Mountain Equipment Makalu Jacket Review | Durable GORE-TEX Shell

The Mountain Equipment Makalu has built a strong reputation as a dependable mountain shell with our customer's and beyond. Designed for harsh conditions and serious hill days, it definitely has a focus on classic durability and comes in a range of brighter colours for visibility on the hills.

After spending some time with it, we think it’s clear why this jacket has remained a staple in the Mountain Equipment lineup, and a solid option for many years in our waterproof range.

You can shop the Makalu Jacket here:
Men's Makalu GORE-TEX Jacket
Women's Makalu GORE-TEX Jacket

Want a quick rundown on the features? You can watch a short breakdown on the Makalu jacket from our store on Instagram here: 
https://www.instagram.com/greatoutdoors76/reel/DVbFS2pCOOy/

Built for Tough Weather

One of the first things we loved about the Makalu is the durability of the fabric. The higher-denier (thicker fabric, more durable) GORE-TEX material feels robust and ready for rough conditions. We find that straight out of the box - it can feel a little stiff when new, but after some use it begins to soften up and feels noticeably lighter and more comfortable.

When the weather turns properly bad, this jacket really comes into its own. It’s designed to stand up to wind, rain, and heavy mountain weather without feeling fragile.

Breathability

For a jacket made with a heavier, more durable fabric, the breathability is impressive. It handles movement and layering well without quickly feeling clammy, which is important when you’re working hard on steep climbs or long days in the hills.

It’s not in the same department as something like an ultralight running shell or even our lighter weight rain jackets — but for a rugged mountain jacket, the balance between protection and breathability is very good.

Practical Pockets

The pocket layout is one of the Makalu’s best features.

The large hand pockets are positioned high enough to work comfortably with:

• A climbing harness

• A backpack hip belt

There’s also a useful map pocket, which is a nice touch for navigation on longer routes.

All the zips are laminated, helping keep water out and maintaining a clean, durable finish - this includes the under-arm pit zips which are very handy for keeping you cool on longer days.

Helmet-Compatible Hood

The Makalu comes with a helmet-compatible hood, making it suitable for climbing or more technical mountain use. It adjusts well and provides good protection in windy conditions. If you are a skier - this can be helpful in that respect where you can wear the makalu as a snow shell with your helmet, but it does not come with a snow-skirt or pass pockets.

Even without a helmet, it still cinches down nicely to give a secure fit around the face when the weather turns rough.

Two-Way Front Zip

The two-way front zipper is another small but very practical feature. It allows for better ventilation and makes it easier to access layers or harness gear underneath.

It’s the kind of detail you may not think about initially, but it quickly proves useful on longer mountain days.

Layering and Fit

We found that the Makalu has a slightly boxier cut under the arms, which works really well for layering. That said - we would always go true-to-size when buying it.

During testing, it comfortably fit over:

• A Rab Xenair insulated jacket

• A midweight fleece

This makes it a solid choice for colder conditions where you need to build a proper layering system underneath.

PFAS-Free DWR and Maintenance

Like many modern jackets, the Makalu now uses a PFAS-free DWR coating. This change is driven by new environmental regulations and is far better for both people and the planet.

The trade-off is that these coatings often require a bit more regular maintenance to keep water beading effectively.

Using a treatment like Grangers Repel occasionally helps maintain that beading effect. It’s worth noting though — even if the outer fabric wets out slightly, the jacket itself remains waterproof thanks to the GORE-TEX membrane.

We do speak about this more in-depth in one of our instagram reels - you can watch that here: https://www.instagram.com/greatoutdoors76/reel/DU8TT-0CFNf/

Lifetime Warranty

One final bonus is Mountain Equipment’s Product Lifetime Warranty. While hopefully you never need it, it’s reassuring to know the brand stands behind its gear long term.