Best waterproof jackets for 2024 | Tested by experts in wild mountain weather

The Makalu has been part of the Mountain Equipment range for a while, but the latest version makes some important changes. Most notably, a new Gore-Tex membrane.

The membrane in question is Gore-Tex ePE - a new membrane that does away with the harmful PFCs the outdoor industry has relied on for years. A decade of development has ensured Gore-Tex ePE is as good as Gore-Tex you know and love.

On test, the Makalu performed brilliantly, especially since it's at least £200 less than many specialist winter waterproof jackets. We found the Makalu's 3-layer 75D construction is durable and comfortable enough to be worn all day, although it doesn't have any stretch.

At around 500g, the Makalu is also lighter than many rivals, and we definitely noticed that. We liked its long sleeves and protective hood, and in terms of storage, there are pockets aplenty - inside and out. It also has two-way pit zips and a two-way main zip with a chinguard, an inner stormflap and a bottom press stud.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Mountain Equipment Makalu Jacket review

Norwegian brand Helly Hansen have produced a top-tier piece of kit which excels in every area. Ultralight, fully-featured, eco-friendly and mountain-ready, it's a top-notch all-rounder with first-rate performance. That's why this jacket earned itself a Gear of the Year award from us in 2023. We think it's worth it, though we do admit that the sky-high price is very, well, Scandinavian.

Constructed with Helly Hansen's LIFA Infinity technology – a microporous membrane made without chemicals or PFCs – the Odin 1 World Infinity offers premium waterproofing (20,000mm HH), wind-proofing and breathability (20,000g/m²/24hr). Often brands' proprietary membrane technology is lacking compared to market leader Gore-Tex, but not so here.

With its reputation for bombproof kit used by mountain pros and rescue teams, Helly Hansen's tech is proven in the worst of weather, particularly products in its Helly Tech Professional gold standard. The Odin 1 World Infinity lands firmly in this category, suitable for mountain adventures at the highest level. The shell fabric is partially recycled (the backer is 100% recycled) and strikes a nice balance between weight and strength. It rustles a little but isn't overly stiff.

Nifty features include a RECCO transponder for rescue situations (stitched into the peak of the adjustable hood), an emergency whistle attached to the chest pocket, and side zips (rather than pit zips) for ventilation. Weighing just 450g, this jacket is light and comfy, considering the level of protection afforded.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Helly Hansen Odin 1 World Infinity Jacket review

Finisterre’s origins are from surfing, not hiking. And that’s where the company still positions itself, although it’s branched out into a wider range of gear since its early days.

One of the resulting garments is the Stormbird Waterproof Jacket. It’s the brand’s flagship waterproof, offering a 3-layer construction and a 20,000mm HH rating to ward off teeming rain.

Unlike most technical waterproof jackets these days, the Stormbird is made from polyester rather than nylon. It’s therefore heavier, but not as rustly – it's also nicer to touch.

A breathability rating of 15,000g/m²/24 hours isn’t class-leading but is good enough for leisurely walking pace. There are some features missing that prevent the Stormbird from being a ‘technical’ jacket, such as pit zips and a wire peaked hood. But it’s durable and protective enough to be used for almost any 3-season hike, including in the mountains.

Finisterre is a certified B Corp and seems to make sustainability habitual rather than something forced upon it by circumstance. It’s very upfront about its suppliers and manufacturers, the materials it uses through to prolonging the life of your gear and repairs.

Check out the women'sversion here

Read our full Finisterre Stormbird Waterproof Jacket review

We first reviewed this light and packable yet protective waterproof shell when it was released back in 2016. It’s been in Keela’s product range ever since, with various design tweaks over the years, and offers plenty of technical features despite weighing less than 350g.

We found the hood fits over a climbing helmet but has three-way adjustment to ensure it can be cinched in tightly and moves well with the head, while a wired peak deflects rain away from the face. The water-resistant two-way zipper zips right up to the nose and is fitted with a chin guard and an inner storm flap.

The Velcro-adjustable, partly elasticated cuffs are contoured to cover the back of the hands, and the hem has dual drawcord adjustment and a scooped tail for better protection. The jacket is not fitted with pit zips though, and when working hard uphill we did find ourselves wishing it had a bit more ventilation.

