Telegraph editor Richard Madden and his wife Sarah brave winter storms to find the best waterproof jackets for men and women.
It rains often in the UK – 133 days a year, according to weather researchers at CurrentResults – and you never know when it’s going to rain, writes Tome Morrissey-Swan. Choosing the best waterproof jacket for you is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in this country (along with finding the best rain boots).
Browsing online clothing stores, you will see that there are many types of clothing, from lightweight running jackets to waterproof walking jackets, rugged hiking jackets, and rugged mountaineering jackets. You’ll find polyester fabrics, Gore-tex lining, and even wax finishes, often in different designs for men and women.
With big brands like North Face, Rab, Berghaus, Lululemon and Helly Hansen vying for the best outerwear, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the choices. Later in this guide, you’ll find full reviews of the best products on the market, each chosen for different purposes. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at the top five:
“Waterproofing is a good start,” says Oliver Tezcan, former CEO of online clothing retailer The Idle Man. “I don’t say this as a joke. There is a lot of confusion about what the word ‘waterproof’ actually means. Very few jackets are truly waterproof. Many are waterproof, which means they only block out moisture for a certain period of time.
“The best option,” continues Tezkan, “is Gore-Tex, a breathable fabric membrane. With Gore-Tex, you fuse a membrane into the fabric of the jacket that allows air to escape but keeps water out. As shown below, Gore-Tex is porous, but its pores are small, allowing air (but not water) to pass through.
Gore-tex is expensive, but very good. There are also some brands that have their own breathable membranes. For example, the North Face waterproof jacket may use Futurelight, which is made from recycled materials. Finally, budget options often include a spray-on waterproofing layer. “It’s effective, but it wears off,” advises Tezcan.
To find the best waterproof jackets for men and women, I asked Richard and Sarah Madden, who have been writing travel guides for The Telegraph for many years and recently recommended The Best Walking Boots. Here’s what they found.
Richard Madden writes As outdoor writers, Sarah and I have spent much of our lives in cold, rainy and windy weather. This is ideal preparation for becoming a waterproof jacket reviewer. But we also run and bike, so we were interested to see how this year’s jacket would handle such conditions.
We’ve tested these jackets in some of the most extreme weather conditions – you might remember Storms Dudley and Eunice – and later tried our own version of the hydrostatic head test, which is used in the industry to measure waterproofness.
In the “HH” test, a waterproof fabric is pulled taut and a tall, open tube is placed on top. Pour water into the tube to create water pressure. This test measures the height of the water column before it flows. In the UK, a fabric’s water resistance is defined as 1500mm (i.e. a 1500mm water column is enough to cause it to leak), but high-end jackets often have 20,000mm or more.
To simulate the HH test at home, we placed part of each jacket in a bowl, filled it with water, and came back in the morning to see if any water had leaked out. All the jackets reviewed here passed this test and did not leak.
Breathability is assessed using moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), which measures the amount of moisture passing through a square meter of fabric in 24 hours, but requires specialized equipment. We decided to jog uphill and ride a bike to test the jacket’s sweat comfort.
High-tech Rab fabric is at the top of the list, Arc Eco is made from three layers of Pertex Shield material, combining a hydrostatic head rating of 20,000 (HH) and moisture vapor transmission rate of 15,000 (MVTR). As Richard explains in the introduction, these are industry tests for waterproofness and breathability respectively. These are qualities that can work against each other, so finding the right balance is key, and Raab appears to have found it here.
I took the Rab on a long test walk and a bike ride and found it to be flawless both times. Despite my concerted attempts to sweat, my body remained dry, and the thing I hate most, the wind, did not penetrate. The hood has adjustments at the front and back, as well as ventilation holes in the armpits. The pockets are large enough to hold a map and can be easily zipped up even if you’re wearing a backpack. Rab also meets all sustainability requirements by using recycled, PFC-free materials.
The Arc Eco also has a fleece lining on the chin guard and back of the hood. This means you won’t have that scratchy neck feeling that often comes with cheaper waterproof products. Lastly, the sleeves are designed to slope toward the wrist, meaning it’s harder for wind to get in, but you still have plenty of room to move your shoulders. Amazing filibuster!
