It’s become one of travel’s buzzwords: the ‘staycation’ or stay at home break which gives you all the benefits of a fun, relaxing holiday, without having to face the sheer hassle and stress of air or sea travel. Staying firmly on British soil has never seemed so appealing!

A staycation may involve sleeping at home and enjoying days out, or visiting hotels or camp sites in and around your preferred areas of interest. Previously, in the rush to get away, many people have missed out on all the wonderful places to explore across the UK, from historical towns and glorious countryside to sites which embody the nation’s unique cultural heritage.

One of the tricks to a great staycation is to keep things nice and simple. Another is to make sure you get your family outdoors. Breaks like the autumn half term provide the perfect chance to get outside in the fresh air. Going walking is a cheap and exhilarating way of getting up close and personal with nature while getting some excellent exercise.

Unfortunately, one thing you can’t rely on in Britain at any time of year is the weather. That’s why if you’re planning a holiday that gets you back to nature, in addition to good quality footwear, a strong pair of trousers, and the relevant camping equipment you need to invest in a good waterproof jacket for every member of your family. In fact, your jacket is probably the single most important piece of staycation kit there is.

But with a bewildering array of waterproof jackets to choose from, all made from different materials and with different coatings, making the right decision about the best equipment for your needs can seem a real challenge.

Of course, as with anything else, you will need to base your decision on what you can afford, what you will be using the jacket for, and where. An insulated fleece jacket is clearly not going to be suitable for general walking; however it will come in very useful on cold evenings.

Look for a product which keeps rain, cold and wind at bay while being breathable, allowing sweat to evaporate so that you stay comfortable. To be fully waterproof, a jacket must meet the British Standard of 3 PSI or Pounds Per Square Inch pressure, meaning the garment can withstand 1500mm of water pressure.

You also need to consider the breathability of your jacket. As you scale hills, or move at speed, and your heart rate increases, you will sweat. Breathability is measured in terms of how much moisture can be transferred into a garment over 24 hours. But as well as the technical rating, consider things like whether you can roll up the sleeves, whether there is a bonded inner liner, and what zips and vents there are. Your own body chemistry will also affect how much you sweat, as will the particular activity you are doing.

When buying women’s or men’s waterproof jackets, you need to consider which features are most important to you, whether that’s waterproofing, durability, breathability, freedom of movement or having something which is lightweight.

Finally, the fit of the jacket will also determine the performance you get from it. You may like a snug one, especially for serious outdoor activities, but for casual use it may be worth going a size bigger. Look at how long the back of the jacket is, and whether that’s right for what you need.

Make a good choice and you should get years of wear from your waterproof jacket. You’ll be able to go off on every holiday and weekend away fully prepared for whatever the elements throw at you.