A resilient, heavyweight waterproof shell is a good option for more demanding hillwalking and mountaineering, especially in the winter. A lightweight waterproof jacket or rain jacket will serve for the rest of the year, especially during the warmer months. Especially if you’re travelling quickly and with a light load. This is frequent on hot day hikes, but it can also happen on camping trips where weight is an issue.
Main image: The benefits of walking in the rain | Credit: Jessie Leong
After all, in spring and summer your rain gear is likely to spend most of its time stuffed in your rucksack. With that in mind, it makes sense to carry a lighter and more packable jacket, especially one that is equipped with a stuff sack or pack pocket for maximum compressibility. A rain jacket also has numerous benefits when you’re actually wearing it. Typically, thinner fabrics are more breathable and feel less cumbersome, permitting greater freedom of movement. This can be a benefit during other outdoor activity such as trail running and mountain biking. In turn, this makes many rain jackets a very versatile bit of kit.
If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, check out our guide to the best waterproof jackets to see what we thought of the ones we tested.
Testing notes
Alex Roddie
Alex tested his jackets on a series of day hikes and overnight backpacking trips in the Cairngorms and West Highlands. All weights are as measured on Alex’s digital scale (men’s Medium).
Lara Dunn
Lara wore the jackets during wet autumn and winter conditions on a variety of walks – with and without a pack – in the Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. She usually takes a high street size 14, sometimes 16 and is 5’5” tall.
Montane Phase Lite Jacket
Alex Roddie’s Best in Test
The only downside in an otherwise stellar picture is the very high price. But for performance this good, in a jacket that should last well, it’s arguably worth it.- Lightweight
- Excellent fit
- Superb Hood
- Very breathable
- Expensive
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £325 Weight: 308g (M) Materials: 30D Gore-Tex Active Shell Hood: stiffened peak, rear and side adjustments Front Closure: water-resistant zip with internal storm flap and hem press stud Underarm/Side Zips: none Pockets: 2x external Hem: adjustable drawcord Cuffs: Velcro Sizes: men S-2XL, women 8-16 Women’s/Men’s version: men’s (women’s direct equivalent available) montane.com |
The Montane Phase Lite jacket is a lightweight, well-fitting, and highly breathable jacket that is built on previous Montane jackets. It uses a heavier grade of Gore-Tex Active Shell, making it suitable for general mountain use. The jacket weighs over 300g and is waterproof and breathable, with minimal condensation in most conditions.
The soft textured inner fabric provides excellent fit, with room for a midlayer underneath. The hood is particularly strong, providing excellent face protection in driving rain. Other design features include the best external pockets in the tested jackets, and Velcro cuffs for easy adjustment. The jacket’s high price may be a downside, but for its excellent performance and durability, it’s arguably worth the investment.
Read Alex Roddie’s full Montane Phase Lite Jacket Review
Patagonia Women’s Torrentshell 3L
Lara Dunn’s Best in Test
The end result is an environmentally conscious jacket that’s a reasonable price and does a very decent job, as well as looking good.- Rugged but light and packable
- Environmental credentials
- Good size range
- Limited hood adjustment
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £180 Weight: 377g (size L) Materials: 50D ECONYL 100% recycled nylon, PFC free DWR and membrane Hood: Stiffened with volume adjustment Front closure: Zip Underarm/side zips: Yes, zips Pockets: 2 Hem: Drawcord adjuster Cuffs: Velcro Sizes: XS-XXL Women’s/Men’s version: Women’s (Men’s direct equivalent available) www.eu.patagonia.com |
The Torrentshell is a popular waterproof jacket from Patagonia, made from 100% recycled ECONYL nylon and manufactured in a Fair Trade Certified factory. The jacket offers excellent performance, providing reliable waterproofing and decent breathability. It is lightweight and packable, making it ideal for storing at the bottom of a pack.
The jacket is comfortable to wear and effective in bad weather. However, it is crinkly and noisy, and the inside surface is uncomfortable to wear next to skin. A long sleeved baselayer is recommended for cold weather. The Torrentshell has a pared down design with features like two zipped side pockets, underarm vents, and drawstring adjustments for the hood and hem. The jacket’s lightweight design allows for a comfortable fit for an average height and shape, and it is suitable for a high street 14 with enough space for a thinner mid-layer.
Read Lara Dunn’s full Patagonia Women’s Torrentshell 3L Review
Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock
Lara Dunn Highly Recommends
For £250, you’re getting a jacket that you can count on for many many years to come, making it well worth the investment.- Highly breathable
- Tough
- Ethical and green
- Easy to care for
- Heavy
- Warm and bulky
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £250 Weight: 595g (size L) Materials: Nikwax Analogy Light fabric with PFC free DWR Hood: Stiffly wired with comprehensive volume adjustment Front closure: (zip, studs, storm flap?) Underarm/side zips: Torso side zips and press studs Pockets: 2 – one internal, one external Hem: Drawcord adjuster Cuffs: Velcro Sizes: XS-XL Women’s/Men’s version: Women’s (Men’s direct equivalent available) www.paramo-clothing.com |
The Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock is a unique waterproof jacket designed for less chilly conditions, offering a heavier and warmer weight. Its unique structure and Nikwax Analogy Light fabric function differently from traditional membrane-driven waterproof fabrics, making it ideal for all-day wear. The jacket’s breathability and active moisture transport keep the wearer dry, and side zips provide extra ventilation. It’s suitable for year-round use with the right layering. The jacket is roomy but not over-baggy, with cuffs fastening with Velcro. The hood features a heavy-duty wire and plenty of adjustment, making it suitable for prolonged bad weather use.
