The Best Rain Jackets and Coats For Women 2024 That Are Both Practical and Chic

We tried and tested the best coats to keep you dry and looking good doing it.

best rain jackets

by Hannah Banks-Walker |
Updated on

If there's one item of clothing that's pretty much a non-negotiable in the UK, it's a rain jacket. Because even though it's summer, the weather is throwing everything at us at the moment - from a day of sun to torrential rain the next. Made using a range of technical fabrics that mean they're waterproof (and sometimes windproof), a durable jacket to protect whatever you're wearing from showers or full-on deluges is a must for almost every month of the year.

This doesn't need to mean a washout for your wardrobe because when life gives you lemons, why not follow that old adage and make the sartorial equivalent of lemonade (which is, in this case, means investing in a rain jacket that delivers on function as well as fashion)?

best rain jackets
Four of the rain jackets tested by Team Grazia

Let's face facts: they might not be known for their style prowess like scarf coats, for example. Or have the same fashion pedigree as, say, trench coats. In fact, one may evoke distant memories of school trips to historic sites, an anorak worn over your uniform as you stand in the rain half-listening to a story about Oliver Cromwell. I'm not bitter (promise!). But I do regret the limited array of waterproof jackets that were on offer during my childhood. Now, however, I'm making up for lost time. Because a waterproof no longer means drab. Or boring. Instead, brands have actually started to marry function with form, resulting in a whole new breed of excellent rain-resistant cover-ups.

Whatever you're wanting to achieve with your rain jacket - something lightweight that can be folded into a pocket or something lined to double up as a winter coat - you can rest assured that it's about as far from that pac-a-mac as humanly possible. Style forecast: cheerier than expected. Here are the best rain jackets you can shop right now.

How we tested:

Drawing on our existing knowledge of the best rain jacket brands like Rains, Columbia and Regatta, Grazia's editors came up with a short list then put them to the test on a day that was a mix of blustery and drizzly at times, the kind of weather conditions where a rain jacket or water-resistant parka would definitely have come in handy. We considered a few different factors before making our final decision, including durability, comfort, design, style and water-resistance.

Best Rain Jackets For Women 2024, At a Glance:

Best Overall Rain Jacket: Regatta Corinne IV Waterproof Parkaway Jacket

Most Stylish Rain Jacket: Rains Long Jacket

Best Everyday Wear Rain Jacket: Columbia Explorer's Edge II Waterproof Insulated Jacket

Best Rain Jacket For Dog Walks: Sweaty Betty Motion Longline Waterproof Parka

Best Affordable Rain Jacket: New Look Grey Unlined Hooded Raincoat

Best Designer Rain Coat: Arc'Teryx Veilance Fora Coat

Shop: The Best Rain Jackets And Coats For Women 2024

Best Overall Rain Jacket

Regatta Corinne IV Waterproof Parkway Jacket
Joey Yip wearing Regatta's Corinne IV Waterproof Parkway Jacket

Regatta Corinne IV Waterproof Parkway Jacket
Price: £48.95 (was £70)

www.regatta.com

Regatta's waterproof jacket is our best overall coat because of its price (£48.95!) and techy features that mean it's more than capable of keeping you dry (and feeling cool in both senses of the word) when the heavens open. As you can see, this is a seriously stylish rain jacket that hits the upper thigh for a snug fit that mirrors the retro vibe of sportswear cover-ups. Its biggest pro is that it's so lightweight, meaning it can pack away into a pocket or a belt bag (neat for festivals!) and won't make you feel soggy on the move.

