The 8 Best Women’s Waterproof Rain Jackets

Imagine your perfect adventure. Maybe it’s bikepacking in Iceland. Or doing a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Or car camping all over New Zealand. The one thing they all share in common? The necessity of a waterproof women’s rain jackets to turn a rainy unpleasant day into a fun laugh-in-the-face-of-rain day.

Waterproof rain jackets, waterproof hiking boots, waterproof trail running shoes and other waterproof gear are absolutely essential in any respective outdoor activity. Although it’s possible to look up the weather forecast for the week, it’s impossible to really be certain that the weather won’t turn. And being out in the rain without the proper protection to keep us dry can not only dampen our fun but can even be dangerous if a rainy day is combined with cold winds and dropping temperatures.

Choosing the right waterproof women’s rain jackets isn’t always obvious. Read our in-depth review of one of the waterproof jackets listed here that works great for hiking and traveling but is not meant for trail running. The activity you’ll be doing in the jacket and the weather conditions you’ll be expecting will help in determining the right jacket for you. A basic all-year rain jacket can be adequate for most situations, but sometimes, you might need a heavier or lightweight jacket depending on what you’ll do. Heavier waterproof jackets are ideal for weather conditions that are particularly wet and even cold and when activities are not as aerobic whereas lightweight waterproof jackets are best for more high intensity activities like skiing or mountaineering. Then there are waterproof running jackets that are equally breathable as they are waterproof to help reduce condensation from forming on the inside of the jacket.

Here, we’ve listed the best women’s waterproof rain jackets that range from basic all-year rain jackets to super lightweight jackets to heavy duty serious rain jackets.

The Best Women’s Waterproof Rain Jacket is:

Top 7 Products

Waterproofness

We’re helping you choose your best waterproof jacket. Therefore, the jacket has got to be that, waterproof, and then have other things that make it stand out from the hundreds of other rain jackets you can find on the market. Because a big plastic bag is just as waterproof and effective in keeping the rain from soaking your clothes. To be totally honest, I’ve actually worn a plastic bag on a hike before convincing myself to invest in a real waterproof women’s rain jackets (I was really young then).

Breathability

The jacket needs to be breathable because then it’s like wearing a plastic bag and condensation builds up on the inside, which is very uncomfortable especially if you’re doing stuff that builds up body heat and sweat. For a jacket to be both waterproof and breathable, we’re looking at materials that are backed by a lot of research and technology behind them, so they tend to cost a lot. However, it’s important to have a waterproof women’s rain jackets that is highly breathable when you’re doing high-intensity activities, so it’s an aspect we don’t ever like to skimp on.

Weight

For many outdoor activities, we like things to be light. This way, after many hours outside, we’re not bagged down by all the weight. Waterproof women’s rain jackets are one of those items that we prefer to be light and packable since it’s something that we, hopefully, need to wear only occasionally during our multiday hikes or climbs. Even if the weather calls for daily use of the jacket, having lightweight layers enables us to move more freely.

Looking Good Factor

Let’s face it. Even on the trails with no one in sight, we still want to look good. When the fit is right, we feel sexy, and when we feel sexy, magic happens. Therefore, our selection for waterproof jackets also considered how good it will make you look and feel. Most of the jackets have a nice slim fit but still with enough room to layer underneath. Sleek lines and slimming contours scored high on our boards. So go ahead and strut in these waterproof sexy jackets like you’re on the catwalk.