The jacket’s soft, silky fabric offers excellent breathability and comfort. It’s also designed for sustainability, with the fabric being durable and tough. The jacket is made using guaranteed Fair Trade manufacture in Colombia and is fully recyclable. The Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock is priced at £250, making it a durable and long-lasting investment.
Read Lara Dunn’s full Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock Review
Rab Namche Paclite Jacket
Lara Dunn’s Highly recommended
The Namche Paclite is intended as a lightweight and packable waterproof that’ll happily ride shotgun in your backpack until you need it but will deliver comfort and protection when the heavens open.- Extremely lightweight
- Packable
- Stiff fabric
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £220 | International Delivery available Weight: 340g (size UK14) Materials: 75D recycled Gore-Tex Paclite 2.5 layer with PFC free DWR Hood: Wired with volume adjuster Front closure: Zip with storm flap Underarm/side zips: 2 (the zipped pockets double as vents) Pockets: 2 Hem: Drawcord adjuster Cuffs: Velcro Sizes: UK8-16 Women’s/Men’s version: Women’s (Men’s direct equivalent available) www.rab.equipment |
The Namche Paclite is a lightweight, packable waterproof jacket designed to balance waterproofing, weight, durability, and breathability. It is the lightest women’s jacket on test and packs down to about the size of a modest melon, making it perfect for stowing in a backpack. The waterproofing is effective for good lengths of walk and breathability is decent, with no major issues with sweat build-up.
The fabric’s smooth facing makes long-sleeved base layers preferable for comfort and effective moisture transport in warm, wet conditions. The lightweight, durable fabric is genuinely pleasurable to wear for long periods of time. The hood has a stiffened peak and excellent field of vision, and two generous zipped side pockets are mesh lined and double as venting when needed. The fit is spot on for stated sizing, with taller women requiring extra length in the torso and generous sleeves. The contoured cut is best suited for low volume mid-layers in warmer seasons.
Read Lara Dunn’s full Rab Namche Paclite Jacket Review
Berghaus Paclite 2.0
Alex Roddie Recommends
For £170 the value is very good. It’s a decent summer hill jacket at a decent price.- Lightweight
- Good value
- Range of sizes
- Performs well
- Non-stiffened hood
- Basic pockets
- No hanging loop
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £170 Weight: 313g (M) Materials: Gore-Tex Paclite Hood: rear and side adjustments Front Closure: zip with internal storm flap Underarm/Side Zips: none Pockets: 2x external Hem: adjustable drawcord Cuffs: Velcro Sizes: men XS-3XL, women 8-20 Women’s/Men’s version: men’s (women’s direct equivalent available) berghaus.com |
The Berghaus Paclite 2.0 is a lightweight Gore-Tex waterproof jacket that is suitable for three-season conditions and is available in various sizes. The jacket is lightweight but less breathable than the best in class. It has a non-athletic fit and wide sleeves, providing ample room for layers. The hood is adequate but not the best, and the brim is not wired.
The pockets and cuffs could be improved, as they are small and obscured by the pack’s hipbelt. The jacket also lacks a hanging loop. However, over 90% of the fabric is bluesign approved, making it a good value at £170. Overall, the Berghaus Paclite 2.0 is a decent summer hill jacket at a decent price.
Read Alex Roddie’s full Berghaus Paclite 2.0 Jacket Review
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0
Alex Roddie Recommends
Overall, this is a great jacket for lightweight mountaineering in all but the harshest conditions – but long-term durability could be a concern.- Very comfortable
- Excellent fit
- Good hood
- Very breathable
- Durability
- not as waterproof or lightweight as other jackets tested
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £260 Weight: 409g (M) Materials: recycled polyester knit face 3L with PU membrane and polyester backer, stretch polyamide woven Proflex Hood: helmet-compatible, stiffened peak, rear and side adjustments Front Closure: water-resistant zip with internal storm flap Underarm/Side Zips: none Pockets: 2x external, 1x internal Hem: adjustable drawcord Cuffs: Velcro Sizes: men S-2XL, women 8-16 Women’s/Men’s version: men’s (women’s direct equivalent available) rab.equipment |
The Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 waterproof jacket is a soft and comfortable jacket that offers excellent freedom of movement for activities like running, climbing, or scrambling. It combines stretchy knitted fabric with stretchy woven fabric in high-wear areas, including the hip, arm, shoulders, and hood. The jacket has a wicking inner face fabric and a waterproof/breathable membrane.
