Windproof, breathable and – most important of all – waterproof, a rain jacket is a practical and comfortable piece of kit as well as a survival necessity.

Pockets

‘Hand warmer’ pockets, used to shelter hands from wind and rain, should be positioned for easy access while wearing a pack or harness. They are usually quite large, and it’s useful if one of them can hold a map. A chest pocket with a vertical opening can also provide easy access to map, compass or GPS.

Hoods

Many hoods are large enough to accommodate a helmet, which is why they also come with volume-adjusting drawcords or Velcro tabs. Ensure the stiffened brim does not limit visibility and that, once tightened, the hood moves with your head.

Ventilation

While all rainwear is ‘breathable’ and will transfer perspiration through the fabric, there are other ventilation options to keep users comfortable. The most obvious is the front zipper, but there are also pit zips (underarm openings), side vents and mesh-lined pockets.

Length

Thigh-length designs are heavier and less packable than waist-length jackets, but they provide better protection and a ‘tail’ to sit on. Waist-length jackets may have stretchy fabrics in key areas to prevent the hem from lifting.

Three- or 2.5-layer
Three-layer jackets have a waterproof membrane sandwiched between a durable face fabric and a lining. They tend to be more expensive, heavier and bulkier. They are also more durable, waterproof and breathable. Jackets with 2 or 2.5 layers include a face fabric and a waterproof membrane with a protective sheen or print overlay. These jackets are lighter and more packable. Many fabrics and components used in jacket construction are made of recycled materials.

Zips

Water-resistant zips are common. Zips may also be protected by an external and/or internal storm flap. Zip sliders tuck into a ‘garage’ to prevent rain from entering through the top of the zip.

Cuffs

The cuff can be tightened to trap warmth and prevent water from trickling in when arms are raised. The cuff should cover your baselayers to prevent rainwater wicking upward.

Waterproofness, breathability and air permeability

Wet-weather jackets are tested for waterproofness and breathability. The results are usually displayed on the product’s sales tag. Air permeability refers to super-breathable garments that allow air to actually
move through the fabric.

Water resistance: This is the amount of water pressure (in millimetres) a fabric can withstand before leakage occurs. It’s called the waterhead or hydrostatic head rating. The most common is 20,000mm.

Breathability: This is a measure of the amount of water vapour (i.e. sweat) that can pass through a square metre of fabric during a 24-hour period, e.g. 20,000g/m2.

Air permeability: A recent development, breathable and waterproof fabric is created through a technique known as nanospinning.

Outdoor Research Headwall GTX $899.99

A durable three-layer alpine-use jacket with a 75D Gore-Tex shell made from recycled materials. It is fully seam-taped, has an adjustable helmet-compatible hood, harness- and pack-friendly pockets, hem-to-bicep TorsoFlo venting, YKK AquaGuard centre and chest pocket zips and elastic drawcord hem. 503g (m), 441g (w). www.bivouac.co.nz

Black Diamond Highline Stretch Shell $749.99

A technical three-layer mountain shell for fast, light trips. It’s made from a combination of BD.dry and Empel waterproof/breathable fabric (20,000mm waterhead rating) and has stretch for comfort and mobility. It has pit zips, taped seams, an adjustable helmet-compatible hood, two chest and hand pockets and an internal stash pocket. 360g (m), 304g (w). www.southernapproach.co.nz

Rab Namche GTX $699.95

A 100% recycled fabric jacket with a PFC-free membrane and 28,000mm waterhead rating. There’s an adjustable hood with wired and laminated peak, YKK AquaGuard zips, and pit zips for ventilation. 437g (m), 414g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz

Earth Sea Sky Hydrophobia $649

This generously fitting three-layer jacket with a fully adjustable wired peak hood has extra ‘keep your shorts dry’ length. It has five pockets, is fully seam-sealed, has a double storm flap front, a drawcord waist and an underarm gusset for easy movement. Made in NZ. 750g. www.eathseasky.co.nz

Montane Torren Jacket $600

A three-layer mountain jacket using Montane’s Petrichor Technology fabric, which offers high breathability and 20,000mm hydrostatic head. It’s PFC/PFAS chemical-free and has a helmet-compatible hood, harness-compatible pockets, pit zips and a two-way zip. 425g (m), 380g (w). www.furtherfaster.co.nz

ONE PLANET Torrent $599

A mid-thigh-length jacket for below-the-bushline use. It’s made from three-layer Synapse fabric with a 20,000mm waterhead rating and has strategically placed seams to avoid pressure points, pack-friendly pockets, pit zips, an articulated hood with wire brim, full-length storm flap to protect the water-resistant zip, chin guard and waist drawcord. 650g (m), 620g (w). www.oneplanet.au

The North Face Dryzzle FUTURELIGHT $550

This premium three-layer rain shell uses highly breathable and waterproof FUTURELIGHT fabric with a PFC-free DWR. It has sealed seams, a soft stretch- woven face and stretch-knit backer, a slim fit, secure-zip hand pockets, an adjustable hood, reverse coil full length zip and it packs into a pocket. 433g (m), 387g (w). www.thenorthface.co.nz

Patagonia Granite Crest $499.99

A three-layer jacket using H2No Performance waterproof/breathable fabric. It has a PFAS-free DWR treatment, two-way adjustable hood with laminated visor, water-resistant front and chest pocket zips, two-way welted pit zips, hand pockets (one of which it stuffs into) and hem drawcord. Made in a Fair Trade-certified factory. 400g (m), 357g (w). www.patagonia.co.nz

Rab Firewall Light $499.95

A packable, waterproof jacket made with a 20D Proflex three-layer stretch woven nylon waterproof technology with PFC-free DWR and 20,000mm waterhead rating. It has a hood with stiffened peak and gaiter, extended cuffs, zipped hand pockets and articulated sleeves. 313g (m), 285g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz

The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro Jacket $450 NZD

This seam-sealed DryVent three- layer shell uses recycled nylon with a PFC-free DWR. There’s an attached adjustable hood with bonded brim, water-repellent Vislon centre zip, secure-zip chest pocket, covered secure-zip hand pockets, internal hem cinch-cord. www.thenorthface.co.nz

Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell $349.99

This is a versatile 2.5-layer jacket for backcountry or urban adventures. It features BD.dry waterproof/breathable fabric with a 10,000mm waterhead rating and has stretch for mobility and comfort. There are pit zips, underarm gussets, an adjustable helmet-compatible hood and YKK Aquaguard front zipper. Packs into its pocket. 320g (m), 270g (w). www.southernapproach.co.nz

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L $279.99

A three-layer jacket using H2No Performance Standard waterproof/breathable fabric. It has a PFAS-free DWR treatment, 100% recycled face fabric, roll-away two-way-adjustable hood with laminated visor, micro-fleece neck, front zipper with external and internal storm flaps, two hand-warmer pockets and pit zips with storm flaps. Stuffs into its pocket. Made in a Fair Trade-certified factory. 400g (m), 352g (w). www.patagonia.co.nz