A good waterproof jacket or hardshell jacket is an essential for every outdoor adventure and, in a lot of cases, it’s extremely important to have one in your backpack for safety reasons – even if good weather is forecast. Wondering which jacket is best for you? The first thing to think about is the main seasons and types of trips you’ll be needing it for.
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For any trips outside of winter, a three-season waterproof jacket will offer you the most versatility. This will protect the you from rain in the months of spring, summer and autumn when temperatures should be warmer and the weather kinder compared to winter. The best three-season hardshell jacket will be able to cope with downpours and strong winds and will come with numerous useful features. After all, walkers can experience fairly extreme weather in any month, especially if high in the mountains.
Just like with hiking boots, when the winter months come around some three-season hardshell jackets will be able to cope with the milder days at that time of year, but if you’re planning on heading out into snow and up to exposed places then something hardier, warmer and more specced-out is needed. In other words, that’s when you’ll need to be considering a four-season waterproof jacket. Most of the hardshell’s reviewed on this page are three-season but there are some, like the options from Mountain Equipment and Helly Hansen, that will be of use when winter rolls around too. Jump down to the bottom of this page if you’re looking for more information on what to look for when buying a waterproof jackets – we’ve got loads of expert advice for you there.
Left to right: the Montane Phase, the Alpkit Balance and the Tierra Back UpThis guide contains of the best hardshell jackets for 2024 according to our expert reviewers. Most of these are three-season hardshells but there are also options that will suit tough winter trips in snow too. The jackets have been chosen on the basis of their protection, breathability and durability, with weight, packability, features, fit sustainability and value influencing our decisions too.
These waterproof jackets were tested by Chris Townsend, Fiona Russell, Lucy Wallace, David Lintern and Peter Macfarlane. They were all used from spring through to autumn – and in winter, in some cases. They were all assessed for their ability to provide protection from wind and rain while also providing breathability, especially in mild temperatures. The majority of our testers are backpackers and many of the products were carried on multi-day trips and on long-distance trails throughout numerous mountain ranges and countries.
“It packs to nothing for just-in-case days, the Gore-Tex fabric is excellent, it has good-sized pockets and it gives perfect articulation with no hem movement at all.”
Pros
Cons
Montane describes the Phase Nano as the lightest and most breathable Gore-Tex waterproof jacket it offers. Weighing just 250g, it’s a jacket that offers three-layer waterproof protection alongside a bunch of useful design details, including a full length water resistant front zip, a three-point adjustable hood and shaped cuffs.
“It’s a great bit of kit,” said Peter Macfarlane who was on the jury that selected this as the best rain jacket in this year’s Great Outdoors Awards. “It packs to nothing for just-in-case days, the Gore-Tex fabric is excellent, it has good-sized pockets and it gives perfect articulation with no hem movement at all.”
It features Gore-Tex Active, a lightweight version of Gore’s three-layer waterproof fabric that’s designed for high levels of breathability. It’s specifically made for trail running but its three-way adjustable hood, big hand warmer pockets and storm flap make it a good option for summer hikes too – though the 13D fabric might be a little thin to wear with a heavily loaded pack. The phase Nano is now available for both men and women.
Available at: montane.com
From our tests, we found it to be a great three-season option that would be excellent for day hiking and backpacking.
Pros
Cons
“You’ve got everything you’d want from a good, reliable wet weather shell,” said Will Renwick who was on the jury that chose this as Highly Commended in The Great Outdoors Awards 2023. He tested the Patagonia Granite Crest over the course of a wet backpacking trip in the Lake District.
Not only is the Granite Crest PFC-free but it also uses a fabric that’s made from recycled fishing nets in order to help to reduce ocean plastic pollution. This fabric has a good quality feel to it too; it’s soft to the touch and quiet and there’s a slight stretch to it.
From our tests, we found it to be a great three-season option that would be excellent for day hiking and backpacking. It has a huge helmet-compatible hood that can be adjusted to give good protection whilst allowing visibility, the front drawcords are external ones and so are easily tightened with the jacket fully zipped up and it has a stiffened peak too – though this lacks structure and can distort in the wind.
Other features include large hand pockets, a fully sized chest pocket that can accommodate a map, and long underarm zips for ventilation.
Read our full Patagonia Granite Crest review.
Available at: cotswoldoutdoor.com
The RAB Latok is a lightweight, relaxed jacket that offers excellent coverage and protection for winter layers.
Pros
Cons
The RAB Latok is a lightweight, relaxed hardshell jacket that offers excellent coverage and protection for winter layers. Its cuffs are wide, allowing for insulated gloves and arm movement. The jacket features three external pockets with water-resistant zips and an internal zipped mesh pocket for a large smartphone. The pit zips are excellent, with a rear storm flap for waterproofing. The heavier Gore-Tex Pro fabrics, DWR and DWR, are excellent and breathable. The brand now has a ‘Material Facts’ table, explaining the amount of recycled materials and fluorocarbon use in the Latok and other equipment.
Read Peter’s full review on the Rab Latok Mountain Gore-Tex Pro Jacket – Tested in 2023
Chosen as the one of the best men’s jacket in our tests, the Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell was found to be lightweight, comfortable and tough.
Pros
Cons
Chosen as the one of the best men’s jacket in this guide, the Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell was found to be lightweight, comfortable and tough.
One of the main aspects that impressed us was the AscentShell fabric and the integration of Pertex Diamond Fuse fibres. This creates a lightweight material that is highly abrasion-resistant. Outdoor Research use a method called electro spinning here; this is essentially where thousands of tiny fibres are all joined up together into a web, with gaps that are big enough to expel moisture vapour but small enough to block out moisture in liquid form. It’s impressive stuff.
Adjusting the hood isn’t that smooth, but when done correctly, it does at least offer excellent protection. Pockets-wise, there are inner and outer ones on the chest that will just about hold a medium-size smartphone and there are handwarmer pockets too – these are cut off by a hipbelt but most of them are still usable.
