UKC

Need to get a new shell. I'm guessing they're all made in the far East these days so it doesn't really matter which I get.

PHD is the only UK manufacturer I can think off but he only makes down kit.

Anyone able to put me right and direct a bit of cash towards the UK "economy"

Or failing that the German Economy....

PHD do waterproof jackets and smocks now. They don't come cheap though. 

http://www.cioch-direct.co.uk/introduction/welcome.html 

If you could add the Canadian economy to your list then Westcomb still make in Canada and the Arc'teryx Alpha SV is also still Canadian made. 

I've a winter smock and trousers by these people. Tailored to my size. Excellent buy.

Not really waterproofs are they being nikwax analogy.

Good point well made.

Depends how you define waterproof. If you want then to stop water getting in, in every situation, eg including kneeling in a puddle, then no, not waterproof. If you want to be able to walk for hours in pouring rain without having any water get through, then yes, waterproof.

Dave

How much does where the sewing was done really determine the "country of origin" of a jacket? Versus where the oil was drilled & refined*, where the spinning, weaving, coating, laminating (etc) was done?

(* Afaik in the case of most but not all synthetic fibres - am not an expert on such things)

I have an older PhD Smock. It is excellent. All of their stuff is made in the UK. The original owner died last year, but very little seems to have changed which is very good to see.

I believe Keela are still made in the UK.

I wouldn't call them waterproof.... sieve maybe.

In addition to the already mentioned  cioch and keela, hilltrek in Aboyne manufacture their own waterproofs.  Again nickwax type fabrics so depends on whether you get along with that or not.......

Cheers!

Strange my whole family have used the Munro jackets with no problems at all. Have you had a bad experience?