The 11 Best Raincoats That Will Keep You Dry and Stylish, Tested & Reviewed
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Rain, rain, come again, let me wear my cute jacket again.
InStyle / Joy Kim
We’re not sure if you noticed, but every changing of the seasons gets washed in with a rainy season. Maybe it’s earth’s way of cleansing the old and cleaning the streets for the new — polishing cobblestone roads for leaves to fall onto, cleaning the air for snowflakes to float, and overturning the soil for flowers to grow. While we praise the sunny days, we’re grateful for the rainy ones for bringing life to all the nature we love.
Poetics aside, business still needs to run as usual, which means you need to head to the grocery store, pick up the kids, and even go running — rain or shine. And as much as you love to watch the rain fall from the safety of your reading nook, you don’t want it soiling through your clothes as you check through your to-do list. Umbrellas can be useful, but they’re not as practical, especially for fashion and celebrity stylist Bronagh Meere. “Since having children I’m all about the raincoat,” she says. “It’s very tricky to hold an umbrella when you're pushing a pram or holding a little hand.”
Which is why we spent dozens of hours putting countless rain jackets and coats to the test to see which outperformed the rest. And when we say “put to the test," we literally stood under a shower and observed how the droplets rolled off, inspected if any water made its way through to the interior, and took note of any additional perks (like extended hoodies or cinched in waists). We then picked the winning jackets and wrote about our personal experiences to bring you the best rain jackets to shop right now.
The All-Around Best One To Buy
Helly Hansen Women’s Long Belfast Jacket, $160 on Helly Hansen
For everyday activities, this option from Helly Hansen proved its superior functionality to us. With a longer hem that covered the backside, the design offered more protection than a standard jacket. The material was also completely waterproof, and with the hood up and zipper fastened up to our chins, our entire neck, hair, and faces were properly protected as well.
Two More Top Picks
Outdoor Research Women's Aspire Super Stretch Jacket, $300 on Outdoor Research
This option is ideal for the runner, who expects to be protected from the rain while having access to their full range of motion. The jacket offers four-way stretch panels to increase mobility and has zippered vents for additional breathability. The lightweight jacket did not feel restrictive as we did any rigorous exercises in it.
Rains Long Jacket, $125 on Rains
This jacket is for the stylish city-goer, the one who doesn’t want to compromise looks for functionality. Instead of the crinkly texture of traditional raincoats, this one has a sleek, durable, muted texture instead. It’s also our longest option on the list, covering everything down to the knees.
Related: 11 Best Rain Boots for Women That Are Comfortable and Stylish
Best Overall: Helly Hansen Women’s Long Belfast Jacket
What We Love: Even the zippers are lined with a waterproof material.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not very breathable.
Our best overall pick is synonymous with a best everyday rain jacket, since it’s stylish, long, and completely waterproof. We picked this option because we’re most likely going to wear it any day it rains for simple activities. The long hem covered our backside properly and the zip came all the way up to our chins, allowing us to almost perfectly cover our heads with the hood up and fastened.
We were also blown away by the quality — there’s no doubt in our minds that this would last well over a decade. When we placed water droplets on the jacket, it was almost as if hitting glass — completely impermeable. There are only three exterior zipped pockets and no inside pockets, which we felt was a missed opportunity. Still, all the zippers had waterproof lining as well, ensuring nothing would seep through. While this makes it perfect for strolls through the city and running errands in town, it’s not the best raincoat for sports. Its breathability was close to zero, so it got pretty hot when we did some jumping jacks in it. If you’re looking for a rain jacket to go running in, keep scrolling further down.
Price at time of publish: $160
Materials: Polyester | Colors: 6 | Size: XS–5XL | Length: Midi
Best Splurge: Kari Traa Women's Voss Jacket
What We Love: There are zippered arm vents to keep things breathable.
What We Don’t Love: We wish it came in more colors.
Yes, this rain jacket comes with a bit of a steep price, but considering we could do cartwheels in a rainstorm and still stay dry in it, we think it’s well worth the cost. This jacket excelled in four key points. First, the hood with its adjustable drawstrings covered our entire head and foreheads, so much so that it could be pouring rain and the water would just slide right off the hood and never touch our face, hair, or neck.
