The 9 Best Women's Rain Jackets of 2021

Are you a fairweather adventurer? Do you only like to spend time outside when the sun is out and the birds are singing? That’s ok, we’re not here to shame you. We’re here to let you in on a little secret: the outdoors aren’t any less beautiful when it’s raining, in fact, there’s a unique splendor you can only experience wandering around the woods, or the city for that matter, when it’s raining. With a good rain jacket, you too can get out regardless of the weather.

The best women’s rain jackets allow you to explore, or just carry out your day-to-day, without a worry of getting drenched along the way. With better waterproofing and breathable technologies, brands have created high-performing rain jackets that will weather any storm. Whether you are looking for a do-it-all rain jacket for life, or a packable just-in-case layer for outdoor adventures, stay tuned and we’ll walk you through our top picks for the best women’s rain jackets of 2021. Trust us, we’re from Seattle, we know ALL about rain jackets.

The North Face Venture 2

The North Face’s Venture 2 jacket is an affordable option for anyone looking for a versatile raincoat. It’s not the lightest or most packable raincoat on this list, instead, it’s designed to be practical and durable. The 2.5 L DryVent material keeps water out and is designed with special ribbed areas on the inside that keep the fabric up off your skin so it never feels clingy or clammy, even in a downpour. The Venture 2’s fully taped seams help keep moisture out, and pit vents make it easy to dump excess heat.

This is a full-featured jacket, complete with zippered hand pockets and an adjustable hood, so it will work well whether you’re heading out for a rainy run or a wet bike ride. If you aren’t overly concerned with how light or how small your raincoat packs down, and you just want something ultra-reliable and comfortable, the Venture 2 has your back.

Shop Now

Patagonia Torrentshell

Patagonia’s Torrentshell has long been a market leader when it comes to rainwear. And they keep refining it year after year, dialing in the details. This latest version has all the bases covered, starting with the excellent 3L membrane. This material has a DWR coating so water beads up on it, as well as an inner membrane that allows moisture from sweat to pass out of the jacket and dry you off, without allowing any moisture to come in from precipitation. Finally, the interior is lined with a soft material that is comfortable against your skin.

Patagonia hit all of the important features with the Torrentshell, from the waterproof zippered pockets to the fleece-lined collar, pit vents, and adjustable cuffs. And the best part is that Patagonia uses recycled materials wherever possible throughout the jacket, and the fabric is Bluesign approved. So if you want a jacket that’s as good for you as it is for the environment, the Torrentshell is a great choice.

Shop Now

The North Face Dryzzle

Do you use your rain jacket a lot? Do you spend a lot of time doing high-output activities in the rain? Then the TNF Dryzzle jacket is for you. This is one of the most breathable rain jackets out there. The North Face achieves this using their FUTURELIGHT process where, instead of using a semi-permeable membrane, they actually spin the material on a microscopic level so that the gaps between fibers are big enough to allow air through but too small for water to penetrate. That means unrivaled breathability with great waterproofing.

On the trail, that means you can run or ride your bike in the Dryzzle jacket, without getting swamped out and sweaty. And because the fabric breathes so well on its own, there are no bulky or hard-to-use pit vents. Using this jacket feels seamless, it’s so well designed and so comfortable. It’s not the most affordable jacket on this list, and it’s a bit overkill if you only need a rain jacket for emergencies, but if you’re looking for a premium jacket that’s ridiculously comfortable, the Dryzzle fits the bill.

Shop Now

Helly Hansen Loke

Helly Hansen’s Loke jacket proves that performance gear doesn’t have to look boring and “high performance.” The Loke combines fun styling and color options with a technical construction and features that can stand up to any downpour. Its 2.5L shell is fully waterproof while still allowing your skin to breathe, and the DWR coating keeps water beading up on the outside instead of soaking in. But just because it’s available in cute colors like “Peach Echo” doesn’t mean it doesn’t have all the little details that separate a good jacket from a great one.

From zippered hand pockets, to easy to access pit vents, to an adjustable hood, the Loke has it all. And the hip-length fit means it has great coverage even when you’re stretched out on your mountain bike, or reaching for that next hold climbing. A big part of feeling good is looking good, and the Loke has both covered, no matter what the elements throw at you.

Shop Now

Outdoor Research Microgravity

If you guessed that Outdoor Research’s Microgravity raincoat is light, you’d be half right. It’s really, really light. This is a high-performing technical shell with a price tag to match. Outdoor Research spared no expense with the Microgravity and it shows. It uses premium materials and components throughout, with high-end waterproof zippers on all the pockets, and a durable, stretchy shell.

