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?


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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.

Mystery Solved!

The Best Women’s Waterproof Rain Jacket is:

Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket Women

Why we love it?

  • Arc'teryx created the Alpha SV jacket to be their most bombproof hardshell for ice climbers and alpinists, and now this jacket is even stronger and lighter. No joke, SV stands for Severe Weather. The Alpha SV uses a GORE-TEX Pro 3-layer construction and GORE seam tape to provide breathable waterproof and windproof protection and articulated construction so you can keep going during hardcore weather conditions.
9

SOURCES UNCOVERED

970

SCUTTLEBUTT CONTEMPLATED

33

HOURS INVESTIGATING

25

PRODUCTS INSPECTED

Top 7 Products

Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket Women

Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket Women

Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex Jacket Women

Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex Jacket Women

Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket Women

Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket Women

Arc’teryx Zeta SL Rain Jacket Women

Arc’teryx Zeta SL Rain Jacket Women

Columbia OutDry Ex Eco Tech Shell Jacket Women

Columbia OutDry Ex Eco Tech Shell Jacket Women

Outdoor Research Interstellar Rain Jacket Women

Outdoor Research Interstellar Rain Jacket Women

Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell Women

Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell Women

Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket Women

Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket Women

Awards
Price 510.71$ View On Amazon 469.00$ View On REI 159.00$ View On Amazon 224.73$ View On REI 139.30$ View On Amazon 299.00$ View On Amazon 149.00$ View On Amazon 129.00$ View On Amazon
Overall Rating 8.5 8.3 8.5 8.5 8 8.3 8.3 7.3
Pros Exceptionally durable, waterproof, and windproof, Lightweight, Promotes mobility , Helmet-compatible storm hood for extra protection from the element getting in your face, Breathable, Strategically-placed pockets , Built to withstand severe weather for extended periods of time Breathable, waterproof and windproof, X-open side zips and long pit vents for ventilation, Articulated elbows offer freedom of movement, Freeride helmet-compatible storm hood and asymmetric cuffs, Brushed backer for comfort next to skin, Relatively soft and quiet for a hard shell, Strategically-placed pockets including an internal mesh pocket to stash phone Ultralight and ultra-packable, Waterproof, Windproof, Did we mention ultralight?, Breathable Waterproof, Super light and packable, Beautiful colors, Flattering fit, Stormhood protects face from the elements, Watertight front zippers, Articulated patterning for fit and freedom Waterproof, Windproof, Breathable, Stormhood to protect face from the elements, Made with recycled polyester, Does not use DWR finish for an eco-friendlier product , Flattering fit Superlight and packable, Waterproof and windproof, Breathable, Maintains warmth, Flattering fit, Freedom of motion, Drop tail, Helmet compatible hood, Durable Lightweight and packable, Zippered pit vents, Waterproof and windproof, Breathable, Waterproof center-front zipper, Helmet compatible hood, Ultra-stretchy fabric for mobility ease Waterproof and windproof, Light and packable, Zippered handwarmer pockets, Zippered pit vents, Nylon fabric is bluesign approved and contains recycled material, Microfleece lined neck for comfort, Stowable hood
Cons Really expensive, No dark colors for women, A bit noisy Short fit, Front zipper may leak Not meant for severe weather conditions for prolonged periods of time, No pit zips, Short fit, Hood doesn’t stay put, No hand pockets No pit vents, Not meant for severe weather conditions Not as soft, A bit noisy, No pit vents No pit zips, Not meant for severe weather conditions Odd fit and long sleeves for some Not as breathable for high-intensity sports, Not as soft, Not as durable, Not built for severe weather conditions
Bottom Line For serious weather protection, you won’t find a better jacket. This 3-layer Gore-Tex jacket will keep you completely dry on all your mountaineering adventures all year long. This may just be the best lightweight waterproof jacket at such a reasonable price, making it the go-to layer to keep handy at all times when you’re outdoors. Stay dry and stylish with this really light, compact emergency waterproof jacket in unpredictable bad weather. Keeps you dry and looking good while helping out the environment. This waterproof jacket is great for activities that require you to move your arms and body a lot, maintaining breathability at the same time. On a budget? This waterproof jacket offers the best bang for your buck with all the features you like plus the confidence that it will keep you completely dry. The Torrentshell is a no-frills basic rain jacket at a reasonable price.
Waterproofness 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9
Breathability 9 9 10 8 6 8 9 7
Weight 6 6 10 8 7 7 8 7
Looking good factor 9 8 4 8 9 8 6 6

2. Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex Jacket Women

8.3
Waterproofness
10
Breathability
9
Weight
6
Looking good factor
8

Best offers

Pros

  • Breathable, waterproof and windproof
  • X-open side zips and long pit vents for ventilation
  • Articulated elbows offer freedom of movement
  • Freeride helmet-compatible storm hood and asymmetric cuffs
  • Brushed backer for comfort next to skin
  • Relatively soft and quiet for a hard shell
  • Strategically-placed pockets including an internal mesh pocket to stash phone

Cons

  • Short fit
  • Front zipper may leak

Norrona created this all-season waterproof and breathable jacket to be extremely versatile for all your weather protection needs, from looking stylish in the city under the rain to mountaineering. It’s light enough to be worn in the summer alone or with layers in the winter.

3. Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket Women

8.5
Waterproofness
10
Breathability
10
Weight
10
Looking good factor
4

Pros

  • Ultralight and ultra-packable
  • Waterproof
  • Windproof
  • Did we mention ultralight?
  • Breathable

Cons

  • Not meant for severe weather conditions for prolonged periods of time
  • No pit zips
  • Short fit
  • Hood doesn’t stay put
  • No hand pockets

Minimalists, we have found your perfect ultralight, ultra-packable waterproof and windproof jacket. Never get caught in the rain without it, this jacket packs into the size of a yummy toast. Best for flash storms, you can take this jacket everywhere because it’s so light and will give you the protection you need when the weather turns on you.

4. Arc’teryx Zeta SL Rain Jacket Women

8.5
Waterproofness
10
Breathability
8
Weight
8
Looking good factor
8

Best offers

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Super light and packable
  • Beautiful colors
  • Flattering fit
  • Stormhood protects face from the elements
  • Watertight front zippers
  • Articulated patterning for fit and freedom

Cons

  • No pit vents
  • Not meant for severe weather conditions

Arc’teryx made this waterproof jacket for 3-season hiking when unexpected bad weather is, well, expected. They consider their Zeta SL rain jacket to be an emergency shell, where ‘SL’ refers to Superlight materials and design.

5. Columbia OutDry Ex Eco Tech Shell Jacket Women

8
Waterproofness
10
Breathability
6
Weight
7
Looking good factor
9

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Windproof
  • Breathable
  • Stormhood to protect face from the elements
  • Made with recycled polyester
  • Does not use DWR finish for an eco-friendlier product
  • Flattering fit

Cons

  • Not as soft
  • A bit noisy
  • No pit vents

Tree-huggers can rejoice with this environmentally conscious rain jacket for women and stay completely dry during their soggy outings. This waterproof women’s rain jacket is made with undyed 100% recycled polyester and without PFC-based waterproofing, requiring little maintenance for lasting durability.

6. Outdoor Research Interstellar Rain Jacket Women

8.3
Waterproofness
10
Breathability
8
Weight
7
Looking good factor
8

Pros

  • Superlight and packable
  • Waterproof and windproof
  • Breathable
  • Maintains warmth
  • Flattering fit
  • Freedom of motion
  • Drop tail
  • Helmet compatible hood
  • Durable

Cons

  • No pit zips
  • Not meant for severe weather conditions

The Interstellar women’s waterproof jacket is Outdoor Research’s most breathable yet waterproof jacket made with total comfort in mind for light alpine missions. Their AscentShell technology uses an electrospun process for their 3-layer membrane that provides more stretch, breathability, and comfort all at a lesser weight compared with other waterproofing. So, go ahead, do your victory dance, literally, at the top of the mountain, the jacket will give you all the freedom to move.

7. Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell Women

8.3
Waterproofness
10
Breathability
9
Weight
8
Looking good factor
6

Pros

  • Lightweight and packable
  • Zippered pit vents
  • Waterproof and windproof
  • Breathable
  • Waterproof center-front zipper
  • Helmet compatible hood
  • Ultra-stretchy fabric for mobility ease

Cons

  • Odd fit and long sleeves for some

Black Diamond created this women’s rain jacket to withstand downpours while you stretch and dance away in the rain. Why would you do that? Because this waterproof, breathable, and windproof jacket is made with highly stretchable fabric, ideal for climbers reaching for that one hold. Plus, it boasts an excellent price-performance ratio.

8. Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket Women

7.3
Waterproofness
9
Breathability
7
Weight
7
Looking good factor
6

Pros

  • Waterproof and windproof
  • Light and packable
  • Zippered handwarmer pockets
  • Zippered pit vents
  • Nylon fabric is bluesign approved and contains recycled material
  • Microfleece lined neck for comfort
  • Stowable hood

Cons

  • Not as breathable for high-intensity sports
  • Not as soft
  • Not as durable
  • Not built for severe weather conditions

Looking for a basic, durable, and simple women’s rain jackets that doesn’t cost a boatload? Patagonia made their Torrentshell just for you. It comes in a huge variety of colors to suit any woman and gets the job done: keeps you light and dry whether you’re out on a hike or discovering a new village.

Criteria for Selecting our Women's Waterproof Rain Jackets

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.


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Detective Anne
“The mountains are calling and I must go.” - John Muir If I'm not doing something related to being in the mountains, going to the mountains, writing about the mountains, then I'm baking cookies.