fiddle with or snag on gloves. Sure, they won’t give you a tight seal over bulky winter gloves, but they do stop that sneaky trickle of rain from running up your sleeves, and in sideways drizzle we found they helped keep cold air from creeping in.
Follow the sleeves up and your eyes are drawn to the double adjustment hood. This is where the Deluge feels properly dialled in — easy to cinch down against a Dartmoor headwind without losing your view of the path ahead, yet quick to loosen off when the rain softens. Whether you’re pushing up a hill trail or dashing for a train, it feels considered rather than just tacked on.
Run your hands over the Hydroshell fabric and you get a sense of why this jacket sits a touch heavier than its ultralight rivals. There’s a durability to it — a quiet confidence. On the moors, it shed heavy showers without flinching and locked out the wind on exposed ridges. It’s not as airy as the priciest alpine membranes, but for a budget waterproof jacket UK buyers can actually rely on, it’s a strong showing.
When the clouds finally break, the Deluge scrunches down neatly — no dedicated stow pocket, so you simply twist and tuck it into your pack. At around 0.5 L packed, it’s small enough to disappear into a daypack or wild camping setup without stealing precious space.
Out on the trail, it’s refreshingly quiet. No incessant swish-swish every time you swing your arms — just a muted rustle, which makes wildlife spotting or chatting with your walking partners much more pleasant.
Look closely at the front and you’ll find YKK Vislon zips — smooth-running, even in the wet. They’re not expedition-grade, but the internal storm flap behind them works hard. After an hour of steady rain, we found no water had crept through the zip area, which is exactly what you want on a long, damp climb.
You won’t see alpine extras like a RECCO reflector here, but you will spot tidy, well-executed seam sealing. It’s the kind of detail that quietly builds your trust in the jacket — proof that it’s been made to stand up to the foulest of British days.
How the Deluge performs in the UK
Across moorland, coastal paths, and city streets, the Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket delivered. It handled short bursts of heavy rain, kept the wind off, and stayed comfortable in typical British drizzle. Breathability is its weakest point — with no pit zips or mesh panels, it can get clammy in humid conditions — but for the best waterproof jackets for hiking UK at this price point, that’s an acceptable trade-off for durability.
Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket FAQs
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Yes — the Hydroshell® fabric provides solid waterproofing for several hours, ideal for UK showers and day hikes. Like most two-layer shells, it may wet-out in prolonged heavy rain if the DWR treatment wears off.
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It offers moderate breathability. Without pit-zips or mesh vents, it can feel warm during high-intensity use, but for low to medium activity in cool, wet conditions, it works well.
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It packs down to about 0.5 L (roughly 20 × 6 × 6 cm) — perfect for daypacks and wild camping trips — though there’s no built-in stow pocket.
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Very durable for its weight. The heavier fabric resists abrasion better than ultralight shells, making it a great waterproof hiking jacket UK users can rely on.
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Yes — for £120, it’s one of the best lightweight waterproof jackets in its class, offering durability, comfort, and versatility for everyday UK use.
Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket: our verdict
Across moorland, coastal paths, and city streets, the Berghaus Deluge waterproof jacket delivered with the kind of quiet competence you want from an everyday shell. It shrugged off short bursts of heavy rain, blocked the worst of the wind, and kept us comfortable in the sort of persistent drizzle that defines so many British days. Breathability is its weakest point — with no pit zips or mesh panels, it can feel clammy on humid days or during high-output activity — but for the best waterproof jackets for hiking UK buyers can find in this price bracket, that’s an acceptable trade-off for the extra durability. It’s the kind of jacket you can trust to live in your pack, ready to be pulled on for the dog walk, the windswept headland, or the last push back to camp on a wild camping trip. For those who need one jacket to handle both the trail and the town without fuss, the Deluge makes a convincing case.
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