Outdoor activities are supposed to take place during sunny days. However, even if you take months to plan your hiking, there is a still a huge chance that the rain will get in your way. If you go hiking into the mountains, at high altitudes, the weather may change abruptly and you end up walking in the rain. Granted, you need a quality rain jacket when you go out hiking.
Most rain jackets for walking are designed lightweight so as not to add so much baggage in your backpack while you hike. Whenever you encounter rain showers or strong winds, all you have to do is fish out your rain jacket and you will be protected. In warm weather, wear your rain jacket over the base layer. In cold weather, wear your jacket over the mid layers, for instance, on a fleece sweater.
Marmot PreCip Women’s Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket
Calvin Klein Women’s Double Breasted Rain Jacket with Hood
JTANIB Women’s Lightweight Hooded Waterproof Raincoat
We created this guide to help you pick the right rain jacket for women for cold and warm weather. Read on for more.
Top 10 Women’s Rain Jackets for Walking
| Rank | Picture | Name | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
| Mountain Hardwear Women's Quasar Lite II Jacket | See it on Amazon |
| 2 | 
| Arc'teryx Women's Beta SL Jacket | See it on Amazon |
| 3 | 
| Outdoor Research Women's Helium II Jacket | See it on Amazon |
| 4 | 
| RAB Womens Downpour Spring Lightweight Waterproof Coat | See it on Amazon |
| 5 |
| Marmot PreCip Women's Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket | See it on Amazon |
| 6 |
| JTANIB Women's Lightweight Hooded Waterproof Raincoat | See it on Amazon |
| 7 | 
| Columbia Women's Arcadia II Jacket | See it on Amazon |
| 8 | 
| Helly Hansen W Waterproof Welsey Trench Coat | See it on Amazon |
| 9 | 
| Joules Women's Coast Waterproof Hooded Rain Jacket | See it on Amazon |
| 10 |
| Calvin Klein Women's Double Breasted Rain Jacket with Hood | See it on Amazon |
Reviews: Best Women’s Rain Jackets for Walking
1. Mountain Hardware Quasar Lite-II
The Quasar Lite-II is designed for hiking, trekking, mountaineering and backpacking. It was created with an improved design of its popular predecessor, the Quasar Lite Shell. This jacket is way lighter than its predecessor but comes with great weather protection and breathability qualities. Its light weight is a result of the lighter face fabric.
To enhance its functionality, it utilizes DryQ Elite Technology to enhance ventilation. Ventilation is further ensured through the large venting pockets and tricep venting. You can choose from three colors.
Pros
- Highly breathable thanks to the DryQ Elite Technology
- Made of light and long lasting 30 denier face fabric
- Exhibits cross-flow ventilation
Cons
- It is not suitable for very cold weather unless you add more layers beneath it
2. Arcteryx Beta SL
If you need a rain jacket for hiking, walking, or mountaineering or climbing, this might be a good choice. This jacket is unique in that it is a 2-layer jacket. While this makes it lighter than other jackets on this list, it does not mean it is of lower quality. The jacket is made of the quality GoreTex PacLite fabric that is not only waterproof but also breathable and light in weight. Even better, the jacket sports a mini ripstop construction that makes it more resistant to tear. Besides, the material is highly compressible making it ideal for backpacking.
Outward, this jacket sports an attractive design with a horde of smart design including trim-fitting, gusseted underarms, tall collar and small seam allowances to reduce bulk.
Pros
- Made of high quality GoreTex PacLite fabric
- Sports a smart design
- Lightweight and highly breathable
Cons
- Its water tight zippers may let in water
3. Outdoor Research Helium-II
This jacket comes as an upgrade of the original Helium rain jacket. The upgrade is way lighter and more breathable than the predecessor making it easier to pack and more comfortable during rainy weather. To enhance its breathability, this jacket features the Pertex Shield-Plus fabric which offers dynamic breathability. This means that, the fabric transports sweat out of through solid state diffusion.
You can pack the whole jacket into its inner pocket for easier backpacking. Not only is the jacket waterproof but also warm enough to be used during cold weather. Plus, you can choose one among the many good looking colors.
Pros
- Very light yet warm enough for the cold weather
- Easy to pack as you can place the whole jacket into its inner pocket
- Highly breathable
Cons
- Its 30D nylon material is of medium durability
4. Rab Downpour
Rab Downpour is just one of the many good rain jackets produced by Bristish Rab. This jacket features a 2.5-layer Pertex Shield fabric designed with DryTouch technology to enhance its breathability, waterproofness and ease of packing. To make it even easier to pack, the jacket features a left zippered pocket that acts as a stuff sack.
Other features on the jacket include stormflaps, adjustable cuffs, a fully adjuatable hood with a simple flexible down closure. Its pit zips are designed to let you get rid of excess body heat fast. The main rain jacket is black but it is also available in other colors.
Pros
- Made of high quality Pertex Shield-Plus fabric
- Fitted with waterproof zippers
- Highly breathable for comfort
Cons
- Relatively higher price
5. Marmot PreCip
This jacket is great for hiking and trekking. It sports a simple design with a lightweight fabric making it easier to pack. This Marmot jacket has been in production since 2001; over time, the jacket has gotten better, more breathable and lighter. Each jacket produced utilizes NanoPro technology which makes the jacket more breathable. Simply, this technology allows air to be exchanged across the small microscopic pores of the jacket. When the jacket gets in contact with body perspiration, the perspiration is transported away from the body through solid state diffusion.
You can choose from a wide variety of colors. Besides, there are a number of functional features such as pit zips to let out warmth, double storm flap, roll-up hood. It also sports Angel-Wing movement design to give you freedom of movement.
