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The Insider Pick:
A good raincoat needs to be functional, but it also needs to look nice so that you’ll actually want to wear it when bad weather hits. The North Face Laney II Trench, with its mix of classic trench coat vibes and functional rain jacket features, accomplishes just that.
Nothing says “I’m a put-together adult who does my taxes on time every year” like owning a dedicated jacket for rain. It takes real foresight to check the weather before you leave the house and decide to grab a raincoat instead of taking your chances on your beloved leather jacket that will dissolve at the mere hint of humidity.
Raincoats and rain jackets have a reputation for being either visually unappealing or about as functional as a sheet of tissue paper. But that doesn’t have to be the case. There are stylish options that will keep you warm and dry without making a huge dent in your wallet.
When shopping, it’s important to keep your lifestyle in mind. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you probably don’t want a cutesy clear rain slicker or anorak designed for city life. Likewise, if your idea of “being in nature” is walking down a tree-lined street from the office to the subway, you don’t need something with lots of high-performance materials and features.
Or, you can always opt for a raincoat that blends the best of both worlds! No matter what, your new favorite topper is bound to be in our guide.
Here are our top picks for the best rain jackets and raincoats for women:
Best overall: The North Face Laney II Trench Raincoat, $180
Best for travel: Joules Right as Rain Packable Printed Raincoat, $75
Best for outdoors activities: Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket, $129
Best for work: Everlane City Anorak, $88
Best transparent jacket: Hunter Boots Original Smock Coat, from $135
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
The best raincoat overall
Why you'll love it: The North Face Laney II Trench Raincoat is the ideal mix of classic trench coat and sporty rain gear.
There’s nothing like a rainstorm to put a damper on an outfit right? (Sorry.) You leave the house feeling pretty cute, but you’re frazzled and soggy by the time you arrive at your destination. What you need is a raincoat that works for just about any occasion: The North Face Laney II Trench Raincoat. It’s sportier than the average trench but still looks fashionable.
The jacket is made of the North Face's durable, waterproof HyVent fabric and it's “lightly insulated” to ensure you stay warm on chilly, windy days. It features an attractive silhouette with a hood, hidden zipper, and my personal favorite detail: adjustable tabs on the sides that cinch your waist in and create a loose hourglass shape. It’s ideal for when you don’t want to look like a paper bag just because it’s raining.
With 316 reviews on Nordstrom, The North Face Laney II Trench Raincoat is a hit with shoppers. One five-star reviewer says the jacket “[i]s lightweight but actually very warm (would be too warm for summer rain, but just right for fall/spring).”
Another fan called it “perfect for layering on a rainy day” and added that “you can dress it up or down pretty easily.”
Pros: Waterproof, lined, comes in four neutral colors, has a hood, cinches at the waist, interior “media pocket” to protect electronics
Cons: Will be too warm for spring and summer temperatures in many places
Buy The North Face Laney II Trench Raincoat at Nordstrom for $180
The best rain jacket for travel
Why you'll love it: Joules’ Right as Rain Packable Hooded Raincoat won’t take up a lot of room in your luggage and comes in a range of cute prints that won’t ruin your vacation outfit.
You never realize how much stuff you use in a day until you’re trying to distill your life down to the size of a carry-on. A rain jacket isn’t always a vacation essential, but if you’re traveling to a drizzly locale — Portland, Oregon? London, England? — it’s not a bad idea to bring one along.
The Right as Rain Packable Hooded Raincoat by Joules is a great option. It’s unlined and easy to fold down so it fits into even the smallest empty space in your luggage. Thanks to an array of cute prints from florals to dogs, you’re almost guaranteed to find one that fits your style. You can finally kiss ruining your vacation Instagrams with an ugly raincoat goodbye.
This topper comes recommended by experts at Best Products, PopSugar, and CNN and it has a 4.5-star rating on Nordstrom. People love the fit (it features a waist-defining drawstring) and the fact that it’s lightweight and easy to pack on-the-go.
Pros: Foldable for easy packing, cute patterns, under $100
Cons: Unlined so you’ll need to layer in cold weather
Buy the Joules Right as Rain Packable Hooded Raincoat at Nordstrom for $75
The best rain jacket for outdoors activities
Why you'll love it: Patagonia’s Torrentshell Jacket is tough enough to withstand harsh weather conditions, but it's not bulky.
If you live for the great outdoors, you need outerwear that will have your back on all kinds of adventures — and in all weather. Patagonia’s Torrentshell Jacket is an expert-approved rain jacket that will keep you dry on long hikes, without any added bulk to weigh you down.
The jacket is made of the brand’s sturdy (and cleverly named) H2No fabric, which is both waterproof and breathable, two characteristics that aren’t always compatible. The jacket has plenty of additional features that make it stand out. The neck area is lined with soft microfleece designed for both comfort and to “[protect] waterproof/breathable barrier,” there’s an oversized adjustable hood with a visor and handwarmer pockets that zipper closed.
The Wirecutter named the Patagonia Torrentshell its favorite raincoat for daily use, specifically because of the roomy hood. “Unlike cheaper jackets with hoods that don’t fit your face, the Torrentshell’s is cavernous, keeping precipitation off your nose, chin, and hair,” says Wirecutter writer Eve O’Neill.
The publication also notes that “[t]he fit is generous, which makes this coat ideal for layering when it gets cold. And, if you work up a sweat, armpit zips let you vent heat,” making this a great pick for varied temperatures or outdoor activities.
Pros: Sturdy fabric, breathable lining and zip vents at the armpits, large hood to keep you extra dry
Cons: You’ll want to layer in really cold temperatures
Buy the Torrentshell Jacket at Patagonia for $129
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