The Quechua MH500 is Decathlon’s three-layer men’s waterproof jacket, and at £79.99 it packs 20,000mm waterproofing, 29cm pit zips and a three-point adjustable hood into a price most mountain shells can’t touch.
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Decathlon gifted the Quechua MH500 Waterproof Jacket for review. All opinions are my own.
- Weather Protection
- Breathability
- Comfort & Fit
- Weight
My Verdict
A three-layer mountain shell at a price that’s hard to argue with. The waterproofing is strong, the long pit zips dump heat quickly, and the pockets and hood are well thought out. My one real gripe is a soft hood peak with no wire to shape it. At £79.99, I think it’s a very strong contender for the best-value waterproof jacket in its class.
Pros
Cons
Where to Buy
Quechua MH500 Men’s Waterproof Jacket
My Verdict: “A sub-£80 waterproof jacket that punches well above its weight, with a great 20,000mm hydrostatic head rating.”
A women’s version is also available at Decathlon
The MH500 is a three-layer waterproof jacket from Quechua, Decathlon’s own hiking brand. It’s built around a 20,000mm membrane, taped seams, waterproof zips, 29cm pit zips and a hood with three points of adjustment. Quechua lists it for spring, summer and autumn, in sizes S to 3XL and a few colours. There’s also a women’s version, available in sizes 6 to 22. I tested the men’s small.
Full Specifications
Price: £79.99
Waterproofing: 20,000mm
Breathability: 15,000 g/m²/24hr
Weight: 590g (size S)
Pit zips: 29cm
Pockets: two zipped hand pockets, one zipped inner chest pocket, one inner pouch
Hood: adjustable, with a semi-rigid visor
Sizes: S to 3XL
100% polyester outer / 100% polyurethane membrane / taped seams / waterproof zips / 51% recycled polyester and 1% recycled polyamide / 2-year warranty
How I Tested It
It’s been a wet few weeks. Now that we’re well and truly into autumn, the MH500 has been my everyday jacket for the past month, and it’s had a lot of rain to deal with. It’s been out on my daily dog walks, on family days out and on more adventurous hikes across the South Downs.
Is the Quechua MH500 Waterproof?
Yes, and it’s been holding up really well. Quechua rates the membrane at 20,000mm. Plenty of jackets around this price are rated nearer 10,000mm, so this is roughly double what you’d expect to find at this price point. The taped seams and waterproof zips back that up, and a month of wet autumn walking in the South East hasn’t got through it.
It’s a three-layer jacket, which means the membrane is bonded between the outer fabric and the inner lining. That’s how it stays lightweight and packable.
The rest of the jacket is built to keep the rain out too. The zips are waterproof all over and the cuffs close with Velcro. The cut of the jacket is also lower on the rear, covering your backside in the rain. It helps if the jacket rides up under a pack as well, because you’re still covered.
How Good Is the MH500’s Hood?
The hood has three points of adjustment: one at the back to pull the peak in, and a toggle either side of your chin to cinch it around your face, which stops it blowing back when you walk into the wind.
I really like that the chin toggles sit on the outside of the jacket. It might seem like a small detail, but when they’re sewn into the fabric, I find they’re fiddly to release. These are easy.
Quechua describes the visor as semi-rigid. I get what they mean, but there’s no wire in it, so you can’t bend or shape the peak. It’s my only real gripe with the hood.
Is the Quechua MH500 Breathable?
Quechua quotes 15,000 g/m²/24hr, which is how much moisture can pass through the fabric in a day. The higher the number, the better it breathes. The pit zips then do the rest.
Even in the rain, it was surprisingly warm for this time of year, and I did find myself getting sweaty when climbing with a light day pack on. Being able to dump heat out of the pit zips fast made a big difference. There’s a looped pull on each zip, so you can hook it with one finger and open it up quickly without fumbling. The same goes for all the other zips on the jacket.
Like any waterproof, it will still get warm if you push hard on a mild day, and the vents are your answer to that. Overall, it has a really good rating, and for a jacket at this price that’s impressive.
What Is the Fit Like?
Snug with a chunky fleece beneath, but not so snug that it’s uncomfortable or restricts my movement. I’m 163cm (5’4″), and I wear a small. It’s definitely not too small by any means, and I can move comfortably in it, but if you like a bit more room beneath your jacket, maybe try a size up first.
The fit can be tightened where it counts. The Velcro cuffs keep the sleeves secure around your wrists, and there’s a toggle on either side of the hem to pull it in around your waist.
Are the Pockets Any Good?
They’re one of my favourite things about the jacket. The two hand pockets are deep and roomy, and they sit high on the jacket. That means I can still have my hands in them when the waist belt on my backpack is clipped across the front. The inner lining is stretchy, so bigger items, like a map, can be squeezed in.
Inside, there’s a zipped chest pocket on the left that’s big enough for a large phone like a Samsung S24 Ultra. On the right is a little stretchy pouch. It’s handy for snacks or for stashing a thin mid-layer when you get too hot.
Is the Quechua MH500 Lightweight and Packable?
Quechua lists the jacket at 575g in a large, though my small came to 590g on my scales, so it’s a touch heavier than the brand’s figure, even in a smaller size.
Rolled up into its hood and packed, it’s about the size of a one-litre water bottle. At 590g, I’d call it average for a three-layer shell. It’s not as light or as compact as a jacket like the Rohan Aira, which weighs 260g, but the MH500 is a quarter of the price, so the difference in weight is understandable. The pit zips, roomy pockets and adjustable hood all add a little weight, and I’m happy to carry it for those.
Alternatives to the Quechua MH500
The OEX Aonach II is the closest match on price at £100, with fairly similar features. The main difference is the construction. It’s a two-layer jacket, which means the membrane is bonded to the outer fabric and a separate lining hangs loose inside to protect it. That lining adds a bit of weight (640g in a small), and it’s part of the reason the MH500’s three-layer build comes out lighter, with higher waterproof and breathability ratings on paper.
If you want to spend more for a lighter jacket, the Rohan Aira is also a three-layer, but with a 34,000mm waterproof rating, 47,000g/m²/24hrs breathability and a weight of just 260g. That all comes at a cost, at £300.
The Rab Downpour is a 2.5-layer jacket at around £110, which swaps the loose lining for a thin protective coating on the inside of the membrane. It’s listed at around 320g.
If you want to compare more options, I’ve rounded up the best of them in my best waterproof jackets for hiking guide.
Should You Buy the Quechua MH500?
Yes, and honestly, I don’t think you could pick up a better jacket for less than £80. It’s a proper three-layer waterproof with a 20,000mm hydrostatic head and 15,000 g/m²/24hr breathability, which is genuinely incredible.
It suits walkers who want one waterproof for everyday use and for the hills, with deep pockets, long pit zips and a hood that cinches down properly.
The MH500 gets my award for the best budget three-layer waterproof jacket, and it wasn’t a hard decision.
Where to Buy
Quechua MH500 Men’s Waterproof Jacket
My Verdict: “A sub-£80 waterproof jacket that punches well above its weight, with a great 20,000mm hydrostatic head rating.”
A women’s version is also available at Decathlon
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Steve Cleverdon
Adventure-driven outdoor gear reviewer and paddleboarder, Steve has spent 20 years exploring rivers, coastlines, and trails across Britain and abroad, sharing what he’s learned along the way. Learn more about Steve or get in touch.