Pros

  • Breathable and lightweight
  • Packs away into a belt bag or pocket
  • Machine washable

Cons

  • Hip-length hemline meaning you'll have to buy waterproof trousers for full protection
SizesUK 8-26
Material100% polyamide
ColoursSix
UseDaily use for light rain

Most Stylish Rain Jacket

Rains Long Jacket
Natalie Hammond wearing Rains's Long Jacket

Rains is definitely known as the 'fashion' choice if you're looking for a rain jacket (the clue's in the name). The good news is that it's also one of the market leaders when it comes to waterproof gear that won't let you down when it matters (i.e. when the heavens decide to open). Its Long Jacket is an elongated version of the brand's classic rain jacket, offering even more protection from light rain. The best thing about this jacket, however, is that it doesn't feel like you're wearing something 'functional'. It's pleasingly stylish, especially in this shade of sand, which reminds me of a trench coat.

Pros

  • Protects against windchill
  • Elongated silhouette with fishtail hem
  • Adjustable cuffs
  • Back yoke with concealed vents for breathable comfort

Cons

  • Waterproof but mostly suitable for light rain
SizesXS-XXL
Material100% polyester
Colours12
UseDaily use for light rain

Best Everyday Wear Rain Jacket

Columbia Explorer's Edge™ II Waterproof Insulated Jacket
Natalie Hammond wearing Columbia's Explorer's Edge™ II Waterproof Insulated Jacket

Columbia's Explorer's Edge™ is perfect if you want a durable cover-up to wear day in, day out. Its selling point is maximum warmth, minimum weight - and both elements were absolutely true in my experience. I also love that it has an in-built layer with thumb holes (and the fact that you can adjust the cuffs and waist as soon as it's really pouring to hunker down while you're out and about). If you want to be able to fit bulky jumpers underneath when it gets to winter, however, I would advise sizing up as the body-skimming fit means that it'll quickly start to feel snug.

Pros

  • Breathable with vented underarms
  • Maximum warmth with minimum weight
  • Full adjustability (drawcord hem, velcro cuffs)
  • Comfortable chin guard

Cons

  • Hip-length hemline meaning you'll have to buy waterproof trousers for full protection
Size rangeXS-XL
Materials100% polyester, 100% recycled polyester, 80g Microtemp XF II 85% recycled polyester/ 15% polyester
ColoursPurple, black, pink
UseHiking, walking

Best Affordable Rain Jacket

New Look Grey Unlined Hooded Raincoat
Whitney Jones wearing New Look's Grey Unlined Hooded Raincoat

New Look's waterproof jacket comes in at £39.99, which is a very reasonable figure considering it's more than capable, in my experience, of keeping you dry in drizzle. Unlined and lightweight, it comes in two chic shades - grey and khaki - that feel just as appropriate for the office as for off-duty. It's not as heavy-duty as the insulated jacket from Columbia, but for the price (and for daily use as opposed to hikes or countryside walks), it delivers.

Pros

  • Adjustable hood
  • Lightweight and easily foldable
  • Machine washable

Cons

  • Unlined meaning limited insulation
Size rangeUK 8-18
Materials100% polyester
ColoursGrey and khaki
UseDaily use for light rain

Best Designer Rain Jacket

Arc'Teryx Veilance Ifora Coat
Gavi Weiss wearing Arc'Teryx's Veilance Ifora Coat

Arc'Teryx's waterproof jacket is the gold-standard when it comes to all-weather protection and one of our favourite winter coats, providing all-year-round coverage from rain, snow and driving winds. It's also the chicest of the bunch - not a guarantee when it comes to rain gear - and has a purposely oversized fit to allow for extra layers when the weather turns biting. The price might be something of a sticking point but, when it looks this good, you'll probably wear it as your standard winter coat.

Pros

  • Four-season protection from rain, snow, and driving winds
  • Fit accommodates winter layers
  • Back vent for comfort
  • Adjustable hood
  • Machine washable
Size rangeXS-XL
MaterialsN40p GORE-TEX fabric with 3L tricot technology 
ColoursKhaki, beige and black
UseHeavy-duty use for rain, snow, and driving winds

Hannah Banks-Walker is the Head of Fashion Commerce for Grazia, where she waxes lyrical about midi dresses and tries not to collect any more red lipsticks.

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