>>479596A cheap fleece jacket will give you good insulation, it will insulate you even if dripping wet and it will dry quickly.
Get two fleeces, one very thin, for moving about without sweating, and one thicker fleece for when you stop. If it gets dark and cold, wear both fleeces.
This is what a proper fleece looks like, don't pay more than 30 euros:
http://www.coatpant.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Navy-Fleece-Jacket.jpgThe thin ones are harder to get and usually not cheaper, but i highly recommend bringing one.
A fleece will not keep off strong wind, so get a cheap windbreaker. Don't pay more than 30 bucks for one.
The idea is that you use layers for flexibility. Having on both fleeces and the windbreaker will keep you warm.
I personally use an umbrella for light rain and a poncho for heavy rain (and as a tarp). An umbrella has the advantage that it can be quickly deployed. I have seen people with great raingear waiting until they are wet before they put it on. This will not happen to me. Also i can pretty much get gear out of my backpack without getting rain into it.
The poncho is 140 x 260 cm, large enough for my backpack and me. It can be fixed under my legs and on the side, so even in heavy wind or climbing a mountain i will not step on it. It was 50 euros.
I personally don't think that a jacket for 400 bucks can match the versatility and utility of the stuff i mentioned.
