The best women’s waterproof jackets for every type of adventure, reviewed and rated | Women's coats and jackets
In the words of Alfred Wainwright, “there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”. When you live in boggy Britain, where it rains more than 150 days a year, waterproofing is a serious business – and a great waterproof jacket is a year-round wardrobe staple.
Whether you’re climbing a mountain or heading out on the commute, it’s worth investing in a decent jacket that’s fully waterproof, breathable and fits you properly. I’ve put nine through their paces in rainy hike conditions to find the very best women’s waterproof jackets.
At a glance
Why you should trust me
I’m a seasoned adventure travel writer and gear tester who’s been putting outdoor kit through its paces across the globe for more than a decade. I’ve hiked many a mile in the name of testing waterproof jackets. I reckon I’ve tried well over 100 different raincoats on for size, wearing them everywhere from the summit of Mount Kenya to my favourite local pathways in Cornwall and the Cotswolds. I’ve also just finished working on two UK walking guides for Lonely Planet – a great excuse to hit the trails in any weather.
How I tested
The Tierra Nevado was perfect for venturing high into the hills. Photograph: Jacob Little/The Guardian
Handily for me, we’ve just had one of the wettest summers on record in the UK, so I had plenty of time to figure out which waterproofs could tackle long rainy days in the great outdoors. I took each jacket I’ve recommended on hikes around everywhere from the top of Scafell Pike in the Lake District to the seriously sodden Yorkshire Moors and down to the sea-sprayed Cornish coast. As the weather was mild, I could test out the other key performance factor in a good waterproof – breathability – on muddy trails and city streets.
The jackets called in to test for this article will be donated to the Julian Trust Night Shelter in Bristol, which gives outdoor kit to homeless people.
The best waterproof coats and jackets for women in 2024
‘Brilliant in snow’: The North Face Summit Tsirku Gore-Tex Pro jacket. Photograph: Jacob Little/The Guardian
Best overall waterproof jacket: Montane Torren
Montane’s Torren is an award-winning jacket, and for good reason. There’s lots of great stuff here, and the design is pleasingly lightweight and comfortable to wear. It’s technical enough for adventures at altitude yet doesn’t feel like overkill if you’re walking the dog. The Torren’s recycled nylon shell is also highly waterproof without the use of damaging chemicals, something all outdoor clothing manufacturers should be working to achieve.
Why we love it The Torren is indeed highly waterproof and kept the rain off all day long when I was out in this October’s wet and windy Storm Ashley. Montane uses its own-brand Petrichor technology to waterproof this coat, but it seems to stand up when compared with Gore-Tex, plus it doesn’t use environmentally harmful PFAS.
The Torren is ready for high-stakes days outdoors, thanks to a helmet-compatible hood, harness-compatible pockets and articulated arms, which give a good range of movement. But it’s also simple enough to use for relaxed hiking days and, although it fits on the slim side, you can stick a thinner insulated jacket underneath. It’s hard to pick holes in the design, but if pushed, my niggle would be that, besides plain black, the only colours available are pastels.
It’s a shame that … there are limited neutral colours available.
British climbing and mountaineering brandRab designed the Kangri with “the avid all-weather adventurer in mind” – if that’s you, and you love to hike hill and dale in any weather, read on. This jacket marries comfort and a female-specific fit with rain-repelling Gore-Tex in a smart, sleek design that’s ready to trek.
Why we love it I did lots of happy hiking in Rab’s Kangri. Gore-Tex is ever reliable for waterproofing, and the Kangri has a massive hydrostatic head rating of 28,000mm – nary a drop of rain seeped through as I hiked through sustained wet weather. The hood was also my favourite in testing – it stays put in high winds and the stiffened peak keeps rain off your face.
I did find the sizing was off – this jacket does feel like it’s designed with women in mind (unlike some brands, which simply shrink men’s jackets), but the size 12 was on the small side when wearing more than a thin base layer underneath. The sleeves were a shade too long, too, although they are adjustable. While the colour of your waterproof isn’t the most important feature, it doesn’t hurt to have a good range, and I really liked the five smart hues available.