Key Features: 20,000mm height, 15,000 MVTR, three layers of chemical-free recycled Pertex® Shield fabric, wired hood with laminated brim, fleece-lined chin guard.
Dryzzle has been around for a few years now, but this year the product is made with a new fabric called Futurelight, which uses nanospinning technology to increase the breathability of the waterproof membrane. In layman’s terms, this means it’s designed to be more breathable than last year’s model.
First impression: it fits well, is stylish and very light. I have no problem sweating after vigorous running. It was also quite windy that day and I felt very well protected from the gusts, especially with the hood up and the wind flap around my neck.
This is a jacket that doesn’t have any stretch at the waist, so I wouldn’t recommend wearing it while cycling when your back is more exposed. However, it does have a zippered chest pocket that is perfect for storing your phone. Like all North Face products, it’s great for light hiking and well made.
Key Features: FUTURELIGHT™ fabric; Adjustable hood; All-weather flap with snap closure; Chest and side pockets; Ventilation zipper.
I really like how protected it feels on my neck because that’s where the wind and rain seem to get through first. And I don’t like the wind! That’s why I was immediately drawn to the unique Highraise collar. This is a very practical jacket that can withstand all kinds of weather, but still looks slim and stylish.
It has enough space to fit a card or two in the outer pocket, which Richard really likes, as well as an inner pocket with plenty of space. Another very clever design feature is that the outer pocket can be adjusted to open from the top or the side. The soft Highraise lining is also very comfortable.
It is made of Gore-Tex, which has good waterproof properties. I did feel a little sweaty after returning from a two-mile run, but I think that was more due to too many inner layers than the breathability of the jacket. But overall, this is a stylish and very functional product.
Key Features: Double-layer GORE-TEX fabric with taffeta lining; universal pockets with double entry; Eco-friendly fabric certified by Bluesign®.
It’s a form-fitting jacket designed for running (if you’re interested, check out The Telegraph’s guides to the best running shoes for women and the best fitness trackers). But it can also be easily used for cycling and walking. The one I tested was pink and was so nice to wear under the gray British skies. It has two small chest pockets that double as vents, two large dual-zip vents, and two side pockets for extra items like gloves, including an internal phone compartment.
The hood isn’t big enough for a helmet, but there are switches on the back and sides so peripheral vision isn’t an issue. The sign is made of reflective material so you can be seen even if you are outside after dark. The left sleeve also has a small wrist zipper for checking your watch. I wouldn’t use it in winter as it doesn’t have enough room to put on layers of clothing, but it’s a good choice for humid days when the weather is relatively warm.
Key Features: Waterproof Glyde fabric; Windproof, sealed seams; Large ventilation holes; Hidden phone pocket; Adjustable hood.
The Helly Hansen brand was founded in Norway in 1877. It has roots in the snowy north and specializes in the most advanced textile technologies. The results of this effective combination can be found in the Verglas jacket and its Lifa Infinity fabric.
It’s a microporous membrane that’s both waterproof and breathable, blocking rain and allowing sweat to escape before it condenses and cools the body. I didn’t detect an ounce of residual sweat when I went on a 15-minute uphill run, and overnight leak tests showed it to work well as a roofing material.
This Verglas also uses recycled, chemical-free fabrics that receive top marks for their environmental impact. Its three-layer construction means that while it may be a little heavy for hot summer hikes, it’s incredibly durable. I prefer this jacket for hiking in the mountains, where I might get scratched by rocks or thorns.
It has large side pockets that can easily fit an OS card (yay!) and huge vents under the arms to allow air flow when your muscles are tense. It also has a two-way zipper, which means you can open and close the pocket up and down. The hood easily fits a helmet and is adjustable at the front and back. It also moves your head left or right without obstructing your view, which is something many hoods don’t do.
Finally, there is a RECCO reflector on the hood of the jacket, which reflects the beam of the radar detector used by rescue teams. Potential savior. It may be expensive, but you won’t find a competitor as tough and durable as this one.
Key Features: Height 20,000mm, MVTR 20,000, LIFA INFINITY™ membrane, 3-layer PFC-free recycled fabric, underarm vents, dual zipped side pockets.
Regatta Wentwood combines an outer rain cover with a removable lightweight insulating layer. Combined, they provide a high level of protection against rain and cold. When worn alone, the outer layer makes an effective rain jacket, while the inner layer provides protection from wind and rain on wet, cool days. Given the flexibility of the ‘you get what you pay for’ approach, the Regatta certainly represents good value for money.