Expect a roomy fit. Our tester Chris found the size Large to be comfortable over fairly thick insulated tops.
Read our full Outdoor Research Helium Ascentshell review. – Tested in 2023
Available at: outdoorresearch.com
The Namche is one of the best jackets I tested for year-round use as it’s substantial enough for severe winter weather but not too heavy or bulky for summer.
Pros
Cons
The RAB Namche is a lightweight, durable hardshell waterproof jacket suitable for year-round use, suitable for severe winter weather but not too heavy for summer. It features a PFC-free Gore-Tex ePe membrane, providing a slightly softer feel than similar jackets with old ePTFE membranes. The jacket’s face and backing fabric are 100% recycled polyester, with 50% recycled content. The minimalist design is functional, with a helmet-compatible hood for easy adjustment and a wired peak for side visibility. The jacket has only two large pockets, but they are comfortable and angled for hands. Underarm zips for ventilation are easy to use, and the cuffs are wide enough for ventilation and can be cinched tight. The RAB Namche is a superb jacket, except for a helmet-compatible hood or multiple pockets.
Read Chris’ full Rab Namche Waterproof Jacket Review – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
In all aspects the Phase XT is everything I would want in a jacket for winter use, with special mention for the hood, which is near perfect.
Pros
Cons
The Phase XT is a reliable winter jacket with a standard Gore-Tex membrane and 70D face fabric and backer. It features a hood that can easily swallow a climbing helmet and offers good face protection. The hardshell jacket has big hand pockets, an internal valuables pocket, and underarm zips for venting. The cuffs are floppy to fit over insulated gloves with padded wrists, which could result in wet gloves and wrists in foul weather. Overall, the Phase XT is perfect for winter use, with the hood being near perfect.
Read Lucy Wallace’s full Montane, Women’s Phase XT review – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
The somewhat retro style also brings a strangely comforting sense of nostalgia. The price is good for such a high-spec jacket.
Pros
Cons
The Sprayway Torridon is a waterproof jacket designed to provide freedom of movement and layering. It features a longer length at the rear and arms, a hood with good volume, and a Velcro tab for easy adjustment. The jacket offers a robust outer shell, two-way pit zips, double stormguard, and stud and Velcro fastening. The zipped hand pockets are large and useful, and it adheres to eco and ethical standards. The three-color panelling design provides visibility and a retro style, making it a good value rain jacket for its high-spec price.
Read Fiona’s full Sprayway Torridon women’s jacket review – Tested in 2023
At £350, the Arc’teryx Beta is one of the more expensive options out there, but it is at least very high in quality.
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Cons
At £350, the Arc’teryx Beta is one of the more expensive options out there, but it is at least very high in quality.
It uses a three-layer Gore-tex fabric, including a light shell layer, the membrane underneath and then a C-knit backer which helps to wick moisture and to protect the membrane from abrasion and body oils (which can block up the membrane’s pores).
The fabric has a durable feel to it, but the rain jacket is still lightweight and packable, so Arc’teryx have struck a really good balance here.
Features include a soft fabric chin guard, an adjustable helmet-friendly hood, Velcro cuffs and glove-friendly zip pulls. There are three zipped pockets, including two hand pockets at the right height for wearing with a rucksack, as well as an internal zipped laminated pocket that is big enough to accommodate a large smartphone.
Read Fiona’s full Arc’teryx Beta jacket review. – Tested in 2023
Available at: ellis-brigham.com
Sure, £270 is still a sizeable wedge for quite a simple garment; but you do get a waterproof with tried and tested features plus strong build quality that means it should last several seasons.
Pros
Cons
The Makalu from Mountain Equipment went down well in our tests, mainly due to its tried-and-tested features and strong build quality. It’s not the most expensive jacket in the test – although at £270 it’s still quite a sizeable amount of money to part with. But for that you get a well-designed, robust and versatile waterproof that should last several seasons.
Its main body is 100% recycled 50 denier, with tougher 75 denier on the wear points. The entire shell has been treated with a PFC-free (less environmentally damaging) DWR to repel water.
A standard Gore-Tex waterproof membrane is employed here. It’s not the top spec Gore-Tex Pro but the quality is still impressive.
Our tester’s favourite aspect of this rain jacket is the hood. They found it roomy and adjustable and they liked that it has a stiffened brim and a wire peak.
See our full review of the Mountain Equipment Women’s Makalu Jacket review. – Tested in 2023
Available at: cotswoldoutdoor.com
For winter mountains this is a great jacket. It is quite heavy though and overkill for summer.
Pros
Cons
Helly Hansen provided an XL size Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 waterproof jacket, allowing it to be worn over an insulated jacket without feeling tight. This jacket is designed for burly winter weather and is lightweight and stiff. The front pockets are double-layer, providing excellent breathability. The hood is helmet-compatible and can be closed around a hat or bare head. The jacket has large pockets that can hold a large amount of gear, with double zip pullers for easy access. A smaller chest pocket is ideal for a compass or smartphone. The underarm zips have double zip pullers, but they are stiff and awkward to use. Wide cuffs fit over gloves and allow ventilation. While this jacket is great for winter mountains, it is heavy and overkill for summer.
Read Chris Townsend’s full Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Review – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
Given how protective its waterproof fabric, this is a good jacket to turn to when stormy weather is forecast. It’s also got some excellent eco credentials
Pros
Cons
Given how protective its waterproof fabric, this is a good jacket to turn to when stormy weather is forecast. It’s also got some excellent eco credentials as its 100% PFC free and made using recycled materials.
The jacket has a protective hood and big pockets, the comfort is good as the fabric isn’t as stiff or noisy as some heavy-duty ones and the breathability is also good, with the inside only getting a little damp with condensation during our tests. The zipped side vents helped here as did the wide cuffs, which allow ventilation to the sleeves.
Worn over just a light mid layer and a base layer the fit is quite loose, which creates freedom of movement and also allows for a thicker layer of insulation underneath in the colder months.
