Best waterproof jackets
When the weather closes in, you need a jacket you can trust. Our guide to the best waterproof jackets around has been tirelessly assembled in the worst weathers imaginable. So read on to reap the fruits of our labours.
Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day … Actually, you know what? Bring it on. Because we’ve just put together the ultimate buyer’s guide for the best waterproof jackets you can buy. So whether it’s summer showers or winter storms, put on these coats, throw open your door, and charge into the great unknown.
In this guide, we’ll be listing some of our favourite rain jackets, as well as telling you why they’re so great, and where they’ll excel. That way, you can buy the best waterproof jacket for you. Hiking the mountains, shredding downhill trails on your bike, or just bracing the elements in the city. We’ll cover it all. Ready? Let’s jump in.
In a rush? Check out this season’s latest styles over at Ridestore.
Rating the best waterproof jackets
You might think that a waterproof jacket’s quality comes down to its water column (don’t worry, we’ll explain this later). And you’re right for the most part. But there are some other features we look for too, and below you’ll find a quick rundown of what we think makes a waterproof jacket truly awesome!
Waterproofing
When we talk about waterproofing, we’re looking for that ascribed number. Sometimes it looks like 10,000mm, or even 10k, but what does that mean? We’ll cover it in detail later, but for now, all you need to know is that the higher the number the longer you can stay in the rain before moisture gets in. This is an essential element when it comes to finding the right rain jacket, and works in tandem with all other features. But be aware, higher may not always be better!
Breathability
If you’re running around on a rainy mountainside, out for a jog, or peddling up a craggy hill on your bike, you’ll be working up a sweat. And while waterproofing keeps the water out, breathability is what keeps it from being locked in. Measured in the amount of grams of water that pass through a square metre in a 24 hour period, a high breathability rating allows you to push as hard as you want, and not feel clammy!
Functionality
This is a tricky one as it’s a little bit subjective. But what we’re trying to quantify is, beyond it’s ‘technical stats’, how useful is this jacket actually going to be when you take it out in adverse conditions? We’re going to be averaging hiking, biking, and running here, so that you get a general feel for the practicality of the rain jacket for those with what we like to call an ‘active lifestyle’. Which basically means you’re a rad person who does loads of cool stuff.
Value for money
How much bang are you getting for your buck? More expensive isn’t always better. These jackets need to take a lot of punishment, so how do they stack up for the cash? Do we think they’re expensive, or do we think that they’re practically a steal? We’ll be laying out the price, and whether or not we think that you’re getting a lot for your money.
These are our 4 metrics, and using some seriously complex mathematical algorithms, we’ll be finding the average score and ranking them for you below. So check out this quick rundown of our top 5 waterproof jackets for men, and our top 5 waterproof jackets for women, and then read on to get the lowdown on each one.
Note: for the full effect, you should play ‘Africa’ by Toto while reading this. Or ‘It’s Raining Men’, by The Weather Girls, if you’d prefer.
Top 5 for men
Dope Blizzard LIGHT PO/FZ
Dope Legacy LIGHT
Dope Ranger Light
The North Face Lightning
Picture Organic Clothing Wailer
Top 5 for women
Dope Hiker LIGHT W
Dope Blizzard FZ / PO LIGHT
Dope Legacy LIGHT
Picture Scale
The North Face Hikesteller Parka
How to choose the best waterproof jackets
Still here, are we? Well that’s good. Because I’m on the clock until five and my fingers are nowhere near sore yet.
If you’re reading this, that means not only do we have your attention firmly within our grasp, but it also means that you likely want to know more about how we, and better yet, how you can choose the best waterproof jacket. Or at the very least, what a water column is, how a jacket breathes, and just why some cost twice as much as others.
Well, the tech explanations will come a little later, so you don’t have to trawl through them for the good stuff. But for now, let’s get into the quick and dirty of it. How we approach buying a new rain jacket.
Price
So often will we look for something like a hiking jacket, or a new piece of gear, and think, Yeah, it’s nice. But it’s kind of costly. Do I really need it?
I can’t answer that for you. But if you’re here, you’re probably pretty serious about needing a new jacket. And when it comes right down to it, price and value are two separate things. And if you’re going to get loads of use out of something, the value is high. As such, the price is less significant. So we always say to think of price in terms of value, rather than cold, hard numbers!
Area of use of the jacket
Let’s take my needs for example. I’m in the market for a jacket that I need for mountain biking. I need a water-resistant jacket that’s lightweight and can deal with warmer temperatures when I ride in the spring and summer, as well as having great breathability. I need a jacket that packs down super tightly to fit in my small pack. And I need a jacket that has some stretch in it to cope with the stresses of riding.
The Drizzard is a lightweight shell, is super breathable, very packable, and ideal for warm weather rides with its insane breathability rating. And it’s stretchy, too. Which makes it perfect. It’s not number one on the list, but it suits my needs perfectly. The best waterproof jacket it the one that meets your needs. It’s just that simple!
Value
The tech that goes into these rain jackets (and all outdoor/active wear) tends to directly correlate with the price. More tech equals a higher price tag more often than not. And sometimes you’ll see a jacket that’s two or three hundred of your preferred currency and think, gee whiz, that’s an expensive coat! It is, but what are you getting for it?
