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It rains a lot in Britain  – 133 days a year, according to the weather researchers at Current Results – and you never know when you might get caught. In this country, finding the best waterproof jacket is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make (along with choosing a pair of wellington boots). 

A brief glimpse at online clothing stores will confirm there are many types out there, including traditional raincoats, sporty shells, Scandi-style rubberised coats and hardcore mountaineering jackets. You’ll find polyester numbers, Gore-tex linings and even wax coatings. How do you decide which one’s for you?

As outdoors writers, Sarah and I spend much of our lives in cold, rainy, windy weather. It’s beenthe perfect training to be reviewers of waterproof jackets. We also run and cycle, so we were keen to see how this year’s crop of jackets handled those conditions too. You can read our full reviews further down, followed by the answers to some frequently asked questions. But if you’re in a rush, here’s a quick look at our top five:

Which are the best waterproof jackets of 2023? At a glance

How we tested the best waterproof jackets

We tried out these jackets in the most extreme weather possible, while hiking, running and cycling, and later tried our own version of the hydrostatic head test, used in the industry to gauge waterproofing.

In the “HH” test, the water-resistant fabric is stretched taut and a tall open-ended tube placed top. Water is poured into the tube, building up water pressure. The test measures how tall the column of water gets before any water leaks through. In the UK, a fabric is defined as waterproof at 1500mm (ie, a 1500mm column of water is enough to make it leak) but top level jackets are often 20,000mm waterproof or more.

To mimic the HH test at home, we stretched a section of each jacket over a bowl, covered it with water, and came back in the morning to see if any water had seeped through. All of the jackets reviewed here passed this test with no leakage.

Breathability is rated using something called the moisture vapour transfer rate (MVTR), measuring the amount of moisture that passes through a square metre of fabric over 24 hours, but this requires specialist equipment. We settled for jogging uphill and cycling hard to test how comfortable the jackets were to wear while perspiring. 

Here’s what we found, starting with Sarah’s guide to women’s jackets. Jump straight to Richard’s guide to men’s jackets if you prefer. If you’re heading out into the wilds this winter, you may also find our guide to the best walking boots useful.

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The best waterproof jackets for women

1. Rab Arc Eco

£235, Go Outdoors

Best designed waterproof jacket

We like: the high-tech fabric and tailored sleeves

We don’t like: it’s hard to criticise this coat, but the waterproofing isn’t as high as more premium options

• 20,000mm HH; 15,000 MVTR
• Three-layer chemical-free recycled Pertex® Shield fabric
• Hood with wired and laminated peak, fleece-lined chin guard

Rab’s hi-tech fabrics are among the best and the Arc Eco is made from a three-layer Pertex Shield material which combines a 20,000 Hydrostatic Head (HH) rating with a 15,000 Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate (MVTR). As Richard explains in the introduction, these are the industry tests for waterproofing and breathability respectively. They are qualities that can work in opposition to each other, so it’s finding the right balance that’s key and Rab seem to have found it here.

I took the Rab on one of my longer testing walks and also on a bike-ride and found it faultless on both occasions. Despite my deliberate attempts to work up some sweat, my body stayed dry and my pet hate - the wind - was kept at bay. The hood has adjustments at both the back and the front and there are vents under the arms. The pockets are plenty big enough for a map and are also easy to unzip even when you’re wearing a backpack. Rab also tick all the sustainability boxes by using PFC-free, recycled materials. 

The Arc Eco also has a fleece lining on the chin guard and the back of the hood. This means you don’t get that scratchy feeling on your neck that you so often get with cheaper waterproofs. Finally, the sleeves are tailored to slope inwards towards the wrists which means that it’s harder for the wind to get in, but you still have plenty of room to move your shoulders around. Fab Rab!  

Go Outdoors

2. The North Face Dryzzle Futurelight

£330, The North Face

Best light hiking jacket

We like: good protection from the elements, but light enough to jog in

We don’t like: it could do with being a little longer, especially if you’re a cyclist

• FUTURELIGHT™ fabric
• Adjustable hood, storm flap with snap closure
• Pit-zip venting

The Dryzzle has been around for a few years now, but this year’s offering is made from a new fabric called Futurelight that uses nano-spinning technology to add air permeability to the waterproof membrane. In laywoman’s terms, this means it’s designed to be more breathable than last year’s model.

First impressions were that it was fitted, stylish, and very light. I had no problem with sweat build-up after a high energy jog. It also happened to be very windy that day and I felt well-protected against the gusts, especially with the hood up and the storm flap in place around the neck. 

This is not a jacket that stretches lower at the back, so I wouldn’t recommend it for cycling when your backside is more exposed. However, it does have a zipped chest pocket which is great for a mobile. It’s perfect for easy hiking and is well-made, like all North Face products.   

