Cheap waterproof jackets and walking trousers

Good waterproof jackets, overtrousers and walking trousers are often expensive, but some brands will keep you dry and comfortable for less.

While a jacket from much-loved brand Paramo will set you back more than £200, on average, Regatta's jackets are close to a quarter of the price and are well-liked by customers. 

Meanwhile, the most expensive walking trousers we surveyed cost customers nearly £100 a pair – and some paid almost £80 for waterproof overtrousers. However, we sifted through the research to find some bargain buys worth your time that cost less than £50 (or even less during sales).

Read on to discover which brands are best on a budget and where you can buy them.

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Well-rated waterproof jacket brand under £60: Regatta

Verdict: A brilliant budget choice for everyday wear

Customer score: 77%

Average price paid: £51

If you’re looking for a cheaper jacket to keep you dry in a rainstorm, Regatta's got our vote. Owners rated it highly in several categories in our survey – including five stars for its durability and value for money – and they're also very water resistant.

It was awarded the same customer score as Rab, but Rab jackets set owners back an average of £160.

However, if you choose a Regatta jacket, you're generally compromising on two things: its fabrics aren't the most breathable and some are lacking in pockets. This makes them less suitable for serious walkers. 

One owner summed up the brand: 'Regatta sells budget jackets that perform well above their price range. I use it as an everyday jacket, and it copes well with normal use and is great value for money.'

Regatta jackets for men and women typically start at just £30, but we've seen some for even less in the sales.

Buy Regatta jackets direct, also available at Blacks, Go Outdoors, Next and Sports Direct.

See how Regatta measures up to all brands, and find out which ones were rated as our new Which? Recommended Brand, in our guide to the best waterproof jackets

Well-rated walking trousers with an average price paid under £50: M&S and Craghoppers

M&S walking trousers

Verdict: Outperforms its reasonable prices

M&S customer score: 82%

Average price paid: £45

M&S walking trousers customers told us that they fit well and are comfortable without compromising on being robust. It even received four stars for warmth, something that many other brands were unable to achieve. The British brand matched Montane in our survey, both coming joint-third out of 14 brands – yet M&S trousers are half the average price of Montane's.

The downside? M&S doesn't have many pairs to choose from, so consider Craghoppers walking trousers below if you can't find the style you're looking for.

Buy a pair directly from M&S or in an M&S store.

Craghoppers walking trousers

Verdict: Excellent value

Craghoppers customer score: 77%

Average price paid: £45

Craghoppers trousers are ideal if you don’t want to spend a fortune, and you can certainly get a pair for less than £50 in the sales. However, they aren’t just cheap: owners rated the brand five stars for value for money. Its hiking trousers scored decently in most categories, and customers we surveyed told us that they lasted them many years.

It's worth mentioning that they only scored two stars for water resistance. But this might be worth overlooking if you plan to buy Craghoppers' high-scoring overtrousers (below) to use during rainy spells.

Buy from Craghoppers directly, at Cotswold Outdoor or at Go Outdoors.

Want to browse all the legwear brands that get Which? approval? See the full results in our guide to the best walking trousers and waterproof overtrousers

Well-rated waterproof overtrousers under £50: Craghoppers and Regatta

Craghoppers waterproof overtrousers

Verdict: A fantastic compromise between quality and price

Customer score: 77%

Average price paid: £47

Most of those we surveyed who own Craghoppers overtrousers were pleased with their versatility, scoring a clean sweep of four-star ratings across our categories. Customers were satisfied with their level of water resistance and some praised the flexible fabrics, meaning they could easily pull them on over their walking trousers when needed. 

Craghoppers' high score and its policies have made it an Which? Recommended Brand for its waterproof overtrousers. It's the cheapest brand to get this recommendation, as we've found trousers for less than £45 in the sales.

Browse a wide range of styles at Craghoppers, Cotswold Outdoor or Go Outdoors.

Regatta waterproof overtrousers

Verdict: Cheap and cheerful

Customer score: 74%

Average price paid: £39

Survey respondents gave Regatta a reasonable customer score, and its overtrousers become more appealing when you know you can get a pair for less than £40 (or even less than £20 in the sales). However, it scored three stars for its water resistance, which means they're probably better suited for shorter, more casual walks, rather than serious hikes.

If you can put up with this, you’re likely to get a nice-to-wear bargain pair that should stand the test of time – Regatta was rated four stars out of five for comfort and durability.

Shop at Regatta directly or find Regatta overtrousers at Decathlon.

Research notes: Surveys about waterproofs were carried out from May to July 2025. The findings are based on the responses of 3,258 waterproof jacket owners, 1,439 walking trouser owners and 1,768 waterproof overtrouser owners, who had bought them in the past five years.