Waterproof Jacket
This is one area where expensive is not necessarily best. Gore-Tex dominates the market in waterproof jackets, and while they do breathe a bit in the author's opinion they’re not that much better than a simple cagoule you can pick up for £30 from a camping shop. The alpine climate is fairly dry and up high it’s either sunny or snowy, neither of which requires a heavy waterproof jacket; it’s really only to stay dry if caught in the rain on the way up to huts, and to act as a windproof barrier higher up.
It is a good idea not to combine insulation and waterproofness in the same garment, as to do so gives less flexibility. You will most likely spend a lot of time carrying your waterproof jacket, so go for something simple, light, and compressible. A large hood is a bonus.
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