The best waterproof jackets that look good and are guaranteed to keep you dry, tested by the GH team

We asked the Good Housekeeping team to try on a range of waterproof jackets from across the high street. They wore them on the commute, while walking the dog, on country walks and while exercising in a range of conditions, from drizzly to total downpour.

We considered the materials each jacket is made from, looking at whether it had a waterproof rating, also known as a hydrostatic head rating. Measured in millimetres (mm), the higher the rating, the better the jacket should be at keeping you dry. For example, a coat with a 10K rating can withstand 10,000mm of rain before anything gets through.

And of course, we asked everyone what they thought of their jacket. Did they enjoy wearing it, did they like the design and did it have any useful extra features like removable hoods, taped seams to keep the wind and rain out, or a harness for wearing when it gets dry (more on that later...).

Here are the designs you can rely on, come rain or shine.

If you’re looking for a waterproof jacket that’s both practical enough for rainy days and looks great, this cropped parka is a strong contender. Our household advice writer Ella liked the colourway, which gives it a classic mac-meets-trench coat feel.

With its dropped hem and adjustable tabs, Ella said she’d happily wear it every day, not just when it rains. “It’s one of the most useful coats I’ve ever had – light enough to wear around the city, roomy enough for a jumper and smart enough to make an outfit feel more pulled together.”

And when the rain does arrive, the jacket has a 16,000mm waterproof rating, which means it can withstand heavy downpours. Ella found the rain beaded off the fabric when she was fully zipped up. It also has concealed zipped pockets, a double zip and popper fastenings to help keep the rain out.

Ella was particularly impressed with the hood: “It stayed in place in the rain without me constantly tugging it back over my head, and it tightens easily to help keep out the wind.”

Key specifications

Our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan, was impressed by how lightweight this jacket felt, while still having enough room underneath for a chunky jumper. She found it true to size and liked the practical design, which includes a zipped chest pocket for your phone and two side pockets.

Available in six colours, including classic black, khaki and a brighter pink, it has a 10,000mm waterproof rating, which means it's suitable for moderate to heavy rain. Megan found it useful for both hiking and commuting: “The rain just beaded off the jacket, while the Velcro cuff on the wrists helped block out the cold.”

The adjustable hood stayed put during testing, while the mesh lining helped keep sweaty hikes feeling more comfortable.

Key specifications

If you want more coverage than a cropped rain jacket offers, this thigh-length style is a practical choice for wet-weather walks and commutes. Available in five colours, including mahogany and forest green, it’s made from the brand’s waterproof Glyde fabric, which repelled even torrential rain during our testing.

Although it’s pricier than some of the other jackets we tested, we liked how easy it was to adjust for a comfortable, flattering fit. The cinchable hood and waist drawcord let us tweak the shape, while the double front zip, zipped side pockets and hidden internal phone sleeve make it practical for every day.

We also liked the reflective detailing on the cuffs, which is useful when you’re out in low light. We found it a little bulkier than other styles we tested, so it’s perhaps best suited to outdoor adventures than everyday city wear.

Key specifications

At under £55, this H&M jacket is a strong choice for your winter wardrobe. It has a sturdy hood, waterproof outer and mesh lining, all designed to help keep the rain out while keeping you comfortable underneath.

Its waterproof, windproof and breathable fabric helps repel rain, and our wellness editor, Sarah, found it performed equally well on rainy lunchtime walks and countryside walks. Available in two colours, including our favourite cherry red, it has chic press-stud fastenings, taped seams and box cuffs.

The stand collar and snug hood provided extra protection from the rain, while an adjustable drawstring helped keep the hood securely in place. Sarah liked the oversized fit, but if you prefer a closer silhouette, we’d suggest sizing down.

Key specifications

A more polished alternative to a packable mac, our homes writer Jasmine found this jacket lightweight enough to carry around without sacrificing coverage from the elements. “It’s much sleeker than ones that fold into a little bag, but it’s still lightweight and compact,” she says.

The neat hood kept the rain off her face and, most importantly, her glasses. She liked the high collar, too: “It meant the wind didn’t nip at my neck when it was fully zipped up.”

The jacket has a breathable, windproof three-layer construction, but we found it worked better in lighter drizzle than heavy downpours. “It also looks great layered up, so if you’re between sizes, go larger so you can wear it on top of a thick jumper,” Jasmine advises.

Key specifications

Our shopping director Alison has been wearing this on her daily commute, and the trench-inspired design has proved versatile enough for every day. “I can wear it with my work tailoring and more casual outfits, making it super versatile, and I know I'm covered if it does rain,” she says.

Made with ISOTEX 15000 fabric, it’s designed to keep you dry in wet weather: “The hood is really generous, and the rain just runs off it,” Alison adds. “I wore it in heavy rain on a morning commute this week and when I got to the office, it looked like I hadn't been outside.”

The lightweight jacket also has taped seams, a detachable hood, generous pockets and a navy checked lining. Best of all, it's packable, so you can stow it away when the weather clears. Want to know more? Read Alison's full Regatta Trench Raincoat review.

Key specifications

Light enough to stash in a bag, this jacket proved useful beyond running. Our wellness editor found herself reaching for it on her daily commute, too, particularly when the forecast was looking changeable.

