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 and breathability

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.

Rab Kangri GTX $899.95

A mountain hiking shell made with a PFAS-free 70D three-layer Gore-Tex fabric with recycled outer fabric. It has pit zips, an elasticated hem and drawcord waist, YKK AquaGuard zips, pack-friendly hand pockets, an internal stash pocket, a centre zip with storm flap, and an adjustable hood with wired and laminated peak. 524g (m), 468g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz

Inselberg Axiom Shell $700

Built for prolonged exposure in severe alpine conditions (it has a 40,000mm hydrostatic head), this 140D nylon four-layer jacket has a microporous hydrophobic membrane and a hydrophilic interior layer to maintain performance even when saturated. It has pit zips, a chest pocket and Napoleon pocket with water-resistant zips, an adjustable helmet-compatible hood and internal mesh pockets. 580g. www.inselberg.com

The North Face Jazzi 3L GTX $770

This mountain jacket features a three-layer Gore-Tex fabric, pit zips for breathable comfort, an adjustable helmet-compatible hood, pack-friendly zipped hand pockets and adjustable cuffs. 485g (m), 378g (w). www.thenorthface.co.nz

Earth Sea Sky Hydrophobia $679

A generously fitting three-layer tramping jacket with extra ‘keep your shorts dry’ length. It  has an oversized and fully adjustable hood with wire peak, five pockets, is fully seam sealed, has a double storm flap front, a waist drawcord with non-slip toggles, and an underarm gusset for easy movement. Made in NZ. 726g (m), 626g (w). www.eathseasky.co.nz

The North Face Valley View $550

This three-layer hiker’s jacket is made with fully seam-sealed DryVent fabric and a non-PFC DWR finish. Pit zips help regulate temperature on the move and it has an adjustable three-piece hood with a bonded brim, a reverse-coil YKK AquaGuard centre zip, chest pockets, secure-zip hand pockets (it stows into one of them), an internal cinch cord and adjustable cuffs. 472g (m), 467g (w). www.thenorthface.co.nz

Patagonia Granite Crest $499.99

This three-layer shell uses NetPlus nylon fabric made from recycled fishing nets. It meets Patagonia’s H2No Performance Standard for waterproof/breathable protection and features PFAS-free DWR treatment. It has an 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 a hem drawcord. Made in a Fair Trade-certified factory. 400g (m), 357g (w). www.patagonia.co.nz

Rab Firewall Mountain $499.95

This packable all-mountain jacket offers all-weather protection with PFAS-free 40D Pertex Shield three-layer fabric. It has a YKK AquaGuard centre-front zip with chin guard, an adjustable hood with robust protective peak, articulated sleeves, pack-friendly hand and chest pockets, an adjustable hem and pit zips. 492g (m), 440g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz 

Montane Norste XT $449

A precision-engineered, durable mountain jacket using Pertex Shield three-layer 40D nylon fabric. It has an adjustable helmet-compatible hood with a laminated peak, adjustable cuffs and hem, pit zip ventilation, water-resistant YKK Aquaguard Natulon hand pockets and a front zip. Weight 425g (m), 385g (w). www.furtherfaster.co.nz

Marmot Precip Evo Pro $349.95

A full-featured PFC-free three-layer jacket using Marmot NanoPro fabric. It is 100% seam-taped, has an adjustable fixed hood, a chest pocket, zippered hand pockets (which it stows into) and pit zips. . 401g (m), 373g (w). www.marmot.co.nz

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L $279.99

A budget-friendly three-layer jacket that meets Patagonia’s H2No Performance Standard for waterproof/breathable protection. It has PFAS-free DWR treatment, a roll-away adjustable hood, a microfleece-lined neck, a front zipper with external and internal storm flaps, two handwarmer 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

Marmot Precip Evo Flex $279.95

This affordable option from Marmot is a 2.5-layer jacket for everyday and trail use. It has Marmot’s NanoPro waterproof and breathable fabric membrane made from recycled materials, seam taping, stretch fabric for ease of movement, a fixed adjustable hood, pit zips, and it stuffs into one hand pocket. 312g (m) 288g (w). www.marmot.co.nz