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10 Best Waterproof Jackets of 2021

The best waterproof jackets of 2021 that won’t let you down

Best waterproof jacket
  • A waterproof jacket is a pretty essential and a staple piece to any man’s wardrobe.
  • Not all waterproof jackets are effective, however, so we’ve compiled a list of the best truly waterproof jackets that won’t let you down.
  • Rated on material, technical features and customer reviews, we’ve only included the jackets that have performed the best and ones that we would use ourselves.
  • Whether you need a waterproof jacket for hiking or for socialising, we’ve got all the trusted choices here.

Our Top Picks

Whether you’re walking around a city or you’re halfway up a mountain, there’s nothing worse than being cold and wet. We imagine that you’re already re-living a time when you were trudging around miserable and cold with a chill all over your body thanks to wet clothes.

Awful memory, right?

Make sure you never have to go through that again and invest in a decent waterproof jacket.

We’ve researched and compared the products available on the market right now to see which coats come out on top based on customer reviews, quality of material, features and value.

If you’re looking to make a decision quick-time then we’ve rated the Rab Valiance Waterproof Down Jacket as the best overall thanks to its technical abilities, warmth, look and, most importantly, impenetrable protection.

Buying Guide

Materials to look for

It’s important to note that there is a difference between water-resistant and waterproof.

Polyester and Nylon are water-resistant on their own, but to be waterproof, they need to be at a thread count of over 600 (the higher, the better) and need to be coated with a water-resistant finish.

Other materials to look for include Gore-Tex, Polyurethane, waxed cotton, Thermoplastic polyurethane, Fleece (water-resistant) Vinyl and Isotex.

Ratings

If you want a waterproof jacket, you should be looking at 10,000mm upwards.

  • 0 – 5,000mm: Splash/rainproof but not waterproof
  • 10,000mm – 20,000mm: Waterproof in moderate to heavy rain
  • 20,000mm – 30,000mm Plus: Waterproof in the heaviest conditions

Your jacket must allow you to breath to stop you overheating

  • 0 – 5,000g: Standard breathability, you’ll get damp.
  • 10,000g – 20,000g: Good breathability when very active
  • 20,000g plus: Great breathability for all-out efforts

 Where to buy

You can buy a waterproof jacket from any outdoor shop including Go Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse, Cotswold Outdoor and Tog 24. You can also buy direct from the brand’s websites and shops like JD Sports, Sports Direct and John Lewis.

However, you will find the best choice online, especially with huge online platforms like Asos and Amazon.

Other popular brands that haven’t been featured on this list include:

  • Craghoppers
  • Berghaus
  • Dare 2 B
  • Nike
  • Adidas
  • Kings Will Dream

Important features to look for on a waterproof jacket:

  • Water-resistant zip
  • Windproof features (chin guard, velcro cuff fastenings etc.)
  • Adjustable hood
  • Tapered seams
  • Water-resistant coating

Your Questions Answered

What’s the best waterproof jacket?

As you’ve probably guessed, there’s no definitive answer to this. If you buy your jacket from a specialised outdoor retailer, you’re obviously going to be getting the best of the best. These coats are usually designed for harsh weather conditions, and while they may be more expensive in some cases, they’re designed to be pretty much impenetrable, breathable and warm at the same time.

Why are rain jackets so expensive?

Tying in with what has been noted above, rain jackets are so expensive because they’re technical. Everything has been thought of from the durability rating of the material and the highest denier that material can offer to the specialised anti-leak zips and tapered seams.

Can you wash a waterproof jacket?

Waterproof jackets should never be washed using ordinary detergent or fabric softener. The chemicals in detergent can break down the fibres’ composition with each wash and strip the fabric of its waterproof coating. A cleaner specifically designed for technical outerwear is recommended.

What’s the difference between a running/cycling waterproof jacket and a hiking jacket?

When you’re looking for a jacket to exercise outdoors in, a reflective/ hi-vis material should be prioritised. While many hiking jackets are kitted out with weather-resistant and even sweat-resistant features, they can often be made in quite earthy, neutral colours. Hence, it’s much safer to get a cycling/running jacket that has been designed to be reflective all over.

Not only this, but a lot of hiking jackets are padded with downs feather, which is a layer of fine feathers found on birds under the tougher exterior feathers. Down works extremely well as a fine thermal insulator and so if you were to cycle or run in this, it would be similar to running with a duvet around you.

The best cycling jackets keep you warm and dry while letting you breathe. So when choosing a waterproof cycling jacket, look out for:

  • Warm insulating layer as well as the waterproof reflective layer
  • Tapered seams
  • Waterproof rating of 10,000+