Pros
- Available in a wide range of colors
- Offered at a great price
- Highly durable
Cons
- Material is relatively less durable
6. JTANIB Hooded Waterproof Raincoat
This rain jacket is designed for easy backpacking. The rainjacket is made of high quality polyester fiber which is more breathable and warmer than nylon. The fabric is also lightweight and you can wear it when walking for long distances. Even better, it is offered with a carrier bag where you can stuff it when you are not wearing. It is designed not just for walking but for all other outdoor activities. The jacket dries fast which means after the rain, you can easily pack it back into the bag.
The jacket comes with drawstrings on the hood and on the hem to ensure that water doesn’t get into your mid or base layers. It also sports two front pockets with a zipper design. This is a great option if you are looking for a rain jacket on budget.
Pros
- Very light and easy to pack
- Zippers are waterproof
- Designed for all outdoor activities
Cons
- It is not ideal for use in cold weather
7. Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket
This jacket might be a good choice if what you need is a jacket that is great when it is rainy and cold and when it is rainy and warm. It utilizes Columbia’s Omni-Tech Technology which guarantees waterproofness and breathability. It sports a full seamed construction that keeps you protected from heavy rain when you are walking. Each jacket comes with drawstrings to adjust the hem and the hood and with zippered side pockets for comfort.
This nylon jacket is light in weight and easy to compress into a hand pocket for backpacking when the weather seems unpredictable. The nylon fabric enhances the durability of the jacket. It is coupled with a mesh lining that keeps you dry and comfortable when you are on the trail.
Pros
- Lightweight for easy packing and comfort when walking
- Comes in a wide selection of colors
- Made of long lasting nylon
Cons
- The interior mesh feels itchy when worn on skin without a base layer
8. Helly Hansen Waterproof Trench Coat
This rain jacket comes in the design of a hooded classic trench coat. This makes it very warm making it a great choice when you need a warm rain jacket.
Helly Technology ensures that you are protected from weather elements while moisture from perspiration escapes from your body. This keeps you dry and warm inside. You can use this jacket not only when it is raining but also when it is cold and windy. Its waterproof and breathable construction makes it an ideal choice for all weather conditions.
The jacket is highly adjustable to ensure that it fits you perfectly. You can adjust the cuffs, the hood and the waist for a perfect fit. If you do not need the hood, you can remove it and pack it away.
Pros
- Very warm for use in cold weather conditions
- Helly-Tech keeps the jacket comfortable irrespective of the weather
- Sports an adjustable design for a perfect fit
Cons
- Comes at a relatively higher price
9. Joules Coast Waterproof Rain Jacket
This jacket is nautical inspired. It is designed to keep you warm, dry and comfortable irrespective of the weather elements you are facing. According to the manufacturer, the jacket was designed to offer comfort in the British outdoor environment. This makes it ideal for any other kind of weather. Not only is the jacket great in harsh weather conditions but it is also stylish.
The material of the jacket is highly breathable and light in weight. As such, you can comfortably carry it around and it keeps you dry at all times. The jacket is available in a range of seven colors for you to choose from. It also has zippered side pockets where you can place your valuable when walking.
Pros
- Sports an attractive design
- Great price for its quality
- Made of durable fabric
Cons
- The sleeves might be a bit short for those with long arms
10. Calvin Klein Double Breasted Rain Jacket
Calving Klein has some great rain jackets and this is one of them. The jacket is hooded to keep you fully protected from the rain and comes in a trench coat design to cover a large part of your body. While the design comes at a relatively higher price, it is stylish enough to be used anywhere; when hiking in the jungle and when walking in town.
The jacket is made of 95 percent polyester and 5 percent spandex making it lightweight and breathable and ensuring its stretches enough for a perfect fit. It is also belted to further enhance fit. Its hood is removable.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Warm and breathable to be used in warm and cold weather
- Great price/quality ratio
Cons
- Double-breasted buttons may let in water when it rains
Picking The Right Rain Jacket for Walking
The right rain jacket needs not only protect you from the rain but also feel comfortable when you are walking. Some of the main features to consider include:
Breathability and Water Resistance
Making waterproof materials is inexpensive; making waterproof yet breathable materials is the catch. You need a rain jacket to stay protected from rain but it will not be ideal to stay dry inside and stay wet inside. There are different technologies applied by rain jacket manufacturers to keep you dry inside and outside. Most design a membrane that allows perspiration out but does not allow water in. Manufacturers have also created hard shells that resist water. Some of the commonly used shells on rain jackets include Polartec, eVent, DryQ Elite, Neoshell and Gore-Tex Pro.
Weight and Compressibility
You only need to wear a rain jacket when it rains. Any other time, the rain jacket will be in your backpack. Granted, the rain jacket you pick needs to be lightweight and compressible so you can carry it wherever you go. Most rain jackets for women are offered with a carrier bag or one of the pockets is turned into stuff case for easy carry.
Design and Sizing
A good rain coat should come with a hood; ideally a hood you can pack into the collar. It should have taped seams for enhanced waterproofness, and a storm flap that covers the front zipper to keep rain water out. If a jacket is fitted with waterproof zippers, a storm flap is not needed. Other features to look for include pit zips to let out warmth when needed, good quality pockets to hold your valuables and different layers to keep you warm.
The size of the jacket you buy should be determined by the layers you put under it. If you will be wearing a heavy fleece jacket as a base layer, you will need to pick a bigger size for comfortable fit.
With this short guide and the products reviewed above, you are good to pick the perfect walking rain jacket for women.
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