When fully assembled, the collar and hood fit the head well without blocking the view. But the effect of the lace is quite low. In addition to the side pockets, the outer layer has a cell phone pocket. Two internal pockets on the inner layer are large enough to store cards. They do not need to be stored in a backpack or held in your hands, which can cause a lot of inconvenience when wet.
Main characteristics: height 15,000 mm; Isotex fabric made of 100% polyester; removable internal insulation; hood with reinforced brim; internal visor with chin protection.
On Running is a Swiss brand known for its high-tech products. Their shoes are rated very highly in The Daily Telegraph’s list of the best men’s running shoes, and I was also impressed by this incredibly lightweight jacket. When I wore them on a typical 15-mile bike ride (a route with a lot of steep ups and downs), I noticed that there was only a small amount of sweat on my inner layer afterwards, even though I was intentionally riding harder than usual. This.
However, there is a word of warning. If you use a hood, it is not intended to be worn over a helmet as this jacket is primarily designed for running. It also only has a half zipper on the front. On the plus side, this means there’s less chance of leaks, and the vents and hydrophilic fabric allow water vapor from sweat to escape.
It has a casual yet sporty fit with a thin layer that hugs the body. Other clever details: The sleeve cuffs cover the arms (which is handy on cold days), and the hem at the back reaches to the back so rainwater can drain safely. It can also be stored under the hood. A wonderful set. But the price is clearly too high.
Key features: headroom 20,000 mm; three layers of hydrophilic, chemical-free fabric; several ventilation holes; small internal back pocket with zipper.
This is a versatile jacket that is comfortable to wear. It looks good and has top-notch waterproof and breathability ratings. It definitely held its own during a windy walk on the beach in February and kept me from getting sweaty during my running tests. The finishing touch to this clever packaging is the storage pocket that magically appears when you flip the left pocket over. There’s even a loop for hanging.
The JWP has mesh lining around the torso and inside the hood, as well as polyester lining on the sleeves for soft comfort. There is an adjustment switch on the back of the hood, which I find is easier to adjust than jackets that only have the switch at the front. It’s also good for the environment: its fabric is made from recycled plastic and is PFC-free.
Key features: height 20,000 mm; MVTR 15,000; Two layers of Texapore Ecphere elastic fabric; Recycled plastic mesh lining; Adjustable hood; Two pockets, one of which can be used as a storage bag.
This is perhaps the lightest jacket in the test: its fabric is made from recycled materials, and its waterproofness and breathability are top-notch. It’s not designed to provide warmth and should be worn with a base layer on cold days, but it’s a good choice for easy walks in the highlands or forests, and for coastal walks in summer. Even though it’s not tailored, it still looks stylish and the fabric has a bit of stretch to accommodate some movement when you’re lifting for short periods of time or moving your arms frequently.
The two outer pockets have narrow openings, but they can only hold a card. The interior of the jacket is soft to the touch and produces much less rustling noise than most other waterproof materials. Great for twitchers and nature lovers!
Main characteristics: height 20,000 mm; MVTR 15,000; does not contain PFC; 100% recycled polyester; two external pockets with zippers; taped seams; waterproof zippers.
In a nutshell, yes, writes Tomei Morrissey-Swan. The top of the function explains how it works. But many manufacturers have developed equally breathable and waterproof fabrics, such as Futurelight from The North Face and Lifa from Helly Hansen, which Richard and Sarah found very effective. You can also find names like eVent, MemBrain and many tiers of private labels that range from very good to mediocre.
Some cheaper jackets have the waterproofing material sprayed on rather than sewn on. Oliver Tezcan says it can be effective, although it wears out over time. Sprays can be replaced, but this is expensive. The plus is that the jacket is lighter and more breathable.
Tezkan is a big fan of Scandinavian raincoats, with brands such as Rains, Helly Hansen, Grundens and Stutterheim being great examples. They’re often modeled after old rubber fisherman’s or work coats, so they’re great for cold weather, although warm, rainy days may leave you sweating in the pool. Many lighter waterproof jackets have a fleece lining, which is almost as comfortable.
Post time: Sep-27-2023