Regatta Stormbreak Waterproof Review: Cheap Waterproofs That Actually Work?
Quick Verdict:
For under £20, the Regatta Stormbreak jacket and trousers massively exceeded expectations. They kept me dry during nearly two hours of British rain and are ideal as budget emergency waterproofs for hiking, camping, van life, and outdoor adventures.
There is nothing quite like getting absolutely soaked on an outdoor trip to make you realise how important waterproofs are.
I learned that the hard way.
On a previous trip, I got drenched. My clothes were wet, my gear was wet, my hammock setup was wet, and by the end of it I realised something very obvious: I needed a proper waterproof layer in my backpack.
The problem is, outdoor waterproofs can get expensive very quickly. Some jackets cost more than an entire beginner camping setup. So when I found the Regatta Stormbreak waterproof jacket and trousers for around the £20 mark at the time, I thought they were worth trying.
But there was one big question:
Can cheap waterproofs actually keep you dry in real British rain?
So I bought the Regatta Stormbreak jacket and overtrousers, reviewed them indoors first, and then took them outside for a proper rain test.
Here is my honest Regatta Stormbreak waterproof review.
Quick Verdict: Are Regatta Stormbreak Waterproofs Any Good?
For the price, I was genuinely impressed.
The Regatta Stormbreak waterproof jacket and trousers kept me dry after roughly 1.5 to 2 hours in consistent British rain. They are not premium mountain waterproofs, and they do have a few basic design limitations, but as budget emergency waterproofs for hiking, camping, van life, bushcraft, dog walking, festivals, or keeping in the car, they are excellent value.
They are lightweight, compact, easy to pack, quick to put on, and cheap enough that there is very little excuse not to have some kind of waterproof layer with you.
Would I rely on them for extreme mountain conditions? Probably not.
Would I keep them in my backpack as affordable emergency rain gear? Absolutely.
Watch The Original Regatta Stormbreak Review
In the first video, I go through the Regatta Stormbreak waterproof jacket and trousers, show how they fit, talk about sizing, and explain why I bought them after getting soaked on a previous trip.
Watch The Regatta Stormbreak Rain Test
In the second video, I took the waterproofs out into real British rain to see if they actually worked.
What Are The Regatta Stormbreak Waterproofs?
The Regatta Stormbreak range is a simple, budget-friendly waterproof clothing option designed for outdoor use.
For this review, I tested:
- Regatta Stormbreak Waterproof Jacket
- Regatta Stormbreak Waterproof Overtrousers
These are not fancy, high-end waterproofs with loads of technical features. They are basic, practical waterproof layers designed to keep rain off your clothes.
And sometimes, that is exactly what you need.
If you are hiking, camping, doing bushcraft, walking the dog, working outdoors, living around a van, or just spending time outside in the UK, having a lightweight waterproof jacket and trousers packed away can save your day.
Especially when the weather suddenly turns.
Why I Bought Them
The reason I bought these was simple: I got caught out.
I had been on a previous outdoor trip and got absolutely soaked. The rain came down, I had no proper waterproofs with me, and everything ended up wet.
That trip taught me a lesson.
You do not necessarily have to wear waterproofs all day, especially if the weather is dry when you set off. But having them packed in your rucksack or dry bag means that when the rain comes in, you have a backup.
That is where the Regatta Stormbreak set makes sense.
They are cheap, compact, lightweight, and easy to keep in your bag.
Price: Are They Really Budget Waterproofs?
At the time I bought them, the jacket and trousers came in at around the £20 mark together. Prices do change, especially on Amazon, but they were very much in the “budget waterproofs” category.
That is what makes them interesting.
A lot of people getting into hiking, camping, wild camping, bushcraft, or van life do not want to spend hundreds of pounds on waterproof clothing straight away.
And honestly, not everyone needs to.
If you are doing serious winter mountain hiking, then yes, you may want more technical waterproof gear. But if you are looking for something affordable to keep in your backpack, car, van, or camping kit, the Regatta Stormbreak waterproofs are a strong budget option.
Buy The Regatta Stormbreak Waterproofs
🛒 Regatta Stormbreak Waterproof Jacket:
https://outsydas.com/go/regatta-stormbreaker-jacket/
🛒 Regatta Stormbreak Waterproof Trousers:
https://outsydas.com/go/regatta-mens-stormbreak-waterproof-overtrousers/
🌧️ Regatta Official Website:
https://www.regatta.com
Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support Outsydas and allows me to keep testing outdoor gear properly.
Sizing Advice: Should You Size Up?
Yes. In my opinion, you should size up.
Possibly even by two sizes, depending on how you plan to use them.
The reason is simple: waterproofs are usually worn over your normal clothes.