However, the knitted panels have less durability and the waterproofness is not as high as Gore-Tex Active. The jacket’s fit is perfect for a trim, midlayer-friendly fit, with room for a midlayer. The hood is highly protective, and the pockets are massive and hipbelt-friendly. Made from 29% recycled material, the jacket is available through Rab’s Material Facts programme. While it is suitable for lightweight mountaineering in all conditions, long-term durability could be a concern.
Read Alex Roddie’s full Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket Review
Keela Paklite Jacket
Alex Roddie’s verdict
Overall this is a good choice if you just want a lightweight just-in-case jacket and don’t want to spend a fortune, but there are better options for regular hill use.- Lightweight
- Excellent value
- Basic Hood
- Baggy fit
- No women’s version
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £74.95 Weight: 317g (M) Materials: Rainlife 2000 recycled waterproof/breathable ripstop nylon Hood: rollaway, side adjustments Front Closure: water-resistant zip with internal storm flap Underarm/Side Zips: none Pockets: 2x external Hem: adjustable drawcord Cuffs: elasticated Velcro Sizes: men XS-3XL Women’s/Men’s version: men’s keelaoutdoors.com |
The Keela Paklite is a lightweight, waterproof jacket under £100 that is suitable for basic hill duty. Its design is minimal and dated, with a baggy, boxy fit. The jacket offers below-the-waist coverage and hipbelt-friendly pockets. It features a water-resistant zipper, good cuffs with elastic and Velcro, and a rudimentary hood with only two points of adjustment.
The fabric is durable with a ripstop pattern and is surprisingly breathable. The jacket comes in a good range of sizes but lacks a women-specific version. While it is a good choice for lightweight just-in-case and budget-friendly options, there are better options for regular hill use. Overall, the Keela Paklite is a good choice for those looking for a lightweight, just-in-case jacket without spending a fortune.
Read Alex Roddie’s full Keela Paklite Jacket Review
How to look after your rain jacket
It’s worth looking after your waterproof jacket in order to ensure it continues to offer optimum performance throughout its lifetime. Outdoor expert Chris Townsend has given his top tips on how to look after your waterproof jacket.
What makes a good rain jacket?
- WEIGHT AND PACK SIZE
On milder days, a waterproof jacket will often sit in your pack for most of the day. As such, it makes sense to look for a light and packable shell, ideally with its own stuff sack or pack pocket. Our definition of a rain jacket is a waterproof that weighs less than 350g in a men’s size M. All the jackets in our test weigh around 350g or less in a men’s size M, or under 300g in a women’s size UK 12.
- HOOD
Rain jackets tend to have simpler hood designs than heavyweight mountain shells. However, you should still look for a hood that offers decent protection for the head and face, without obstructing your visibility.
- FIT
Rain jackets tends to have a shorter and slimmer cut to save weight. Since they’re designed for milder conditions when you tend to wear fewer layers, this more tailored fit can work well. But make sure the jacket doesn’t feel tight across your shoulders or chest, and that sleeves cover your wrists fully.
- FABRIC
A lightweight waterproof will never be as durable as a heavyweight mountain shell. But some are still surprisingly tough, especially those that are made from nylon (polyamide). This is a stronger fibre for its weight than polyester, so nylon fabrics offer good abrasion resistance despite being thin and lightweight.
- WATERPROOFING
Most lightweight rain jackets use a membrane or laminate construction to provide waterproofing. A 2 or 2.5-layer jacket uses a face fabric bonded to a membrane or laminate, with a thin film coating or sometimes a raised pattern (a ‘half layer’) to protect it. More advanced jackets use a 3-layer construction, which sandwiches the membrane between a durable face fabric and a soft tricot backer. The waterproof rating of a fabric is usually measured by Hydrostatic Head (HH). For UK hiking and hillwalking, look for a jacket with a HH rating of at least 10,000mm.
- BREATHABILITY
In outdoor clothing, the term ‘breathability’ refers to how much moisture can pass through the fabric. So, breathable jackets don’t necessarily keep you cool or stop you sweating, but they should move moisture away from the body to keep you mostly dry and comfortable. It is usually measured by a test called MVTR (moisture vapour transmission rate) or sometimes by RET (resistance to evaporative transfer). Look for higher MVTR ratings – ideally at least 8,000g/m2/24hrs – or a lower RET figure (a value of less than 6 is considered to be very good).
- ZIPS
A laminated and/or reverse coil zip (with the teeth on the inside) improves water resistance. A chin guard at the top of the main zip will protect your face from irritation.
- POCKETS
Rain jackets tend to have fewer and smaller pockets, though a zipped chest pocket is still a useful feature. If a jacket has hand pockets, ensure these are not obstructed by a rucksack hip belt.
- VENTILATION
Some jackets feature pit zips or mesh-lined pockets, which can be opened to increase airflow. Wide cuffs that can be pushed up the forearm can also aid cooling.
