9 best women’s waterproof jackets to weather any storm, tried and tested

Sealskinz’s Ashwellthorpe waterproof jacket is lightweight and fully windproof, making it the holy trinity of an outdoor jacket – and the best one I tested.

The brand claims that its design holds water out while releasing excess heat and sweat, which is exactly what you want from a waterproof jacket. But I needed to put the claims to the test. On rigorous terrain and elevation, I found that it delivered on its promise. The jacket helped regulate my body’s temperature, it’s completely waterproof and has excellent breathability – it retained heat while wicking out moisture too.

Beyond how well it kept me dry, another important factor was the hood. Not only was the hood one of the most comfortable I tested, but it also stayed in place in big wind. Similarly helpful are the pockets – of which there are three, including one on the front that comfortably fits a phone, car keys and a beanie. The only small gripe I had was that it won’t pack away neatly unless you fold it before packing. Other than that, it’s the best women’s waterproof jacket I’ve tested.

Mountain Warehouse’s hilltop women’s waterproof jacket is incredibly lightweight. But don’t let that put you off, it’s breathable and waterproof. It helped maintain my body temperature when testing, preventing me from getting too hot or too cold, even when the wind whipped up.

The price is also incredibly competitive considering the technology, making it the best budget women’s waterproof jacket on test.

Breathable and waterproof, it maintained my body temperature well in testing – I didn’t get too hot or too cold when the wind whipped up. It also comes with a two-year warranty, and the adjustable hood and cuffs mean it can be shaped to fit the wearer well.

If you’re looking for a stylish women’s waterproof jacket, I’d recommend Tog24’s Alva women's waterproof jacket. Given the longline silhouette, it does inhibit movement a little, so if you’re a dog walker whose pooches like getting away from you, this one might not be the most practical, as it’s not a jacket you want to be running in. Instead, this is the perfect jacket for a slow wander, whether that’s in the countryside or to the local pub.

That said, the trench coat has a timeless design – and all of the specs you need. The fully taped seams and waterproof coating keep the rain out while maintaining body warmth. It also features a toggle adjuster around the waist, which not only creates a nice A-line look but also prevents wind from wafting up your torso.

I found the Sealskinz Brancaster waterproof raincoat to be the best walking jacket. With its heat-sealed taped seams and a breathable membrane, it’s packed with technical features. I was initially sceptical about how well they would work, but in tests, the jacket excelled at keeping me warm and dry in heavy sideways rain. And it really did breathe well in testing. The jacket is also windproof, so wearing it with a sweatshirt provided all the protection and warmth I needed on a two-hour walk. It also features four pockets, and I was impressed by how well the inside of the pockets – and more importantly, their contents – stayed dry in heavy rain.

When it comes to waterproof gear for adventurers, Columbia is a brand that is at the top of the list, and the explorer jacket is no exception. Waterproof and breathable, the jacket is designed for outdoor activity and is as comfortable on a blustery coastal path in Devon as it is in the hills of the Lake District, where it was tested.

It has one of the most comfortable and wearable hoods, offering good visibility even in severe rain. It’s lightweight and folds into a pocket, so it can be clipped onto a rucksack, making it portable in good weather. The two pockets could be improved upon, but the downpour promise really did keep to its word in testing.

For the best waterproof jacket for everyday wear, I’d recommend Salomon’s outscape 2l women's shell jacket. It’s lightweight and breathable (even during big, high heart rate walks when sweating), thanks to the mesh lining. The pockets are spacious and fit everything that you’ll need.

The sealed seams are thick enough that they feel like they’ll hold even after going through the washing machine, and the length of the jacket makes it feel more stylish than some of its contemporaries. While the brand suggests it’s best for everyday use and hiking, it actually looked stylish enough to wear on a wet walk to the pub on a Sunday afternoon.

For seriously cold days, I’d recommend Finisterre’s Skye waterproof parka, which I found to be the best for warmth. Its longline cut offers brilliant coverage, and the fully taped seams and concealed zips all add to the waterproof features. And despite getting caught in an utter downpour, it dried within 30 minutes of getting home.

The interior chest pocket is handy for keeping your phone in, while the deep side pockets are large enough to hold anything you could need. If you’ve only got the budget for one jacket this winter, the Skye is a great all-rounder.

This gets extra points for being made from fully recycled materials, including the insulation, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Finisterre also pledges to ship all its products by land and sea rather than air.

H&M’s rain jacket protects against wind as well as rain – and it’s breathable. It’s a nice loose fit, so I found you can easily layer up underneath it, and the spacious hood feels cosy and warm with a beanie underneath it.

The anti-chafe chin guard is a nice touch, which adds to the feeling of warmth, and the diagonal handwarmer pockets give it an interesting shape and are ergonomically placed to keep hands both warm and dry without letting any water in.

The covered elastication at the cuffs means the sleeves stayed dry in testing, and the elasticated drawstring at the waist makes it feel like a much more expensive jacket than it actually is.

Sherpa’s Nima waterproof jacket coped admirably well in heavy rain. It’s windproof and surprisingly warm, but the armpit vents allow you to cool off if needed, without compromising the jacket’s waterproof ability.

The forward-set shoulder seams reduce the risk of rain leaking in, and despite the dipped hem, it also has a draw cord, which I found looked really flattering when tightened and tucked up and completely changes the silhouette of the jacket. The only downside is that the dipped hem isn’t quite long enough to tuck under and sit on.