Lara Dunn recommends the Didriksons Varja Jacket for value but genuine outdoor functionality. Learn more.
With a decidedly manageable price tag, the Didriksons Varja jacket offers good levels of performance for its price and is the sort of jacket you could get good use out of on or off the hill.
Lara Dunn recommends
The outer shell is extremely protective and the lining gives good breathable comfort.- comfortable casual fit
- inexpensive
- Full lining and lack of pit zips mean it’s best suited to less intense hikes
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £110 (available from Didriksons) |
| Weight: 512g (size EU44) |
| Materials: 100% Polyester shell, 100% Polyester lining |
| Hood: Velcro and drawstring volume adjusters and stiffened peak |
| Front Closure: Water resistant zip with storm flap and button for ventilation |
| Underarm/Side Zips: no |
| Pockets: 2 large side pockets |
| Hem: Drawcord adjustment |
| Cuffs: elasticated |
| Sizes: 34-48 |
| Women’s version: Yes, the Dario |
| www.didriksons.com |
The Didriksons online sizing guide is somewhat confusing. With a disparity between the measurements and the expected UK size they correlate to – instead of my usual UK14/16 I ended up ordering what was stated as a UK18 (the measurements correlated to a more usual 14/16), but which fitted perfectly. It’s a relaxed fit with space for layering underneath and given that the jacket is fully lined rather than being just a shell, it’s ideal being able to add a bit extra under it. The lining – whilst breathable – does mean that it’s on the warm side for energetic spring and summer use, but it’s ideal for chillier persistently wet weather and less vigorous walks.
Didriksons are an outdoor lifestyle brand, rather than focussing only on high performance specialist hiking and mountaineering kit, and this jacket show that background, yet also delivers genuine outdoor functionality. It’s far from the heaviest jacket and nor is it particularly bulky but it’s sufficiently burly that it’s better suited to being an all-day wet-weather layer rather than being carried. The outer shell is extremely protective and the lining gives good breathable comfort but it does run quite warm. A press stud on the front can be used to keep the worst of the weather out while still ventilating with the front zip open. There’s a generous protective hood that’s fully adjustable with both a Velcro tab at the back and a drawstring and a soft chin guard on the flexible collar. It’s got an interior pocket as well as the two exterior side pockets.
How Lara tested
Lara tested these waterproof jackets from February to June in a variety of wet conditions varying from around freezing temperatures to mid-twenties, on day hikes of varying lengths in the Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. Lara is 165cm tall and wears size 14/14-16 (Large/XL), brand dependent. Weights are from her own digital scales. This review was published in the September 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors. Compare it with others in our guide to the best waterproof jackets.
