The best women’s waterproof jackets: your winter-ready hardshell awaits

The best women’s waterproof jacket is a key component for outdoor adventures in the coming months. With fall almost upon us and winter around the corner, the elements are going to demand more of your hiking gear than they did during fairer days of summer. If you’ve got lots of hiking adventures in mind, you’re going to need a hard shell that can stand up to drizzle, horizontal rain, blizzards and the rest.

Designed to be effective shields against wind and rain, the best women’s waterproof jackets are your essential outer layer. Featuring waterproof membranes (either proprietary creations or well-known shields like GORE-TEX), a waterproof should keep your dry in everything but the most horrendous deluge.

Beyond this, the best waterproof jackets have myriad features. As a minimum, you can expect waterproof pockets and storm flaps that keep the rain away from zippers, which can be prone to letting water seep through. Many jackets boast ventilation zips, allowing you to increase airflow during strenuous sections. Dedicated mountaineering and climbing shells will feature hoods large enough to fit a climbing helmet.

So, on those changeable days, pop your valuables into dry bags, grab your best women’s waterproof jacket and head for the trails. Our selection of the finest options below won’t let you down.

Lightweight women's waterproof jackets

Designed for the female physique, the Berghaus Mehan waterproof jacket is lightweight and packable, and ideal for warmer weather hiking. It is made with Hydroshell, which is Berghaus’ own waterproof and breathable technology. The lightweight 2.5 layer construction offers waterproofing, yet allows any perspiration inside the jacket to quickly transfer out. The Mehan is also one of a collection of more eco-friendly products and is has a PFC-free DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment for further waterproofing.

The fabric is stretchy, offering good freedom of movement, and there are useful zipped underarms for venting (something we particularly appreciated during our testing). Other features include soft chin guard, adjustable cuffs, dual adjustment hem, two zipped hand pockets and a peaked hood. We found the fit to be good overall, though taller women may find it a little short in the body.

Read our full Berghaus Women’s Mehan Waterproof Jacket review

This fully waterproof running jacket from Columbia is a nice fit and longer than most jackets with reflective detail.  It has elastic cuffs and drawcord adjustable waist.

It has a hood which isn’t adjustable but when tested withstood very high speed wind and it can be stowed away on dry days. There is a large chest pocket with a drawcord for easy access and the jacket can pack down into this pocket.

This jacket is fully waterproof and has that noisy crunchy sound while running but does a fantastic job at keeping you dry. It has a vented back to allow airflow and the seams are fully sealed.

Since it’s breathability is mostly provided through the back, we would recommend not wearing this jacket with a running vest or bag. If you are looking for a stylish women's waterproof jhacket at a great price then this jacket is a great option. We’d recommend that you wear it without a running vest to ensure that you don’t overheat.

Read our full Columbia OutDry Ex Lightweight Shell Jacket review

This ultralight, three-layer rain jacket is the most-gentle on the planet that you can buy. Made from 100% recycled nylon ripstop face fabric with a soft-on-the-skin tricot backer, the jacket is fair trade certified sewn. The alpine-helmet-compatible hood adjusts with a pull-to-tighten drawcord, and the hood has slightly elasticized sides that we found helped help it stay on without being overly tight.

The coated, waterproof front zipper is reinforced with an internal storm flap and a zipper garage. The jacket’s three pockets (a left-chest pocket, and two front pocket). have coated, watertight zippers welded in. The jacket self-stuffs into the left-chest pocket. A hidden Recco reflector helps rescuers find you if you’re lost or injured.

This jacket is cut for movement; it’s not too loose, not too tight, not so technical that we couldn’t wear it any day, and it had plenty of room to layer underneath when it was both rainy and cold.

Read our full Patagonia Storm 10 review

Cheap women's waterproof jackets

If you do most of your walking around sea level and don’t require a high-end jacket, and you don’t want the headache of comparing techie features, take a look at the Craghoppers’ Atlas jacket. Priced very attractively, this simple and streamlined coat ticks all the crucial boxes – it’s waterproofed to 8,000mm and repels rain effectively. It has three pockets, including one designed to fit a map snugly, and the hood is well-fitting and stays put even in wind.