Second, there are zippered armpit vents keeping things breathable and cool on the interior. This became especially handy when we were hiking up a mountain. The jacket is so lightweight and mobile, we had no issues doing jumping jacks in it without it restricting our movements.
Thirdly, there are adjustable cinches on the wrists, hem, hood, and waist. Basically, any place where water could potentially creep in can be amply blocked out.
And lastly, it’s packable! Yes, it comes with a little pouch that we could easily roll the jacket into, making it perfect for travel. Not even travel, but should the rain stop midday, we feel happy knowing we could store it in our purse without soiling the rest of our items. Considering how functional this jacket is, we just wish it came in more colors, especially some basic tones like black.
Price at time of publish: $300
Materials: Polyester | Colors: 2 | Size: XS–XL | Length: Standard
Best Budget: Columbia Women's Switchback III Jacket
What We Love: It’s extremely lightweight and easy to pack.
What We Don’t Love: We wish it was longer in the back for extra coverage.
Considering it’s not an item you wear on a daily, we can totally understand the hesitation of spending a ton of money on a rain jacket. This option, despite its affordable price point, exceeded our expectations in how well it protected us.
The looser fit gave us access to our full range of motion, allowing us to do jumping jacks without it pulling against our chests. While exercising, the lightweight jacket felt breathable, saving us from feeling stuffy or overheated. There’s only one layer to it, and the lack of inner linings made it all the more light, easy to fold, and pack up for travel.
The jacket was also perfectly leak-proof — all it took was one shake and every droplet came right off the surface. Even items in the mesh pockets were properly protected. The only thing we wish we could change was the length — a little extra coverage around the bum would be nice.
Price at time of publish: $50
Materials: Polyester, nylon | Colors: 10+ | Size: XS–3XL | Length: Standard
Best Plus-Size: Lands’ End Women's Plus Size Waterproof Hooded Packable Raincoat
What We Love: It’s well insulated, keeping us warm through cold weather.
What We Don’t Love: We wish the hoodie was a little larger so it could go past our foreheads.
Lands’ End products never skimp out on quality, and that’s very evident with this raincoat. We placed a tissue in the interior and then dosed water on the jacket, but the tissue came out untouched and dry. While wearing the coat, we were impressed with just how lightweight it felt, despite the substantial material. We had no issues moving around freely and felt amply protected by the longer hem and hoodie — although we will say, the hood did not go past our hairline, so some droplets reached our faces. Thanks to the drawstrings around the waist, the jacket allowed us to define our shape and adjust for snugness.
We also noticed how well-insulated the jacket was. We would feel comfortable wearing this in cold weather knowing that our bodies will stay warm and dry. Conversely, it’s not the most breathable jacket. Although there is a mesh lining around the body, there aren’t any air vents in sight, making this most certainly not the jacket for running.
Price at time of publish: $97
Materials: Polyester | Colors: 6 | Size: 16–26 | Length: Midi
Best Packable: 33,000ft Women's Packable Rain Jacket
What We Love: The jacket easily packs up into the included pouch.
What We Don’t Love: The zippers are not very smooth.
Two reasons why rain jackets should be packable: the first is that we don’t use them often, so we don’t want them taking up much space. The second is that when they are wet, we want to keep them from soiling the other items we’re throwing them together with. Luckily, this option comes with a little pouch to hide the jacket in.
No rain or mist reached our skins while wearing this jacket, thanks to its waterproof exterior. As we jumped and hopped around, we didn’t even break a sweat due to how lightweight and breathable the material was. It gave us access to our full range of motion, so much so that we would feel comfortable wearing this out on a run. It even comes with a ventilation zip under the armpits.
The jacket has three pockets, two on the exterior and one hidden inside — all of which have a waterproof lining on the zipper as well. Although we noticed the zippers didn’t have the smoothest of glides. If not positioned correctly, they got caught in their own ridges. When we were ready to store the jacket away, the structurally flexible material was easy to roll up and place in the provided pouch.
