Best waterproof jackets for men and women, tried and tested by hiking experts

However, many manufacturers have developed equivalent breathable waterproof fabrics, such as The North Face’s Futurelight and Helly Hansen’s Lifa, which Richard and Sarah found to be very effective. You may also come across names like eVent, MemBrain and a host of own-brand layers, which range from very good to mediocre.  

With some cheaper jackets, waterproofing is sprayed on rather than sewn in. This can be effective, though it does wear off after time. The spray is replaceable, but that comes at a cost. On the plus side, jackets like this can feel lighter and more breathable. 

What is the warmest waterproof jacket?

Scandinavian brands like Rains, Helly Hansen, Grundens and Stutterheim mimic old rubber fishermen’s or workers’ coats and are thus very good for cold weather, though on a warm rainy day you’ll find yourself in a pool off sweat. Many lighter waterproof jackets come with a fleece lining and are nearly as cosy.

What is the best packable rain jacket?

Brands like Jack Wolfskin, The North Face, Patagonia, Mammut and Marmot make good shell jackets. These are designed to be light outer layers and don’t necessarily keep you warm, but they can be very effective at keeping you dry. Because they’re so thin, you can scrunch them up and carry in a bag, making them ideal for showery weather.  

How much should you spend on a waterproof jacket?

In our tests we found the sweet spot to be somewhere around £200 and the good news is that jackets costing considerably more seem to be quite frequently discounted.

“It depends how technical you want to go,” says Oliver Tezcan, formerly CEO of online clothing store The Idle Man. “You can buy an entry level North Face HyVent shell jacket for about £100 or go all the way up to an Arcteryx extreme weather coat with fully fused seams that might cost you £700.

“The nice thing about Scandinavian waterproofs [see above] is they’re really not very expensive. Rains are probably the cheapest, about £90, and you go up to the Stutterheims at about £250. In the grand scheme of things, that’s not too much money for a good coat that could last a lifetime.”

“I actually think even £1,000 for a Burberry mac is a very good investment. It’s something you will wear for the rest of your life. On a pound-to-wear basis that’s a really good investment.”

How to clean waterproof jackets 

Generally, the best way is with a sponge and a non-abrasive cloth, so you don’t damage the waterproof treatment. “If you really have to machine wash, do so at 30C,” says Tezcan. Use liquid detergent rather than powder which “can damage Gore-Tex in particular.”

“For more formal styles (e.g. designer macs), you would need to dry-clean, although it may then need re-proofing otherwise.”

Essentially, it’s always best to read the label for the best advice.