Read Chris Townsend’s full Helly Hansen Odin 1 World Infinity review – Tested in 2023
Available at: hellyhansen.com
For mountaineering where a climbing helmet is worn the Triolet is an excellent jacket. It works fine for hillwalking too, if you can manage with the over-sized hood.
Pros
Cons
The Triolet is a waterproof jacket designed for alpine workhorses, featuring a helmet-compatible hood and a RECCO reflector for searchability by rescuers. The fabric is soft and flexible, similar to Rab Namche, and offers comparable breathability to the Gore-Tex ePTFE membrane. The hood is large and can be cinched down around a hat or bare head, providing excellent protection. The two large chest pockets hold maps but are not suitable for handwarmers. The underarm zips run freely and have double zip pullers, allowing for easy opening or closing. The cuffs are wide enough for ventilation and fit over gloves. The Triolet is an excellent choice for mountaineering and hillwalking, especially if a climbing helmet is worn. The jacket is suitable for both mountaineering and hillwalking, provided the over-sized hood is worn.
Read Chris Townsend’s full Patagonia Triolet Waterproof Jacket Review – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
The Back Up is well-priced and a good choice if you’re not looking for a jacket for winter storms.
Pros
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Contact us to discuss your requirements of jacket bulk. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Tierra are a Swedish company that specialise in wet weather gear – no less than the Swedish Alpine Mountain Rescue association are equipped with their kit.
This particular jacket, the Back Up, uses Gore-Tex Paclite. This has a hydrostatic head of 28,000mm, high levels of breathability and it’s also lightweight and packable – all the right ingredients of a backpacking jacket then.
The Tierra Back Up hood fits well and has external front drawcords and cordlocks, making it easy to adjust. The hood isn’t helmet-compatible, so there isn’t masses of material to cinch down when you’re not wearing one. The peak is small and it’s not very stiff.
The pockets are roomy. Unfortunately they’re cut off when wearing a backpack with a hipbelt but the top of them can still be used. There are no chest or inner pockets.
One extra feature that will be useful in the summer months is a stuff sack that doubles as a midge net!
Read Chris Townsend’s full Tierra Back Up review. – Tested in 2023
Available at: tierra.com
The Velez Adventure Smock is warmer than a conventional waterproof jacket, so you don’t need to wear as much under it. I find it excellent in cold winter weather.
Pros
Cons
Paramo waterproof jackets have two layers of material, one for wind deflection and the other for moisture removal. They are effective when kept clean and treated with Nikwax TX.Direct. They are breathable and comfortable, but not light and best worn all day. The Velez Adventure Smock is designed for high-energy activities in cold and wet conditions, offering excellent ventilation with two long two-way front zips and zipped upper arm vents. The hood has a wired peak for protection without hindering vision. The smock has a large kangaroo pocket for maps and other items, a small zipped pocket inside for compass and phone, and another zipped pocket across the front. The main front zips can be partially unzipped to warm hands. The Velez Adventure Smock is warmer than conventional waterproof jackets, making it ideal for cold winter weather.
Read Chris Townsend’s full Paramo Velez Adventure Smock Review, – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
It’s the most expensive jacket in my selection, and the weightiest. If this doesn’t put you off, it’s definitely worth a look as a comfortable and practical mountain shell for winter,
Pros
Cons
The Bergtagen Eco-Shell W is a waterproof jacket that uses Fjallraven’s proprietary membrane instead of Gore-Tex. It stayed dry and comfortable during a three-day expedition in the mountains in December. The jacket is made from 70% recycled polyamide and protected by a PFC-free DWR finish. It features large pockets, venting zips, generous cuffs, and a Recco Reflector. The hood is large and may be too big for some, possibly due to its size. The Bergtagen Eco-Shell W is the most expensive and weightiest jacket in the selection, but it is a comfortable and practical mountain shell for winter with a smaller ecological footprint. It is worth a look if you’re looking for a comfortable and practical winter shell.
Read Lucy Wallace’s full Fjallraven, Bergtagen Eco-Shell W Review – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
The Odin is a durable, high-quality waterproof jacket suitable for winter layers However, the rain jacket loses a point in the scoring due to its lack of environmental or ethical considerations
Pros
Cons
The Odin is a durable, high-quality waterproof jacket suitable for winter layers, with a softer chinguard and a wide internal storm gasket on the front zip. It is one of the heavier jackets in our guide to the best waterproofs. The hood is too big for hillwalking and the peak is short and wired. The jacket is breathable and has five pockets, two internal pockets, a sleeve pocket, a Recco Rescue System diode, and an antenna-based passive transponder for safety. The bright yellow color is great for mountain safety. However, the rain jacket loses a point in the scoring due to its lack of environmental or ethical considerations and its high price.
Read Fiona’s full Jöttnar Odin Jacket review – Tested in 2023
Perhaps not a rain jacket for the depths of winter but it is a light, simple, cheap and more environmentally-friendly option for backpacking and hillwalking.
Pros
Cons
The Rab Arc Eco was given Gold in our TGO awards for sustainability and it has really stood out from the other men’s waterproofs here too. On test since last autumn, the fully recycled fabric has so far resisted wear and tear, with the 20,000 hydrostatic head and 15,000 MVTR (breathability rating), continuing to keep us completely dry.
Our tester found the cut of the jacket is quite long, and perhaps overly roomy at the chest, but this does at least allow for layering. The sleeves are Velcro-adjusted, and the hem adjusted by two toggles. As for pockets, there are only two very large handwarmers, situated just high enough to be useable whilst wearing a rucksack.
Perhaps not a rain jacket for the depths of winter but it is a light, simple, cheap and more environmentally-friendly option for backpacking and hillwalking.
Read our David Lintern’s full Rab Arc Eco review. – Tested in 2023
The overall fit of this rain jacket is fairly relaxed, especially compared to trimmer fitting shells, with room for a layer or two underneath.