Price at time of publish: $50
Materials: Polyester | Colors: 14 | Size: XS–XXL | Length: Standard
Best Lightweight: Little Donkey Andy Women’s Waterproof Rain Jacket
What We Love: It’s extremely easy to pack and bring along to just about anywhere.
What We Don’t Love: It’s very form-fitted, so if you want to layer sweaters underneath, we recommend sizing up.
There are a number of reasons why you should opt for a lightweight rain jacket, the biggest and most important reason being that it’s easier to pack and bring along on trips.
The jacket has no venting or mesh lining to make it feel breathable, but because its single layer makes it so lightweight, it didn’t feel like we were overheating in it.
This one was bullet-proof to any and all moisture. No amount of water or mist made its way past the surface, even as we let it sit there for 10 minutes — it was remarkable to watch, honestly. We loved how the zippers were waterproofed as well, ensuring anything in our pockets would be completely safe as well. With a mock neck and drawstrings on the hood, our necks and hair were properly protected. It’s a slim jacket that’s neither warm nor cold. If you plan on layering sweaters underneath, we recommend sizing up.
Price at time of publish: $57
Materials: Polyester | Colors: 10+ | Size: XS–3XL | Length: Standard
Best for Large Chests: Marmot PreCip Eco Rain Jacket
What We Love: The jacket provides extra space in the chest area to better fit curves.
What We Don’t Love: The zipper isn’t all that smooth.
We’ve had some cumbersome experiences in the past where rain jackets felt restrictive against our larger chests — that was not the case with this option from Marmot. The chest area is cut a little larger, subtly following our curves and making it easier to move around in it without feeling pressed against the fabric. For additional space and ventilation, we could even unzip the armpits. Although we do have to say, sometimes the zipper got stuck for no reason, making it less than a smooth experience.
Like all the other jackets we’ve included in this list, the material absorbed none of the water we splashed on it. That being said, the hood was on the smaller side, and we had to tighten the strings in order for it to properly cover the face and stay put.
Price at time of publish: $100
Materials: Recycled nylon | Colors: 15 | Size: XS–XXL | Length: Standard
Best for Heavy Rain: Outdoor Research Women's Aspire II GORE-TEX Jacket
What We Love: Side zips open up the jacket almost all the way.
What We Don’t Love: A longer length would make it even better suited for heavy rain.
While most rain jackets will suffice for a little drizzle, this one is good to go under even the most torrential of downpours. Even as we let the water shower on this sturdy jacket, droplets slid right off as if they hit solid glass. It’s double-layered and the material is very strong. We trust it to keep us warm during said downpour. Meere emphasizes the importance of a large hood capable of covering all your hair, and this one does just that. It’s very protective, coming all the way over our foreheads and then tightening with its adjustable straps. We completely covered our noggins safely. Additionally, velcro cuffs and adjustable drawstrings on the hem along with the hoodie made water completely inaccessible to the interior.
Should the weather lighten up, however, we could open the zips on each side of the jacket to get some airflow going. Despite its strong makeup, it’s still impressively lightweight, so it didn’t weigh down on us at any given point. While it did offer some coverage to our backside, we wish the jacket was longer for even better protection.
Price at time of publish: $225
Materials: Polyester | Colors: 6 | Size: XS–XL | Length: Standard
Best for Working Out: Outdoor Research Women's Aspire Super Stretch Jacket
What We Love: The four-way stretch panels increase mobility.
What We Don’t Love: We wish there were more universal colors like black and gray.
Those who like to run in the rain will need more than just a waterproof jacket, but a breathable one as well — no one wants to get overheated by their own body heat. We found this jacket to be extremely lightweight, made of high-quality four-way stretch panels for superior mobility. Unlike the previous Outdoor Research jacket we discussed, this one comes with the added benefit of being somewhat stretchy and easy to move around in.
InStyle’s Senior Beauty Editor Shannon Bauer, who also happens to be a marathon runner, emphasizes the importance of zippered venting under the arms to avoid overheating, which this jacket has. The large hood can also be tied around the face, making it not only block rain out but stay in place as we jump around. Overall, the jacket is thin, breathable, movement-friendly, and durable. As a great all-around jacket, we wonder why it’s not offered in a more standard color like black.
