The 5 Best Hiking Rain Jackets for Women
Having a hiking rain jacket that is lightweight and will keep you dry from the elements is crucial! Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable and change quickly, so it is essential to have the appropriate gear. This guide reviews everything you need to know about hiking rain jackets, including what to consider when buying one and the best hiking rain jackets for women!
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Why You Should Invest in a Hiking Rain Jacket
I always recommend packing a rain jacket for every hike, even if the weather looks perfect. Weather can change quickly in the mountains, so having the appropriate gear to keep you dry and safe is essential. A hiking rain jacket is also part of the Ten Essentials you should be packing on every hike! Most hiking rain jackets are lightweight and compressible, so they can easily be stored in a backpack when you do not need to wear them. If you do not have a good rain jacket that you bring hiking, I highly recommend investing in one!
The Best Hiking Rain Jackets for Women
Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain jacket
Pros:
Waterproof
Windproof
Pit zip vents
Compresses into its pocket
Adjustable hood, waist, and cuffs
Hand pockets
Cons:
The hood lacks adjustments, so it can be too big since it is compatible with helmets
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The Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell is a high-quality hiking rain jacket that you can rely on to keep you dry! It is waterproof and windproof throughout, including the center front zipper. Although it looks stiff, it has stretchy fabric that is durable and allows you to have a range of motion. The Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell also compresses into one of its pockets, so it is easily stored when you don’t need it.
If you are looking for a hiking rain jacket with many features, the Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell is perfect! It has two zippered hand pockets, which are great for storing essentials you need to access. There are also two pit zip vents that are durable water repellent sealed, so they allow breathability while keeping you dry. On top of those features, the hiking rain jacket also has adjustable cuffs and waist, providing additional protection. The Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell is one of the best hiking rain jackets for women who want something with it all!
Mountain Hardwear GORE-TEX Rain Jacket
Pros:
Waterproof
Windproof
Adjustable hood, waist, and cuffs
Chest and hand pockets
Cons:
Not breathable
Hand pockets are not fully waterproof
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The Mountain Hardwear GORE-TEX Jacket is one of the best hiking rain jackets for women. It has 2.5 layers of GORE-TEX, making it waterproof and windproof. It also has a durable water repellent finish that helps keep out moisture even more.
The Mountain Hardwear GORE-TEX Jacket also has many great features. There are two zippered hand pockets and a zippered chest pocket that allows you to have the essentials easily accessible. The hood, waist, and cuffs are adjustable, providing additional protection when needed. The back of the hiking rain jacket is longer than the front, which helps if your backpack tends to make jackets ride up. The Mountain Hardwear GORE-TEX Jacket is one of the best hiking rain jackets for women!
Columbia Arcadia II rain Jacket
Pros:
Waterproof
Windproof
Compresses into its pocket
Adjustable hood, waist, and cuffs
Hand pockets
Cons:
Not as breathable as other jackets
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The Columbia Arcadia II Jacket is a fantastic hiking rain jacket. The Columbia Arcadia II Jacket is completely waterproof because it has a seam-sealed construction. It also has a soft mesh lining, which acts as an extra insulating layer, although it can get too warm if you are hiking in it for a long time. The Columbia Arcadia II Jacket also folds up and fits into one of its hand pockets, making it easy to store in your backpack.
One of the best things about the Columbia Arcadia II Jacket is it has many features. It has two zippered hand pockets, allowing you to store and access essentials. The hood, waist, and cuffs are adjustable, providing extra protection when needed. The Columbia Arcadia II Jacket is one of the best hiking rain jackets for women!
Arc’teryx Beta LT Rain Jacket
Pros:
Waterproof
Windproof
Pit zip vents
Adjustable hood, waist, and cuffs
Hand pockets
Cons:
Expensive
The jacket is loud and crinkly
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The Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket is one of the most expensive hiking rain jackets on the list but provides a lot of protection. It has a 3-layer GORE-TEX fabric that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable, making it one of the most waterproof jackets on the list! Even though it has three layers of GORE-TEX, it is still very lightweight.
The Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket is a versatile jacket that has many great features. It has pit zip vents, which provide breathability when needed. The cuffs, waist, and hood are adjustable so you can have extra protection against the rain. It also has two WaterTight zippered hand pockets, so you can easily store essential items without worrying about them getting wet. The Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket is one of the best hiking rain jackets for women!
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX rain Jacket
Pros:
Waterproof
Windproof
Adjustable hood, waist, and cuffs
Chest and hand pockets
Cons:
Could have better ventilation
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If you are someone who loves REI’s products, the REI Co-Op ZeroDry GTX Jacket is the perfect hiking rain jacket for you. The REI Co-Op ZeroDry GTX Jacket has a 2-layer GORE-TEX PACLITE fabric that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable and has a durable water repellent finish. It is also very lightweight and compressible, so it does not add extra weight to your backpack.
Typical of the REI brand, the REI Co-Op ZeroDry GTX Jacket has many great features! It has two zippered hand pockets and one chest pocket, allowing you to store and access the essentials. They are also mesh-lined, so they act as vents to help with breathability. The hood, waist, and cuffs are adjustable, so you can have extra protection when needed. The REI Co-Op ZeroDry GTX Jacket is one of the best hiking rain jackets for women!
Hiking Rain Jackets for Women Features
Water Resistance
There are different types of waterproof materials. Some lightweight hiking rain jackets are water-resistant, which means they will shed moisture but cannot withstand heavy exposure. All of the hiking rain jackets listed here are waterproof, meaning they can withstand a downpour or exposure to long periods of rain. You will also want to consider buying a rain jacket with a durable water repellent finish because it adds an extra layer of protection against moisture. Any zippers, pockets, and ventilation features should also be water-resistant.
Breathability
Breathability is one of the most important things to consider when looking for the best hiking rain jacket. There are different ventilation areas in a hiking rain jacket, but usually, they are in the armpits. Some hiking rain jackets have vents in the pockets, but if they are holding essential items, that feature will not be useful. If you are hiking longer hikes, I highly recommend buying a hiking rain jacket that has ventilation.
Weight
Similar to most hiking gear, you should consider the weight of a hiking rain jacket. Most hiking rain jackets are lightweight, so you don’t need to worry about having extra weight in your backpack. I highly recommend focusing on other factors, such as water resistance, breathability, and features more than weight. If you are someone who loves having the lightest of lightweight gear, the weight of a hiking rain jacket will be more of a factor.
Compressibility
Some hiking rain jackets compress into one of their hand pockets, which is a great feature if you will take the time to fold it into it. Otherwise, most hiking rain jackets will compress into your backpack without taking up much space.
Features
Hiking rain jackets can come with a variety of features, including pockets and adjustable sections. Most hiking rain jackets have hand pockets, which are great for storing essential items. You will want to make sure they are waterproof, too. Most hiking rain jackets also have an adjustable hood, waist, and cuffs. These are essential features to consider because they add extra protection, especially if you are hiking in heavy rain or wind. I highly recommend buying a hiking rain jacket that has all three. Deciding which features you want in a hiking rain jacket will depend on what is important to you to have on it.
If you are looking for the best hiking rain jackets, this guide is a great starting point to finding one! It provides everything you need to know, including the best hiking rain jackets for women and what to consider when buying one.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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