We threw around some terms earlier, and now it’s time to revisit them. Because as well as giving some perspective on that all important word: Value.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing is usually sold to us as thousands of millimetres. A 5,000mm rating, or 10,000mm rating, for example. Or even 10k, for shorthand. But what does that mean? Well, that figure is the water column. The higher the figure, the taller the column, and the better the waterproofing. Simple.
To measure it, you take the fabric of the item in question, pull it taught and suspend it flat. Then, you place a 1-inch tube of infinite height on the fabric, and fill it with water. If it gets to 1,000mm (that’s a metre, to you or I) and water begins to leak through the fabric, that means that it has a water column of 1,000mm. If it gets to 5,000mm up the tube, then the fabric has a 5k rating.
As more water is added, the weight and pressure increases, and it pushes through the fabric harder. So, the higher that number, the better suited it is to wear in rougher conditions! But, the water column isn’t the only contributing factor to waterproofing. As you might have seen above, there’s also…
DWR or coatings
A DWR coating or treatment is a substance that is placed on a fabric by a garment manufacturer in order to increase the outer water resistance of the fabric.
It’s important to note that DWR doesn’t improve the water column of the fabric, and nor does it make the fabric more waterproof. What it does do, is form a protective layer over the fabric to help repel water.
We could, of course just make jackets and pants out of plastic and have no water get in ever. But then you’d get all hot and sweaty. So it’s kind of a balancing act! But how does a DWR coating work?
When a rain jacket is treated with a DWR coating, the water hits the coating, and runs right off – like water out of a non-stick pan. This keeps the fabric underneath dryer, and prevents so much water from coming in contact with it, which sort of simulates lighter conditions. So while the DWR coating doesn’t improve the waterproofing of the fabric, it reduces the amount of water it has to endure, and brings that amount (hopefully) down within its water column, keeping you dryer, for longer.
Breathability
Breathability, a little like the water column, is one of those terms that’s thrown around pretty freely. But what is it, and how is it measured?
Breathability is generally talked about in terms of how much sweat is let out of the piece of clothing. And that’s correct in a sense, but there’s a little more to it than that.
You may have seen it written as 10,000g, or 10,000g/m2, or even 10,000g/m2/24hr. What they all mean is that if a square metres of fabric is spread across an opening, over the course of 24 hour period, 10,000g of moisture (or 10kg) will naturally permeate it in a single direction.
Now, does that seem like a lot? It does, doesn’t it. But let me put it in perspective for you — in a single exhale, the average human can expel up to 750ml of vaporised water. That’s 750g when condensed. So yeah! Maybe 10kg isn’t that much. And when you’re sweating a lot on a hike, or biking, a high breathability rating is as important, if not more important than waterproofing! No point keeping water out if you’re soaked with sweat inside anyway.
Best brands
Dope Snow – This is a company that is taking the snowboard and outdoor apparel industry by storm. It has fresh and functional products.
Peak Performance – This brand stands for modern designs, technical solutions and high quality.
The North Face – Their jackets feature innovative waterproofing and insulating technologies to keep you dry and warm.
FAQ
How much waterproofing is enough for a jacket?
There's no strict answer to that. If you're going to stand under a waterfall, a lot. If you're going to endure some drizzly showers, less is fine. So it comes down to where you use it and the conditions you're using it in. Usually below 5,000mm is designed for light use. 10,000mm is a good all-around figure. 15,000mm+ is pretty much going to keep you dry in all situations.
What breathability rating is good for hiking?
This comes down to two factors - one, what kind of activity you're doing, and two, how much you sweat. If you're running up a mountain and you sweat a lot, the breathability of a waterproof jacket will probably never be high enough to let all your moisture out. But if you're doing more of a walk and you're not a big sweater, then you can probably rely on the figures your jacket is putting out.
Does waterproofing degrade?
The question of whether jackets get less waterproof over time is one we get asked a lot. The answer is that yes, they probably do. Though it's quite difficult to measure! The fabric doesn't get less waterproof as such, though, it just tends to get worn over time. The threads may begin to stretch or pull a little, which can affect the structural setup of the fabric, allowing more water through over time. This can be combatted with the use of a stretchy material, though, or with something like ripstop. The best thing we can say is try to take care of your waterproof jacket, and get one to suit your needs. One designed to put up with the punishment you're giving it!
Can you wash waterproof jackets?
Probably. Sometimes. With the right cycle and detergent. The idea of washing a waterproof jacket may seem scary at first, but most of the time, you can use a low-temperature cycle, and a special detergent which doesn't affect waterproof materials in the same way it does regular laundry. If you get a nasty spill on your jacket, some tree sap, or something else that won't come off with a cool, damp cloth (always our first recommendation), then definitely go specialist, buy a detergent designed for the job, and always - and we mean always - follow the washing instructions on the label. You take care of it, and it'll take care of you.
But won't that affect the DWR coating?
You're right that some detergents will strip DWR, and that high temperature washes probably will, too. But over time, continual rain, as well as general wear may begin to remove the DWR coating as well. The good news is that there are lots of products out there which allow you to top up the DWR coating. Maybe companies offer spray or roll-on options for prolonging or bolstering the DWR coating on a garment.
Wrapping It Up
Here we are, my dear friends. At the end of the pixelated road. It’s been a fine journey — one for the ages, even. But alas, all things must end.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this read, and that you found plenty to get excited about. If you need any more help, tips, recommendations, reviews, or general internet reading for those long moments where it’s just you, your phone, and the porcelain, well, you know where to find us.
Happy trails, my friends. And as always, happy shopping!