Or Belstaff. Even Aigle makes pretty good waxed jackets on occasion.

But one of the best materials for rain is still... wool.

I have had several wool coats and none of them have been at all rain repellent. I’ve also worn many pure wool jumpers and hats in the rain, again none of them holding off anything more than the lightest drizzle.

What sort of wool is good for keeping off the rain?

Edit: Wearing (only) a damp wool jumper is fine if you’re up a mountain and it’s not too windy or freezing cold, but I’d still prefer to be dry!

Not the GP, so not sure what he was specifically talking about, but wool is known for retaining its insulative value even when wet.

Yes, you're wet, but you're still warm.

Many outdoorsmen prefer this to the uncertainty of being able to keep their gear dry.

Yes, that's what I'm talking about. By thick rainy weather I love nothing more than a coarse knitted woolen sweater and a heavy tweed jacket. It's warm, breathable and I'll never stay so long under the rain that it's soaked.

As far as strictly waterproofing goes, you do need coating or some hybrid material with PU weaved in. IMO it's more useful as a wind barrier than anything else.

This is why you always use layers with wool closest to the skin.