Ok...I'll come clean now. I did my ML assessment (in, to coin the assessors words, shite conditions) using regatta jacket. I used it because I had borrowed a Goretex Jacket previously and found (for me) the improvement in breathability to be marginal - and I just couldnt justify spending £200 on a jacket that wasnt significantly better for me. Based on what I saw and observed on my assessment, I went to the dark side and now use Paramo almost exclusively - "almost" because I do have a cheap (actually it was free as I inherited it) Goretex shell I throw in my pack for summer use - as the old Regatta finally gave up. In your case what would I do? Option 1) Take it back and ask for a refund - nicely as there is nothing wrong with the jacket, you have just changed your mind Option 2) If your Regatta looks like it will die/retire soon...keep it for when you need to replace the Regatta. Option 3) Just keep it regardless Your money...your choice.
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 Thanks Tim and GOF.
Well, I have only had the Regatta for a couple of months so it is near on new however the Berghaus seems a decent deal at 99 quid as it include the fleece too so if you say the fleece is worth 30 odd quid the coat itself is only 70 which doesnt seem to bad, but is a regatta fleece just as good as a berghaus fleece haha?
If it is then I could take it back and buy a 6 quid Regatta fleece and have a coat that is just as good as?
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 No problem  Fleeces are going to pretty similar to be honest. You'd have a coat technically not as good, but still plenty good enough for your needs.
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So what exactly is the need of a better coat then?
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It's all very subjective really. Much about individual priorities. For example I spend a massive amount on gear, but not only do I know I'm going to get the use out of it, but working in an outdoor store I also get a discount! So it's easier for me to justify the expense. I've actually got 10+ coats, which admittedly is excessive for anyone..
Similarly, if it was something you'd only use once or twice a year, then you're not going to want to spend as much on it.
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Tim has is spot on. I have an old Regatta Isotex thing that isnt that waterproof, isnt that breathable and came from a charity shop - I use it on DoE camps, keeping in the car and, generally, just knocking about when I wont mind if it gets filthy, ripped or otherwise trashed. I also have an Aspira - replacement cost about £300 (though I got it for a fraction of this) - and keep it for winter hill use. Is the Aspira 10 or 20 times better than the Regatta...well...comparing uses...No, in fact the Regatta is probably better for the use I put it to than the Paramo..but the Paramo is probably better for the use I put it to than the Regatta. Much is in the head.. Now, get me on the subject of headtorches and I will probably bore you to...stop snoring at the back, its impolite!
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Thanks guys, still not sure what to do really but I suppose a 3 in 1 Gortex jacket for 99 is quite a good deal and should keep me warm in the winter hills and I suppose I could use my Regatta for in the summer as a packaway jacket maybe?
Speaking of headtorches I was going to get a Petzl Tikkina 2 is it called? seen them for around 16 quid in Go Outdoors and they seem alright for the price, mainly just want it as an alternative to a torch really for night cooking and for tent use. What do you think?
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Plenty of much cheaper (and arguably higher specced) torches around - TBH, I think Petzl got left behind some years ago and havent caught up yet. You will get a reasonable nightcooking/tent torch in a poundshop now...for all of £1. Tesco also do them for a few £ and BandQ often have an Energiser version for (I think) £5 or so. The Energiser one has a following.
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This will make you laugh... went out yesterday to do a route round Goyt Valley in the Peak District and I thought I would put the Regatta to the test as it was showering lightly all day and after about 4 hours its was leaking.
I was wearing 2 fleeces so I didn't feel uncomfortable but even after a day of drying the coat is still wet on the whole of the inside, and after the walk it was noticeably soaking wet compared to a friends Karrimor waterproof coat.
Trekmates waterproof dry mitts also leaked in badly on there first wear out so they will be going back today however my friend has the gtx version which stayed warm and dry all day even when ringing wet on the exterior, his gtx gaitors where the same too so I am won over by the gtx here as both gloves were the same brand and both boasting they were waterproof, breathable and windproof however the gtx did what it does best and what is says it should do.
So the Berghaus gtx coat will be making its debut out soon, plus I have checked the equipment list for my planned Everest base camp trek in 2013 and I need a waterproof jacket for that so might as well keep the Berg. gtx jacket now.
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If it really has leaked, then I'd take it back. Even if you can't find your proof of purchase (which can be a card statement with the transaction on) then it's still worth a go.
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 Tricky to prove mind - the description does sound very like it could well have been sweat getting trapped. (2 fleeces an awful lot for current temperatures, and its not very breathable at all so very good conditions for this.). You'd have to try in a shower or some such to be sure.
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Hi Tim, unfortunately the shop I purchased it from has closed down so no chance of that, could send Regatta an email though.
Hi Martin, I suppose this could be a possibility however my friends were wearing similar layers too and they were fine. It seemed as though the body of the coat was very saturated after a couple of hours of light showers.
I only paid 30 quid for the Regatta as it was reduced from 55 due to a closing down sale so it will probably be alright as a light summer packaway as it did seem to stay dry for a few hours before I felt the wet. Also it only made certain parts of my fleece wet so I am not sure....
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Well yes it could well have lost its waterproofing too A bit pointless to speculate. The outside of any jacket will saturate in rain, which doesn't mean its leaking. It of course doesn't help breathability once that happens so you might well get wet patches underneath from sweat. How long that takes will be down to factors like how good the DWR treatment was to start with, how clean it is etc. The Bergahus is probably rather better on both counts.
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I tried the big Berghaus out over the bank holiday and it was great.
Not had it in the rain yet mind you but the quality of the coat is great, and it cuts through the wind no problems.
Breath ability wise, I found the coat a little bit clammy at first when my body temp increased sharply but once I was at my pace I found the coat to be very comfortable and breathable and any inside sweat dried very quickly - This is bearing in mind I had the mid weight fleece still zipped in and I was wearing Berghaus spectrum fleece gloves and hat.
Overall for 99 quid; a berghaus midweight fleece and a gore-tex jacket, not bad at all.
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