Best waterproof jackets for 2023: reviewed

Keep the rain firmly out whatever the conditions with a waterproof jacket we’ve tested in the elements. We bring you our recommendations from the field

By Pat Kinsella

Published: Monday, 27 February 2023 at 12:00 am

There may be no such thing as bad weather, only bad kit. But with rainfall set to increase in the UK, now is the time to invest in a jacket that will keep you bone-dry when the heavens open.

Finding the right one for you isn’t necessarily related to how much you have to spend on it. We’ve tested and reviewed rain jackets from all ends of the spectrum to help you unpick the difference between a £420 jacket and a £70 one, and work out which features will be most important to you when you’re out in the elements.

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Check out our Best waterproof trousers, Best waterproof backpacks and Best kids’ waterproof trousers 2023

What are the best waterproof jackets?

The best jackets are those that not only repel rain and wind, but which allow your body to breath – via vents and smart, ‘breathable’ fabrics – preventing the build up of moisture on the inside.

Look for a good hood, with adjustment points, and pockets that can hold everything from scrumped conkers to OS maps.

Comfort is crucial too. It’s great to have a waterproof is both light and compact when folded, so you can pop it in a backpack on those will-it-won’t-it unpredictable days, when rain is an ever-present rumour on the horizon.

The biggest area of innovation in jackets over the last few years has been in the development of recycled fabrics and eco-conscious design – an important consideration for any new purchase.

Many rain jacket makers use waterproof membranes by the market-leading brand Gore-Tex, but other similar membranes are available in various forms. Some are at the premium end, so will look after you on mountaintops and on the edge of the poles. But do you really need that level of protection? If you’re mostly walking in the woods and on countryside trails, cheaper options are usually adequate.

Lastly, genuinely waterproof jackets can be a costly investment, but we’ve covered a range of budgets below.

Here is our fully reviewed guide to the best waterproof jackets for 2023…