Pros
Cons
£170 is excellent value for a rain jacket of this calibre. It’s light, it’s durable, it’s breathable and protective and it’s well furnished with features – there’s a lot to like here.
It’s not quite as nice to wear as a 3-layer shell if you’re forced to keep it on for extended periods but the inner face does at least have a built-in carbon backer instead of a clingy drop liner or printed ‘half-layer’ like many cheaper 2.5-layer PU-based shells and that means it provides reasonable comfort levels. We found that it only started to feel a bit clammy when really working hard uphill.
The one-way, water-resistant main zip has an internal storm flap and a comfortable microfibre chin guard. The two hand pockets are a decent size and are placed high enough to stay out of the way of a backpack hip belt. The pocket zips aren’t watertight but they do have double storm flaps – so there’s peace of mind there.
The overall fit of this hardshell jacket is fairly relaxed, especially compared to trimmer fitting shells, with room for a layer or two underneath.
Read our full Berghaus Paclite Dynak Gore-Tex review. – Tested in 2023
Available at: berghaus.com
it’s a jacket that inspires confidence, built from 100% recycled 75 denier polyamide, with a Gore-Tex membrane, it’s reassuringly tough and waterproof. The eco-credentials are better than most.
Pros
Cons
The Roc Flash GTX hardshell jacket is a practical and stylish choice for outdoor enthusiasts. It features roomy external hand pockets, an internal valuables pocket, and a cuff that slides over insulated gloves. The jacket also has underarm zips for venting and a Recco reflector for quick rescue in winter. However, the hood is tight and the laminate panel in the peak doesn’t hold its shape in strong wind. Despite these issues, the jacket is built from 100% recycled 75 denier polyamide and has a Gore-Tex membrane, making it tough and waterproof. Haglofs has achieved these eco-credentials at a competitive price point.
Read Lucy Wallace’s full Haglofs Roc Flash GTX Women Review – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
Our equipment editor Chris Townsend is known globally as a writer on hiking and backpacking skills and equipment, the author of 25 books – many of them award-winning – and as a record-setting long-distance hiker. He was the first person to complete a continuous round of all the Scottish Munros and Tops and the first person to complete a continuous walk the length of the Canadian Rockies. He has also walked the Scottish Watershed and walked coast-to-coast across Scotland 18 times. In the USA he has walked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail and Arizona Trail plus several self-devised long walks. Other walks include south-to-north through the mountains of Norway and Sweden and 1000 miles through the Yukon Territory. He has also worked as a Nordic ski tour leader in Scandinavia and other places and as a trek leader in the Himalayas.
Lucy is a Mountain Leader (Summer, Winter and International), and wildlife guide who has worked professionally in the outdoors since 2007. She is based on Arran and works throughout Britain, Europe and Tanzania, on everything from environmental conservation, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme to Mountain Leader training and assessments. She has tested and reviewed outdoor gear for various titles since 2012 and joined the review team in 2019.
Fiona is better known as Fiona Outdoors, a journalist and award-winning outdoors writer. She lives in the Scottish Highlands and enjoys hillwalking, trail and hill running, back country skiing, sea kayaking, off-road cycling and wild swimming. She was introduced to hillwalking while at the University of Newcastle in the early 1990s. Fiona has compleated the Munros and is now working through her Corbetts.
Peter combines a life in the outdoors with an engineering background to consult on gear design and carry out pre-production testing. His outdoors journey started with the scouts in the 70’s and drew him into the Scottish hills, where you’ll find him in every season, often with a tent. Peter tests gear throughout the highlands, as well during his regular work as a Woodland Trust ranger.
David is the deputy editor of The Great Outdoors. He looks after the narrative features and coordinates gear reviews for the magazine. He has been hillwalking since the late 90’s, and an outdoor writer and photographer since 2011. His very first feature was with The Great Outdoors. He has since produced three award winning books and worked as an editor, journalist, TV researcher, location scout and photography tutor. In addition to walking and backpacking, he’s a keen packrafter, cyclist and winter mountaineer, and a learner climber and skier. He has been lost and found in the Indian Himalaya, the Sierra Nevada (both of them!), the Pyrenees, the Alps, Arctic Lapland and all over Britain.
Finding the right waterproof jacket can greatly enhance your comfort and performance in adverse weather conditions. It’s also absolutely crucial from a safety perspective. First and foremost, the main things to assess when choosing a rain jacket are the levels of waterproofness and breathability as these determine its ability to keep you dry while allowing moisture to escape. Additionally, consider the hardshell jacket’s durability, weight, and packability to match your intended activities and environment. If you like to move fast and light, for instance, then a lightweight 2.5-layer shell that’s light on features will be best for you. Conversely, if you’re into your winter mountaineering then you’ll want a more durable shell – 3-layer perhaps – with pockets and lots of adjustment.
Pay attention to features like hood design: is there adjustment so that it will hold in high winds? And pocket placement: will they be accessible when you’re wearing a baclpack with a hipbelt? You’ll also want to take into account the jacket’s fit and sizing to ensure optimal comfort and freedom of movement – many of our full individual jacket reviews will specify whether a jacket is true to size or not. If we don’t specify in the review, please feel free to get in touch with us directly to ask.
Finally there’s the sustainability side of things. If you’re conscious of the environmental impact of products, check whether any recycled materials are present and also whether the materials can go on to be recycled when the jacket comes to the end of its life. Some jackets these days still come with PFCs. These are water resistant chemicals that often escape through our washing machines and into the world’s water supplies where they stay for a very long time. Studies have found these in the world’s deepest oceans and even on the summit of Everest!