There are four pockets: a small inner zipped security pocket, plus a similarly sized outer zipped chest pocket. The two roomier zipped hand pockets are described as ‘harness-compatible’, but we found they were partly obstructed by a rucksack hip belt.

This jacket uses Keela’s in-house Aquaflex three-layer fabric, which is a bit crinkly but thin and light, so it feels very flexible. On the flipside, it buckles in the wind more easily than stiffer jackets. But only in the wildest and windiest weather did we wish for something a bit heavier.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Keela Cairn Jacket review

At £450 for a lightweight shell, it’s hard to argue that the Beta Lightweight is a good value buy, but this is one of the most well-balanced waterproofs around in terms of combining low weight and excellent packability with decent weather protection, breathability, and comfort.

The features are pared back to the essentials but are well-designed. This includes two well-placed, fully lined hand pockets plus a zipped inner chest pocket. The laminated main zip has a small inner storm flap with a soft chin guard, and all the zips have chunky, easy-to-grab pullers.

There are dual hem drawcords, Velcro-adjustable cuffs and a fully adjustable hood with a stiffened peak. It's helmet compatible, so it's quite large, but does cinch in tight. Indeed, the overall cut is slightly roomier than most European mountain brands, but we loved the longer hemline and sleeves, which provide excellent all-round coverage.

The Beta Lightweight is made from three-layer Gore-Tex C-Knit fabric (an extremely thin circular knit for a less bulky backer) with a 40- and 70-denier ripstop nylon face. It’s soft and smooth and slides easily over other layers.

Top-level waterproof and breathable performance is courtesy of Gore-Tex ePE – the latest innovation from Gore-Tex that does away with PFCs. It offers superb durability and comfort (though like almost all Gore-Tex membranes it is slightly crinkly). Moreover for sustainability, the Beta Lightweight is also made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.

All in all, it’s a quality waterproof fabric that outperforms typical 2 or 2.5-layer rivals like Gore-Tex Paclite, whilst being just as lightweight and packable. There aren’t too many other brands that can turn out three-layer Gore-Tex jackets that tip the scales at just 350g. It’s an impressive feat.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Arc'teryx Beta Jacket review

Offering performance, quality, and commendable eco credentials at a reasonable price, the Rab Arc Eco waterproof jacket takes our Best Value award.

It’s suitable for any British hike, except for deep winter mountain expeditions. The 3-layer construction makes the Arc Eco durable and breathable and reasonably lightweight too. It’s certainly light enough to carry with you on summer hikes as an emergency waterproof layer. Yet, it’s also a brilliant 3-season waterproof.

We like the inclusion of a wire peaked hood and pit zips. Touches like these promote the Arc Eco from decent waterproof jacket to proper 3-season waterproof. The fit is quite relaxed and very easy to layer with, but certainly isn’t very flattering.

In terms of pockets, there are only the two external side pockets. They’re big and nicely placed, but a small chest pocket or internal pocket would also have been useful.

The Arc Eco is fully recycled and designed to be recyclable by using a single polymer fabric. It’s also PFC-free and Rab is a Fair Wear Foundation member with ‘Leader’ status with an in-house repair service also available.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Rab Arc Eco Waterproof Jacket review

You can go two ways with waterproof jackets. There’s the warm, lined, feature-packed kind which keep the howling wind at bay but can trap heat a little too effectively, and the simple shell, which is cooler, lighter and more packable.

The Bronte (Maris is the men's version) is the latter: a stripped-back 2.5-layer shell made with Craghoppers’ AquaDry membrane. It has the expected benefits (low weight, packability) plus, with a little stretch and articulated sleeves, good ease of movement – especially when using walking poles.

While RRP is £100 and therefore doesn't come 'under' like the award we've given it, it's virtually impossible to find this jacket at full price.

It has some drawbacks though: the integrated collar and hood come together slightly awkwardly, meaning we felt a little cool around the back of the neck when the hood is down. And the internal pocket is weirdly placed, low down in the torso. You have to unzip the jacket almost entirely to access it, which makes it unviable in bad weather.

