Fashion’s Obsession With Outdoor Gear Is Getting More Expensive

My mate went to try on an Arc’teryx jacket today. He loved it. Then he saw the price tag: more than £1,000.

It’s a pretty wild amount to spend on a jacket, even if you can appreciate the technology behind it. But with technical outdoor gear becoming a fixture of everyday streetwear, premium prices are increasingly part of the conversation.

Arc’teryx has become one of the defining names in the space, while Salomon and HOKA have helped bring performance footwear into the mainstream. The look has moved from the hills to the high street, but you don’t necessarily need to spend four figures to get involved.

British outdoor brand Rab is worth a look, with waterproof jackets such as its Downpour starting at £125 and the Firewall at £165. For something with a more local connection, Scottish brand Keela makes technical outerwear designed for the kind of weather we know all too well, with its Cairn shell typically priced between £150 and £200.

Then there’s Decathlon, where brands including Forclaz and Quechua offer outdoor jackets at considerably lower prices. Its range includes waterproof jackets under £100, making it an easy place to start if you want practical kit without the premium price tag.

These aren’t necessarily direct substitutes for a top-end Arc’teryx shell. Materials, construction and performance vary between products, and if you’re heading into serious mountain conditions, those differences matter. But if you’re mainly after a technical-looking jacket for everyday wear, there are plenty of options worth considering before dropping a month’s rent.

Outdoor gear has become as much a part of the fashion conversation as trainers and designer outerwear. Just remember that you’re buying a jacket, not a membership card to the latest trend.