Regatta vs Trespass Waterproof Jackets: Which Should You Choose?

Ask anyone in the UK to name a waterproof jacket brand, and chances are Regatta or Trespass will come up pretty quickly.

Over the years, both brands have built up quite a loyal following among hikers and outdoor-loving families up and down the country. And with decades of heritage, fantastic value for money, and a jacket for every adventure between them, it's not hard to see why they have the reputation they do.

But if you've been wondering which one holds the best jacket for you, we're about to make that decision a whole lot easier by comparing the two right here on the Avenue 85 blog!

Who is Regatta?

Regatta is a British brand headquartered in Trafford Park, Manchester, and their story is built almost entirely around waterproof jackets.

It started in 1982, when Keith Black bought a cancelled order of jackets decorated with a sailing boat design and the word "Regatta" on them. They sold. Brilliantly, in fact! The demand was clear, the brand planted its roots in Trafford Park, and within five years, the iconic Regatta jacket had won the Which? magazine award for the best waterproof jacket in 1987.

From those early days, Regatta built their brand around a very specific customer: the everyday outdoor person, which they dubbed the “dog walker from Oldham”. 

That focus has never really shifted, and it's a big part of why they've stayed so popular for so long.

Today, Regatta's range stretches well beyond waterproof jackets, taking in fleeces, walking trousers, footwear, changing robes, and accessories. But waterproof jackets remain the heart of what they do, and the range available in 2026 is as strong as it's ever been.

Regatta waterproof jackets for men and women. Pictured (L-R): Ardmore, Bayletta, Matt II, Daysha II

 

 

Who is Trespass?

Like Regatta, waterproof jackets are at the heart of the Trespass story, and they have been since the very beginning.

Founded in Glasgow in 1938 under the name Jacobs & Turner Ltd, the brand started with just 12 machinists producing uniforms for large organisations, including the local police. As the business grew, they moved into anoraks and waterproof jackets, and that shift defined everything that followed. Waterproof clothing became the backbone of the brand, and it remains so today.

The Glasgow connection has never left them. Their main head office and distribution centre still sits on the south side of the city today, and that local pride has translated into some impressive credentials.

In August 2025, Trespass was announced as the Official Uniform Partner for Glasgow 2026, designing and supplying the uniforms for the workforce and volunteers at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Notably, this makes Trespass the first brand ever to kit out two editions of the Commonwealth Games, having previously supplied the uniforms for Glasgow 2014.

For a brand that started in a small warehouse, that's a serious marker of how far they've come.

 

 

Regatta vs Trespass: Waterproofing, Range, Style, and Warmth

Now you know a bit about both brands, let's get to the good stuff!

We're putting Regatta and Trespass head to head across four key areas - waterproofing, jacket types, styling, and warmth - so you can see exactly where each brand shines and find the one that's right for you.

Waterproofing

A waterproof jacket needs to keep you dry - that’s job number one! So what do these two brands bring to the table in terms of waterproof ratings and general weather protection?

Both brands have developed their own fabric technologies, and it's worth knowing a little about each one before you start shopping.

Regatta use two main technologies across their waterproof jacket range:

• Isotex is their high-performance option. It keeps the rain out while a hydrophilic breathability system lets any moisture vapour trapped inside escape, so you stay dry and comfortable from both directions. Isotex starts at a 5,000mm hydrostatic head rating and goes all the way up to 30,000mm, so there's a lot of range to work with depending on what you need.
• Hydrafort is waterproof and windproof, and focuses on reliable all-round protection from the elements while helping to reduce the build-up of body heat. It performs similarly to Isotex in terms of keeping the rain out, though it doesn't offer the same breathability or the same range of protective tiers.

Trespass has their own answer in Tres-tex, a waterproof, windproof, and breathable fabric technology that sits at the core of their most performance-focused styles. It works by allowing moisture vapour to pass outward while keeping wind and rain firmly on the outside, keeping you comfortable even when you're on the move and working up a sweat.

And all this means that, with both Trespass and Regatta waterproof jackets, you'll spot a mix of protection ratings across their collections.

For example, the Regatta Mens Eamont Insulated Waterproof Jacket (above left) is rated at 15,000mm; which means it’ll keep you dry in heavier rain and if you're outdoors for a reasonably long time. Whereas, the popular Regatta Mens Pack-It III Waterproof Packaway Jacket (above right) has a rating of 5,000mm, so is more suited to the general wet weather and those lighter showers we all know so well!