That mechanical stretch woven into the shell means this jacket is very comfortable and moves with you well, even when you’re doing strenuous high-output activities. The hood is compatible with biking and climbing helmets, and it has special stretch panels under the arms to help the jacket move with you. The Microgravity might be a bit overkill if you’re just looking for a raincoat to wear as you walk a block to grab a coffee, but if you’re serious about getting after it outdoors, regardless of the weather, the Microgravity one of the best rain jackets for you.

Shop Now

Helly Hansen JPN

If you’re looking for a rain jacket that combines casual, classy styling with technical materials, look no further than Helly Hansen’s JPN. On the surface, it’s a very attractive coat with a long, slim cut, and stylish hood. But it’s not just good looking, the Helly Tech material keeps water out, and the adjustable hem and hood mean it’s easy to fit comfortably no matter what you’re wearing underneath.

This is the perfect raincoat for someone who needs one piece that can handle a wet hike one day, and a night out on the town the next. It’s not the most technical or packable coat on this list, and that’s not the point. Instead, it looks great and keeps you dry, all you can ask for from a casual women's rain jacket.

Shop Now

Patagonia Rainshadow

If you like the look of Patagonia’s Torrentshell but want something a little more technical, the Rainshadow is the jacket for you. It takes the Torrentshell’s great performance and upgrades it to be a little lighter, a little more packable, and just as weather resistant. The 3L H₂No material does a great job of keeping moisture out, and the two-way adjustable hood ensures that it fits well with or without a helmet.

Unlike the Torrentshell, the Rainshadow packs into its own chest pocket, so it’s easy to store in a pack until you need it. If you are looking for a very technical, very packable rain jacket, the Rainshadow is a great choice.

Shop Now

Burton Sadie

Burton took everything they’ve learned from decades of making snowboard gear and applied it to the Sadie. That means it’s got the technical materials and features you’d expect from a high-end piece of outerwear, along with modern styling, and an affordable price point. The adjustable cuffs and hem make it easy to dial in the fit to your body, and the generous hood keeps the elements at bay.

The Sadie is not the most technical or waterproof rain jacket out there, instead, it’s designed to look good while protecting you from light downpours. If you’re looking for a nice casual rain jacket that’s at home in any setting, from the trail to the club, the Sadie fits the bill.

Shop Now

Cotopaxi Teca

Cotopaxi realized that one of the most common failure points of rain jackets is the zipper, and it also adds a bunch of bulk and cost. So they got rid of half the zipper to keep things simple. The Teca is a half-zip pullover that’s designed to be a lightweight, affordable emergency layer. The Polyester material with DWR coating keeps light rain out, and packs down very small. The Large front kangaroo pocket is perfect for carrying essentials, and the adjustable hood stays in place well.

The Teca can pack into its own internal phone pocket, so it’s always ready in your pack in case the weather turns. And its retro styling looks good no matter what the occasion. If you’re looking for something simple, affordable, and good looking, look no further than the Cotopaxi Teca.

Shop Now

Learn More With Our Other Outerwear & Layering Guides:

• Waterproof Ratings & Breathability Guide
• Skiing & Snowboarding - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
• Outerwear - How to Choose Ski & Snowboard Pants
• Outerwear - Fit Guide & Jacket Length
• How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
• Outerwear - How to Choose by Region
• Outerwear - Construction, Fabric & Features
• Insulated Garments - How to Choose
• Insulated Garments - How to Wash Down & Synthetic Jackets
• Base Layers & Long Underwear - How to Choose
• GORE-TEX® Fabric - How it Works & Product Testing
• GORE-TEX® Fabric - How to Wash & Keep Waterproof
• Backcountry - How to Dress

Learn About Our Favorite Gear

• The Best Men's Ski Jackets
• The Best Women's Ski Jackets
• The Best Men's Snowboard Jackets
• The Best Women's Snowboard Jackets
• The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Jackets
• The Best Men's Ski Pants
• The Best Women's Ski Pants
• The Best Men's Snowboard Pants
• The Best Women's Snowboard Pants
• The Best Men's Ski Bibs
• The Best Men's Snowboard Bibs
• The Best Women's Ski Bibs
• The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Pants
• The Best Men's Down & Puffy Jackets
• The Best Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
• The Best Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
• The Best Women's Snowboard Bibs
• The Best Men's Fleece Jackets
• The Best Women's Down & Puffy Jackets
• The Best Women's Fleece Jackets
• The Best Men's Rain Jackets
• The Best Women's Rain Jackets