Fabric
The type of fabric determines how ‘breathable’ a garment will be. More expensive fabrics are usually more breathable than cheaper ones. The thickness of a fabric affects durability. The thinnest ones are lighter in weight but less suitable for prolonged wear or rough usage. The best quality rain jackets will have three-layer waterproof fabrics. This means that the membrane is sandwiches between a protective outer shell fabric and an inner lining that keeps the membrane protected from abrasion and from dirt from your body oils and sweat. 2.5-layer fabrics, where the inner lining is sprayed or printed onto the inside of the jacket, tend to be employed by lightweight waterproof jackets. Then you have 2 layer jackets which are usually low in cost. These have a membrane, an outer fabric and then usually a mix of mesh and non-technical polyester fabric on the inside.
DWR
Most waterproof fabrics have a durable water repellency (DWR) treatment that causes rain to bead up and run off the garment. Whilst no DWR is really durable the best for many years were fluorocarbons (PFCs). However, these have been found to be harmful to health and to persist a very long time in food chains and the environment, so they are being phased out and replaced with more environmentally friendly though usually less durable alternatives. Whatever the DWR it will wear off eventually, so the outer starts to soak up water. This doesn’t mean the jacket is leaking but it does mean breathability will be reduced so condensation will occur more readily. The DWR can be replaced with various wash-in and spray-on treatments.
Hood
On the best waterproof jackets, hoods should be easily adjusted and ideally move with your head. A wired or stiffened peak is useful in wind driven rain. Helmet-compatible hoods should have volume adjusters so they can be reduced in size without affecting your vision for non-helmet wear.
Front Closure
Water-resistant zips are now standard in the best waterproof jackets. These are not fully waterproof all the time and should have an inner flap to repel any rain that gets through. A standard zip with external and internal flaps is more secure but found on few garments these days.
Ventilation
Underarm/side zips can be awkward to use but do allow good ventilation at a crucial place. Often used in rain jackets when the front zip has to be fully closed. Zips that curve under the armpits are effective but the most difficult to adjust. Pockets can be opened for ventilation too if they are mesh lined.
Cuffs
Cuffs that can be opened wide are good for ventilation in the arms. Elasticised and narrow cuffs on rain jackets can lead to sweaty wrists.
Pockets
Whilst not essential, pockets that are accessible when wearing a rucksack hipbelt are useful for items like compass, phone, snacks, map (if large enough), hat and gloves and feature on many of the best waterproof jackets. Pockets can leak though so need water-resistant zips and/or covering flaps.
Fit
For the most efficient breathability, the best waterproof jackets should fit fairly closely. At the same time, they shouldn’t be so tight that they restrict movement. And a rain jacket should fit comfortably over all the layers you might need to wear underneath it. Size labels should be taken as a guide only – they’re not consistent between makes.
Waterpoofing, breathability, adjustment, fit, features, sustainability and of course price. There’s a lot to consider, but by carefully weighing these up you can make a well-informed choice and invest in a waterproof shell that could serve you well and for a long, long time.
If you want to know how to stay dry when hiking in the rain, it’s important to consider a rain jacket’s waterproofness and breathability. If the weather is wet and warm, the fabric needs to have the capacity to let the moisture created by sweat to escape, otherwise you will end up damp inside the rain jacket. These days there are excellent waterproof and breathable membranes (which are also windproof). Most jackets also have a durable waterproof repellency (DWR) treatment added to the outer layer of fabric.
The waterproofness of a rain jacket is measured by determining the height of a column of water that the fabric can withstand before it starts to leak through. The resulting figure is known as the hydrostatic head (HH) and this is expressed in millimetres – the higher the number, the more waterproof the jacket is considered to be.
The breathability of waterproof garments is determined by the “Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate” (MVTR). This test measures the amount of water vapor that can pass through the jacket’s fabric over a given period of time. The unit of measurement used is typically grams per square meter per 24 hours (g/m²/24h). The higher the MVTR rating, the more breathable the jacket is considered to be.
Finally, colour choice may seem less important but a brighter shade will allow you to be more easily seen should you get into difficulty. Black, dark blues and greens blend in rather than stand out. Also, very light shades will show the dirt quickly.
Hydroshell (Berghaus) – HH: 15,000 mm | MVTR: 20,000 g/m²/24h (official)
Dermizax EV – HH: 25,000 mm | MVTR: 20,000 g/m²/24h (official)
Unbranded (Alpkit Balance) – HH: 20,000 mm | MVTR: 20,000 g/m²/24h (official)
Polartec Power Shield – HH: 20,000 mm | MVTR: 20,000 g/m²/24h (official)
Futurelight (The North Face) – HH: Unknown | MVTR: 75,000 g/m²/24h (official)
Pertex Shield – HH: 20,000 mm | MVTR: 20,000 g/m²/24h (estimated)
H2No (Patagonia) – HH: 10,000mm to 20,000 mm | MVTR: 12,000 – 15,000 g/m²/24h (estimated)
Omni-Tech (Columbia) – HH: 10,000 mm | MVTR: 10,000 g/m²/24h (estimated)
eVent – HH: 30,000 | MVTR: 15,000 to 25,000 g/m²/24h (estimated)
Gore-tex – HH: 28,000 mm | MVTR: 17,000 g/m²/24h (estimated)
Gore-tec Paclite – HH: 28,000 mm | MVTR:15,000 g/m²/24h (estimated)
Gore-tex Pro – HH 28,000 mm | MVTR: 25,000 g/m²/24h (estimated)
Looking after waterproof jackets can be trickier than a normal piece of clothing; they require a certain amount of upkeep if they are to continue to keep you dry and perform well for a long time. Dirty rain jackets don’t let body moisture through very well, so you get damp from condensation building up inside the rain jacket as you sweat quicker. The Durable Water Repellency (DWR) treatment on the outside of hardshell jackets that causes rain to bead and run off rather than soak in can also wear off and need replacing over time. This also leads to condensation as the garment is then less breathable.
There are two main elements to waterproof jacket care: washing, and restoring the jacket’s DWR treatment. Our guide on how to look after your waterproof jacket will further help you to understand common problems with hardshells, rain jackets and how to manage them.