The North Face

3. Berghaus Highraise

£230, Berghaus

Best waterproof jacket for wind protection

We like: the high-side design around the neck

We don’t like: it could be more breathable

• GORE-TEX two-layer fabric lined with taffeta
• Versatile dual-entry pockets
• Sustainable Bluesign® approved fabric

I really like the feeling of being protected around the neck as that’s where the wind and rain seems to penetrate first. And I don’t like wind! So I was immediately attracted to the Highraise with its distinctive collar. It makes for a very practical jacket that keeps the elements at bay while also managing to look slimline and stylish. 

It has enough pocket space to carry a map or two in its outer pockets, something that Richard is very keen on, while also having an inner pocket with plenty of space. Its other really clever design point is that the outer pockets can be adjusted so that they open from either the top or the sides. The Highraise is also very comfortable with a soft inner lining.

It’s made of Gore-Tex which performed very well keeping the wet out. I did feel a little sweaty after returning from a two-mile jog, but I think that was more to do with wearing too many inner layers than anything to do with the breathability of the jacket. Overall, though, this is a stylish and very practical offering.

4. Lululemon Break A Trail Jacket

£228, Lululemon

Best for jogging

We like: the chic tailoring

We don’t like: it’s not roomy enough for lots of inner layers in winter

• Waterproof and windproof Glyde fabric
• Sealed seams and large air vents
• Hidden mobile pocket
• Adjustable hood

This is a flattering jacket that’s designed for running (and if that’s your passion, check out The Telegraph’s guide to the best running shoes for women and the best fitness trackers). But it can just as easily be used for cycling and walking. The one I tested was pink, which was such a cheerful colour to be wearing under grey, English skies. It has two small pockets at chest height which double as air vents, two large double-zipped vents and two side pockets for extras like gloves, one with an internal section for a mobile. 

The hood isn’t big enough for a helmet, but has toggles at the back and side so there was no problem with peripheral vision. The logo is made of a reflective material which keeps you visible if you’re out after dark. The left sleeve also has a clever little zipped opening over the wrist for checking your watch. I wouldn’t use this in winter as there’s not enough room for multiple layering, but it’s a great choice for a wet day when the weather’s relatively warm. 

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1. Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity

£400, Helly Hansen

Best waterproof jacket for extreme weather

We like: the RECCO radar-reflector and under-arm vents

We don’t like: it’s a little heavy

• 20,000 mm HH and 20,000 MVTR
• LIFA INFINITY™ membrane and recycled PFC-free three-layer fabric
• Underarm vents and double-zipped side pockets

Founded in Norway in 1877, the Helly Hansen brand has its feet rooted in the frozen north and its eyes on the cutting edge of fabric technology. The fruits of this potent combination can be found in the Verglas jacket and its Lifa Infinity fabric. 

This is a microporous membrane which is both waterproof and breathable, blocking rainwater while allowing sweat to escape before it condenses and cools the body. When I went for a fast 15-minute uphill jog I couldn’t detect the slightest hint of residual sweat while the overnight leakage test suggested it would work well as a roofing material.  

This Verglas also scores top marks in the environmental stakes using recycled chemical-free fabrics. Its three-layer construction means that while it’s arguably a bit heavy for hot summer hikes, it’s incredibly tough. This is the jacket I’d choose for an off-piste excursion on a mountain trek where I might get scraped by rocks or thorns.

It has large side pockets that easily can fit an OS map (hurrah!) and huge vents under the armpits that can let air in when your muscles are flexing. It also has two-way zips which means you can open and close the pocket both upwards and downwards. The hood which can easily accommodate a helmet has adjusters both front and back. It also moves with the head to left or right without obscuring vision which many hoods don’t. 

Finally, the jacket has a RECCO reflector in the peak of the hood which reflects the beam from the radar detectors used by rescue teams. A potential life-saver. Expensive it may, be but you won’t find a competitor as tough and long-lasting as this one.

Helly Hansen

2. Regatta Wentwood VI

Currently £47.95, Regatta

Best 3-in-1 jacket

We like: its removable inner thermal layer

We don’t like: the zips and cords are a little fiddly

• 15,000mm HH
• 100% polyester Isotex fabric with removable inner thermal
• Hood with reinforced peak and inner storm flap with chin guard

Regatta’s Wentwood VI combines an outer rain jacket and a removable lightweight thermal layer. Worn together, they offer a high level of protection against rain and cold – perhaps too much. If you’re a hot-blooded person, walking too hard in the double-layer configuration will be a sweaty business. Worn individually, the outer layer makes for a reasonably stylish rain jacket, while the inner layer offers a wind- and shower-proof option on cooler days. It’ll be good for runners.