This jacket is one of the heavier ones we tested, and curvy women will definitely need to order a size up to get a roomy enough fit, but if you’re after a fuss-free waterproof for low level country walks, this is a sensible choice.

Read our full Craghoppers Atlas Jacket review

A two-layer jacket so popular that it’s been in Marmot’s line for 20 years, the always affordable Precip is 100% seam taped, so it’s fully waterproof. The attached hood is adjustable and rolls into the jacket collar for storage to keep it from flapping around. Pit zips add unrestricted venting. It’s cut for freedom of movement with Velcro cuffs and an elastic drawcord waist to seal out weather.

For 2022, Precip is now also lower impact as well: the PFC-free Nylon face fabric is recycled and longer-lasting than ever thanks to a new microporous coating. We also really loved the tailored cut of this garment. An excellent jacket for the price tag - probably the best women's waterproof jacket out there for buyers on a budget. 

Read our full Marmot Precip Eco review

Multi-purpose women's waterproof jackets

For its OutDry Extreme Mesh Waterproof Hooded Shell Jacket, Columbia has put the waterproof membrane on the outside, which means a lighter and more watertight shell jacket. This waterproof jacket boasts taped seams as well as adjustable cuffs and hem and truly does keep the wet weather out when you’re trudging through a deluge. The liner isn’t the softest fabric, but it is sweat wicking and breathable, meaning you don’t miss the pit zips on milder treks.

An adjustable hood cinches tight around your head to keep it in place during high winds, and the unobtrusive peak works really well to keep the rain out of your eyes when it’s lashing down. The high collar keeps the rain from going down your front when it's zipped up, while an abrasion-resistant chin guard keeps it from rubbing. The low cut means it keeps your bum mostly dry if you want to perch on a wet rock or bench. Two hand pockets are big enough to easily stash a map or guidebook, and their stretchy mesh inner panels means the whole thing can pack inside either one making this a solid choice  – if not the most stylish – for wet weather adventures, even when you’re trying to cut down on weight and bulk.

Read our full Columbia OutDry Extreme Mesh Waterproof Hooded Shell Jacket review

Drizzle won’t stop play if you’ve got this jacket from The North Face handy. The two main factors we look for in a winter jacket are reliable rainproofing and good windproofing, and the Dryzzle really delivered on both when on test, even in heavy storms. One of the standout features is the high neck, which offers good protection and is still comfortable to wear when fully zipped up – this and the adjustable hood go far to keep your face protected. The adjustable hem and cuffs further help to get a comfortable fit that will trap in body heat on colder days. The longer hem keeps your lower torso warm, and stops the jacket riding up when worn with a backpack, too.

We like the look of the Dryzzle, which is flattering to wear and comes in smart, neutral shades – but we’d definitely recommend choosing one of the darker colorways, as the pale orange will show dirt quickly once you’ve been out on muddy adventures. 

Read our full North Face Dryzzle Futurelight Jacket review

The ‘AR’ in the Zeta jacket’s name stands for ‘All Round’, which does a good job of summing up the activities and adventures you can take on when reach for this jacket. Like all Arc’Teryx kit we’ve tested, this women's waterproof jacket is top-quality and reliably high-performing – and it comes with a price tag to match. So what do you get for such an expensive jacket? The Zeta really is excellent. It’s fully waterproof and windproof, and looks set to stay that way for years of use thanks to a Gore-Tex membrane.

A longer length offers good protection and sits nicely under a backpack even when you’re hiking all day, and the well-placed pockets are also rucksack-compatible. The hood and collar are well designed and easily adjustable to protect your face and neck. This jacket stood out on test for its versatility, too – it’s fully breathable when you’re moving fast (pit zips help) but traps in warmth when you stop, and there’s plenty of room (without being too boxy) for layers underneath. It’s basically everything we look for in a decent women's waterproof jacket – just better. If you want to treat yourself to a reliable jacket for unreliable weather, this is worth the splurge.

