The Best Rain Jackets For Women, Tested By An Outdoor Expert

Besides keeping you dry, the best rain jackets for women are breathable, stylish and suitable for different climates and conditions. After testing many, I chose Outdoor Research’s Aspire II as my top pick overall because is offers excellent protection, whether you’re commuting to work or spending the day outdoors. My colleagues also rounded up additional recommendations, depending on if you want a fashionable rain parka for city days or a rugged option you can truly weather a storm in.

When researching the contenders, I relied on my extensive experience as an outdoor gear tester and I also spoke with several experts, including Preeti Arya, an assistant professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) who teaches courses on performance textiles, and Sara Ellis, a product specialist in the fabrics division at Gore-Tex. Here, the winners that emerged from my testing and the Vetted team’s separate review process.

Our Team’s Top Picks

• Best Rain Jacket For Women Overall: Outdoor Research Aspire II Gore-Tex Jacket
• Best Value Rain Jacket For Women: Helly Hansen Moss Raincoat
• Best Casual Rain Jacket For Women: Lululemon Rain Rebel Jacket
• Best Breathable Rain Jacket For Women: Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Trench
• Best Performance Rain Jacket For Women: The North Face Antora Jacket
• Best Rain Parka For Women: Everlane The ReNew Anorak
• Best Warm Rain Jacket For Women: Finisterre Solus Waterproof Jacket
• Best Lightweight Rain Jacket For Women: Columbia Arcadia II Rain Jacket
• Best Rain Jacket With Removable Hood: Bernardo Rain Coat

Fabric: 100% polyester | Waterproofing: Two-layer Gore-Tex with Paclite technology | Size range: XS to 4X | Colors: 10 | Sustainability attributes: Bluesign-approved Gore-Tex | Warranty: Limited lifetime

Best for

• Everyday use, traveling and most outdoor adventures
• An active person on the go who needs a high level of breathability
• Someone who wants a comfortable lightweight shell that accommodates layers underneath

Skip if

• You need a rain jacket that will provide warmth in cold climates

If you want to own only one rain jacket, the Aspire II, is a versatile shell suitable for most climates and activities. The lightweight and packable jacket can withstand heavy precipitation, protects against the wind and is ultra breathable. It’s moderately priced for Gore-Tex and comes in a wide range of colors, and it is the most size-inclusive jacket I tested (women’s sizes are available from XS to 4X). While there are certainly more fashionable water-resistant jackets, none are likely to function as well and suit as many lifestyles as this one.

I wore the Aspire II while hiking, walking the dog, running errands and playing with my kid outside, and I stayed dry every time—even in an hourlong downpour. A handful of features keep the jacket watertight: seam tape, an internal storm flap, a drawcord hem, hook-and-loop cuffs and a brimmed hood. The hood’s double adjustment points (elastic drawcords on the chin and back of the head) allow for a customized fit that moves side to side with your head and doesn’t impede your peripheral vision.

The Aspire II jacket also ranked high in breathability. The lightweight Paclite does its job of letting water vapor escape, and even after a 10-minute indoor rowing session, I didn’t feel overly clammy. Additionally, the jacket features zippered torso venting—two-way side zippers that run from the bottom hem to the underarm—and you don’t have to be a dedicated hiker or an outdoors person to appreciate the added functionality. This is a great travel feature, as the jacket can be tossed on over a backpack poncho-style when you get caught in a sudden shower, or it can fit over bulky layers. —Tested by Ebony Roberts

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Fabric: Polyurethane | Waterproofing: Polyurethane (PU) coating | Size range: Women’s XS to XL | Colors: 3 | Sustainability attributes: Bluesign product | Warranty: Limited one-year

Best for

• Heavy rain and colder temperatures
• People looking for a classic fisherman-style rain jacket
• Urban commuting and light outdoor activities

Skip if

• You don’t like the rubbery feel of polyurethane, or if breathability is a top priority

If you need a great value rain jacket for colder climates that see a lot of precipitation, the Helly Hansen Moss can withstand heavy showers and is comfortable to wear. It’s one of the most rainproof and wind-protective jackets I tested. The Moss retails for about $100, and you can sometimes find it through various retailers on sale for as low as $60—a huge step down in price from many jackets similar in design. It’s not as breathable and packable as my top pick, but for casual everyday use, it looks good and will keep you dry.

The Moss aced my test where I stood in the shower wearing it, and handled heavy Pacific Northwest rain just fine. The thick rubbery fabric, welded seams, wrist snaps and storm flap over the front zipper make it nearly impossible for water to find a way in. The hood design isn’t as roomy as others, but it does cinch around the face well. I also preferred the longer length of the Moss as it kept more of my body dry during everyday errands. Unlike the other longer jackets I tested, the front zipper isn’t two-way adjustable, so mobility is slightly hindered when doing things that require you to bend or stretch your legs. If you like the style of the jacket but want something shorter, the Moss is also available in hip-length and stylish women’s trench.

The trade-off for such stellar water protection is that the Moss doesn’t excel at breathability, which is fine on a chilly morning, but if it’s warm outside or you’re doing something active, there’s nowhere for that heat to escape but through the perforated holes under the back yoke, which offer little ventilation. The care instructions say to avoid putting it in the dryer (heat can damage the rubbery polyurethane material), so it needs to air-dry, but the slick fabric is wipeable, so spot cleaning will extend the time between launderings. Helly Hansen offers a 1-year warranty on manufacturing defects, and the Moss comes with its own repair patch that you can use to fix small tears or holes at home. —Tested by Ebony Roberts

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