Price at time of publish: $300
Materials: Nylon, polyester | Colors: 3 | Size: XS–XXL | Length: Standard
Best Long: Rains Women's Long Jacket
What We Love: The length protects our legs and backside as well.
What We Don’t Love: Heavy-duty rain can seep through the buttons.
If you’re looking for something a little more stylish, then we recommend this long coat from Rains. It’s different from the others as it doesn’t have the same crinkly texture that rain jackets are well known for. Instead, it has a very sleek, soft, and muted feel to it, despite being an impressively heavy-duty jacket. It’s the kind of coat you could easily style up and still look chic, rather than looking like you just came trekking down a mountain.
Another interestingly different detail about this jacket is that it’s a button-down, rather than a zip-up. When we stood under a shower with it, some water did seep through the open space between each button. That being said, showers have a very targeted downpour — we’re confident that some simple rain in the city would be harmless. It’s also one of the few longer options we tried, and it protected our legs along with our upper bodies as well.
Price at time of publish: $125
Materials: Polyester, polyurethane | Colors: 10 | Size: XS–XXL | Length: Long
Best Cinched Waist: Kühl Women's Stretch Voyager Jacket
What We Love: The design lets you adjust the waist and covers the butt properly as well.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not the most breathable option.
Rain jackets shouldn’t look like you’re wearing a large plastic garbage bag, and Kühl agrees. The little bit of cinching around the waist made us feel elegant and put together despite the rain. Since it’s adjustable, we were able to customize the hourglass look as well. The jacket is also a little longer than a standard length, covering the backside properly. The sleeves were long and the hood was large, making it easy to fully hide our bodies from the storm.
An important feature to note was how stretchy the jacket was. It made movements that much easier to make. We still wouldn’t go running with this, as it is longer and less ventilated, but for long hikes in the woods it does not get better than this.
Price at time of publish: $179
Materials: Polyester | Colors: 7 | Size: XS–XXL | Length: Midi
Our Testing Process
We began by searching the internet for the best rated rain jackets. From there, we pulled 23 rain options into our testing site and vetted them rigorously. Each jacket had to be worn under our portable showers, dosed with watering cans, and misted with spray bottles. We observed whether or not any droplets were absorbed into the surface, or if they rolled right off. By placing tissues inside the jacket, we took note of whether or not the interior got wet during these tests. We also evaluated how the jacket felt on — by doing jumping jacks, we tested our range of motion, whether we heated up immediately or whether there was some ventilation to keep us cool. Lastly, we measured how long it took for the jackets to completely dry off.
What to Keep in Mind
Material & Features
Most raincoats come in weather-treated cotton, nylon, or polyester. “DWR” is an acronym you’ll see often, meaning durable water repellent. Different base fabrics, like polyester and nylon, can be treated with a DWR coating.
In terms of features, it depends on your personal needs. Sr. Designer at Eddie Bauer, Tasha Tennant recommends looking for “internal secure chest pockets for stashing a credit card, protective hoods, and dual entry hand pockets, which are made with a top entry and side entry providing extra room for stashing your phone and AirPods.” Bonus points go to the jackets that have waterproof lining on the zippers as well, like the Little Donkey Andy Women’s Waterproof Rain Jacket and Helly Hansen Women’s Long Belfast Jacket.
Meanwhile, UK-based influencer Daisy Ashcrot, who says she buys a rain coat at least once or twice a year, looks for a rain jacket that is “lightweight but also has some element of responsive heat technology to keep me cool in the light summer rain and warm in the late fall.” Take any of the jackets with added venting, if you want to follow Ashcroft’s (rainboot) footprints, like the Outdoor Research Women's Aspire Super Stretch Jacket and the Karitraa Voss Jacket.
Length
You’ll see that we mentioned several jackets alongside some coats in this story. Jackets come down around your hips, while coats go past your butt and sometimes even down to your thighs. Naturally, the longer versions will provide a little extra coverage from the rain. Take the Rains Long Jacket for example. We loved how fully protected we felt in its large embrace.