Similarly, Trespass also has a good mix of options in their line-up.

Trespass Womens Bele II Waterproof Softshell Jacket (above left) has a waterproof rating of 8,000mm, whereas the Trespass Qikpac Waterproof Packaway Jacket (above right) sits at 5,000mm.

Now, at first glance you might wonder whether Regatta edges ahead on waterproofing based on those numbers alone. But there are a couple of things worth bearing in mind here.

1. We're heading into spring and summer at the time of writing this, so lighter ratings are perfectly well matched to the conditions most people will be heading out in and this is reflected in the brands' seasonal collections
2. It's all about who these brands are making their waterproof clothing for. 

For the most part, something with a 5,000 - 10,000mm rating will do the job as expected for everyday folk who love hiking on the weekend, do the school run throughout all the seasons, walk the dog morning and night, go camping in the holidays. Aka, the core customer of these two brands!

Because when you start getting up into more of the higher ratings, the price does increase, naturally. More specialist tech = higher price bracket. And that’s not necessarily what Regatta and Trespass are all about on the whole.

So when you’re choosing your waterproof jacket, you’ll be asking yourself these sorts of questions along the way, and this one will come up right now:

How waterproof do I need it to be?

If you spend lots of time outdoors regardless of the weather and may be subject to plenty of heavy rain, your answer will probably be as waterproof as possible!

However, if you’re more after something to keep you dry as you drop the kids off or whizz the dog around the park, you can probably look at the lower end of the scale and be fine. 

Rating	Best for
5,000mm to 10,000mm	Light to moderate rain
10,000mm to 20,000mm	Heavier rain, longer time outdoors, more exposed conditions
20,000mm + above	More serious outdoor pursuits; longer exposure to heavier rain

 

Both Regatta and Trespass have you well covered at the everyday end of the scale, with plenty of styles sitting in that 5,000mm to 10,000mm sweet spot: perfect for all your dog walks, school runs, and weekend hikes. 

Type of Waterproof Jackets

One of the things that makes both Regatta and Trespass so popular is the sheer variety of jacket styles on offer. 

Such as:

• Packable jackets: fold down into their own pocket or a stuff sack, making them easy to tuck into a bag or the car boot
• Walking jackets: designed for active use on the trails, usually with a decent waterproof rating, adjustable hoods, and fabrics designed to handle a full day outdoors
• Parkas and longline styles: give you that extra coverage and/or warmth that's so welcome on a cold, wet day 
• 3-in-1 jackets: a waterproof outer shell with a detachable inner layer, usually a fleece, that you can wear together or separately depending on the conditions
• Padded waterproof jackets:  bring insulation into the mix alongside the weather protection

Unlike other brands that may specialise in certain types of outdoor clothing (Dare 2B with their ski wear, as an example), Regatta and Trespass both focus on versatility and choice in their range.

If you're a parent doing the school run throughout the winter, you could grab one of their parkas, or if you love camping, a packable jacket that comes along with you on a trip is a great idea. Regular weekend hikers will love either the Trespass or Regatta walking jackets. 

Giving everyday folk great value with their outdoor clothing is at the centre here, and that can be said for both brands.

 

Styling & Design

Though speaking of range, this is where the differences between the brands can be seen the most.

Because Regatta tends to branch out a little more with their styling and design choices (alongside their core range), whereas Trespass usually stick to fairly neutral and sporty looks across the board. 

That's not to say that Trespass don't have plenty of colours available, as they certainly do! You can pick up everything from a bright red and yellow all the way to their standard black and navy options. However, they just don't tend to have as many patterned or print options as such. 

Regatta, on the other hand, has always invested in collaborations and licensed collections, giving their range a real breadth of personality alongside their core outdoor offering. Their partnerships include:

• Orla Kiely — iconic prints that have made Regatta waterproof jackets a style statement
• Cath Kidston — classic British floral designs brought into outdoor wear
• Giovanna Fletcher — a family-friendly collection with an everyday feel
• Christian Lacroix — bold, fashion-forward designs for those who want something truly distinctive
• Peppa Pig (kids) — a firm favourite with little ones, and a very popular choice with parents

They’ve also got their Regatta Professional collections, which focuses on workwear.

This means if you fancy going for something a bit different, you could opt for one of the Regatta x Orla Kiely waterproof jackets. Or you could keep it neutral and stick with one of their classic black or navy jackets. The choice is yours.