Very few jackets are genuinely waterproof.” Many are shower resistant, which means they’ll hold back the tide only for so long. (That multi-layered structure also explains why some waterproof coats can look sodden, as though the water has seeped through, but you remain dry underneath.

The best waterproof jackets 2021

1. Berghaus Sky Hiker waterproof jacket.
2. Finisterre Stormbird waterproof jacket.
3. Jack Wolfskin Eagle Peak Jacket.
4. Maier Sports Metor M.
5. Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Infinity Shell Jacket.
6. The North Face Retro Mountain Light.
7. Berghaus Deluge Pro Waterproof.
8. Paramo Alta III waterproof jacket.

The Purpose of Rain Gear This is a year-round possibility in any environment, so take note and plan accordingly. Rainwear is obviously meant to keep you dry, but its other job is to keep you warm. It’s the reason rain gear is considered one of the Ten Hiking Essentials you should never hike without.

The test most commonly used to see how waterproof a garment actually is is known as the Static-column test. A tube stands vertically over the material being tested, and then the tube is filled with water. The level of water in millimeters when water begins to leak through the material becomes the waterproof rating.

Best Waterproof Jackets: What to look for and where to buy

• Berghaus Paclite 2.0 Waterproof Jacket.
• Columbia Cascade Ridge II Softshell Jacket.
• Craghoppers Susa Jacket.
• Mountain Equipment Saltoro Jacket.
• North Face Quest Insulated Jacket.
• Patagonia Calcite Jacket.
• Rab Kangri Gore-Tex Jacket.

Best waterproof jackets for women

• Cotswold Outdoor. The North Face Womens Venture 2 Jacket.
• Mountain Warehouse. Mountain Warehouse Sprayway Kelo Womens GORE-TEX® Paclite Jacket.
• Regatta. Regatta Women’s Daysha Lightweight Waterproof Jacket.
• National Trust.
• Decathlon.
• Regatta.
• Jack Wolfskin.
• Cotswold Outdoor.

Water-resistant: able to resist the penetration of water to some degree but not entirely. Water-repellent: not easily penetrated by water, especially as a result of being treated for such a purpose with a surface coating. Waterproof: impervious to water.

The Arc’teryx Zeta SL Jacket provides Gore-Tex waterproof, breathable protection that keeps you dry in rainy weather, and then also easily packs away whenever the wet weather dissipates on the trail. With Paclite Plus technology, this jacket’s Gore-Tex membrane is far more packable than most Gore-Tex hardshells.

1. Rab Kangri Gore-Tex jacket: A brilliant all-round waterproof jacket.

The Rab Microlight Alpine is an excellent pick if you need something for light use in wet weather. It has just about everything we look for in a quality down jacket — decent warmth, compressibility, relative lightweight, and comfortable fit — while pulling off the best combination of weather-resistant technologies.

More Great Rain Jackets

• Best Rain Jacket for Cities: Arc’teryx Sawyer Coat ($475)
• Best Stretch Rain Jacket: Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell ($149)
• Best Rain Jacket for Hiking: Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 Gore-Tex Paclite Plus ($300)
• Best Rain Jacket for Running: On Weather Jacket ($240)

GORE-TEX Pro is the top-end waterproof/breathable fabric, designed for sustained use by mountaineers and those out regularly in bad conditions. The innovative construction means it offers excellent breathability, but the emphasis is still on durability for extended use.

One drawback of GORE-TEX is that you need to keep it clean to keep it waterproof—and clean it properly. Over time, as perspiration from your body escapes out through the material, it can cause a buildup of surfactants (detergent-like chemicals) that reduces the effectiveness of the waterproofing.

OutDry Extreme is a great Gore-Tex alternative because it performs really well, but also because it’s pretty affordable. Columbia jackets are generally cheaper than Gore-Tex jackets, but that is by no means reflected in their performance.

While water resistant, they are not waterproof. GORE-TEX® garments are waterproof, breathable, and windproof.

Failure Point #3: Gore-Tex Damage The final reason Gore-Tex boots leak is because the Gore-Tex membrane itself is compromised in some way, either from footwear use and abuse which results in a puncture or small tear or because of manufacturer defect (the least likely cause).

To restore the water repellency of GORE-TEX outerwear, GORE-TEX brand recommends the following steps: Machine wash your garment as described in the wash instructions. Once it is dry, tumble dry your garment for 20 minutes to reactivate the durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment on the outer fabric.

Even powerful Gore-Tex has a lifespan. For people that use their gear daily, this lifetime can range from three to five years while those who use less frequency can get close to 15 years out of their garments.

Machine wash on a warm permanent press cycle (105°F/40°C) using a small amount of liquid detergent. Rinse twice, and minimize spinning to reduce creasing. Don’t use powder detergents, fabric softeners, stain removers, or bleach. Don’t wash with heavily soiled clothing.