Are you in the market for a new waterproof jacket to keep you dry in 2025?
We’ve tested everything from budget-friendly jackets for light adventures to premium offerings ready for mountaineering expeditions, and we reckon that these are the best waterproof jackets for women currently on the market.
Discover the best waterproof jackets for women in 2025 below and see which one’s right for you right below.
If you need more help deciding, click here to find our guide for what to look for when buying a new waterproof jacket.
You can also find the best waterproof jackets for men here.
Mac in a Sac Origin 
Tested by Kate Chorley / £37.50 / www.macinasac.com
There’s something about a Mac in a Sac. Historically, they’ve not been known for being the most capable or the most stylish – but for simple, honest protection from the rain for the fraction of a cost of a ‘big name’ jacket, you couldn’t really go wrong.
While it might initially appear to be a bit at odds with the other high-specification jackets featured in this group test, there’s an awful lot to like about the Origin II. In fact, it’s much hardcore than I remember. While it still packs neatly down to the size of an insulated coffee mug, it offers 10,000mm of hydrostatic head, a water-repellent YKK front zip, fully-taped seams, back venting, a pair of pockets with reversed zips, and plenty of breathability. That’s not bad at all for under 40 quid.
I’ve been wearing it a lot over the past couple of months, and while it does find its limits in seriously awful torrential rain, it’s difficult to fault, simply because it’s so easy to have with you at all times. I’ve had it tucked in the bottom of my rucksack for when the weather takes a turn, and more often than not, it’s done an admirable job of keeping me dry. What more could you ask for?
It fits well too, despite being a unisex jacket that’s simply sized up or down. And there’s plenty of funky colours to choose from, so you can still stand out from the crowd (or be seen in poor conditions).
It’s not the most fully-featured or hardcore jacket that we’ve tested and it doesn’t cope with extreme rain, but it serves a purpose and delivers excellent value for money, especially when compared with the price of some of the other jackets on test.
In a line: A functional jacket that offers solid waterproofing in moderate conditions at a great price point.
Score: 8/10
Craghoppers Dynamic Pro II 
Tested by Kate Chorley / £170 / www.craghoppers.com
When I received the Dynamic Pro II Waterproof jacket my initial thought was that Craghoppers have really hit the mark with this product.
At a glance it has everything you would need and expect from a mid-priced waterproof jacket: three protective zipped pockets, pit zips, a helmet compatible hood and an easily adjustable fit via inner drawcords. You can immediately tell it’s well made and I was keen to put it to the test.
The jacket features something called ‘AquaDry membrane dual-layer fused waterproof fabric’, which is as impressive as it sounds. Not a drop made it through to my inner layers, and I could see the water effortlessly streaming off the surface of the fabric.
This also made for a nice treat when I didn’t have to worry about it drying off before re-wearing it. I have to say I felt very well protected from the elements, which let’s face it is essential for the weather thrown at us in the UK.
Personally, when I’m out in poor conditions, it’s not the rain, but the wind that starts to wear me down and makes the idea of cosying up inside with a nice cuppa ever-more enticing. However, while testing the Dynamic Pro II on an especially breezy day, I realised on return to the sanctuary of the car that I hadn’t given the wind a second thought.
I’ve been owner to many jackets labelled as ‘windproof’ in my time, and from experience they often fall short of expectations, however, Craghoppers have got it right here. The wind-resistant fabric really does what it says on the tin, which is a big tick from me.
However, the star of the show is by no doubt what Craghoppers calls the ‘dynamic 12000 breathable fabric’. This award-winning, advanced technology utilises six organic minerals to reflect the infrared rays naturally emitted by the body back to you whilst also allowing moisture to escape. What does that mean? It means that not only does the fabric help you maintain a comfortable body temperature, but it can go so far as to improve your performance.
That’s because infrared reflecting technology has been associated with improved blood and oxygen flow, reduced muscle pain, stiffness and fatigue, and increased metabolism, meaning you can go further for longer. I really like that the product is not only serving its function, but also benefiting my body. If you’re anything like me, something that will give me that extra push towards the finish line is always going to be beneficial.
In a line: An impressively well-featured waterproof jacket for a good price
Score: 8/10
Berghaus Ridge-Seeker GTX 
Tested by: Becky Brown / £350 / www.berghaus.com
For any outdoor enthusiast, and I’m one that spends hours walking my dogs come rain or shine, finding the perfect waterproof jacket is a game-changer. After years of trying different water-resistant and waterproof jackets, I’ve finally found one that stands out among the rest.
The fit of the Berghaus Ridge-Seeker strikes the perfect balance between comfort and practicality. It’s loose enough to allow full mobility, yet maintains a flattering shape that doesn’t feel overly bulky. As an all-weather jacket, it’s impressively versatile: lightweight and breathable in warmer, wet conditions, while offering plenty of room to layer up with a hoodie or jumper as temperatures drop.
The three-layer Gore-Tex stands up to the heaviest rain and wind I’ve encountered, and the shell is tough and durable to withstand mountaineering usage, or in everyday life, the constant wear of my dogs jumping up to greet me.
The real star of the show, though, is the hood. It’s helmet compatible, but it doesn’t feel like it without one, and with adjustable toggles that cinch down securely, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it protected me against wind and rain. Even on blustery days, the hood stayed firmly in place, providing much-needed coverage without shifting or blowing back.
Equally impressive are the waterproof zippers on every pocket. They’ve kept my phone and other valuables completely dry, even when caught in torrential downpours.
All in all, the Berghaus Ridge-Seeker is about as good as it gets. With that comes a high price, and at £350, you’ll have to hand over a fair wedge of cash.
