Best Women’s Lightweight Rain Jackets for Hiking in 2024

Over the years I’ve done my share of hiking in the rain. Apart from the 5 years I lived in the Pacific Northwest, on a Bearfoot Theory group trip to Alaska, we spent 8 solid days backpacking in the rain. Hiking in the rain and staying comfortable is a bit of an art, but it all starts with having the right gear. As the Swedish saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

To help you stay dry in whatever conditions you may face, we put together this list of the best rain jackets for women who have withstood the test of the trail by the Bearfoot Theory team. We’re an all-women team of experienced hikers who understand the unique needs and challenges faced by women when selecting gear for outdoor adventures.

At the very bottom, we talk about the materials and technical features of hiking rain jackets to help you determine exactly what you need.

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Outdoor Research Aspire II

Bearfoot Theory Team Favorite

• Great for: day hikes, backpacking, travel, everyday use

• What we like: fabric allows for more movement than your typical rain jacket, lightweight & packable, strategically placed zippers for ventilation

• What we don’t like: oversized fit on the hood

I brought the Outdoor Research Aspire II Rain Jacket on my trip to Europe last summer and it’s quickly become my favorite everyday rain jacket.

While it never rained on the trail when I was wearing it, I did wear it in the rain walking around town and it kept me nice and dry.

I like this jacket because it moves with your body (the material is soft and flexible rather than stiff), doesn’t make a ton of noise like my Arc’teryx Beta rain jacket, and it’s very light and packs small so you can throw it in your pack without taking up a bunch of room. It’s also got pit zips, waterproof zippers, and an adjustable hood so you can get the perfect fit.

Since it’s comfortable to hike in, the OR Aspire can also serve as an extra layer for wind and cold, even in dry conditions. I’m still not sure how it would hold up in an Alaskan downpour, but for everyday hiking, it’s an excellent option.

Arc’teryx Beta SL Women’s Rain Jacket

Best Rain Jacket for Downpours

• Great for: hiking in particularly wet weather, people living in rainy climates

• What we like: super light weight, most waterproof jacket on the list, very durable

• What we don’t like: expensive investment

Arc’teryx is one of the more expensive outdoor brands, and for years I wondered if they were worth the price. Then right before my Alaska backpacking trip where I needed to be prepared for the elements, I found an Arc’teryx rain jacket for 30% off and decided to try it out. After hiking through downpours 8 of 10 days on that backpacking trip, I am so happy I made the investment.

More recently I have been testing the new Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket which is one of the lightest 3-layered GORE-TEX rain jackets on the market. It weighs 10.6 oz and packs into its own pocket making it highly packable whether you’re backpacking or traveling abroad.

I’ve never felt clammy, damp, or cold wearing the Beta SL rain jacket during rain storms. It’s kept me completely dry, the jacket itself dries quickly, and the pit zips are essential for breathability. This jacket also holds up against the wind really well.

If you live in the PNW or another wet, cold climate or have a backpacking trip where the weather is a major concern and need something that will hold up against lots of rain and wind, this jacket is an awesome choice.

For drier climates, lugging this jacket around might be a bit overkill, depending on the season. It’s definitely more than you need for the occasional sprinkle.

If you want more deets on this jacket, check out my detailed Arc’teryx Beta SL Review.

REI Co-op Rainier Women’s Rain Jacket

Best Budget-Friendly Rain Jacket

• Great for: budget buys, summer trips, lightweight backpacking, hiking, and camping

• What we like: versatile for many outdoor adventures, holds up in windy conditions

• What we don’t like: doesn’t hold up in heavy rain, not well-ventilated

The REI Rainier Women’s Rain Jacket offers fantastic value at a budget price! At less than $90, it’s one of the best rain jackets for women on a budget and is the rain jacket that Linda, a former Bearfoot Theory team member, currently sports on rainy day adventures. She’s been using it on all her hiking, camping, and backpacking trips since getting it last year and absolutely loves it.

The Rainier Rain Jacket is lightweight and does a great job at repelling rain and blocking out wind. It has all the features we look for in a rain jacket, like pit zips, an adjustable hood, and pockets in all the right places, plus it also comes at a great price point.

She loves this rain jacket so much that she also bought one for her husband for Christmas. You can find the men’s version here.

Patagonia Torrentshell Women’s Rain Jacket

Best Eco-Friendly Rain Jacket

• Great for: people looking to buy eco-friendly gear, windy conditions, hiking in downpours

• What we like: deep pockets, Bluesign-approved fabric – made from recycled nylon waste, good wind resistance

• What we don’t like: stiff material, runs small (recommended to order a size up)

We’re huge fans of Patagonia at Bearfoot Theory, thanks to their sustainable business practices and high-quality gear. So it’s no surprise that the Patagonia Torrentshell made the list of the best women’s rain jackets.

This lightweight rain jacket is made with sustainable, eco-friendly materials, has an adjustable hood, and comes in a variety of colors. This jacket holds up extremely well in the wind, keeping you not only dry but warm.

Eddie Bauer Women’s Cloud Cap Rain Jacket

Best Lightweight Rain Jacket for Travel

• Great for: travel, summer use, lightweight backpacking

• What we like: one of the most lightweight jacket options, adjustable hood

• What we don’t like: fabric makes a crinkly noise when wearing

Linda, a former BFT team member, wore the Eddie Bauer Women’s Cloud Cap Rain Jacket on a trip to Yosemite National Park and had a chance to test it out on the Mist Trail during a summer thunderstorm.

The verdict? It’s the perfect ultralightweight rain shell, especially in warm weather and on backpacking trips where you don’t want to carry any extra weight.

She also wore this rain jacket in Hawaii and loves that it is chic enough to wear around town as well as on the hiking trails.