It’s a shame that … you’ll have to play around with sizing.
Best casual waterproof jacket: Patagonia Torrentshell
I always rate Patagonia’s effective and eco-friendly women’s outdoor range, and the Torrentshell jacket, the mid-priced all-rounder of its waterproof offerings, is no different. It’s made from 100% recycled materials; is lightweight, waterproof and comfortable; and there’s a wider fit to the torso and sleeves that’s perfect if you find slim jackets restrictive.
Why we love it The Torrentshell ticked many boxes for me, from the cosy fleece-lined collar that feels nice against the skin to the stowable, adjustable hood. The Torrentshell repelled water effectively out in the Cumbrian hills, with water beading on the jacket’s surface, and was breathable enough for hiking, thanks to good pit zips. I don’t think this design would be breathable enough for sweatier endeavours such as climbing or mountaineering, however.
I also like that this lightweight coat stuffs into its own pocket if the sun comes out. If you want to squeeze a thicker puffer jacket underneath, I’d consider a size up. As well as a high-quality jacket, Patagonia is an ethical pick – this jacket is Fairtrade and made using recycled materials and without PFAS (chemicals harmful to the environment).
Best waterproof jacket for skiers: The North Face Summit Tsirku Gore-Tex Pro
A “hardshell” jacket (one without insulation built-in) is ideal for hiking but skiers and mountaineers often also choose to swap their heavy padded waterproofs for them, wearing insulated layers underneath to trap in heat. I’ve been testing out a range of shells aimed at skiers and The North Face’s Summit Tsirku is brilliant for snow – perhaps unsurprisingly, since the brand is all about adventures in mountain terrain.
Why we love it The North Face Summit Tsirku, named for a river in Alaska, has a hefty price tag, but it’s worth the spend if you’re a seasoned skier, an athlete or an outdoors professional. This bright jacket is totally waterproof, with a three-layer Gore-Tex fabric that even torrential rain can’t touch. The Summit Tsirku was also the most breathable jacket I tested – the airy fabric and good ventilation zips should keep you comfortable on sweaty, stop-start sporting adventures.
The fit is great, with just the right amount of room to layer up underneath, and I love the longer length of this coat (short jackets that ride up around the waist are my bugbear). This design is overkill for casual walks, but it comes into its own in the backcountry.
It’s a shame that … it’s too technical – and pricey – for mere mortals.
Best waterproof jacket for the mountains: Tierra Nevado
Climbers, mountaineers and hikers unite – the Nevado is a technical shell that Tierra created using feedback from professional mountain guides. While this jacket packs the punch of Gore-Tex waterproofing, it’s not too bulky or heavy to move fast, so it’s perfect for venturing high into the hills.
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Why we love it Ever-reliable Gore-Tex renders the Nevado fully waterproof, and rain rolls off its surface like water off the proverbial duck’s back. Unlike some shell jackets, which can feel plasticky against the skin, the Nevado’s soft liner makes it a cosy pleasure to wear, even if the only warmth the liner adds is psychological. This jacket has Alpine adventures in mind – the hood is adjustable and fits over a helmet, and the two-way zip is designed to be used while wearing a climbing harness.
The Nevado was my top pick for pockets, too, with a chest pocket for easy access and handy inside pockets to hold your phone and gloves. There’s even a ski pass pocket, and you could use this jacket for ski holidays, so it’s a real quiver-of-one hardshell.
It’s a shame that … it’s a bit too pricey for casual country walkers.
Meet my pick of the warm parkas. If you like a bit more coverage than a hip-skimming waterproof jacket, you’ll love Seasalt’s popular, longer-cut Janelle waterproof coat. It comes in eight nature-inspired muted shades, it fits beautifully and it’s fully waterproof, even in pelting rain. There’s enough insulation to trap in warmth on winter dog walks, plus nicely placed hip pockets, a reinforced wide hood and a cosy soft lining. The Janelle coat is made with fully recycled materials, and you can also choose from petite, regular and tall iterations as well as plus sizes.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s not short or breathable enough for sports.
