I agree, spend your money on boots and on keeping dry. The other staff can be purchased as you learn more about what you really need. When I think of the mistakes I've purchased I could have flown around the world with the same money. I think the rule of thump is don't wear cotton items, well I don't anyway, soaks up water, takes ages to dry and when wet just makes you cold.
And chafes.
Not nice. I'm sure that's why cowboys always walk like that in the films. One hour of rain three years ago...
Plenty of decent trousers that are cheap - you can always have something like running tights (ronhill tracksters) under polycotton trousers, for windproof, reasonably warm, even when wet, and fairly fast drying. It's only because my brother gave me a voucher for my birthday that I upgraded.
+1 for the Alpkit Gourdon bags, no frills, just great quality waterproof bags.
I have three - one 30ltr one from 2011, with no side pockets that is stuffed with random firelighting stuff etc for scouts. One 20ltr one also from 2011 that has side pockets and a shockcord daisy chain on the outside. That's still my favourite lightweight rucsac and still is waterproof (they're drybags, and that 20ltr one had my kindle when canoing). I have a fluro-yellow 30ltr one from about 2015 that I use for cycle commuting.
One tip. They don't have internal pockets, so I tend to sort my stuff into carrier bags so everything's not in a mess at the bottom of my pack. I also put my wallet/spare torch/spare phone powerbank into a separate small drybag so the small stuff is together and easily found.
Thanks for the advice. So far I think it makes sense for me to pick up some Kiwi Pros, use bottled water and a smaller pack at least initially (that can fit some bottles and my waterproof, any advice on model?).
Otherwise I've been trying to find a decent waterproof but near enough every jacket I have looked at has come with a host of bad reviews, seemingly pointing at recent quality issues. I think it makes sense to go for something with a detachable/stowable hood and pit zippers. All my local shops don't really stock much and what they do stock is either old and outdated stock or a truly horrid colour.
If you're in East Anglia and anywhere near Cambridge, then I know that has a couple of decent chain shops (Cotswold and Ellis Bringham - and apparently a Decathlon) and a good independent outdoor shop (Open Air) - I ended up looking to buy my daughter some boots as a present when visiting her there, and we ended up buying them in Open Air.