Lesson learned: my $40 rain jacket failed after 2 years, my $120 one is still going at 5
I used to grab whatever cheap packable jacket was on sale, figured they were all the same. Two years of Seattle drizzle and the cheap one delaminated, seams peeled off like old stickers. Swapped to a $120 shell with taped seams and a real hood brim, and after 5 years of daily dog walks it still sheds water like day one. Check the seam tape and zipper brand before you buy, cheap gear hides weak points where you cant see them. Anyone else burn money on budget rain gear before biting the bullet, or did I just pick the wrong cheap brand?.