11 of the Most Comfortable Women’s Raincoats You Can Buy
The perfect raincoat that will work well for different situations can be elusive. We have rounded up some of the best options that are fashionable, stylish, and beautiful that will not only keep you dry but feeling comfortable as well.
Finding a comfy raincoat can be a bit of a balancing act, most women want a style that will be fully waterproof, yet breathable, so you won’t overheat which used to be a problem with raincoats from the past. With fabrics becoming more high tech by the day, there are now lots of options that achieve this balance with garments that are a pleasure to wear. Read on to see our picks for the most comfortable women’s raincoats.
A coat that will work for a torrential downpour is the fully waterproof Coast Waterproof Mac. It is a best-selling Joules jacket that will keep you dry but is also soft and comfortable to move in. It is a simple yet stylish design that comes is a few beautiful color options.
The Coast’s style is baggy enough for layering, or you like a bit of room for freedom of movement, making it nice and comfortable. The lined hood is large enough to be useful, but also has a little bit of room in it so that it won’t mess up your hair. It comes with nice large pockets that are fully waterproof. Overall the Coast is well-made, flattering, and high-quality.
Another fully waterproof, yet breathable, style is the Carhartt Women’s Shoreline Jacket. The nylon membrane outer shell is roomy, and the polyester mesh lining in the body and nylon taffeta lining in sleeves give you a little bit of a buffer between the outer shell for added comfort. The large hood is detachable, so it is easy to take it off or put it on as needed.
The Shoreline has comfort features like an adjustable drawcord at the hem and cuffs and articulated elbows, making it easy to move in during almost any kind of activity. It also features cuffs with thumbholes for extra warmth and to guard against moisture, but you don’t have to wear them if you don’t want to.
This coat isn’t very warm, but it is pretty wind-resistant, so that helps a lot with the chill. There are two pockets on the outside of the coat, one with a storm flap, and the other is a hand warmer design that is easy to slip your hands into. The Shoreline is known for being very durable and providing full coverage as it extends a little bit at the back, so it generally covers most people’s behinds pretty well.
I just picked up one of these J Crew Perfect Raincoats and love it. It runs a little big, and even after going down one size from my usual size, the jacket still has lots of room if you want to wear it with a sweater or like to have a decent about of room to move. The moss color is beautiful, but I had to get the navy as they didn’t have my size, which is also super cute and stylish. I love the fishtail style that makes it longer at the back and shorter at the front.
It is water-resistant rather than waterproof so that you can wear it in light to medium precipitation, and it is relatively breathable, but it doesn’t work as well for a lengthy downpour. It is pretty lightweight, so it won’t keep you warm unless you wear it as a layer.
The Eddie Bauer Girl on the Go Trench Coat is known for being durable, breathable, waterproof, and warm. It is also a very flattering fit for most body types. The Girl on the Go Trench is a bestseller for Eddie Bauer year after year since it is a versatile option that you can comfortably wear for work, commuting, or on a hike. It comes in a lot of colors in regular and petite sizes. It manages to look sophisticated and sleek while also being super functional in stormy conditions.
The silhouette on the Girl on the Go is incredibly flattering and has lots of useful features like an adjustable and removable hood, as well as pockets with hidden zippers that don’t add extra bulk. The design has a bit of extra length that is excellent for keeping you dry; it also offers wind reliable wind protection. Two things to note about this style are that it has a rather prominent contrasting logo on the sleeve, which some women aren’t huge fans of, and the sleeves tend to run a little long.
The SaphiRose Rain Poncho is a best seller on Amazon. This oversized style comes in a vast array of fun, vibrant colors, and patterns. Women love it because it is waterproof, lightweight, breathable, and soft. Ponchos can be one of the comfiest options in rainwear since they are so roomy, and you can throw them over your purse, backpack, or camera, and they will keep everything dry while still leaving you with room to move around and you can have your hands free.
This poncho features a zipper that makes getting it on and off very easy. The material itself is tight weave nylon that is exceptionally water-resistant, not overly thick, and it is also quick drying. The other great feature of this poncho is that it folds down very small and comes with its own cute little carrying case that you can put the poncho back into after using it.
Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket is a lightweight shell that is waterproof and breathable. A lot of women love this coat as a comfortable garment to pack for hiking, traveling, or even throwing in a larger purse when you don’t want to add a lot of weight but want to make sure you have some protection from the wind and precipitation.
The Acadia II is easy to fold down very small into the hand pocket. The sleeves have Velcro to tighten the wrists, as well as drawstring around the waist and hood for extra protection. The body and the pockets are lined with an inner mesh that keeps you comfortable and cool. The Arcadia II is also one of the least expensive jackets on our list.
The British heritage brand Barbour is known for its iconic Barbour Wax Jacket, but they also have lots of beautiful, longer styles for women with the Manor Waterproof Hooded Jacket being one of the latest designs that is both fashionable and practical. It is a lightweight option that has a water-resistant shell and is lined with a beautiful fabric that adds extra warmth and comfort.
