9 of the Best Raincoats and Jackets for Staying Dry in Wet Weather in 2025
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This trusty gear ensures you’re hitting the great outdoors, no matter the weather.
Whether you need gear for an alpine adventure, are planning your next hike and want to be prepared for all weathers, or you just need a trusty waterproof for everyday wear, these bestselling raincoats tick all the right boxes for style, durability and – most importantly – keeping you dry.
To help you shop and select the best raincoat for your wardrobe, we’ve curated an edit of the best raincoats and jackets you can buy in Australia right now, with picks suitable for all budgets and outdoor enthusiasts.
While top-quality raincoats can cost a bit, they should also last too – meaning your initial investment in great gear will pay off for years (and plenty of downpours) to come. Raincoats like the Arc'teryx Beta Jacket and Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket score top marks for quality, durability and versatility but these purchases are also an investment.
If you’re shopping on a strict budget, there are more affordable rain jacket picks in this edit for you too. Check out Kathmandu’s bestselling Andulo 2-layer Rain Jacket and Columbia’s popular Watertight II in the list below which will both shield you from the wind and rain – and be kind to your wallet, too.
How to choose the best rain jacket for you
Finding the right rain jacket can be overwhelming with so many options to choose from, but by comparing elements such as the material (check you’re choosing a jacket that is waterproof rather than just ‘water resistant’ if you want a rain jacket that will keep you completely dry), breathability and durability, you’ll be able to whittle down the options and find the right one for you.
“A rain jacket is a versatile piece that can be worn in various weather conditions, not just rain. They keep you dry and protect you against the wind,” explains Karinda Robinson, GM of Product at Kathmandu. “It is more convenient than an umbrella and can be layered over other clothing for comfort. All of this, plus the durability, makes it a great long-term investment.”
“When looking for a rain jacket, seek one that is fully waterproof and has good breathability. The features you should look for are fully seam sealed (You can have a waterproof fabric but if the seams aren’t sealed then water can still get through), hydrostatic head ratings of 10Kmm +, breathability rating of fabric 10K g/m2, and underarm pit zips for rainwear used in higher intensity activity.”
Another factor someone people like to consider when choosing a rain jacket is sustainability. As a Patagonia spokesperson shared with Body+Soul, “When investing in a rain jacket that will stand the test of time, we encourage consumers to look beyond just waterproofing performance and consider the full lifecycle of the product. First, examine how it's made; look for jackets constructed with recycled materials and built with repairability in mind. Second, and increasingly important, choose materials with less impact on our planet, such as PFAS-free waterproofing technologies. These harmful 'forever chemicals' persist in our environment for thousands of years.”
“For max durability, look for high quality materials like ripstop nylon or polyesters, reinforced seams, durable zips such as those from YKK, and quality of overall construction including stitching and finishing,” Robinson adds.
Best Rain Jackets for Every Adventure
Arc'teryx Beta Jacket, $820, from Wild Earth
Why we love it: Durable and designed to keep you dry on all adventures.
Worth noting: This one is quite an investment (and the most expensive on our list)
Materials: 3L 80d GORE-TEX ePE with C-KNIT™ backer technology, plain weave recycled nylon, Beam Dyed, FC0 DWR - 100% Nylon with ePE and PU Membrane, 100% Nylon Backing
Adjustable hood Yes - Adjustable low profile StormHood™
Water repellent: Yes - fully waterproof with a Durable Water Repellent finish repels moisture
What you need to know:
Arc'teryx have the most expensive rain jacket in this list but for good reason. They are leaders in this space and produce high-tech gear for technical hiking and trekking, in all conditions. Their durable design is built to last but with a reduced carbon footprint thanks to the innovative GORE-TEX fabric that is PFC free. I purchased this jacket in a large so that I’d have a loose, oversized fit, but the jacket is still super lightweight and packs away neatly. There are also two pockets on the outside and an internal laminated pocket with a zip for storing things you don’t want to get wet (so if I’m ever carrying a paper map - this is where it’s going!)
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket, $250 from The Iconic
Why we love it: Trusty, sustainable gear from premium outdoor brand Patagonia
Worth noting: Comes in 7 different colourways if you’re looking for something brighter than black
Materials: H2No® Performance Standard shell: 3-layer, 3.5-oz 50-denier ECONYL® 100% recycled nylon ripstop face, a polycarbonate PU membrane with 13% biobased content, a tricot backer and a durable water repellent (DWR) finish
Adjustable hood Yes
Water repellent: Yes
What you need to know:
Significantly less than the Arc'teryx rain jacket but still designed by a leader in the outdoors apparel space, the Torrentshell 3L is Patagonia’s entry level rain jacket which means you still get all the great features that meet the brand’s Performance Standards (eg exceptional waterproof/breathable performance) but without the bells and whistles that the higher price tag raincoats from this brand have. This jacket has the all important pit zips for breathability and a microfleece-lined neck for comfort. It’s also a great pick if sustainability is a major factor in your decision making when choosing a rain jacket, as Patagonia says this product is “made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory” and that the “fabric, membrane and DWR finish [are] made without intentionally added PFAS.”
Columbia Watertight II Waterproof Rain Jacket, $133, from Amazon
Why we love it: Brilliant budget option
Worth noting: This bestselling, top rated rain jacket sells out fast
Materials: Shell Fabric: 100% Nylon 2L Full Dull Plain Weave
Adjustable hood: Yes
Water repellent: Yes - made from Omni-Tech fully seam sealed waterproof breathable fabric
What you need to know:
This affordable rain jacket has a downpour rating of 3 and full seam sealing, meaning it’s designed to keep you dry, no matter what weather conditions you face on a hike or while outdoors. Despite its great value you still get all the details you’d want in a rain jacket - think zippered pockets, an adjustable hem and the ability to adjust the sleeves at the wrists for comfort, plus the whole thing packs down small enough to fit into your pocket.
Best of the rest
Kathmandu Andulo 2-layer Rain Jacket, $179.98, from Kathmandu
Helly Hansen Loke Jacket, $260, from Helly Hansen
Mont Lightspeed Jacket, $390, from Wild Earth
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket, $230, from Mountain Hardwear
The North Face Summit Papsura FUTURELIGHT™ Jacket, $600, from The North Face
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell, $300, from Black Diamond
What we looked at when choosing the best rain jackets
To curate our list of the best rain jackets we spoke to experts, relied on our own experience with the products and looked at customer reviews of the jackets to make sure multiple customers had all had great experiences using these coats. We also looked for key features in the rain coats such as pit zips, adjustable hoods, zippered pockets and chest pockets and - last but not least (and certainly most important) - if the jackets were water proof versus water resistant and therefore would be good in heavy rain.
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Originally published as 9 of the Best Raincoats and Jackets for Staying Dry in Wet Weather in 2025
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