Best Gore-Tex jackets: our top reviewed choices

In search of a new waterproof jacket? Look out for Gore-Tex, which provides breathability and waterproofing in one single membrane. Here are a selection of the best Gore-Tex jackets we’ve reviewed.

By Alice Tuffery

Published: Tuesday, 31 January 2023 at 12:00 am

Trusted by outdoor clothing manufacturers across the world, Gore-Tex is used in everything from jackets and gloves to footwear. The clever fabric membrane blocks water droplets while allowing water vapour to pass through, so it’s designed to be waterproof and breathable for maximum comfort.

You’ll find Gore-Tex in many of the best waterproof jackets you can buy. In fact, it’s a feature lots of adventurers look out for when investing in new outdoor gear, so we’ve rounded up all the best Gore-Tex jackets we’ve reviewed.

The best Gore-Tex jackets

Haglöfs Astral GTX Jacket

4.8 out of 5 star rating

Verdict: A great jacket for high-energy activities, as well as multi-day walks during autumn and winter

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Having earned a score of 4.8 out of 5 from us, Haglöfs Astral GTX is one of the best Gore-Tex jackets we’ve reviewed.

We liked its loose mesh lining and underarm vents for extra breathability, and its six pockets with plenty of storage space. You get two zipped compartments with enough room to fit an OS map, as well as a pockets on the chest and arm, all of which are water-repellent. Plus, there’s an inner zip-up mesh section and an open-top mesh compartment.

It’s also easy to achieve a snug fit with the Astral GTX, thanks to the adjustable cuffs and the drawcords on the hood and at the waist. A reinforced hood peak helps protect your face further from wind and rain.

If we had to mention one negative feature, it would be the slightly fiddly main zip, which can be tricky to latch – especially when wearing gloves.

Read our full review of the Haglöfs Astral GTX jacket

Rab Infinity Microlight Down Jacket

4.8 out of 5 star rating

Verdict: Warm and comfortable, ideal for winter days and chilly walks throughout the year

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Rab’s classic Microlight jacket has found widespread popularity, and we were highly impressed with the brand’s newer version too. The Infinity features one of Gore-Tex’s new fabrics, Infinium Windstopper.

This jacket is made with recycled down to a fill power of 700, and finished with Nikwax hydrophobic coating. You’ll need a fully waterproof overcoat to stay dry in a proper downpour though.

Thanks to the zoned micro and nano baffle design which creates insulating pockets of down across the jacket, it holds warmth well. We found it performed impressively in temperatures of around 0°C, and let moisture escape to help regulate your temperature.

Other plus points include the adjustable hem and hood with a rigid peak, and the stuff sack for easy storage. There are zipped chest and hand pockets too, but none of them fit an OS map.

Read our full review of the Rab Infinity Microlight Down jacket

Sprayway Vihar jacket

4.5 out of 5 star rating

Verdict: Reliably waterproof and simple in look, plus it’s less expensive than many of the other best Gore-Tex jackets around

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Cheaper than many other customer favourites, Sprayway’s Vihar is one of the best Gore-Tex jackets you can buy for around £100. In fact, we think it outperforms some more expensive options on the market, as the Vihar kept us dry even in heavy rain.

It’s also a relatively sustainable option too; the shell is made from recycled polyester and its durable water repellent (DWR) finish doesn’t include harmful PFC chemicals.

We were impressed with the inner chest pocket, which has enough space to fit an OS map, and with the close-fitting hood, as it moves with your head when you turn.

We did find the external pockets slightly awkwardly angled – they make it a bit tricky to walk with your hands inside them – and we recommend sizing up if you want to leave enough room for winter layering underneath the jacket.

Read our full review of the Sprayway Vihar jacket

Salewa Puez GTX Paclite Jacket

4.5 out of 5 star rating

Verdict: A highly impressive jacket – great looks, impressive waterproofing and fantastic breathability

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The stylish Puez Paclite has plenty of winning features, so it’s no wonder it made it onto our list of the best Gore-Tex jackets you can buy.

Not only is the Puez Paclite made with 100% recycled fabric, but it has an impressive hydrostatic head (HH) of 28,000mm and welded seams designed to keep you dry in the harshest of downpours. Even the pockets are fully waterproofed to keep your belongings dry.

Despite the waterproof outer – and a lack of vents – this jacket has a breathability test rating of over RET 6, removing moisture to keep you feeling comfortable, even during strenuous activity.

Two large map pockets, an adjustable hem and Velcro cuffs add to the package.