It has two zipped side pockets, with enough room for a phone and keys, plus a 10,000mm waterproof rating and a fluorine-free water-repellent treatment designed to help keep rain out. We found it kept us dry and sweat-free during runs, hikes and a busy commute.

Our only slight niggle was the well-hidden hood toggle – but once located and adjusted, it helped keep the hood secure in windy weather.

Key specifications

The hood of this M&S jacket can be rolled away when you don’t need it, so it essentially converts into a chic bomber.

The funnel neck also gives extra coverage when fully zipped up, which we appreciated on windy hikes. Inside, mesh panels helped keep us ventilated on the move, while the waterproof fabric kept rain out without leaving us feeling sweaty.

Available in an on-trend chocolate brown, it has a slightly oversized fit, leaving plenty of room for layers on chilly commutes or hikes. The adjustable hem and hood kept it securely in place on a rainy run, too.

Key specifications

When lifestyle writer, Maddie, wrote about this parka-style jacket for her BAM Any Weather Mac review, she said it ticked the three boxes she always looks for in a coat: a hood, a waterproof outer layer and, most importantly, a stylish design.

Available in three colours, including mint, the full-length jacket is smart enough to wear to the office, while remaining lightweight and breathable enough for a short countryside walk. It has a 10,000mm waterproof rating, and Maddie found it kept her bone dry when torrential rain hit.

The built-in harness lets you take the coat off and carry it on your back when the weather brightens up – a clever feature Maddie appreciated (although it may be an acquired taste. “I’ve never worn a coat with one before, but it proved extremely handy on multi-seasonal walks,” she said. “The mac also dries quickly when the rain stops.” If you're not a fan of the harness, you can just tie it round your waist instead.

Key specifications

If you haven’t saved enough for a rainy day, this budget buy could be the answer. At under £30, it’s one of the most affordable waterproofs we tested. Made with 69% recycled polyester, it’s also available in three colours, including eye-catching orange.

The design is fairly simple, but an internal drawcord lets you cinch in the waist for a more fitted look. It also has an adjustable hood and cuffs, plus a two-way zip. Our favourite feature was the zipped chest pocket, which is handy for keeping keys and your phone secure.

With a 6,000mm waterproof rating, it won’t completely protect you in torrential rain, but we found it kept us dry on our commutes and during drizzly dog walks.

Key specifications

Who needs a waterproof jacket?

With our unpredictable weather, we'd say everyone needs a waterproof jacket in their wardrobe! Emma Richardson, GH's fashion editor, says a waterproof jacket is an important buy for everyone who spends time outside. “If you walk your dog, commute to work or enjoy going for a hike, it’s a staple for battling unpredictable weather.”

She adds there are a few key criteria to consider when choosing the chicest and most practical style: “Good ventilation, a great hood and plenty of adjustability, especially if you’re wearing bulky knitwear underneath or prefer a jacket with flattering cinching at the waistband.”

Waterproof or water resistant: What's the difference?

“Water-resistant fabric will cope with light showers and splashes for a short time, but water will eventually soak through (and seams and zips may not be waterproof),” says Natalie O’Connell, head of design at BAM. If you’re nipping to the nearby shops or you’ve got a short walk in drizzle, that may be all you need.

“Waterproof fabric, on the other hand, is built to keep water out even under sustained rain, so if you’re going to be out for a long time or the rain is persistent, go for waterproof,” she explains.

How does waterproofing work?

Waterproof coats typically use either a membrane – a very thin layer built into the fabric – or a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. “Membrane has pores small enough to stop water getting in, but big enough to let sweat vapour out, while DWR makes rain bead up and roll off instead of soaking into the fabric,” explains Natalie.

To measure how waterproof a fabric is, most brands use something called a hydrostatic head rating. “In simple terms, it shows how much water pressure the fabric can take before water starts to come through, measured in millimetres,” says Natalie. “Higher numbers generally mean more protection, but these ratings aren’t always directly comparable between brands, because the tests and conditions can differ.”

What should you look for in a waterproof jacket?

Construction

“Construction is key to how well a waterproof jacket protects you from the weather,” says Emma. She explains that for the best protection from rain, you should look for features such as taped seams to stop water sneaking through to your inner layers, a storm flap to shield you from the elements, and adjustable fastenings that you can alter to suit the conditions or your personal styling preferences.

Breathability and ventilation

“If a jacket keeps rain out but traps your sweat in, you’ll end up damp from the inside,” says Natalie.

Look for coats that have a soft shell fabric or membrane shells (such as Gore-Tex), which mix a waterproof membrane with microscopic pores which allow for breathability.

Ventilation features help too, explains Natalie. “Look for coats that have inner-mesh vents under the front and back storm flaps, so you can stay cool without letting rain in,” she advises. “Other things to look for on any jacket are pit zips, two-way front zips and adjustable cuffs.”

How to wash a waterproof jacket

Incorrect washing can affect a waterproof jacket’s performance, so always check the care label before putting it in the machine and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Natalie recommends the following if your jacket needs a wash:

• Close all zips and fastenings.
• Wash on a gentle, cool cycle at around 30°C, using a mild detergent.
• Skip fabric softener and bleach, as these can damage the coating and membrane.
• Dry flat or hang it up, or tumble dry on a low setting if the care label allows.
• If the waterproofing needs refreshing, use a specialist tech wash such as Nikwax Tech Wash.