Since it packs down so small and is so light, it’s easy to throw in your daypack or travel bag so you’re prepared in case you get caught in an afternoon downpour.

It has pit-zips for ventilation and an adjustable hood – two features we consider essential for any rain jacket, and it folds up small into the right-hand pocket making it easy to bring along on any adventure.

Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Women’s Rain Shell

Best Stretchy Rain Jacket

• Great for: outdoor sports like cycling and climbing, heavy rain, lightweight backpacking

• What we like: extremely durable and stretchy fabric, breathable, one of the most lightweight jacket options

• What we don’t like: oversized hood (if you’re not using it for cycling), stiff fabric

You might know Black Diamond from their climbing or backcountry ski gear, but they also make fantastic women’s outdoor apparel. This Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Women’s Rain Shell will stand up to whatever nature throws at it.

This rain jacket has similar features to many of the other jackets on this list and comes in a variety of colors.

What sets the Stormline apart from the other rain jackets on our list is that this jacket is tailored for outdoor sports like climbing and cycling with ultra-stretchy fabric for added mobility and a climbing-helmet-compatible hood.

If you want a women’s rain jacket that can keep up with all your outdoor sports and move with you, this is the one.

Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket

Best Value Rain Jacket

• Great for: short hikes, budget-friendly

• What we like: packable, adjustable cuffs/hood, great value for price

• What we don’t like: can feel a bit stiff, doesn’t perform as well in downpours

Another budget-friendly shell on this list of the best rain jackets for women is the Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket.

I’ve used this jacket in the past and I found it to be effective, comfortable, and a good budget-friendly option. It’s great for shorter outings where you might encounter scattered showers or backpacking trips in drier climates where weather isn’t a huge concern.

It also packs down super small, is lightweight, and has the features I look for in a rain jacket, like zippered armpits, adjustable cuffs/hood, and fully sealed seams.

However, I wouldn’t rely on this jacket for extended downpours or super wet climates. And it can feel a little stiff compared to other jackets that feature a stretchy fit.

But overall, it’s a practical and budget-friendly option for light rain, mist, and wind.

6 Factors to Consider When Buying a New Rain Jacket

1. Price

The price of a rain jacket does make a difference because you’ll get higher quality products that have gone through more testing, research, and development to ensure they work well. While a lower or mid-priced hiking raincoat will still get the job done, it often comes at the cost of some comfort, whether that’s a durable Gore-tex outer layer or breathability and ventilation on the inside that will minimize sweating.

Although it’s tough to spend a larger chunk of change on a piece of gear, it’s often worth the money and can save you from having to replace that item multiple times in the future. Think of it as an investment that will last you for many years, rather than an overpriced piece of gear. In this case, it’s worth it.

If you’re on a budget, choose a quality mid-priced raincoat – the REI Rainier Rain Jacket is a great option – that has the features you need and use most often.

Consider the activities you do most often and choose a lightweight rain jacket that suits your hiking style. Chances are you can resell it if it’s still in good condition and when you need to upgrade you’ll know exactly what to buy.

Another great option to save money is to buy gently used outdoor gear.

2. Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant

If you are investing in a durable and effective rain jacket that will stand up to the wind and rain, you’ll want something that is waterproof.

While water-resistant raincoats are good for light wind and rain, they don’t have as many technical elements and the fabric won’t do you much good in a storm.

A light windbreaker is a good example of a water-resistant jacket and you can imagine how that would fare if you get caught in an unexpected thunderstorm on the trail (spoiler: not well).

3. Fit

A hiking rain jacket should fit loose enough that you can add extra layers underneath and have a good range of motion that allows you to move your arms around comfortably.

It should also fit snug enough so you don’t have too much extra fabric getting in the way as you are hiking.

4. Jacket Materials

If you’ve ever been for a hike in the rain, then you might know how uncomfortable and distracting it is to feel wet from the rain while also suffering through that sticky feeling of your jacket clinging to your skin from your sweat. 

A good raincoat will help keep you dry by keeping moisture out from the outside while also allowing sweat or other water vapors from the inside to evaporate. That way, you feel less cold and clammy, and more dry and comfy.

Here are the most common waterproof fabrics you’ll find when choosing a hiking raincoat.

Gore-Tex

We often mention Gore-Tex here at Bearfoot Theory because it’s a popular technical fabric that’s commonly used in waterproof outdoor gear.

Gore-Tex is a synthetic, waterproof fabric that keeps you dry in the rain or snow. Its lightweight construction makes products with Gore-Tex great for breathability and ventilation so you won’t get overheated when you’re hot on a rainy hike.

A raincoat with Gore-Tex is a durable, waterproof option that helps keep you cool and dry.

Note: There are a few other materials that major outdoor brands are using, such as DryVent, eVent, etc, often with proprietary technology, but Gore-Tex and DWR are the most commonly used in the best rain jackets for women.

Durable Water Repellent (DWR)

DWR is an extra coating that gear companies add to hiking raincoats that allows them to literally repel water from the jacket. As water hits the surface of the fabric it beads up and rolls right off rather than getting absorbed or evaporating.

DWR definitely keeps you dry, however, it can make a raincoat slightly less breathable. It also requires a bit of upkeep because the finish can wear off over time, so you may need to reapply a new DWR coating every so often.

Either way, DWR is a great option for staying dry and often comes at a lower price than Gore-Tex.

5. Number of Fabric Layers

Most raincoats have a 2, 2.5, or 3-layer construction that sandwiches the several different layers or membranes of fabric together to create a waterproof jacket.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the 3 kinds that will help you navigate the product description and the price when you are choosing a hiking raincoat.

6. Important Features

Before you purchase a rain jacket, make sure you take into consideration what features you want and need such as:

Which of these best lightweight rain jackets for hiking is on your wish list? Tell us in the comments below!

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