Read our full Arc’Teryx Zeta AR Jacket review

The fully waterproof, stretchy JWP Shell jacket is designed to be the only raincoat you need in any given situation, whether you’re in the city or out in the wilds. It has two hand pockets (one of which doubles as a stuff pocket for the jacket when you’re not wearing it), an adjustable hem and a fixed hood with changeable volume. Reflective bits help keep you safe in poor visibility, and wrist Velcro seals out moisture. The neck also zips up high, which adds warmth when it’s both wet and cold, and a cozy microfiber patch at the top of the zipper prevents chafing. 

The jacket is cut to hip length, which works perfectly when you’re also wearing rain pants, or in light precipitation, but can otherwise leave you a little exposed in heavy rain. We loved the amount of stretch, which allows you full range of motion. And both shell and lining are made from 100% recycled material, which gets a tick from us.

Read our full Jack Wolfskin JWP Shell review

On the rack, this stylish rain jacket is designed for getting moving in wet weather, repelling moisture and providing plenty of great breathability for when you work up a sweat, and has plenty of bells and whistles to help justify its premium price. The three layer active nylon shell is made from the lightest and most breathable membrane from Gore-Tex and keeps the rain at bay, and is enhanced by a high zipped collar, adjustable cuffs and hem and an adjustable hood that stays up even on the gustiest of days. The hood is designed to fit over a helmet, and the jacket is designed to run a little large so it will fit over a fleece or down jacket, making this a viable outer layer for wet spring ski days as well as for rainy hikes.

This women's waterproof jacket doesn’t pack down the smallest, and it comes with a substantial price tag, but it’s lightweight, effective, durable and looks good enough to wear around town as well as one the trails.

Read our full Adidas Terrex Myshelter Gore-Tex Active Rain Jacket review

Eddie Bauer’s Fineline 3L shell is one of the brand’s most tried and true styles. Recently, it’s been upgraded with a 100% recycled polyester three-layer fabric, and four-way stretch. Made for frontside and backcountry skiing, ice climbing when it’s wet, snowshoeing, winter peak bagging and more, this jacket has a removable snow skirt, a helmet compatible hood, and a RECCO detector to help locate you in an emergency. Full-length pit zips vent the jacket, chest pockets extend all the way to the jacket armpits, and a pass pocket on the shoulder simplifies scanning at the ski lift. The fabric in this jacket feels softer and less crinkly than most other fully waterproof shells we’ve tested, but is still fully waterproof, seam taped and breathable.

Read our full Eddie Bauer BC Fineline Jacket review

A jacket capable in all four seasons, the Kento HS has a more generous cut than many of Mammut’s very Euro-styled jackets, and this was the most robust mountain-focused jacket we tested. Mammut’s stretchy Kento HS has the heft to protect from extreme weather, including wind, rain, sleet, and more. The hood is compatible with alpine ski and climbing helmets and all of the jacket’s zippers are waterproof, including its pit zips. Load up the Kento’s chest pockets – they’re accessible with a harness on. The hood and hem adjust with drawcords, and the cuffs adjust with Velcro straps. Oversized hand pockets are big enough to hold backcountry ski-climbing skins, and the medium-cut is perfect with softshell pants or rain pants.

The Polyamide face, polyurethane membrane jacket is Bluesign-certified and uses a durable water repellent that is PFC-free. Fair Wear certification means that Mammut is working towards systematically improving working conditions throughout its supply chain. If you’re looking for one jacket for year-round use, this one is a great choice.

Read our full Mammut Kento HS Hooded Jacket review

How we test women's waterproof jackets

Our female reviewers test waterproof jackets and shell layers during rainy and snowy weather in a range of environments, from hills and peaks to coastal paths and woodlands, on day walks and longer adventures. Features (including waterproofing, breathability, ventilation, materials, style, pockets, hoods, snow skirt, weight and overall comfort) are tested against claims made by the brand, and we assess factors such as value for money, durability, functionality and environmental impact.