Whether you’re camping, commuting or just running errands around town, the best rain jacket protects you from even the worst downpours and is an essential piece of waterproof hiking gear. We tested 22 top-rated jackets from popular brands like The North Face, Patagonia and Arc’teryx for their waterproofness, breathability, durability and more to find the best option out there. And after more than three months of testing, only one rain jacket stood out above the rest.
Whether you’re an avid hiker or just need protection from the rain during your commute, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is the one rain jacket you should buy.
Since we couldn’t rely on frequent heavy rainstorms to test the waterproofness of our jackets, we hopped in the shower for at least 5 minutes with each one to see if we would stay dry. It turns out showers, which on average dump 2.1 gallons per minute, are surprisingly good at simulating extreme rainfall.
During our indoor monsoon, the Torrentshell kept us completely dry, with only a tiny bit of water trickling in from the gap at the neck when we’d look up and from the cuffs when we’d raise our arms (which was typical of every jacket we tested, although some let tons of water in through the neck — more on that below). The Torrentshell’s three-layer shell meets the brand’s H2No Performance Standard and it kept us just as dry as jackets with Gore-Tex, probably the most well-known and trusted waterproof material in the outdoor industry.
The Torrentshell’s durable water-repellent (DWR) coating worked perfectly, causing any water that hit the shell to bead and run right off, preventing water from soaking into the jacket and pooling (which happened with a few other jackets we tested). Plus, since water runs right off, we could easily shake the Torrentshell dry after our test. This means you’ll never have to walk into work with a drenched jacket again. One thing to note is that the DWR on any jacket naturally deteriorates. Once you notice that water isn’t beading up anymore, it’s time to wash it and re-activate the water-repellent layer (more on how to do this and take care of your jacket below).
All the Torrentshell’s zippers are protected by a flap that didn’t allow a drop of water through, even when we pointed the shower’s stream directly onto them. So, unlike most of the jackets we tested — which didn’t have fully waterproofed zippers, allowing water to slowly (and sometimes not so slowly) leak through both the main zipper and the pockets — the Torrentshell protects your phone and other items from getting waterlogged.
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One aspect of the waterproofness test where the Patagonia fell short was its hood. While many other jackets had super-sturdy storm hoods, the Torrentshell’s wasn’t as large or stiff. The heavy stream from the shower caused the hood to bend slightly, so the water would sometimes run down our face. To compare, the Arc’teryx Beta LT had our favorite hood, which maintained its shape in the shower and kept the water far from our face. The only other wetness we experienced with the Torrentshell was water pooling up in the jacket’s hem, which happened with most other jackets we tested, too.
The Patagonia Torrentshell is super packable (though not as packable as the teeny tiny Outdoor Research Helium) and stuffs into its own pocket. It was also one of the more breathable jackets we tested. Whether you’re hiking through the backcountry or running late for work, you won’t feel as hot and muggy as with other jackets. Plus, its pit vents mean there’s an easy way to dump heat if you’re starting to build up a sweat.
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While some of the other jackets we tested felt sticky, clammy or even itchy against our bare skin, the Torrentshell had one of the more comfortable interior materials, behind only The North Face’s Dryzzle, the Arc’teryx Beta LT and the Columbia OutDry Extreme Wyldwood Shell Jacket. It also proved quite durable by comparison. After rubbing it on concrete, it had a tiny, hard-to-notice hole. The only jackets that performed better in our second round of testing were the Arc’teryx Beta and the Jack Wolfskin Elsberg 2.5L.
Although the Torrentshell took some light damage, what’s great about this jacket (and all Patagonia apparel) is the brand’s Ironclad Guarantee. This warranty lets you send your clothes and gear in to get repaired (in most cases for free) at any time. Patagonia had the best warranty and repair policy of any jacket we looked at, which means if you’re willing to bring it into a store or mail it off to get fixed, the Torrentshell could last you decades.
Outdoor gear isn’t always the most eye-pleasing, which is why we love the Torrentshell’s variety of color options. As of publication, the men’s version is available in nine colors via Patagonia’s site and eight via REI, while the women’s comes in nine colors at both Patagonia and REI. Plus, it’s available in six sizes from XS to 3XL in men’s and XS to XXSL in women’s.
Kai Burkhardt/CNN
Rain jackets are a surprisingly complicated subject, so it’s good to know a little about what you’re getting into when buying one. The first thing to know is what these jackets are made out of. For years brands have innovated waterproof materials that can also be breathable, soft and comfortable. If all you want is protection from the rain, you can easily use a plastic poncho, but if you want to move around and not immediately start sweating, you’ll want to opt for a breathable rain jacket.
The most famous of these materials is Gore-Tex, which you’ve likely seen used in tons of brands and products, including coats, shoes and even gloves. But other brands, like Patagonia or The North Face, have created their own versions of waterproof fabrics that work in the same basic way. These fabrics are both waterproof and breathable because they have tiny pores too small to allow droplets of water through but big enough for the air and vapor from your body to escape.
This porous membrane is key to a coat’s waterproofness and is also part of the layering system you’ll see in the names and descriptions of rain jackets. There are two-layer, 2.5-layer and three-layer jackets which tell you about the build of the jacket.
A two-layer jacket essentially has only the outer material with a waterproof membrane on the inside. A 2.5-layer jacket has the same construction but with a sprayed or printed material on the inside to protect the membrane. Finally, a three-layer jacket has its outer material and a waterproof membrane as well as a whole other layer on the inside. There are differences in terms of the weight and feel between all three but for optimal waterproofness and durability, nothing beats a three-layer jacket. Its extra material completely protects the internal membrane so dirt and oils from your skin can’t clog the pores and make it less breathable.
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
The other key to waterproofness is a jacket’s durable water repellent or DWR. This is a coating applied to the outside of a rain jacket so water can bead up and run right off. DWR coatings stop working after a while which leads to the outer layer of a jacket soaking water. The internal membrane still keeps you dry but since that outer layer is filled with water, it will be harder for your sweat vapor to escape, making your jacket less breathable. You can re-activate your DWR coating by washing your jacket with a proper, technical detergent such as Nikwax.