Is it worth it? Well, if you’re constantly outside in the rain, you can count on it to keep you dry, and you can expect it to last for years. And if you’re after performance gear for mountaineering or climbing in all conditions, it’s well worth a look.
In a line: A high-performance jacket that can stand up to the worst that nature can throw at you.
Score: 9/10
Rab Namche GTX 
Tested by Delance Lamont / £290 / rab.equipment
Rab is a long-standing British-based brand founded in Sheffield. With a humble start in the attic of founder and climber Rab Carrington’s home, Rab has become a thriving brand relied upon for high-quality, high-performing gear.
The Namche is Rab’s solution to a high-performance waterproof jacket for hiking and backpacking all year round. With a hydrostatic head of 28,000mm and a three-layer Gore-Tex construction, it is superb at keeping you dry even in the worst conditions. As an added bonus, it uses Gore’s new ePe membrane which is more environmentally-friendly than the older ePTFE, and it also uses a PFC-free Durable Water Repellent coating.
Performance is the same as the older material, although the new PFC-free DWR does require slightly more upkeep than before.
One of the best features of this jacket is the feel and weight. At only 387g, it’s incredibly lightweight, and it packs away well in my bag when not in use. It also feels fairly soft for a robust shell jacket, and doesn’t have too much of a ‘crackle’ when moving about in it.
As the jacket is primarily designed for hillwalking and backpacking, the hood is not helmet-compatible and as such, you don’t have to worry about excess fabric limiting the hood’s performance in the wind. Even so, the internal cords and a stiff peak help keep the rain away and the hood on your head in windy conditions; in practice, the hood is superb.
The Gore-Tex has a good amount of breathability for warmer conditions, aided by the large pit zip vents which are easy to open and really help to keep internal moisture down.
The fit is nice, even though I found it on the shorter side, but not enough to be a deal breaker for me. The Namche is roomy enough to layer over your clothes, and the cuffs are nice and adjustable to keep any water or wind from getting in.
It’s not built for mountaineering so it may not be as versatile as some others, but that’s also part of the Namche’s strength, because it means it performs incredibly well when out walking and hiking in the rain, all year round. And the price may be on the higher side, but you can expect it to last for years, providing that you take care of it.
In a line: A superb waterproof jacket for four-season walking and backpacking.
Score: 9/10
Keela Outdoors Pinnacle
Tested by Delance Lamont / £194.95 / keelaoutdoors.com
Founded in 1973, Keela has long held a special place in my heart. As a Scottish-born, bred, and refined company, you can be assured that everything they produce has passed the test of enduring the notoriously brutal Scottish elements, which is arguably the perfect proving ground for adventure-ready kit.
The Pinnacle waterproof jacket is no exception to the rule. It’s made from Keela’s very own ‘Aquaflex Extreme’ membrane, a 3-layer waterproof fabric, which certainly stands up well to heavy rain and wind. The drawback is that it isn’t as sleek as some of the other jackets on test and it’s on the bulkier side, but at 450g it’s still not too heavy for stashing in your pack, and I will happily grab it in torrential rain, knowing it will keep me dry and protect against a pretty icy wind.
It’s the little details—like the spacers on the toggles to keep the loops open for easier grip—that make me like this jacket. I also liked the large peak on the adjustable hood, which protects your face well from pelting rain, and the very large chin guard inside the hood. The chin guard is well designed and has a pleasant soft lining that protects your chin from uncomfortably rubbing against the shell fabric.
Considering that the Pinnacle comes in at the lower end of the price scale for specialised waterproof jackets, you get lot of bang for your buck. It’s not as sleek as other brands out there, but it is a great jacket that will protect you from the elements.
In a line: A well-designed waterproof jacket that feels bombproof and stands up to heavy downpours with ease
Score: 8/10
Montane Torren 
Tested by Kate Chorley / £300 / www.montane.com
This is a serious jacket for serious hikers, climbers, fell runners, bikers and more. With award-winning ‘Petrichor’ waterproof technology that’s designed by Montane in-house, it’s perfect for keeping the worst of the weather at bay, while still being breathable enough to be practical when things heat up. I’ve worn it a lot – and it’s quickly become my go to jacket to throw on whenever the weather’s not at its best.
Its crowning glory is Montane’s own Petrichor waterproof fabric. Built to breathe, the high performance three-layer fabric offers a whopping 20,000mm hydrostatic head across the board, from its helmet-compatible hood and articulated sleeves, through to its harness-compatible pockets and fully adjustable hem. I’ve tested the jacket in the heaviest of rain and wind and I’ve had no leaks or drips, and it’s kept me warm and dry throughout.
One thing to note is that the Durable Water Repellent that Montane uses, which is fluorocarbon free, will start to lose its potency after a wash or two or a bit of particularly hard use, so regular reapplying is need to keep the jacket performing at its best.
The fit of the Torren is excellent, being slim but still offering plenty of movement for when you need your hands to haul yourself up on a slippery scramble in the mountains. That’s quite an achievement. I usually find waterproof either too big and baggy, or too tight and stifling, but Montane has got it just right for me. Even more impressive is the fact that it only weighs 295g, and it’s super easy to pack away when not in use.
In warmer weather on while scrambling up a steep slope with a pack on, there’s plenty of ventilation to call upon, thanks to the enormous pit zips which do wonders in supplying a stream of cool air to keep things temperate. The helmet-compatible hood is great whether you’re wearing one or not, and the two hand-pockets are large enough to fit maps and snacks, although they are place a bit lower down on the chest and can get in the way of a hip strap while wearing a rucksack.
Despite this, the Torren is a great waterproof jacket, and I’m confident I’ll be wearing it for years to come.
In a line: A technical jacket that’s suitable for mountaineering, hiking, and everyday use.
Score: 8/10