TGO experts review the best waterproof jackets for women to help you find your perfect fit.
In the market for a new waterproof jacket? Overwhelmed by the choice on offer? We’ve searched around and found the best waterproof jackets for women currently on the market. Take a look and compare your options to see what jacket is the best fit for you.
How we tested the best women’s waterproof jackets
These waterproof jackets for women were tested by mountain leader Lucy Wallace. Lucy holds the winter, summer and international mountain leader awards. Based in Arran, she is a regular tester for TGO with a breadth of expertise in the outdoors. She used her home digital scales to weigh the jackets.
Our picks of the best waterproof jackets for women
Montane Phase XT
Lucy Wallace’s Best in test 2024
In all aspects the Phase XT is everything I would want in a jacket for winter use, with special mention for the hood, which is near perfect.- Map Sized pockets
- Excellent hood
- slim cuffs are hard to layer over winter gloves.
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $520 / £400 |
| Weight | 458g (size uk 12) |
| Materials | 70D Gore-Tex, 100% nylon face and backer with with ePTFE membrane |
| Hood | Wired and laminated peak, rear and side adjusters |
| Sizes | UK 8-16 |
| Men’s version | Yes |
The Phase XT is a reliable winter jacket with a standard Gore-Tex membrane and 70D face fabric and backer. It features a hood that can easily swallow a climbing helmet and offers good face protection. The hardshell jacket has big hand pockets, an internal valuables pocket, and underarm zips for venting. The cuffs are floppy to fit over insulated gloves with padded wrists, which could result in wet gloves and wrists in foul weather. Overall, the Phase XT is perfect for winter use, with the hood being near perfect.
Read Lucy Wallace’s full Montane, Women’s Phase XT review – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
Mountain Equipment Makalu
Lucy Wallace’s Best in test 2023
Sure, £270 is still a sizeable wedge for quite a simple garment; but you do get a waterproof with tried and tested features plus strong build quality that means it should last several seasons.- Excellent Hood
- Tough
- No Frills
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $374.95 | £270 |
| Weight | 516g (Size 12) |
| Materials | 3-layer 75D/recycled 50D Gore-Tex, PFC-free DWR |
| Sizes | 8-16 |
| Men’s version | Yes |
The Makalu from Mountain Equipment went down well in our tests, mainly due to its tried-and-tested features and strong build quality. It’s not the most expensive jacket in the test – although at £270 it’s still quite a sizeable amount of money to part with. But for that you get a well-designed, robust and versatile waterproof that should last several seasons.
Its main body is 100% recycled 50 denier, with tougher 75 denier on the wear points. The entire shell has been treated with a PFC-free (less environmentally damaging) DWR to repel water.
A standard Gore-Tex waterproof membrane is employed here. It’s not the top spec Gore-Tex Pro but the quality is still impressive.
Our tester’s favourite aspect of this rain jacket is the hood. They found it roomy and adjustable and they liked that it has a stiffened brim and a wire peak.
See our full review of the Mountain Equipment Women’s Makalu Jacket review. – Tested in 2023
Available at: cotswoldoutdoor.com
Fjallraven, Bergtagen Eco-Shell W
TGO Recommends
It’s the most expensive jacket in my selection, and the weightiest. If this doesn’t put you off, it’s definitely worth a look as a comfortable and practical mountain shell for winter,- good eco credentials
- Harness compatable pockets
- Expensive
- Check sizing
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | £575 / €599,95 / $550.00 |
| Weight | 522g (size medium) |
| Materials | Eco-shell stretch ripstop (70% recycled polyester) with proprietary membrane |
| Hood | laminated wired hood with rear and side adjusters |
| Sizes | XXS-XL |
| Men’s version | Yes |
The Bergtagen Eco-Shell W is a waterproof jacket that uses Fjallraven’s proprietary membrane instead of Gore-Tex. It stayed dry and comfortable during a three-day expedition in the mountains in December. The jacket is made from 70% recycled polyamide and protected by a PFC-free DWR finish. It features large pockets, venting zips, generous cuffs, and a Recco Reflector. The hood is large and may be too big for some, possibly due to its size. The Bergtagen Eco-Shell W is the most expensive and weightiest jacket in the selection, but it is a comfortable and practical mountain shell for winter with a smaller ecological footprint. It is worth a look if you’re looking for a comfortable and practical winter shell.
Read Lucy Wallace’s full Fjallraven, Bergtagen Eco-Shell W Review – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
Haglofs Roc Flash GTX
TGO Magazine verdict
it’s a jacket that inspires confidence, built from 100% recycled 75 denier polyamide, with a Gore-Tex membrane, it’s reassuringly tough and waterproof. The eco-credentials are better than most.- Generous Pockets
- Good Eco credentials
- Hood
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $336 / £380 |
| Weight | 471g (size medium) |
| Materials | Gore-tex 3L, 75D, 100% recycled polyamide with ePTFE membrane |
| Hood | laminated peak, rear and side adjusters |
| Sizes | XS-XL |
| Men’s version | Yes |
The Roc Flash GTX hardshell jacket is a practical and stylish choice for outdoor enthusiasts. It features roomy external hand pockets, an internal valuables pocket, and a cuff that slides over insulated gloves. The jacket also has underarm zips for venting and a Recco reflector for quick rescue in winter. However, the hood is tight and the laminate panel in the peak doesn’t hold its shape in strong wind. Despite these issues, the jacket is built from 100% recycled 75 denier polyamide and has a Gore-Tex membrane, making it tough and waterproof. Haglofs has achieved these eco-credentials at a competitive price point.
Read Lucy Wallace’s full Haglofs Roc Flash GTX Women Review – Tested across Winter 2023/2024
Berghaus Paclite Dynak Gore-Tex
TGO Magazine verdict
The overall fit of this rain jacket is fairly relaxed, especially compared to trimmer fitting shells, with room for a layer or two underneath.- Packable
- Climate friendly
- Hood minimalist
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | £170 |
| Weight | 292g (10) |
| Materials | 2-layer Gore-Tex Paclite, taped seams |
| Hood | stiffened, one adjuster |
| Sizes | women UK8-18 (men XS-XXL) |
| Men’s version | Yes |
£170 is excellent value for a rain jacket of this calibre. It’s light, it’s durable, it’s breathable and protective and it’s well furnished with features – there’s a lot to like here.
It’s not quite as nice to wear as a 3-layer shell if you’re forced to keep it on for extended periods but the inner face does at least have a built-in carbon backer instead of a clingy drop liner or printed ‘half-layer’ like many cheaper 2.5-layer PU-based shells and that means it provides reasonable comfort levels. We found that it only started to feel a bit clammy when really working hard uphill.
The one-way, water-resistant main zip has an internal storm flap and a comfortable microfibre chin guard. The two hand pockets are a decent size and are placed high enough to stay out of the way of a backpack hip belt. The pocket zips aren’t watertight but they do have double storm flaps – so there’s peace of mind there.
The overall fit of this hardshell jacket is fairly relaxed, especially compared to trimmer fitting shells, with room for a layer or two underneath.
Read our full Berghaus Paclite Dynak Gore-Tex review. – Tested in 2023
Available at: berghaus.com