If you buy waterproofs that fit perfectly over a T-shirt, they may feel too tight when you need to wear them over:
- a base layer
- a fleece
- a hoodie
- a warm jacket
- hiking trousers
- thicker winter layers
For the jacket, I went bigger than my usual size because I wanted room underneath. If I am out in colder weather, I may already be wearing two or three layers. The waterproof jacket needs to go over the top of all that without turning me into a stiff Michelin Man.
The same applies to the waterproof trousers. You want to be able to pull them on quickly over your normal trousers or hiking trousers.
When the rain starts, you do not want to be fighting with tight waterproofs.
You want to get them on fast and keep moving.
How Compact Are They?
One thing I really liked is how compact they are.
In the rain test video, I packed both the Regatta Stormbreak jacket and trousers into a small backpack, around 10–15 litres. They fitted in easily alongside a few other bits of gear.
That makes them ideal as an emergency waterproof layer.
You could keep them in:
- a daypack
- a hiking rucksack
- a van
- the boot of your car
- a camping box
- a fishing bag
- a festival bag
- a work bag
For me, this is one of the biggest selling points.
The best waterproofs are the ones you actually have with you when the rain starts.
The Real Rain Test
For the second video, I went out specifically to test whether the Regatta waterproofs actually worked.
The forecast was showing a very high chance of rain, so I headed out for a walk with the waterproofs packed in my bag.
At first, the rain was light and annoying. That fine drizzle that does not look like much but slowly works its way into everything.
Then the rain became more consistent.
I put on the jacket and trousers, kept walking, sat outside on a wet bench, and stayed out long enough to properly test them.
This was not a lab test.
It was a real outdoors test in normal British rain.
And honestly, that is probably more useful for most people.
Did The Regatta Stormbreak Waterproofs Keep Me Dry?
Yes, they did.
After around 1.5 to 2 hours in the rain, my main clothing underneath was dry.
My T-shirt was dry. My trousers were dry. The jacket and overtrousers did their job.
My face and hair got a bit wet, which is expected because rain was hitting my face and the hood area. I also got a bit warm and sweaty walking back with layers on, but that is different from rain soaking through.
The waterproofs themselves did what I needed them to do.
They kept the rain off.
For cheap waterproofs, that is a win.
The Hood: One Weak Point
The biggest issue I noticed was the hood.
The hood works, but you need to tighten it properly.
There is a bit of a gap around the neck and face area if you leave the hood loose. If the rain is coming in sideways or the wind picks up, water can get into that gap.
Once I pulled the hood cords tighter and adjusted it around my face, it worked better.
So the lesson is:
Do not just throw the hood up and assume it is sealed. Tighten it properly.
This is not a dealbreaker, but it is something to be aware of.
More expensive waterproof jackets usually have better hood shaping, better adjustment, and more protection around the chin and collar. The Regatta Stormbreak jacket is more basic.
But again, for the price, it still performed well.
The Trousers: Simple But Effective
The waterproof trousers are basic, but they worked.
They are designed to go over your existing trousers, and they are easy to pull on. If you size them correctly, you should be able to get them on quickly when the rain starts.
They do not have loads of fancy features. They are not stylish. They are not technical mountain trousers.
But they kept my trousers dry.
And that is the point.
One thing to be careful with is the pocket openings. Because the overtrousers have slit-style pocket access, water can potentially find its way in around that area, especially if you are sitting down in the rain or if water pools.
I would not keep your phone, wallet, or anything important in trouser pockets during heavy rain unless they are protected inside a waterproof pouch or dry bag.
Breathability: Did I Get Sweaty?
A little bit, yes.
But that is expected.
Cheap waterproofs are not usually the most breathable items in the world. If you are walking uphill, moving fast, or wearing warm layers underneath, you may build up heat and sweat.
During the test, I noticed some moisture, but it seemed more like warmth and sweat from walking rather than rain getting through.
This is the trade-off with budget waterproofs.
They keep rain out, but they are not going to breathe like expensive technical waterproof gear.
For casual hiking, camping, walking, van life, fishing, festivals, or keeping as emergency kit, that is fine.
For high-output mountain hiking, long-distance backpacking, or intense wet-weather use, you may eventually want something more breathable.
Backpack Tip: Wear The Jacket Over A Small Bag
One useful thing I noticed during the test is that if you are carrying a small backpack, you may be able to wear the waterproof jacket over the bag.
It will look ridiculous.
But it can help keep the backpack dry.
If you have a small 10–15 litre daypack and your jacket is sized up, you may be able to put the backpack on first, then put the waterproof jacket over both you and the bag.
This could be useful if you are carrying things you do not want getting wet.
That said, for anything important, I would still recommend using dry bags or waterproof liners inside your backpack.