You’ll often see ratings for waterproofness with the measurement of millimeters, which can be a little confusing. Waterproofness is denoted this way because it’s rated using the static-column test. This test consists of putting the material at the bottom of a 1-inch-diameter tube before filling it with water until the material leaks. The millimeter measurement is how tall this water column can get before the materials fail and water gets through; the higher the number, the more waterproof it is.
Other than waterproofness and breathability, you’ll want to look for different features depending on what you plan on doing. Lots of pockets help with a commute, a storm hood is great if you get caught in a storm on a hike, weight and packability are essential for backpackers and if you’re a climber or biker, you’ll want a helmet-compatible hood.
If you’ve looked into buying a rain jacket, ski gear or even hiking boots in the past year, you’ve probably seen brands tout how their gear is newly “PFAS-free.” We have an entire explainer on the topic you can read, but you should know a few things about PFAS when shopping for jackets.
“PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” said Dr. Joel Hartter, a professor of sustainability at the University of Colorado. “It’s a broad term encompassing a large group of human-made chemicals with specific properties. These chemicals share a carbon-fluorine bond structure that makes them very stable and resistant to degradation.” This resistance to degradation is where the chemicals get their nickname: “forever chemicals.”
Since the 1940s and ’50s, PFAS have been used in everything from Teflon frying pans to rain jackets. “Their widespread use stems from their ability to provide products with qualities that are highly valued in consumer goods and industrial applications — durability, stain resistance and water repellency, among others,” said Hartter. Unfortunately, these chemicals aren’t great for humans or the planet. But now governments are finally catching on, and according to Safer States, over 450 policies have been introduced in 35 states to protect people from toxic chemicals.
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
While certain states have banned PFAS in textiles, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should throw away your rain jacket and buy a new one. “Some exposures in some forms have been shown to have a link to birth defects and cancers, but it might [be] important to note that NONE have been shown from wearing a garment with PFAS intentionally added (durable water repellency, for example) — but the creation of those materials and the workers exposed to it during production would certainly see elevated risks to their health,” says Alex Lauver, Outdoor Research’s sustainability lead and co-chair of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition.
However, Hartter says you might want to consider how long and how often you wear a PFAS-laden jacket to make your decision. “Occasional use likely poses a lower risk than frequent or long-term wear. Direct contact between the jacket and your skin, especially for extended periods, increases potential exposure. Certain health conditions or compromised immune systems might make individuals more susceptible to PFAS effects.”
Both Hartter and Lauver encourage consumers to think long and hard before they toss out their old jackets and buy a new, PFAS-free one. “If you own/wear/love a current jacket with intentionally added PFAS, the best thing might be to ensure it has a long life and dispose of it correctly when it’s worn out,” said Lauver. Hartter echoes this too and says, “While the presence of PFAS in older products is not ideal, the decision to replace a jacket should be weighed against the environmental cost of disposal. Simply throwing it away might contribute to landfill waste and doesn’t prevent the PFAS from eventually entering the environment. Look into recycling programs or ways to repurpose the jacket for continued use.”
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
Since PFAS have been phased out of the rain jacket market (all the jackets we tested in our latest round of testing were PFAS-free), you may wonder if these new jackets will be as waterproof as before. “Companies are replacing PFAS in rain jackets with PFC-free durable water-repellent (DWR) treatments, new polymer technologies that are more environmentally friendly, natural wax-based coatings and tightly woven fabrics that mechanically repel water. Other companies are ahead of the curve and are already designing PFAS-free, high-performance rain jackets,” says Hartter.
Some elements of these alternatives, however, might not be as durable as PFAS. “PFAS is very good at what it does, so as we shift away from fluorinated chemistries, there will be performance sacrifices,” says Lauver. “First and foremost, many do not have the oleophobicity (oil repellency) of fluorinated versions. That means your DWR (water beading on the outside) will not be as durable. Generally, you can wash and re-treat (with Nikwax for example) to improve, but you will need to do it much more often.” Lauver recommends washing your rain jacket to ensure it maintains its performance about twice per season, depending on how often you use it.
To find the best rain jacket, we tested everything from waterproofness and breathability to fit, feel and packability. We broke up our tests into three categories — performance, durability and versatility — so we could compare the different features of each jacket against the others directly. Here’s a full breakdown of all the tests we ran.
Performance
Durability
Versatility
This jacket was fantastic, but it fell short in a few tests. The fact it didn’t blow the other jackets out of the water, paired with the highest price tag in our testing pool, makes this jacket a tough purchase to justify. As we said earlier, it had our favorite hood, plus its waterproofness and breathability performance were stellar. Its zippers, however, are only water-resistant, not waterproof, and both our shirt and the tissues in our pockets got a bit wet. You can save money and get a slightly better jacket with the Patagonia Torrentshell.
This jacket was another one of our favorites, and while it didn’t score extremely high, it was solidly waterproof and breathable. The interior is a bit sticky and feels clammy against our skin, but if you’re an avid hiker or backpacker, the Helium’s extreme packability just might be enough to sell you. It was the lightest jacket we tested, weighing only 6.26 ounces. For reference, the next lightest was about 7.5 ounces and the next after that was nearly 10 ounces. Additionally, the Helium stuffs down into its sole chest pocket into a tiny package that’s about the size of our hand. So, if you’re searching for the lightest jacket you can throw in your backpack for a thru-hike and don’t care as much about comfort or durability, the Helium is a great choice.
This Patagonia rain jacket is slightly lighter than the Torrentshell, has a comfortable interior and was completely waterproof except for the pockets in our tests. It wasn’t as durable in our rub tests, and although it’s backed by Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee, the Torrentshell is the better pick, especially considering the price.