Given its ‘three options for the price of one’ flexibility, the Regatta offers remarkable value for money. There are one or two downsides, though. If you’re arthritic or have trouble with fiddly fixtures, the bottom end of the main zip will be a challenge and the little drawstrings attached here and there could be frustrating for less nimble fingers.

On the plus side, I like the way the collar and hood lie on your shoulders when the hood is down. When it’s up, the slim peak keeps the rain off without obscuring vision. Another nice touch is the phone pocket on the breast (although left-handed people will curse that it’s on the left side). Finally, both the inside pockets of the inner layer are plenty big enough to store a map, which is far more convenient than fishing around in your rucksack when it’s wet.

3. Montane Men’s Phase 

£325, Montane also available at Cotswold Outdoor

Best light waterproof jacket, 9/10

We like: very light and breathable

We don’t like: does nothing to keep you warm

• 28,000mm H/H
• 40-denier GORE-TEX with 100% nylon inner and outer faces
• Weighs 430g
• Fully taped seams, adjustable cuffs, cinchable hem

As anyone who’s argued over the thermostat knows, men are more prone to overheating than women. If a hot-blooded male sets off hiking in a thick jacket, he may boil before he reaches the front gate. 

What such men want is a waterproof that’s as good as it can possibly be at keeping the rain off, but which has no interest in keeping you warm. Step forward Montane’s Men’s Phase, a mid-length waterproof (it comes down to the bottom of your jeans pockets) which is quite happy to see you shivering because it knows no-one can touch it for pure, GORE-TEX powered rain-repellence.

Weighing little more than a magazine and folding down to about the same size, the Men’s Phase (the Women’s Phase is even lighter and a touch longer) is designed to sit in your backpack, ready to be whipped out in a sudden downpour. When the rain stops, it dries off with a few shakes. 

It’s sold as a hill-walker’s jacket, but I keep one in the pannier of my bicycle for emergency use and it has proved invaluable. Anything thicker than this would take up too much space and have me arriving at work pouring with sweat. 

Being made of pro-grade GORE-TEX, the Phase is expensive, but we’ve seen it in sales with around 50 percent off, at which price it’s a steal. It’s the only waterproof layer you’ll ever need but, if you’re headed to Antarctica, best pack a jumper as well.

4. Joules Green Wayland Mid Length Raincoat

£119.95, Joules

Best everyday men’s waterproof

We like: its no-nonsense, parka-style design

We don’t like: you’ll sweat in it if you try high intensity activity

• Polyester shell, polyester half-mesh inner, light polyester wadding
• Two side pockets, inner pocket, taped seams, adjustable cuffs, adjustable storm peak hood

Sometimes you want a no-nonsense rain jacket that doesn’t wrap you up like the Michelin man. The Wayland is the one you want for the daily winter walk to the train station or bus-stop, keeping your office clothes dry while imparting a bit of Liam Gallagher swagger. Not that it’s style over substance: it passed our overnight water test (see intro) with flying colours.

The two side pockets are deep enough to cover your hands and the mid-thigh length is perfect for a city-dweller. It kept me dry and warm when I headed out into February drizzle. Watch out, though: being 100 percent polyester, it’s not the most breathable jacket out there, so you’ll quickly heat up from strenuous exercise. It’s also a bit too light to keep you warm in sub-zero temperatures. But as an everyday coat, it’s spot on.

5. On-Running Waterproof Anorak 

£320, On-Running

Best for running and cycling

We like: its athletic fit, although the price is steep

We don’t like: the hood doesn’t fit over a cycling helmet

• 20,000mmHH
• Three-layer hydrophilic chemical-free fabric
• Multiple vents with a small inside unzipped back pocket

On Running is a Swiss brand renowned for its hi-tech products. Their running shoes scored very highly in The Telegraph’s review of the best running shoes for men and this incredibly light, thin jacket impressed me too. When I wore it on my regular 15-mile bike ride - a route with its fair share of steep ups and down - I found only a small amount of sweat on my inner layer afterwards, even though I had been deliberately pushing it harder than normal. 

A word of warning, though. If you’re using the hood, it’s not designed to fit over a helmet as this jacket is primarily designed for running. It also only has a half-zip at the front. On the plus side, this means there’s less chance of leakage while the vents and the hydrophilic fabric let water vapour from sweat escape. 

It has a relaxed but athletic fit with only room for one thin layer next to the body. Other clever bits: the cuffs of the sleeves extend over the hands - nice on a cold day - and the rear hem extends down over your backside, so the rain runs away harmlessly. It also packs away inside the hood. A lovely piece of kit. But the price is certainly on the high side.  