Never trust rain to behave itself.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to pack in a small bag
- Good as emergency waterproofs
- Kept me dry in real British rain
- Jacket and trousers can be bought together as a budget setup
- Good for beginners
- Useful for hiking, camping, bushcraft, van life, fishing, festivals, and dog walking
- Easy to put on quickly
- Good value for money
Cons
- Hood needs proper adjustment
- Collar and face area are quite basic
- Not the most breathable option
- Pocket openings may allow water in
- No premium technical features
- Not ideal for serious mountain conditions
- Fit may be awkward if you do not size up
- Basic look and feel
Who Are Regatta Stormbreak Waterproofs Best For?
The Regatta Stormbreak waterproof jacket and trousers are best for people who want affordable, practical rain protection without spending loads of money.
They are ideal for:
- beginner hikers
- casual walkers
- campers
- wild campers
- bushcraft beginners
- van life setups
- dog walkers
- festival goers
- fishing trips
- keeping in the car
- emergency backpack waterproofs
- budget outdoor gear setups
- people who just want to stay dry without overthinking it
They are especially useful if you are the kind of person who sometimes heads out thinking, “It probably won’t rain,” and then gets punished by the British weather.
We have all done it.
Who Should Avoid Them?
These may not be the right waterproofs for you if you need:
- premium mountain waterproofs
- high breathability for intense hiking
- advanced storm protection
- technical features
- long-term expedition gear
- a perfect athletic fit
- a more stylish waterproof jacket
If you are regularly hiking in exposed mountains, winter storms, or extreme weather, I would look at more technical waterproof clothing.
But if you want affordable waterproofs for general outdoor use, these are very hard to argue with.
Are Cheap Waterproofs Worth It?
Yes, as long as you understand what they are for.
Cheap waterproofs are not magic. They will not perform like a £250 technical shell jacket.
But they can still be extremely useful.
For me, the Regatta Stormbreak waterproofs make sense as a backup layer. Something you can keep in your backpack and pull out when the weather turns.
That is the real value.
If you are just starting out with hiking, camping, bushcraft, or van life, you do not need to buy the most expensive gear straight away.
Sometimes you just need simple kit that works.
And in this test, the Regatta Stormbreak waterproofs worked.
Final Verdict: Would I Recommend Them?
Yes, I would recommend the Regatta Stormbreak waterproof jacket and trousers as budget emergency waterproofs.
They are cheap, compact, lightweight, and they kept me dry in real rain.
They are not perfect. The hood could be better, the pockets are basic, and breathability is limited compared with more expensive waterproof gear.
But for the price, they did exactly what I wanted them to do.
If you are building a budget outdoor kit, these are a sensible addition. Keep them in your backpack, van, car, or camping gear box, and you will be glad you have them when the rain comes in.
For under £20 at the time of buying, they were an absolute bargain.
And after testing them properly in British rain, I can say this:
Yes, cheap waterproofs can actually work.
Regatta Stormbreak Waterproof Jacket And Trousers Links
🛒 Regatta Stormbreak Waterproof Jacket:
https://outsydas.com/go/regatta-stormbreaker-jacket/
🛒 Regatta Stormbreak Waterproof Trousers:
https://outsydas.com/go/regatta-mens-stormbreak-waterproof-overtrousers/
🌧️ Regatta Official Website:
https://www.regatta.com
Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ: Regatta Stormbreak Waterproofs
Are Regatta Stormbreak waterproofs good?
Yes, for budget waterproofs they are good. In my real rain test, the Regatta Stormbreak jacket and trousers kept my clothes dry after around 1.5 to 2 hours outside in consistent rain.
Are they good for hiking?
They are suitable for casual hiking, short walks, beginner outdoor trips, and emergency use. For serious mountain hiking or extreme weather, you may want more technical waterproof gear.
Should I size up?
Yes. I recommend sizing up because waterproofs are usually worn over your normal clothes and layers. If you want to wear them over a fleece, hoodie, or jacket, you need extra room.
Are they breathable?
They are breathable enough for casual outdoor use, but they are not premium technical waterproofs. If you are walking hard or wearing warm layers, you may get sweaty.
Do the trousers keep your legs dry?
Yes, in my test the overtrousers kept my trousers dry. Just be careful around the pocket openings, as water may find its way in if you are sitting in heavy rain or storing items in your pockets.
Are they worth keeping in a backpack?
Absolutely. This is probably their best use. They are compact, lightweight, affordable, and easy to carry as emergency waterproofs.
Are they good for camping?
Yes. They are useful for camping, especially if you want budget waterproofs to keep in your kit for sudden rain.
Would I buy them again?
Yes. For the price, I think they are excellent value as backup waterproofs.
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