The Manor features a dipped hem for a bit of additional coverage at the back. The hood is adjustable but not detachable, and it has large front pockets, including hand warmer pockets, which is a nice touch. It has a two-way zipper, and because of its shape, it leaves lots of room for movement and is perfect for all kinds of activities. What is notable about this jacket is that the material is a soft cotton-polyester blend that is excellent for keeping you dry in the rain. The Manor is not a cheap option, but the classic style and superior quality of the coat will mean that you can wear it for years.
The North Face Women’s Resolve 2 Jacket is a lightweight style that is perfect for protecting you from the wind and wet conditions if you are out hiking or backpacking as it’s light and folds up well. This jacket won’t keep you particularly warm, but it works well as a thin shell to keep you dry and comfortable. The hood gives enough coverage and has a broader collar that helps protect your face from the wind if you don’t want to wear the hood.
Available from Amazon
A stylish, well-made coat that is a favorite for a lot of women is the Cole Haan Women’s Packable Rain Jacket you can find at Macy’s. This is a beautiful water-resistant option that features a bowtie fastener at the back so you can cinch it in for a more tapered look.
This package style has a less sporty look than some of the other picks on this list, which might be better for professional work situations, but it can be dressed up or down depending on when you are wearing it. It has a zipper and snaps closures on the front and the pockets for added protection. It is also lightweight and packs into a small travel pack so you can pack it up and take it along with you to work or when traveling in case of any unexpected weather. The hood zipper lets you take the hood off and on quickly. Some reviews note that it runs a little small in the shoulders.
Lululemon often has some excellent rain jacket options. Rain Rebel Jacket is one of Lululemon’s latest styles for 2019. It uses a waterproof fabric that is breathable and flexible to move around in. This is a versatile design that can be worn for casual office style or even on a hike.
Like most Lululemon garments, the Rain Rebel is built for comfort with features like a back vent for airflow, soft to the touch fabric, and a sweat-wicking liner. To keep you dry, it includes a drawcord hood, waterproof material, and zippered pockets to ensure your items stay safe and dry.
The Helly Hansen Long Belfast Jacket is a style that is loved for all kinds of activities, especially for traveling as it is so versatile. The Belfast is lightweight but surprisingly warm for a thinner option, it works well as a windbreaker, and is completely waterproof in the rain. The long length ensures you get excellent coverage that will keep you dry from the knees up.
This design also has a good range of movement in the arms since they aren’t too snug or too baggy, making it comfy for activities like hiking or even to wear to work. The cuffs have a Velcro adjustment, and the hood is also adjustable. The Belfast has a light lining that is in the hood, the pockets, the body, and on the neck collar that adds a little bit of extra warmth and softness.
Waterproof– Most women who are looking for a rain jacket want a waterproof style. Many styles that are marketed as raincoats are only water-resistant, not waterproof. Often fully waterproof garments can be cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear, so you have to find a balance between a comfortable, breathable fabric and staying dry.
Breathable– These days, it is possible to get a comfortable design that is both breathable and fully waterproof. The downside is that these types of high tech fabrics usually come with a higher price tag, or you are restricted to sporty hiking styles. Brands like Columbia and Helly Hansen use high-tech fabrics that are a pleasure to wear and will help to keep you dry. The hiking, sporty styles usually use a breathable, fully waterproof fabric while the professional, office-appropriate jackets are often water-resistant, not fully waterproof.
Cuffs– An important feature that is sometimes overlooked when shopping for a good design is the cuffs. If the cuffs are too loose or baggy, water may get into the coat. A nice to have feature is a Velcro adjustment to make sure water doesn’t enter the jacket through the cuff.
Fit– Since it can rain when it is very cold or hot outside, many women love to buy a slightly loose or baggy fitting style, so it is easy to add layers or sweaters under the coat for extra warmth. When you are shopping for a raincoat, it is a good idea to consider what type of conditions you will be wearing and whether you need to size up to leave room for layering.
Pockets– You may also want to pay attention to the pockets on any styles you are considering and determine whether they are fully waterproof. In a lot of raincoats they are not, you will also want to look for details like if the pockets have a zipper or snap closures.
Portable/ lightweight – In most places, it may only rain for a short period, especially in the summer, so it is nice not to have to carry around a bulky jacket if you don’t need to wear it for long. Many lightweight options are easy to carry with you, in the same way, that you may take a small umbrella.
Packable– If you are looking for a raincoat for travel, you will most likely want a lightweight design that is easy to pack. There are quite a few options that work well for trips, including the Helly Hansen Long Belfast Jacket and the Cole Haan Women’s Single Breasted Packable Rain Jacket. Some of the jackets come with a little pack that makes it easy to store in your luggage or even larger purses.
Hood-Not all hoods are the same; you should look for designs that allow for a little bit of extra room, so your hair doesn’t get flattened entirely. You also want to make sure that the hood isn’t so big that it makes it difficult to see. Look for drawcord closures for extra protection, and whether the hood is detachable can also be vital features to consider for some women.
Lined or Unlined– If you need a warmer style you will want to ensure any coat you consider is lined for warmth or if you get an unlined option, you will want to leave room for layering so you may want to size up
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