For more details, see how Advnture tests products.

Choosing the best women’s waterproof jacket

Knowing how to stay dry when hiking, or during any outdoor pursuit is crucial if you are out for any length of time. It’s important to scope out the best women’s waterproof jackets for you based on how and where you’ll be wearing yours. For high output activities, consider a jacket that’s ultralight and air permeable. If you’ll likely get hammered by deluges day after day, opt for a tougher jacket, and one that provides a little warmth too. If you’re buying a waterproof jacket for a specific sport, like cycling or running, pick one that has the features to make your days out the best the most comfortable they can be.

Deciding what to wear hiking is never easy, but the bottom line is this: opt for gear that provides a little more protection than you're likely to need in the worst conditions you might encounter.  

Fabric

Different outdoor brands deploy different technologies to make these jackets waterproof. Usually, an outer DWR (durable water repellency) layer is applied. This is what make raindrops bead on the surface of the jacket in such a satisfying way. Adventurers who take pride in looking after their kit can restore the DWR finish by washing a jacket with a specialist cleaning product, such as Nikwax, and then tumble-drying it. The second line of defence is the shell or barrier fabric, which gives the best rain jackets their structure, anti-abrasion protection, and determines whether it’s supple or stiff, silent or noisy.

Of course, hiking jackets tend to be heavier than the best running jackets, so if you enjoy hitting the trails at speed, these might be the better options for you.

Membrane

Attached to the outer shell is a membrane, the scientific bit of the design, which stops water soaking through but lets sweat evaporate out as vapour – to deliver so-called breathability. Many brands use GORE-TEX, the best-known membrane, but other options like Pertex Shield and eVent also exist. Many gear manufacturers have developed their own technologies along similar lines – such as The North Face with Futurelight and Revolution Race with their Hypershell Pro. The membrane is typically protected by an inner mesh. Different types of membrane provide varying degrees of waterproofing, which is usually denoted by their hydrostatic head. 

Our guide to breathable waterproof fabrics explains the differences between the various options.

Ventilation

In-store swing tags may promise that the best women's waterproof jackets are both waterproof and breathable, but the truth is that you’ll still feel sweaty climbing a hill in damp conditions with a backpack. If you've got your layering right, with a base layer and a mid layer (such as a fleece jacket), there will be times when your waterproof on top of all this is just too much, even when it's raining. Strategically designed vents and (arm) pit zips that facilitate a flow of air through the best rain jackets and can reduce condensation and leave you feeling less sweaty.

The most minimal waterproofs are running jackets, which you can wear when running in the rain. They're typically lighter and more breathable than standard waterproofs, though their protective credentials aren't as strong.

Hood

For maximum protection the hood needs to cover the whole of your head, ideally with enough space to accommodate a your best hiking hat underneath in winter. Climbers and mountaineers need to check the hood can swallow a helmet, too. The hoods of the best women's waterproof jackets move with your head (for unobstructed vision when crossing a road), so a cinch or ties are useful to secure a snug fit. Make sure any ties tuck away unless you fancy being whipped in the face when it’s windy. Finally, a stiff, wired hood will keep its shape in a gale.

Fit

The main difference between unisex models and the best women's waterproof jackets is the way they fit. However, don't be tempted to go for a jacket that fits too snuggly, as on colder days you may end up wanting to wear several layers underneath. Leave enough space for wearing a base layer and mid layers (check out our quick guide to mid layers) , such as down jackets and fleeces. Jacket length is a matter of taste – longer jackets naturally offer greater protection – and adjustable cuffs and hem will keep you warm and watertight or let you spill heat by loosening them.

Price

Remember, the most expensive jackets may or may not be the optimum choice for your needs. Balance budget and features, and rest assured that even a jacket with a membrane you’ve never heard of will likely still be great if it has the features you need. Gore-Tex remains the category leader, but it’s not the only choice.

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