A good rain jacket is a useful thing to have for hiking, backpacking, camping and even just around town too. When you are in the outdoors, getting wet can be rather uncomfortable, and can ruin an otherwise fun trip. And even around town, no one likes to get wet if they don't have to. Of course there are a few important differences between rain jackets for women and rain jackets for men.
Rain Jackets for Women
A few features to look out for when reviewing rain jackets for women.- Waterproof - It should go without saying, but any rain jacket you get should be waterproof. You might be tempted to get a water resistant jacket instead, if the price is right and the reviews are good, but a waterproof jacket is always going to protect you far better from rain than a water resistant jacket will.
- Ventilation - Waterproof jackets are great at keeping water out, but often not so great at letting sweat out. Which is why it's usually important to go with a rain jacket that has good ventilation. Pit zips, which are zippers under the arm pits, are a great place to have ample ventilation.
Best Rain Jackets for Women
A few of the very best rain jackets for women.- Arc'Teryx Theta AR Jacket - The Theta AR is one of the better waterproof jackets you will find on the market. Gore-Tex 3L Pro fabric means you are completely protected from rain and wind, and not just for a limited amount of time, which is often the case with cheaper materials. Pit zips provide ample ventilation, and the high collar combined with a drop hood means you don't have to worry about your head getting wet. Small touches like articulated elbows and an extra long torso mean that even when you're moving around, you're not going to be getting wet. If you want the best, this is it.
- The North Face Venture Jacket - The Venture is a great choice if you're not looking to spend a lot. The HyVent DT fabric is lightweight and waterproof, and also very breathable. Pit zips ensure that you will always stay well ventilated, even when you're working hard. But again, the stand out feature with the Venture is the price, which is typically around $100, which is quite low for a fully functional rain jacket.
- Marmot Precip Jacket - The Precip is another value-oriented rain jacket that will do well in rainy conditions. It is made of ripstop nylon, which is waterproof up to a point, and fairly breathable. The Precip also provides you with pit zips so that you never have to worry much about ventilation.
Alternatives to Rain Jackets
If you're backpacking, hiking or camping, and don't care about what you look like, so much as you care about staying dry, there is an excellent alternative to rain jackets, and that is a poncho.There are some very cheap and very effective ponchos that ventilate well and even give you enough room to wear a backpack underneath. There are also some more innovative ponchos that will both protect you and your backpack from the elements, and double as a tarp shelter to sleep under.
Again, not the best option for around town, but an inexpensive and effective option for keeping you dry in the outdoors.