However, if you’re hoping to go running, hiking, or simply be on the go a lot, the added length can feel hindering to your movements. In which case, options like the Little Donkey Andy Women’s Waterproof Rain Jacket will work better. For all things inbetween, Meere suggests a midi-length raincoat to help you look put together by covering up any layers you might be wearing. The Lands’ End Women's Plus Size Waterproof Hooded Packable Raincoat or the Kühl Stretch Voyager Jacket are great such options.
Lifestyle & Activities
With an item as particular as a raincoat, function must be heavily accounted for, in addition to fashion. And while raincoats don’t have the sexiest reputation, those who live in notoriously overcast cities have learned that raincoats can easily be styled to look chic. As a new mom who’s always running around, Ashcroft pairs her coat with “some jeans, gorgeous rain boots, and a sleek zipped bag to ensure the whole ensemble looks effortlessly chic.” To add a little to the figure, she continues that “a belt or a cinched waist can elevate the look, especially with longer hem trench coats.” Those that can relate will enjoy the ease and coverage of the Kühl Stretch Voyager Jacket.
Meanwhile, Bauer takes her well-ventilated rain jacket on runs and needs something short, lightweight, and breathable. She would do better with the Outdoor Research Women's Aspire Super Stretch Jacket. For anyone else in need of a safety jacket just in case it rains on their trip to Italy, a packable option, like the Karitraa Voss Jacket, is ideal.
Your Questions, Answered
What makes a raincoat waterproof?
There are different levels of waterproofing that depend on the materials used. Labels such as “water resistant,” “water repellent,” and “waterproof” all offer different layers of protection. Tennant breaks down these descriptors for us:
Water Resistant: “Water-resistant outerwear is made with tightly constructed woven fabrics,” says Tennant. While the tight knit itself can block some of the light rain, it’s not completely fool-proof against the moisture.
Water Repellent: This is the technology you’ll most commonly see when shopping for rain jackets. “Water-repellent outerwear is made with materials treated with DWR coatings,” explains Tennant. “The coatings make water bead up on the surface of the fabric, making it difficult for rain to penetrate the jacket during rain showers.”
Waterproof: Waterproof is the term you should look for if you plan on getting caught in an actual downpour, whether you walk to work or partake in high alpine hiking. “Waterproof products are made with layered fabrics which have hydrophilic properties that wick moisture away from the body on the inside and repel water on the outside,” says Tennant. “Waterproof jackets are also designed with sealed seams which add another layer of protection by keeping water out at the seams of the jacket.” The Lands’ End Women's Plus Size Waterproof Hooded Packable Raincoat, Little Donkey Andy Women’s Waterproof Rain Jacket, and MARMOT Women's Precip Waterproof Rain Jacket all provide guaranteed waterproofing, which offers superior protection in heavy rain.
How do you wash a raincoat?
Though some products require specific care and you should always read the instructions on the website or clothing label, here are a few general rules of thumb from a technical designer. “Machine wash cold, delicate, and separate, use mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly and tumble dry low for best results,” explains Tennant. “You shouldn’t iron or steam, dry clean, bleach, or use fabric softeners on a raincoat.” Or if you want to keep things simple, Ashcroft occasionally takes hers to the dry cleaners to freshen the inside and then handwashes the exterior at home.
Why Shop With Us
Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer with three years of experience covering fashion and beauty. Having hiked through the wetlands of New Zealand, she appreciates a well-designed rain jacket and knows first-hand what kind of details to look for. In order to write this article, she dug deep into the feedback provided by the testers. She also consulted fashion and celebrity stylist Bronagh Meere, UK-based mother and influencer Daisy Ashcroft, and senior commerce editor and marathon runner Shannon Bauer for deeper insights into what to look for when shopping for rain jackets.
Linne Halpern is a freelance fashion, beauty, and lifestyle writer who helped contribute to this article, interviewing Sr. Designer at Eddie Bauer, Tasha Tennant, for technical commentary about weatherproofed materials.
Related: The 22 Best Fall Jackets to Stay Warm and Stylish This Season
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