Review: Regatta Men's Matt II Waterproof Shell Jacket
I'm hoping this will be a like-for-like replacement for my all-time favourite waterproof (the Backmoor outer layer). The word "shell" in the name is in the sense of "outer" (i.e. it's a waterproof) not as in "soft shell" or "shell suit".
I find that in the mild Cornish climate that unlined jackets like this are what I end up wearing for most of the year, layering a sleek fleece jumper underneath (something like the Decathlon MH20) where I need a bit of warmth. It's only in the coldest part of winter where a lined jacket is guaranteed not to be too hot when the sun comes out.
The jacket is heavyweight enough that it stands up to being stuffed in a rucksack or tied around my waist without getting creased like some of the "packable" ultra-lightweight jackets do and the inside has a mesh lining to prevent it being clammy.
As with the Backmoor, the hood packs away into the collar which is nice and tidy and stops it being a nuisance in windy weather and the cuffs have velcro. There's an inner pocket to keep things safe out the the weather as well as a pair of zipped outer pockets big enough for a beanie or thin gloves. In this model, the inside of the jacket behind the mesh is silvered to reflect heat.
I'll update the review once it's had another season or two of wear to see how its lasts, but so far, it looks perfect.