The hand pockets are covered by a rucksack hip belt too, which is irritating because that's easily avoided and meant there was nowhere to put our hands or things like phone, glasses or snacks. Grumbles aside, what we have here is a good value, medium-weight waterproof.

Check out the men's version here

The Cape Wrath Trail is one of the UK’s toughest long-distance walks. For Sprayway to name this jacket after it shows its confidence in its capabilities.

It’s very packable and fairly light, being made from the latest generation of Gore-Tex Paclite Plus with a 75-denier polyester face (made from 100% recycled fabric) and a dry-touch backer for a more pleasant next-to-skin feel.

The two roomy hand pockets sit above a rucksack hip belt. They have easy-grab pull tabs and though the zips aren’t laminated they are protected by external storm flaps. The main zipper also has both inner and outer storm flaps plus a bottom press stud to prevent zip creep. The Velcro closure at the chin has a soft microfibre lining to prevent irritation.

The hood has a wired peak plus rear volume adjustment and twin face drawcords. We found you need to cinch everything quite tightly to get a secure fit, though, and this means there are two elastic cords dangling outside the jacket which flail around in high winds.

At the hem, there are dual elasticated drawcords for easy adjustment. The fully adjustable Velcro-tabbed cuffs are shaped to cover the backs of the hands and all-round mobility is very good with the articulated sleeves offering full freedom of movement without too much hem lift.

The Cape Wrath is available in both men’s and women’s versions but is generously proportioned. Our tester Matt ended up sizing down from his usual Large to a Medium for a better fit.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Sprayway Cape Wrath Jacket review

Paramo don’t do waterproof ‘shells’ in the conventional sense. Rather than relying on a membrane, the Velez uses Nikwax’s Analogy system; a two-layer fabric with a water-repellent outer and a mesh ‘pump liner’ that transports moisture away from the body.

It has all the features of a technical mountain jacket: a protective wire-brimmed adjustable hood, a drop tail hem with dual drawcords, adjustable cuffs with sturdy tabs, and zipped sleeve vents for ventilation. You can further vent the jacket via twin torso vents, which have secondary zippers to give access to roomy hand pockets positioned out of the way of a rucksack hip belt. The two-way main zip is backed with a storm flap with press studs along its length, allowing for even more ventilation.

The polyester fabrics feel soft and pliable without the crisp-packet crinkle of a hard shell. The ripstop outer is reasonably durable, and an advantage of the Nikwax Analogy system is that it will continue to work even if punctured. The lined construction adds a little insulation, which is a bonus in cold conditions but a drawback in milder weather.

The Velez is ethically manufactured via a long-standing partnership with the Miquelina foundation in Colombia. The jacket is made entirely from polyester, ensuring it is more easily recyclable as the end of its life, and does not rely on PFC-based treatments for water-repellence.

Its only real drawback is that its relative bulk means this isn’t the lightest or most packable jacket.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Paramo Velez Jacket review

The Kangri GTX is a well-established hillwalker’s favourite when it comes to waterproof shells built for the rough stuff. With its 3-layer Gore-Tex fabric, it’s designed for, hiking, trekking and easier mountain scrambles.

It features Rab’s smaller mountain hood, which is designed to fit over a bare head or beanie but doesn’t work so well with a helmet. The Kangri is equipped with a two-way YKK AquaGuard Vislon front zip with an internal storm flap, plus laminated pit zips with two-way zippers for ventilation. There are two rucksack friendly zipped hand pockets and an internal secure zipped pocket for a phone or GPS unit.

The hem can be quickly adjusted with one hand via dual drawcords, while the sleeves have chunky Velcro cuff tabs for a weatherproof seal around the wrists. Unusually, there’s also an internal rear drawcord to cinch the jacket in at the waist.

Though the Kangri has been around for several seasons now, for the first time it has been updated with a fully recycled face fabric, made from 70D nylon. This is bonded to an ePTFE Gore-Tex membrane, with a soft tricot inner forming a classic three-layer construction.

