A jacket for every occasion. Paddy Pallin stocks a huge range of outdoor jackets whether you’re travelling to rainy climates, enjoying the great outdoors or pushing your physical limits in extreme environments. Including women's waterproof jackets and GORE-TEX jackets, down jackets, insulated jackets and windbreakers, our range wide range of outerwear is selected from industry-leading brands including The North Face, Icebreaker, Arc’teryx, Rab, Mont, Helly Hansen, Kuhl, Marmot, Patagonia, Royal Robbins and more. Whether you’re looking for a hiking jacket, rain jacket, or puffer jacket, we have you covered.

Women’s Jackets FAQs
 

What type of women’s jackets does Paddy Pallin sell?

Our women’s jackets range includes waterproof jackets, windbreaker jackets and softshell jackets, insulated jackets with down and synthetic fill, fleece jackets and activewear jackets. We also stock 3-in-1 style coats and a range of vests. Our outdoor jackets are suitable for many different activities such as travel, hiking, climbing, snow sports, mountaineering, expeditions and camping.

Will I Need an Insulated & Separate Waterproof Jacket?

You may be wondering if you need a separate insulated and waterproof jacket for cold climates. This depends on how cold the weather will be. In negative temperatures, there is much less moisture in the air and it snows instead of raining. In the low negatives, the snow falling is often quite wet, and as such, most insulated jackets have a DWR (Durable Water Repellency) applied to the outer fabric. This works to bead moisture off the fabric instead of absorbing it. However, it should be noted that DWR is designed for moisture, not rain. So if you’re heading to a cold climate that will have wetter snow, or if you are expecting snowy conditions, then it might be wise to bring a waterproof jacket, too. Women's waterproof jackets with a membrane will also cut out a significant amount of windchill.

What types of waterproof membranes are there?

There are a wide range of waterproof membranes out there. Some are proprietary membranes that brands develop themselves, like The North Face’s DryVent and FUTURELIGHT™, Patagonia’s H2No and Marmot’s NanoPro Eco. Others are licensed technology from companies that develop their own membranes, such as GORE-TEX, eVent, Hydronaute and Pertex. Many membrane manufacturers have developed additional technologies, such as GORE-TEX PRO, designed for rugged environments and varying outputs. We stock a range of outdoor jackets with 2, 2.5 and 3-layer waterproof membranes. This extensive range of women's jackets is suitable for a range of outdoor activities and budgets.

Can I try on jackets at Paddy Pallin for size?

Absolutely! With all outdoor gear we encourage you to get the best fit. Visiting us in-store allows us to give you the best service in selecting the right jacket for your adventures. The fit of women’s outdoor jackets changes across brands, as well as a general difference in cut to men’s outdoor jackets. Additionally, visiting a store gives you the option to try on our jackets with a variety of layers underneath to determine the suitability and versatility of the outdoor jackets you have in mind. Our friendly staff are equipped with an excellent understanding of all our women's jackets and how they’ll work for you on your adventures. All Paddy Pallin stores have change rooms and mirrors to ensure the best fit and a comfortable experience.

Do the women’s winter jackets at Paddy Pallin have temperature ratings?

The short answer is no. There are many variables that will determine how warm a jacket will be for the individual. Factors such as: what other layers you are wearing, how warm or cool you run as a person, what activity you use the jacket for, what you ate for lunch, and so on. Generally speaking the puffier the jacket the warmer it will be. With a women's down jacket, the quality of the down-fill also makes a difference - the higher the down quality the less fill needed to give the same amount of warmth, making layering easier. Most insulated jackets will also have a wind-proof or wind-resistant outer fabric to help keep out windchill, and keep you toastier on the inside.

 How do I care for my GORE-TEX or waterproof jacket?

Taking care of your women's waterproof jacket is essential to keep it working as it should. If left unwashed for too long, dirt and oils from your skin will begin damaging the waterproof membrane and the seam sealing tape that works to keep you dry. Using a cleaning product that is designed for technical fabrics and membranes, such as Nikwax Tech Wash, will remove the build-up and prevent the membrane from becoming clogged by everyday laundry products designed for looser-knit materials. Just as some soaps can strip the good oils from our skin, so too can the wrong cleaning product quickly strip the DWR (Durable Water Repellency) coating from the outer fabric of your waterproof. The DWR will naturally wear off with general use, usually where there is friction against the material, for example where a pack sits. Reapplication is necessary over the life of your jacket to keep water beading off the fabric. A topical treatment like a Nikwax TX Direct spray makes rejuvenating your DWR a breeze. Make sure to store your jacket hanging in a dry and well-ventilated area, and always clean your jacket before storing it for the off-season.

Why do I feel wet underneath my waterproof jacket?

A waterproof jacket isn’t going to keep you dry in ALL conditions. The effectiveness of waterproof jackets depends heavily on a few key factors: the type of membrane in the jacket (if there is one), the climate you’re using it in, and how you are using the garment. The quality of our range of waterproof jackets is high, but not all jackets perform the same way.

For example, a GORE-TEX 3-layer waterproof jacket is designed for use in heavy rain for extended periods of time. Some moisture may creep in around the wrist and neck openings, but overall you should remain dry underneath. In heavy rain, the difference between a zip with a storm covering compared to a watertight zip can make all the difference in keeping you dry.

In humid climates, the membrane may not be able to work as effectively when you are exerting yourself, as the combination of high humidity and sweat can overload the membrane’s ability to wick at its usual rate. You will feel wet because of the sweat built up inside the jacket, not because the rain has leaked through the jacket. Different types of membranes are designed to wick at varying rates, and a membrane designed for continuous exertion is better suited to high-humidity environments. 

Similarly, if your hiking jacket has been worn and the membrane is blocked with oil and dirt, sweat cannot evaporate, leading to moisture buildup inside the jacket. This is why it’s important to take care of your waterproof jacket, and clean and reproof it regularly. Check out our clothing care range for washing and proofing products.

Does Paddy Pallin stock sustainable women’s jacket options?

We love experiencing the outdoors, and we’re also passionate about protecting the environment we play in, which is why we choose to stock industry-leading brands that share our ethos for the natural world. We only have one planet, and we understand fast fashion is a big issue for the environment at a global level. This is one of the reasons we endeavour to stock high-quality outdoor gear that will last through the many adventures ahead of you.

Many of our brands produce outdoor jackets that are bluesign approved - the gold standard for more sustainable textiles. Brands such as Patagonia produce hard-wearing outdoor jackets that are now constructed with all recycled materials. And when it comes to cleaning your hiking jacket, we stock carbon-neutral options with Nikwax.

Our Don’t Bag the Environment campaign was established to make a positive impact towards reducing packaging. Every time a customer refuses a bag in-store we donate 20c to an environmental or conservation effort.