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Previous waterproof breathable membranes used chemicals that were quite environmentally unsound. AFAIK buy a NOS ten year old jacket if you want decent waterproofing
@Chopsicle may be able to shed more light on this
dancing james-
Membranes are still ok, it's the DWR treatment that has changed. The old (good) standard was C8, but was shit for the environment and is illegal pretty much everywhere. C6 is less bad, but will soon also be banned, leaving C0 which is AFAIK environmentally friendly, but less effective.
C0 doesn't have the same beading effect so the perception is that it's not 'waterproof', and also the face fabric holds more moisture so feels colder against bare skin. This is even though the membrane is technically keeping the water out (assuming properly taped construction).
Shakedry was discontinued for similar use of flourocarbons. It had the membrane as the face fabric which is why it performed so well, but also why it was so fragile.
Lightweight, waterproof, breathable fabrics really are a bit of a unicorn at the moment. We may have to accept as customers that there will always be a compromise.
TL:DR Yeah - jackets aren't as good as they used to be, but polar bears.
villa-ru
Waterproof, breathable jackets. Specifically those that are not aimed at the filthy rich.
Basically, it’s a total lottery.
My £150 bike jacket is ace, but finding a similarly priced, lightweight walking jacket has been a total pain. Recently had the misfortune of following the advice of many and buying a Rab Downpour. With a name like that you would expect it to have serious water repellency capability. Nope. Ten minutes of walking in moderate rain and 3/4 of the inside was soaked. Was I ever glad I didn’t try walking across Dartmoor!
Got through 3 of them, they all did the same and each one required a 30 mile round trip to return them.
Now trying a Mountain Warehouse item, similar RRP but double discounted so nearly half the price.
Wish me luck.