In reply to Dave Perry:
As an aside, this year I've bought 3 second hand 'vintage' gore tex jackets off fleebay.
Berghaus ? Glissade for the Mrs. Bro in law bought one for £180, I got it for £45.
Berghaus Mera Peak old style for me, £300 quid new, got it for £50.
Sprayway Aspen for me dad, £40.
All these jackets are in mint condition, and a fraction of the cost of one of these new, crap jackets that seem to have a 2 year shelf life.
To the o/p. No, I don't think that hard shells have had their day for British use in wet weather.
Post edited at 20:22