Best Waterproof Jackets for Hiking of 2026

The North Face Antora is the roomier alternative to our top pick, and that extra space is the reason to choose it. There is enough room for a fleece or light puffy underneath, and the cut leaves your arms free on steep climbs. The fabric feels light for a waterproof shell, and the jacket has a clean, uncluttered look that works on the trail and in town.

We prefer it when the forecast is cool and unsettled and we want to layer rather than carry a separate midlayer. The hand pockets are genuinely large—big enough for gloves, a map, or cold hands—and the hood adjusts down around a cap. Rain stays out in wet, windy weather, and the shell does not trap heat the way an insulated jacket can.

The jacket is not warm on its own, so plan to layer in cool weather. For a hike where you will be moving hard, the Columbia is the more packable shell. The Antora earns its place when room and pocket space matter more than shaving weight, and when you want a shell that can double as a travel jacket. It is a premium choice, but the extra fabric earns its keep in cold, wet weather.

The feature that sold us on the 33,000ft women's packable jacket is the pair of underarm vents. On a climb, they let you dump heat without stopping to take the shell off, which is exactly what a hiking rain jacket needs to do. The jacket is light, packs into its own storage bag, and has a hood that adjusts around the face.

The pockets are better than we expect on a packable shell: two zippered hand pockets plus an internal zipped pocket for a phone or keys. The cut is roomy enough for a hoodie underneath without feeling like a tent, and the length covers the hips. The storage bag is small, though refolding the jacket into it takes a few tries, especially when the shell is wet.

For women who hike in wet weather and want one shell for travel and day hikes, this is the strongest women's pick here. The vents make it the one we choose for a steady climb, and the packable size earns it a place in a carry-on. If you mainly need a jacket for road running, the baleaf shell's visibility is more useful.

A wet commute or an evening run is a different test from a mountain hike. The baleaf men's reflective jacket is built for that kind of movement: it is light, packable, and covered in reflective details that show up in headlights. The hood is oversized enough to fit over a cap and still leave room to turn your head.

We reach for it when we want to be seen on a wet road or bike path. The reflective trim and high-visibility options are the reason it earns a spot, and the longer back hem keeps spray off your lower back. The zippered pockets are stormproof, and the chest pocket fits a large phone. The catch is breathability: the shell can get clammy on a hard climb, and there are no pit zips to dump heat. Size up if you want to layer a fleece underneath.

For hiking, the Columbia or North Face shells are more comfortable over a long day. The baleaf is the one to choose for running, cycling, and wet commutes where visibility matters more than ventilation. It is a focused piece of kit, and that focus is why it works.

The Diamond Candy jacket is the lowest-priced women's shell in this group, and it shows in a few places—but not in the ways that matter most on a casual hike. The outer fabric shrugs off light rain, the lining adds a little warmth, and the hood is removable, which makes the jacket less fussy when the weather clears.

The cut runs small, especially through the shoulders and hips, so order a size up if you plan to wear a sweater underneath. The removable hood is a nice touch for travel, and the zippered pockets are deep enough for gloves and a phone. The lining is warm enough for a cool morning, and the jacket has a neat, unfussy shape that works in town.

We recommend it for budget-minded women who want a warm-lined rain jacket for short hikes, dog walks, and travel in cool weather. It is a comfortable, good-looking layer for cool days, and the removable hood makes it easy to pack. For a long, exposed hike, choose a more technical shell.

A packable rain jacket earns its keep on a trip where the weather changes between breakfast and lunch. The Outdoor Ventures women's jacket is built for that kind of travel: it rolls up small, has a mesh lining that keeps the shell off your skin, and enough pockets to hold a phone, a map, and a transit card without digging through a daypack.

The hood adjusts well and the front zipper has a storm flap, two details that matter when rain is blowing sideways. The jacket is water-resistant enough for steady showers, and the mesh lining helps it feel less sticky than a basic coated shell. The outside pockets are zippered, and there is an internal pocket for valuables.

The fit runs small, especially across the chest, so try a size up if you want to layer a sweater. For travel, that is a manageable trade-off if you pack light; for a long hiking day, the 33,000ft shell's vents are more useful.

We recommend the Outdoor Ventures jacket for women who want a versatile travel shell that looks tidy in town and handles wet weather on easy hikes. It is not the most technical pick here, and the fit will not suit everyone. But as a jacket that lives in a carry-on and comes out for showers, it is the one we choose most often.

A softshell is not a rain shell, and the 33,000ft women's fleece-lined jacket is a good example of why that distinction matters. The outer fabric blocks wind and sheds light rain, while the fleece lining adds warmth on a cold, damp hike. It feels more like a cozy jacket than a crinkly emergency shell.

The cut is flattering and roomy enough for a base layer, and the sleeves have snug cuffs that keep cold air out. The hood has a small brim, which helps keep drizzle off your glasses. We noticed the pockets are generous, including internal pouches that swallow gloves and a hat. The fabric also stretches when you reach for a handhold, which makes it comfortable on scrambles.

We reach for this jacket on cold, mostly dry days when a waterproof shell would feel like overkill. It is not the one to pack for a long, exposed downpour; the softshell fabric is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. If your hikes are wet and mild, choose the 33,000ft packable shell instead; if they are cold and breezy, this is the warmer layer.

The first thing you notice about the baleaf women's packable jacket is the color. The fluorescent options are hard to miss, which is the point on a dark, wet road. The jacket is light enough to tie around your waist or stuff into a bike pocket, and the hood rolls up and secures with Velcro when you do not need it.

The pockets are useful for running and riding: two zippered hand pockets and a back pocket that converts into a stuff sack. The fabric keeps out rain and wind, and the high-visibility colors add a layer of safety without a separate vest.

Sizing is the weak point. The jacket runs inconsistently—some women find it true to size, others need to go up—and it is cut for movement rather than a close fit. It is a running shell, not an all-day hiking layer.

We recommend it for women who run, ride, or commute in wet weather and want to be seen. It is not the jacket we choose for a long hiking day, where the 33,000ft shell's vents make more sense. For a short, bright, rain-soaked outing, though, it does exactly what it should.