Jack Wolfskin has been PFAS-free since 2019, but the Elsberg couldn’t quite compete with the Torrentshell. It’s lightweight, flexible and a great packable jacket, but it only has a 2.5-layer membrane versus the Torrentshell’s three-layer one. Similar to all the other 2.5-layer jackets we tried in our most recent round of testing, it had a couple of wet spots come through in the shower and the interior lining was damp.
This was one of the stretchiest jackets we tested and it’s very light at just 8.5 ounces. However, after our shower test, we had a few wet spots and we felt hotter after our breathability tests than in our winner. For just $15 more, we think the Torrentshell is a better value.
This stylish jacket has a loose fit and lots of stretch, but it also had wet pockets, a wet hem and interior dampness after our shower test. It was also one of the least breathable jackets we tested, and for $275, we think you’d be better off with the Torrentshell.
The newly revised Beta is weirdly lighter (and $50 cheaper) than the Beta LT, and performed nearly as well as the Patagonia Torrentshell in our waterproof tests, only suffering some slightly wet pockets after 5 minutes in the shower. The Beta’s durability really stood out in our second round of testing, as it was only one of two jackets to rub against concrete and come out unscathed (the other was the Jack Wolfskin Elsberg). However, for $400, we think it’s too pricey when the Torrentshell is just as good.
Cotopaxi has a warranty and repair policy that rivals Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee, but we got some wet spots when wearing the Cielo in the shower. That, coupled with its clammy interior feel, took it out of the running for our top spot.
Columbia’s OutDry technology puts the brand’s waterproof membrane on the outside of the jacket instead of the inside. This means you don’t get that gross, clammy and cold feeling with this jacket, but also that the membrane is more susceptible to damage. In our testing, it was just as waterproof as our winner, with just one wet tissue, but it felt hotter after our bike ride. The pockets are strangely designed and hard to get into, and the aesthetic of the jacket isn’t for everyone either.
The REI Co-op jacket was surprisingly waterproof and outperformed jackets that cost $100 more. However, it was quite hot during our breathability test and it has a lot of material, making it feel bulky and awkward. While this jacket didn’t beat the others, it’s decent for its price.
Lightweight, surprisingly comfortable, and waterproof enough for mellow strolls and short hikes near town, Frogg Toggs’ Xtreme Lite Rain Jacket was one of the cheapest on our testing roster but also one of the least durable. Though the garment’s arms and hood were adequately taped to survive ten minutes of a torrential showerhead downpour, the entire length of the front zipper soaked through, due to being made with ordinary fabric. As such, we can’t recommend it for big-mile days or heavy backcountry use, but it would make a half-decent emergency poncho.
The North Face’s Dryzzle jacket features the brand’s waterproof technology, Futurelight. This membrane is just like Gore-Tex, promising extreme waterproofing while maintaining breathability. We were quite impressed with the Dryzzle, especially the feel of the jacket both inside and out. However, it didn’t quite separate itself from other great jackets we tested. Our biggest gripe was the quality of the DWR coating on the jacket. When water hit this jacket it didn’t immediately bead up and shed like many others we tested. In some places, we could see visible spots where the water was soaking into the outer layer. It was one of our highest-scoring jackets, but with a lackluster DWR coating and a higher price tag than our winner, we can’t recommend it.
This jacket was one of the cheapest we tested but surprised us with its solid scores throughout our testing process. It was solidly waterproof, decently breathable and an overall fantastic jacket. It didn’t score as high as the Torrentshell, mostly due to its sticky interior. We plan to try the new version of the Rainier in our next round of testing.
The Zeta SL from Arc’teryx was another high-scoring jacket, coming in right around the top. It’s super waterproof and breathable, and its interior feels relatively comfortable. However, like the other Arc’teryx jacket we tested, its zippers aren’t fully waterproof, only water-resistant. It also doesn’t have as many extra features as the Torrentshell, which was disappointing for a $300 jacket.
This jacket from REI Co-op was another high scorer but just didn’t do well enough to edge out the competition. It’s also a discontinued item, so it’s only available in one color and stock will eventually run out. Even at a massively discounted price, it’s more expensive than our winner, so while it’s a solid jacket, there are better options.
The Stormline was the stretchiest jacket we tested in our first round and had quite a high score. It’s nice and light and felt nice both on the outside and inside. It was mostly waterproof, with just a tiny bit of water getting into the pockets. If you need an extremely stretchy and malleable jacket, the Stormline would be a great pick, but overall it couldn’t beat out the other coats we tested.
This jacket was one of the more breathable jackets we tested, but its pockets — like many others — weren’t waterproof. A bit of water got into the two side pockets, and the tissue inside the chest pocket got completely soaked. It didn’t stand out for any reason, but it’s still a solid rain jacket. Just don’t put your phone in its pockets.
The Microgravity from Outdoor Research fell out of contention after a poor waterproofness test. Again, the pockets were its downfall, and in the Microgravity’s case, so much water came through all of its pockets that our shirt got wet underneath. The interior material also felt quite itchy, so we just can’t justify spending full price on this jacket.
The L.L.Bean was the heaviest jacket we tested, but it does have tons of pockets to carry everything you need when you go out. However, those pockets are nowhere close to being waterproof. Every tissue we put in its pockets came out drenched.
This jacket did not score well, due mainly to a poor waterproofness test. Its hood channeled water down our face and right into the jacket itself. We had to look directly at the ground to keep the water out and couldn’t move our head like we could with other jackets. At the end of our test, our shirt was completely soaked. It is incredibly light, but if you’re looking for a packable jacket, go for the $170 Outdoor Research Helium instead.
This jacket had the same hood issue as the other Columbia coat, and water ran right down into the neck of the jacket. It’s heavy, not portable, doesn’t feel comfortable on the inside and isn’t very breathable either.
This jacket didn’t impress us much, as it wasn’t very breathable, didn’t hold up well in our rub test and is the only jacket we tested that you can’t throw in the dryer. It was decently waterproof, but its hood is a little flimsy and its pockets don’t zip close, although the tissues we put in there didn’t get as wet as some other jackets.
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