On-Running

6. Jack Wolfskin Pack and Go Shell M

£131.89, Amazon

Best packable waterproof

We like: the clever way one of the pockets becomes its own carry case

We don’t like: the zips aren’t the best

• 20,000mm HH and 15,000 MVTR
• Two-layer Texapore Ecosphere Stretch fabric and mesh lining made of recycled plastic
• Adjustable hood and two pockets, one of which doubles as a stow pouch

This is a multi-purpose pick-up-and-go jacket designed for spontaneity. It looks good and has top-level waterproof and breathability ratings. It certainly performed up to billing during a blustery, beach walk in February and kept the sweat at bay during my running test. The finishing touch to this well-designed package is the stuff-sack that magically appears when the left-hand pocket is turned inside-out. It even has a loop for hanging it up.

The JWP has a mesh lining around the torso and inside the hood with a polyester lining on the sleeves which is soft and comfortable. The hood has its adjustment toggle at the back which I find easier to adjust than jackets with toggles only at the front. It’s also does well in the eco-stakes, with a  fabric made of recycled plastic and no PFCs. 

7. Finisterre Rainbird

£135, Finisterre

Best for summer

We like: the rustle-free material

We don’t like: it won’t give you much warmth

• 20,000mm HH and 15,000 MVTR
• PFC-free; 100% recycled polyester
• Two zipped external pockets, taped seams and waterproof zips

This was easily the lightest jacket on test, its fabric is recycled, and its waterproof and breathability credentials are top-rated. It’s not designed for warmth and should be worn with base layers on cold days, but is a great option for summer on easy downland or woodland walks or blustery strolls along the sea-shore. Without being tailored, it still looks stylish and has a bit of stretchiness in the fabric to accommodate some movement if you’re climbing or moving your arms a lot for short periods. 

Its two external pockets have a narrow opening but will just about fit a map. The jacket’s inner surface has a ‘soft touch’ finish and makes far less of a rustling noise than most other waterproofs. Great for twitchers and nature watchers!

Finisterre

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Waterproof jackets FAQ

Is Gore-Tex the best waterproof material?

In short, yes. Gore-Tex has a sheet of membrane fused into the fabric of the jacket which lets air out but not water through. As you can see in the diagram below, Gore-Tex is porous, but its holes are tiny, allowing air – but not water – to pass. 

However, many manufacturers have developed equivalent breathable waterproof fabrics, such as The North Face’s Futurelight and Helly Hansen’s Lifa, which Richard and Sarah found to be very effective. You may also come across names like eVent, MemBrain and a host of own-brand layers, which range from very good to mediocre.  

With some cheaper jackets, waterproofing is sprayed on rather than sewn in. This can be effective, though it does wear off after time. The spray is replaceable, but that comes at a cost. On the plus side, jackets like this can feel lighter and more breathable. 

What is the warmest waterproof jacket?

Scandinavian brands like Rains, Helly Hansen, Grundens and Stutterheim mimic old rubber fishermen’s or workers’ coats and are thus very good for cold weather, though on a warm rainy day you’ll find yourself in a pool off sweat. Many lighter waterproof jackets come with a fleece lining and are nearly as cosy.

What is the best packable rain jacket?

Brands like Jack Wolfskin, The North Face, Patagonia, Mammut and Marmot make good shell jackets. These are designed to be light outer layers and don’t necessarily keep you warm, but they can be very effective at keeping you dry. Because they’re so thin, you can scrunch them up and carry in a bag, making them ideal for showery weather.  

How much should you spend on a waterproof jacket?

In our tests we found the sweet spot to be somewhere around £200 and the good news is that jackets costing considerably more seem to be quite frequently discounted.

“It depends how technical you want to go,” says Oliver Tezcan, formerly CEO of online clothing store The Idle Man. “You can buy an entry level North Face HyVent shell jacket for about £100 or go all the way up to an Arcteryx extreme weather coat with fully fused seams that might cost you £700.

“The nice thing about Scandinavian waterproofs [see above] is they’re really not very expensive. Rains are probably the cheapest, about £90, and you go up to the Stutterheims at about £250. In the grand scheme of things, that’s not too much money for a good coat that could last a lifetime.”

“I actually think even £1,000 for a Burberry mac is a very good investment. It’s something you will wear for the rest of your life. On a pound-to-wear basis that’s a really good investment.”

How to clean waterproof jackets 

Generally, the best way is with a sponge and a non-abrasive cloth, so you don’t damage the waterproof treatment. “If you really have to machine wash, do so at 30C,” says Tezcan. Use liquid detergent rather than powder which “can damage Gore-Tex in particular.”

“For more formal styles (e.g. designer macs), you would need to dry-clean, although it may then need re-proofing otherwise.”

Essentially, it’s always best to read the label for the best advice. 

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