After a good-looker of a long raincoat rather than a more technical sporty shell? Meet the lovely Lilja, designed with city use and commuting in mind. This flattering coat hits the mid-thigh, looking and feeling sleek, simple and stylish to wear. During testing, I found rain beaded off it brilliantly thanks to Helly Hansen’s own-brand water-repellent technology, and the detachable, adjustable hood fits well and protects the face from the elements. This fabric isn’t very breathable, so you could work up a sweat running for a bus, but I still like this rain slicker for city slickers.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s too casual and not breathable enough for active types.
Light and liberating to wear, the Ampli-Dry packs down small, so you can pop it in a rucksack pocket when the sun comes out. I like that it’s made with recycled polyester, and this jacket was one of the most breathable I tested, with wide zips to help with ventilation. It does feel a little plasticky to wear, but the fit is good and there’s room to layer underneath. If lightweight and packable are top of your shopping list, this could be the waterproof for you, and it’s well-priced, too, with some colours currently reduced.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it feels on the flimsy and plasticky side.
Think about how and where you’ll wear your jacket before you buy one. Photograph: Jacob Little/The Guardian
Waterproofing Make sure any jacket you buy is labelled as “waterproof” rather than just “water resistant” or “water repellent”, as the latter two labels usually mean a coat can repel only light rain. For full waterproofing, look for a jacket that incorporates tried-and-tested technology such as Gore-Tex or own-brand waterproofing into the outer layer of the jacket (or the hardshell).
Some brands also list the amount of waterproofing their jacket offers, which is tested according to its hydrostatic head (this test assesses a fabric’s waterproofing abilities by subjecting it to increasing water pressure). Up to 1,500mm is considered only water resistant. Above 5,000mm is waterproof enough for wearing in steady rain, and a jacket with 10,000mm to 20,000mm is likely to be reliably waterproof and should work in torrential rain or snow.
Breathability Cheap and cheerful macs-in-sacs and rain ponchos will keep you dry at a pinch, but they’re not breathable – you’ll quickly get sweaty and hot, which isn’t ideal when you’re out on hikes or cycle trips. Instead, high-quality jackets incorporate a breathable membrane that wicks away moisture, so that you don’t overheat when you sweat.
Think about how and where you’ll wear your jacket before you buy – if you want something for casual use, a longer parka-length jacket with some insulation will offer warmth and you won’t need it to be very breathable. If you’re planning fast-paced hikes or cycles, you’ll want something light and breathable, without insulation and with added ventilation zips.
Design and fit A good jacket should fit snugly but not too tightly at the waist, cuffs and neck, and should include taped seams, sealed or protected zips, zipped pockets and a well-designed, adjustable hood. If you’re a keen climber, cyclist or mountaineer, look for a jacket with a hood that can be worn over a helmet, and a fit designed to work when worn under a backpack and a harness. A slim-fitting jacket will keep you warmer, but make sure there’s space to wear a down layer or fleece underneath it in cold weather.
How much to spend There are rain-ready jackets at price points to suit pretty much every budget on the market. Aim to spend about £150 on a good versatile waterproof. High-end, £200+ jackets are only worth the splurge if you’re heading out in serious conditions on proper hiking trips. If you are, though, they’re likely to be breathable, comfortable and completely waterproof.
It’s worth noting that no jacket – unless it’s a purely plastic mac, which won’t be breathable – will be completely waterproof for ever. If your coat begins to lose its waterproofing (rain will sink into the outer fabric rather than bead straight off it), re-waterproof it with a treatment such as Nikwax.
Sian Lewis is an award-winning freelance outdoors and travel journalist and author who loves putting adventure kit through its paces while hiking, swimming and wild camping. She also shares her adventures at @sianannalewis and thegirloutdoors.com