Read our full review of the Salewa Puez GTX Paclite jacket

Haglöfs L.I.M ZT Trek GTX Pro Jacket

4.5 out of 5 star rating

Verdict: A durable high-performance jacket designed for activities like hiking, climbing and skiing in tough conditions

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To provide ultimate protection from rain, snow, sleet and hail, Haglöfs has used not one but two different types of Gore-Tex in this hardy jacket: Gore-Tex Pro and Gore-Tex Pro Stretch which features reinforced shoulder and back panels to give extra protection as you move.

The hood comes with three adjustment points to help you get a close fit, and we were particularly impressed with the comfortable fleece chin protection on the collar.

This jacket’s huge vents under each arm also set it apart from others we’ve tested. They come with double zips – perfect for quickly boosting air flow when you’re on the move.

It’s worth noting that the two zip-up chest pockets aren’t quite large enough to hold a map, and the jacket as a whole has generous sizing, so there’s room for a midlayer underneath.

Read our full review of the Haglöfs L.I.M ZT Trek GTX Pro jacket

Montane Pac Plus XT jacket

4.5 out of 5 star rating

Verdict: A slim-fitting, durable jacket with a lightweight, recycled construction

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Montane has taken its Pac Plus jacket (available for men and women) one step further in this XT version, adding a tougher face fabric but keeping its weight low, at under 400g.

It uses Gore-Tex’s Paclite Plus, a dual-layer fabric with impressive durability, and features recycled nylon for sustainability.

When testing, we appreciated the helmet-compatible hood, which is adjustable and comes with a rigid peak for rain protection. We also rated the handy under-arm vents, allowing air flow when you get too warm.

As for storage, you get an external zip-up breast pocket, as well as two hip compartments, both large enough to fit an OS map inside.

This jacket is fairly form-fitting, so you may want to size up for more room.

Read our full review of the Montane Pac Plus XT jacket

Berghaus Cornice III Jacket

4.2 out of 5 star rating

Verdict: A reliable and versatile waterproof featuring a smart rollaway hood

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Berghaus’s Cornice III gives great defence against long periods of stormy weather, combining a waterproof Gore-Tex construction with long length and a high zip reaching all the way up to the nose.

It can keep you warm on chilly hikes and you can even add extra Berghaus midlayers underneath, attaching them with the handy internal zip. Plus, the high collar has a soft inner and provides plenty of insulation when the hood is packed away inside.

Other advantages include the adjustable drawcords at the hem and hips, and the chest pocket large enough to stow an OS map inside. We did find the main pockets at the hem slightly awkward, as they’re low enough to make you feel bottom-heavy when they’re full.

The fit is roomy, so size down if you prefer a closer cut.

Read our full review of the Berghaus Cornice III jacket

Adidas Terrex Techrock GTX Pro Jacket

4.2 out of 5 star rating

Verdict: A trendy and eye-catching jacket with a slim fit and lightweight, waterproof construction

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If you’re looking for a high-performance yet stylish option, try Adidas’s Terrex Techrock GTX Pro jacket. It combines great waterproofing (28,000mm rating) and impressive breathability with lightweight construction – it comes in at just 410g for a men’s Medium.

The jacket has a relatively slim fit, and with the adjustable hem, hood and cuffs you can tailor it to fit you perfectly in stormy weather. The zip reaches up almost to your eyes, providing fantastic protection from the elements.

On testing, we were particularly impressed with the adjustable hem, which you can tighten at the lower back while keeping the higher front section unrestricted for ease of movement. In short, it’s ideal for demanding activities like hiking, climbing and skiing.

As for the downsides, the pockets could be a little larger to fit OS maps inside, and the slightly clunky zips can be tricky to use when your hands are cold.

Read our full review of the Adidas Terrex Techrock GTX Pro jacket

Kathmandu Aysen jacket

4.5 out of 5 star rating

Verdict: A great choice for daytrips in unpredictable weather

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With a waterproof rating of 28,000mm, Kathmandu’s Aysen jacket can provide great protection in rainy weather. It uses Gore-Tex Paclite Plus which should stop water seeping through when you’re carrying packs under 10kg in weight.

The Aysen has a good breathability rating of 9 RET, and underarm vents help reduce humidity inside the jacket for maximum comfort on demanding hikes.

You’ll get extra protection from the low hem, adjustable waist and robust hood, which has a well-designed peak and close-fitting form.

Plus, there’s plenty of space to store your belongings. Like many of the best Gore-Tex jackets, the Aysen has two compartments large enough to fit OS maps.

Read our full review of the Kathmandu Aysen jacket