Men's Jackets

An anorak is a pullover-style jacket, closed at the front (no full zip) with a partial zip or button placket at the neck, typically with a hood and a looser, weatherproof cut. Its design traces back to functional cold-weather and expedition wear, built for wind and weather resistance over pure aesthetics. The absence of a full front opening reduces points of weakness against driving wind and rain, which is why the anorak has held its place in technical outerwear for decades rather than falling out of use.

It depends on the build. An insulated anorak with a windproof, weatherproof outer shell performs well in cold, wind-exposed conditions, since the closed-front construction blocks draughts more effectively than a full-zip jacket. For genuine extreme cold or sustained sub-zero exposure, insulation fill and rating matter more than the anorak style itself; a lightweight, uninsulated anorak will not perform the same role as an expedition-grade insulated jacket. Match the build to the conditions, not the silhouette.

Yes, provided it is built from a genuinely water-resistant or waterproof fabric with sealed or storm-flap seams. The pullover construction with no full front zip already reduces one of the main entry points for driving rain, which makes a well-built anorak a strong option in wet, windy conditions. Check the fabric's actual waterproof rating rather than assuming the style alone provides protection; a cotton or unlined anorak will wet through as quickly as any other unprotected garment.

The closed-front construction blocks wind and rain more effectively than a full-zip jacket, since there is no zip line for water and draughts to find. It typically sits looser through the body, allowing a base or mid-layer underneath without restricting movement, useful for high-output activity in cold or wet conditions. Anoraks are generally lightweight relative to their weather protection, and the hood and single closure point make them fast to pull on and off between activity and rest. Function first, in genuinely demanding conditions, is the anorak's real advantage.

Our jacket range spans several core categories, each built for a specific function and condition:

Soft Shell Jackets— flexible, breathable protection for active pursuits and changeable conditions
Utility Jackets— functional, everyday jackets built for the Everyday Operator, moving between environments
Gilets — sleeveless insulated or shell layers for core warmth without bulk
Waterproof Jackets — built for sustained exposure to driving rain and wet conditions
Insulated Jackets — down or synthetic-filled protection for cold weather and extreme conditions
Shop all jackets & gilets — the full range across every category
Each category is built for a distinct function rather than general use, so the right jacket depends on the conditions it needs to survive, not the occasion it's worn for.

Yes. ThruDark utility jackets feature in the Hiking and Trekking pursuit category on the site, and the construction supports it: durable fabrics built for sustained outdoor use, practical pocket configuration and cuts designed for movement across terrain. 

Down jackets are not typically designed to be waterproof, this is because down clumps when wet which compromises its ability to insulate. ThruDark down jackets have their outer fabric treated with a durable water repellent, which will shed light rain and protect the down for a short while. However, if your endeavour involves heavy rain or sustained exposure to the elements, layer a down jacket beneath a hardshell such as the Aigis Jacket for the best protection.

ThruDark's waterproof hardshells are built on Pertex® Shield fabric, a high-performance membrane that delivers waterproofing and breathability without excess weight. Fully taped seams remove ingress points under sustained heavy rain. A Durable Water Repellent finish keeps the outer fabric clear of saturation so it can breathe during high-output activity.Each jacket is validated in real-world conditions by Co-Founders Staz and Louis personally, they've been worn in some of the wettest environments on earth here in the UK in the Welsh Mountains and the remote Isle of Skye.

Match the jacket to the task at hand. In wet, windy conditions, a waterproof hardshell built with a membrane like Pertex® Shield blocks rain and wind while letting body moisture escape, which matters as much as keeping water out. For dry cold, an insulated jacket filled with goose down or a synthetic such as PrimaLoft® Gold Active holds warmth without the bulk. For changeable UK weather, a Pertex® softshell or fleece layer, such as one built from Polartec® High Loft, gives warmth and breathability without full waterproofing. Most experienced hikers carry more than one and layer according to the forecast, not the season.