Regatta Pack-It III Waterproof Jacket Review

Overview

The Pack-It III is Regatta’s entry-level packable rain shell — a simple, no-frills jacket that stuffs into its own pocket and sells for around £20-25 in the UK. It’s aimed squarely at casual walkers, commuters, and travelers who want a “just in case” layer in the bottom of a bag, not thru-hikers chasing grams and hydrostatic head numbers. If you’re comparing this to a Patagonia Torrentshell or an OR Helium, you’re shopping in the wrong aisle — this is a budget shell, and it performs like one.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	298 g (10.5 oz)
Waterproofing	Isolite 10000 fabric
Breathability	10,000 g/m²/24hrs
Seams	Fully taped
Hood	Adjustable
Packability	Packs into own stuff sack
Material	100% Polyamide
Price	~£20-25

Performance

Waterproofing: Isolite 10000 puts this jacket well below the 20,000mm+ ratings you’d want for sustained mountain weather, and user experiences reflect that split. Several buyers report it holding up fine in everyday showers — one Trekkinn reviewer called it “100% waterproof and very comfortable, with a small bag to store it and take up little space.” Others weren’t as lucky: one Regatta site reviewer flatly stated “I wore this on a walk and it’s not waterproof at all.” My read on this split is that the DWR coating and taped seams do their job in light-to-moderate rain, but the fabric likely wets out or the coating degrades faster than a true hardshell once you hit sustained downpours or heavy pack-strap abrasion. This tracks with the Isolite 10000 rating — it’s a step above a windbreaker, not a step below a 3-layer Gore-Tex shell.

Breathability: At 10,000 g/m²/24hrs, this is on the low end even for budget shells, and one detailed user review confirms it: a Bike24 reviewer testing it for cycling and walks noted it kept them dry twice in fairly heavy rain, but added it gets warm during intense activity because it “dышит плохо” — breathes poorly. Translation for hikers: fine for a steady walking pace in cool weather, clammy fast if you’re climbing switchbacks or moving with any real effort.

Fit and cut: This is the most consistent complaint across reviews, and it’s all over the map. One German reviewer found the S “too tight” while an M “fits tight at the bottom, chest loose, shoulders medium and the sleeves are rather short.” Another found the opposite problem — ordering their normal size resulted in a jacket cut like “far too large,” with a size M measuring like an XL. A US buyer, on the other hand, was happy that the sleeves were long enough, since “most jackets sleeves aren’t long.” Bottom line: if you’re between sizes or have unusual proportions, this is not a jacket to order online sight-unseen without checking the return policy.

Packability: This is where the Pack-It III earns its name and its keep. It’s reported to pack neatly into its stuff sack, and buyers consistently use it as a stash-in-a-daypack or stash-in-a-suitcase item — one review specifically mentioned it fitting into a schoolbag without taking up a lot of space. At 298 g it’s not ultralight by trail standards, but for the price it’s a reasonable trade-off if packed size and low cost matter more to you than cutting every last gram.

Hardware and details: The zipper storm flap draws specific criticism — a German reviewer described the sealing tape under the zipper constantly getting stuck on the inside of the zipper, requiring extra care when opening or closing it. Pocket configuration is also basic: no interior pocket, and two outer pockets but no inner ones on some versions, with at least one reviewer noting the pockets lack zippers entirely.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Genuinely budget-friendly — often under £25
• Packs down small into its own stuff sack, easy to stash in a daypack or suitcase
• Taped seams and adjustable hood are nice touches at this price point
• Adequate for light rain, dog walks, festivals, and travel “just in case” use
• Long sleeve length praised by at least one taller reviewer

Cons

• Isolite 10000 / 10,000 g/m²/24hrs breathability is low for anything beyond casual walking pace
• Waterproofing performance is inconsistent across user reports — some stayed bone dry, others got soaked
• Sizing runs unpredictably; multiple reviewers report cuts that don’t match the size chart
• Zipper storm flap tape reportedly snags and sticks
• No interior pockets, and outer pockets may lack zippers
• At 298 g, it’s heavier than true ultralight rain shells without matching their protection

Who Should Buy This

This jacket makes sense for casual walkers, commuters, festival-goers, or travelers who want a cheap insurance policy against a passing shower and don’t want to spend $150+ on a technical shell they’ll wear twice a year. It’s a reasonable pick to toss in a school bag, suitcase, or car trunk. It is not the right call for backpackers or thru-hikers who need reliable weather protection over consecutive days, sustained exertion breathability, or confidence in a genuine downpour — for that, look toward a 20,000mm+ rated shell from a dedicated outdoor brand.

Verdict

The Pack-It III does what its name promises — it packs away small and it’s cheap — but the Isolite 10000 fabric and mixed user reports on both waterproofing and sizing mean it’s a casual-use rain jacket, not a trail-ready shell. For the price, it’s a fair “just in case” layer; for serious hiking in unpredictable weather, spend more elsewhere. I’d put it at a 5.5/10 — solid for what it is, but not what this audience is usually shopping for.