The 10 Best Hardshell Jackets for Women of 2022-2023
By: Sarah Ziffer: Women's & Kid's Techwear Buyer | October 28, 2022
When the weather is truly terrible, nothing beats a hardshell jacket. Their unique design and jacket construction keeps out wind and moisture better than any other option on the market. And the best hardshell jackets for women are also very versatile. They can work with a variety of layering systems so that you can use them for everything from summer rainstorms to the coldest days of winter. Combine a good hardshell jacket with the right base and mid layers and you’ve got a winner no matter what the weatherperson says.
New This Year:
And this season, more brands than ever before are making great women’s hardshell jackets. Companies are refining their fits to work well with female bodies, and they’re including handy features like good pockets and pit vents. That all combines to make this year’s crop of the best hardshell jackets for women a winner. So, if you’re looking for a shell that will keep you dry and comfortable no matter what mother nature throws at you, you’ve come to the right place.
Volcom Aris GORE-TEX
The Volcom Aris GORE-TEX Jacket is a lightweight, versatile shell for winter sports. Built around a durable GORE-TEX membrane, this jacket will keep you dry and warm all day while the snow flies. The Aris is fully kitted with a Zip Tech Jacket to Pant snow skirt, mesh-lined pit vents, and fully sealed seams. The shell is super breathable and gives you the tools to be as warm or as cool as you want, so you can adjust your layering options to match the needs of each day. The Aris is an affordable, versatile hardshell that happens to look great too.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 28K/20K | $290 |
Burton AK 2L GORE-TEX Kimmy Anorak
Lightweight, dependable, and fine as heck. The Burton AK 2L GORE-TEX Kimmy Anorak pairs with the Kimmy Bib for the ultimate in mountain protection. GORE-TEX two-layer fabric with fully taped seams plays a key role in keeping you dry and comfortable, allowing you to focus on where to drop next and less on the moisture seeping through. And the shorter zipper makes the Kimmy even more weatherproof than a traditional jacket.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 28K/20K | $399.95 |
Flylow Billie Coat
Down with the gimmicks. Flylow understands that all you really want in a high-level ski jacket is a super durable 3-layer shell with a top-notch waterproof breathable membrane and fully sealed up seams and zippers. Throw in some pit zips for ventilation and a handful of thoughtfully placed pockets, and you've got yourself the Flylow Billie Coat, a darn good ski shell for folks that like to keep it simple. This is one of the most stylish women’s shells out there, and it performs really well too.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 20K/20K | $429.95 |
FW Manifest 2L
Albert Einstein said, "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." When manifesting miracles becomes your MO, the FW Manifest 2L Jacket will be there to help you see it through. This stretch ripstop shell has premium waterproofing and breathability capabilities to take you through the path less traveled. Its durable build, high-stretch construction, and jacket-to-pant integration system combine to give you an exploration suit that encourages movement and is built to last. With YKK Aquaguard® zippers and large underarm vents that invite a breeze, you'll never have a reason to turn away from the miracle waiting just beyond the ridge. The Manifest is ready for anything life could throw at you.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 20K/15K | $429.95 |
Helly Hansen Powderqueen Infinity
Eating something you found on the floor, remembering if you turned the stove off, if you watered the plants — all things worth a second-guess. The faith in your winter gear to fulfill your needs — not something to second guess. Helly Hansen has polished their craft of making top-of-the-line reliable winter protection since 1877. The Helly Hansen Powderqueen Infinity Jacket is a product of this dedication and experience. Efficiently waterproofed, mapped insulation, highly breathable and packed with features for all-mountain functionality so you can take on winter in total confidence.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 20K/20K | $ |
Trew Gear Astoria
Peanut butter and jelly, chicken and waffles, spaghetti, and meatballs. Trew Gear and evo. Great things happen in collaboration. Introducing the PNW Originals Collection by TREW and evo. Gear designed for the PNW, by those who live and play in the PNW. A fully featured piece at a blue-collar price point, the Trew Gear Astoria Jacket takes care of all the waterproofing, weather protection, and on hill functionality so you and winter can work beautifully in tandem. Evidenced by the large pit vents, ample pocket storage, amazing 3-way adjustable hood, and 20K/15K waterproof/breathability, the Trew Astoria Jacket is soon to be a PNW staple found all along the Cascade corridor. This jacket just does the work, plain and simple.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 20K/15K | $299 |
Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity
The perfect jacket for "working from home" aka taking your meetings from the lodge and spending the rest of the day on the slopes! With the Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity Shell Jacket, you get a premium 3-layer construction and LIFA® Infinity Pro™ technology you can rely on to keep the elements out even through the gnarliest winter storms. And with the relaxed fit, you're given the freedom to add and subtract layers needed to manage your heat. Top things off with Helly Hansen's proprietary Life Pocket+™ with PrimaLoft® Aerogel insulation to sustain longer battery life and protect your phone from the cold so you can answer emails and make the gondola your new office. The Elevation is just as high performing as you are.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 20K/20K | $750 |
Burton AK 2L GORE-TEX Upshift
Stomp on the gas in the Burton AK 2L GORE-TEX Upshift Jacket, a waterproof and breathable shell made for heavy activity. This lightweight shell has the [ak] stamp of approval, so you know you're in good hands on your local hill: resistant to rips, tears, and scuffs, this jacket's built to handle the rigors of life on a mountainside. This one has well-placed pockets, a storm-ready hood, and all the versatility that comes from a shell layer. [ak] all day! This thing is seriously durable and seriously waterproof, perfect for the deepest days.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 28K/20K | $424.95 |
Oyuki Nimi YamaPro 3L
Feature packed to meet the demands of backcountry adventurers, sidecountry explorers, and resort riders alike, the Oyuki Nimi YamaPro 3L Jacket is at the pinnacle of technical performance, breathability, and durability like the rest of their YAMAPRO™ line. For the determined and daring lady looking to take some risks, this durable piece keeps you warm and dry no matter the conditions. With pockets galore and a nifty helmet-compatible storm hood, the Nimi Jacket's simple yet intentional features are designed to create a lasting piece of gear that goes with you from crowded resorts to the more remote corners of snow-covered lands. Oyuki does things their own way, and it turns out that way is high performance and value.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 20K/20K | $499.95 |
Helly Hansen Aurora Infinity
With the 3-layer Helly Hansen Aurora Infinity Shell Jacket, you're wrapped up in your new mobile home. Helly Tech® Professional technology gets you through the most challenging conditions of wind, rain, and snow out there. Articulated elbows allow you to have enhanced mobility to do the sports and activities you love most. It’s durable and packed with all the features you could ever want.
| Waterproofing/Breathability | Original Price |
| 20K/20K | $600 |
Learn More With Our Other Outerwear & Layering Guides:
- Waterproof Ratings & Breathability Guide
- Skiing & Snowboarding - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
- Outerwear - How to Choose a Ski & Snowboard Jacket
- 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 Men's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Men's 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
- The Best Men's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
- The Best Down Vests
- The Best Fleece Vests
The Selection Process:
Our techwear buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things outerwear stemming from years of experience in the outdoor industry in tandem with their countless hours spent outside in all conditions around the world. From hot to cold, snow, rain, wind, and even sunshine, they know what clothing will keep you comfortable. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Sarah Ziffer
Growing up in Florida, I missed out on the chance to get involved in snow sports. Tired of the heat, and seeking out the mountains, I moved to Seattle to start a new adventure. A few years after moving to WA I fulfilled my dream of learning to snowboard and immediately fell in love with it. After just one time out on a friend’s board I was hooked. I outfitted myself from head to toe with gear from evo, and got a season pass at Snoqualmie.
I quickly realized that snowboarding inspired me to live a lifestyle centered around the outdoors. I left my job at a fashion company to come and work for evo and become immersed in the culture and experiences that make the snowboarding community so vibrant. I have been at evo since 2017, am currently the women's and kids' techwear buyer, and enjoy learning and experiencing everything this incredible community has to offer.