It’s undeniably a well-built, protective jacket – well suited to cold and wet days. It didn’t leak in any conditions, even in some torrential North Wales downpours. In fact, this shell might be overkill for spring and summer use, particularly since its extra heft and bulk takes up a fair bit of room in a daypack.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Rab Kangri GTX Jacket review

We were hugely impressed by the sophisticated design of the mountain shell (and just as well because the price tag is quite something). On test in the Welsh mountains, its quality and comfort were outstanding, largely thanks to the 60D ripstop stretch polyester fabric that doesn't rustle like its nylon rivals, while maintaining durability against considerable wear and tear.

Fjällräven uses its own proprietary 3-layer Eco-Shell construction here, and boasts impressive lab stats of 30,000mm HH for waterproofing and a 26k MVTR for breathability. Our field testing in wet, cold, and often snowy conditions of Snowdonia's winter substantiated these figures.

The fit of the Bergtagen Eco-Shell is superb, and its slightly longer hemline offered the best all-around coverage among the winter hardshells jackets we tested. The substitution of hand pockets for two large Napoleon-style chest pockets might be a negative for some, but we found them better because they remain unobstructed by a hiking pack hip belt.

But the absence of internal pockets was a drawback, and the jacket lacks pit zips. However, it compensates with two generous torso vents that do the same job and reduce bulk under the arms. However, they're more susceptible to rain and snow ingress.

The zippers, equipped with chunky toggles, are easy to use when wearing gloves. On the downside, the hood adjusters' exterior drawcords can flail around in high winds.

Check out the women's version here

Your best bet for staying dry in truly apocalyptic conditions or sustained all-day downpours is (probably) a jacket using Gore-Tex Pro technology. You'll probably have to pay at least £400-500, but for the investment, you get what Gore-Tex bill as "the most rugged and durable protection available".

The 66° North Hornstrandir is made from Gore-Tex Pro. It's at least £100 overpriced, but the performance is undeniably premium. The 3-layer design has a reassuringly tough outer face (one of Gore-Tex Pro's big selling points) and a minimum HH rating of 28,000mm. Or, in other words, it's brawny enough to withstand some atrocious conditions. Panels of a slightly stretchier version of Gore-Tex Pro (with 7% elastane) improve freedom of movement and flexibility, and breathability (RET <6) is superb, too, considering the jacket's ruggedness.

Features include four oversized pockets, helmet-compatible hood, an adjustable waist hem and Velcro cuffs. Critics of Gore-Tex Pro say it's stiff, heavy, expensive, noisy to wear and clammy – all fair criticisms – but for us, they're a price worth paying for the armour-like weather protection you get from the Hornstrandir.

Alternative Gore-Tex Pro jackets include long-standing Trail favourites, the Mountain Equipment Lhotse and Rab Khroma Latok.

Check out the women's version here

Our testing experience with the Adidas Terrex Xperior Gore-Tex Paclite jacket gave us the reliable level of waterproofing one expects from Gore-Tex but without the high-end price tag that often comes with it.

Adidas (and many other brands that use it) has achieved this by using Gore-Tex Paclite. Instead of a 3-layer construction, Paclite is 2.5 layer. It's not as durable but is lighter, and still holds the same waterproof rating as other Gore-Tex products (28,000mm HH).

We liked this Adidas jacket because of its comfort, and how it has some touches to try and boost its durability. Its main zip is stiff but tough, and the Velcro cuff tabs are chunky too (and are easy to use with gloves).

It doesn't have a load of technical features, which is what helps keep the price down. There are two modestly-sized hand pockets, but they can be obscured by a rucksack hipbelt.

Check out the women's version here

Bluesign approved and PFC-free, this water-based fabric cleaning is ideal for any technical or waterproof fabric, including Gore-Tex. It's highly concentrated too, so a little goes a long way.

Like Grangers, this is water-based and PFC-free. It too is a very effective cleaner of outdoor and technical garments. Really, there's nothing separating the effectiveness of Grangers and Nikwax.

This kit supplies a big one-litre volume of Tech Wash and the 300ml bottle of reproofing TX.Direct. With TX.Direct, add it to the washing machine and run a second cycle after cleaning with Tech Wash.

This combo is perfect for cleaning outdoor garments and then adding durable water repellency to waterproof fabrics. The Performance Wash is used like a laundry detergent, while the Repel Plus is a simple spray.