9 Best Waterproof Winter Jackets

There are many puffer coats and adorable vests available, but when it comes to letting you enjoy chilly, wet weather, the best waterproof winter jackets are in a class by themselves. Parkas and heavyweight jackets keep you warm during the coldest winter months. We have options for you, whether you’re looking for the best model with the fanciest features or a fantastic value option.

Here’s a list of the 9 best winter jackets that are waterproof. Pick the one you like best as you continue reading.

Best Waterproof Winter Jackets

Best Overall: The North Face McMurdo Parka

This parka is warm, windproof, waterproof, and has adequate breathability for use in cooler temperatures. It also covers all the essential bases. Furthermore, the upper-thigh length cut is a real plus, providing adequate coverage while preserving a good amount of freedom of movement.

TNF also added a few significant sustainability features in recent updates, like the use of recycled down and fabrics and a PFC-free DWR treatment.

It is not intended for use in the backcountry because of its distinctly casual appearance and feel. Additionally, it won’t offer as much warmth for the weight or compressibility as some of the more expensive jackets on the list that use thinner shells and 800-fill-power down or higher.

For local use, however, these shouldn’t pose major problems, which is precisely why many people choose the McMurdo. The faux fur along the hood is removable, which is a nice touch, since a fixed one could have been a deal-breaker for some.

And it looks great too. The Arctic Parka for women doesn’t share the same name as the men’s version but is very similar, featuring full waterproofing, a cozy interior, and a detachable faux fur lining on the hood.

Best Value: REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid

The Stormhenge has gone through several improvements over the years, and the most recent version includes synthetic insulation in areas most susceptible to moisture (like the cuffs and hood), a longer cut for greater coverage, and more storage, including a handy interior zippered pocket.

REI has kept key elements of the original design intact, like the 2-layer waterproof construction with full seam taping and pit zips for heat venting, while keeping the price genuinely reasonable for what you get.

It’s a little more difficult to categorize the Stormhenge and who it works best for. It shares many characteristics with a belay jacket or ski shell, such as waterproofness and technical features, but its streamlined design and chic colorways make it suitable for urban settings as well.

A light base layer is all that’s required for it to keep you warm in temperatures down to the low 20s Fahrenheit, but it falls short of a more expensive option like the Rab Neutrino Pro below in terms of warmth.

Best Versatile: Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka

This jacket has sleek lines that look good in a variety of settings and is well-insulated, cozy, and completely waterproof. Additionally, the adaptable 3-in-1 design allows you to wear just the waterproof outer layer on rainy days or zip in the down inner layer when the temperature drops.

Although the Tres does not provide the same range of motion as more performance-oriented jackets, it is still a fantastic option for use in urban settings and during cold snaps in regions like the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.

The 700-fill-power down used in the Tres 3-in-1 is superior to the 600-fill used in The North Face McMurdo, the top pick above, when compared to other casual models on this list. Importantly, the parka-length cut provides more warmth and coverage than almost anything else not made by Canada Goose.

On the other hand, the jacket is pricey (it is Patagonia, after all), and parkas can be a little challenging to fit properly. Still, the design and complete waterproofing make the Tres incredibly adaptable, from soggy shoulder-season days to chilly conditions in the middle of winter.

Best For Performance Use: Rab Neutrino Pro

The Rab Neutrino Pro stands out for its warmth, backcountry-ready features, and relative affordability. Most importantly, it packs 7.5 ounces of 800-fill hydrophobic down, significantly more than popular down jackets from well-known manufacturers like Arc’teryx and Patagonia that cost almost as much.

This down is also certified to the Responsible Down Standard. The 100% recycled Pertex Quantum Pro shell of the Rab does a great job repelling light moisture, despite the fact that it is far from waterproof (it’s not the right choice for genuinely wet conditions).

What are the drawbacks of the Neutrino Pro? Although the clean lines and dark color choices make it suitable for city use, it has a somewhat technical appearance. It’s also more delicate than the more casual options on this list, as with any down jacket, snags and tears are a real risk if you’re not careful.

Best For Expeditions: Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka

Among winter jackets, the Feathered Friends Khumbu Down Parka has one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios around. It weighs only 2.11 pounds, yet it provides more warmth than nearly any other jacket on this list except the Canada Goose Expedition Parka, which is comparably warm but weighs more than twice as much.

The Khumbu Parka is built for expedition climbing and was specifically designed for technical expeditions to the highest peaks on earth. With insulated handwarmer pockets, secure velcro cuff closures, a seamless hood that fits over a helmet, and adjustable drawcords to keep warm air in and cold air out, it has all the features you could want.

This jacket is designed to pack down small and provide essential warmth exactly when it’s needed.

Best For Extreme Cold: Canada Goose Expedition Parka

This is the warmest jacket on this list, and it comes loaded with features. Built for use in the Arctic and Antarctic, the Expedition Parka is a genuinely cozy parka for the coldest climates on earth. A special Polar Bears International (PBI) edition is also available.

This version is slightly more expensive, comes in a royal blue color, and has a polar bear patch sewn onto the shoulder. A portion of the proceeds supports PBI’s efforts to protect polar bears and their natural habitats.

The main drawbacks of the Canada Goose Expedition are weight, bulk, and price. Every aspect of the jacket is oversized. The performance and build quality are excellent, but that kind of specialized performance comes at a cost.

Best For Light Winter Weather: Columbia Switchback Sherpa-lined Jacket

For unpredictable weather, this rain jacket with sherpa lining is ideal. It has Columbia’s Hydroplus shell, built from moisture-wicking nylon to fend off wind and water. But the lining is genuinely its best feature.

The lining is cozy and warm but not overly bulky, thanks to a soft sherpa fabric, making it an excellent choice for days when the weather is indecisive. It’s also available in numerous colors and sizes.

Best Multi-layered: Wantdo 3-in-1 Waterproof Ski Jacket

This 3-in-1 jacket system is unbeatable for versatility. Depending on the weather, it can be worn three different ways. Wear the insulated puffer lining on its own to stay warm if the weather is dry and only slightly chilly, or wear just the outer waterproof shell on extremely rainy days.

The entire set can then be worn together when it’s chilly and snowy, and the hood on the outer shell is removable if you’d rather go without it. Between the layering options and five convenient pockets, this jacket covers a lot of ground, and it’s available in more than a dozen colors.

Best For Wind Protection: Berghaus Highraise

This is a genuinely useful jacket that wards off the elements while still managing to look trim and fashionable.

It has enough outer pocket space to carry a few maps, plus a large inner pocket, a real plus for anyone who wants to travel light. The outer pockets can also be adjusted to open from the top or the sides, a clever design touch.

The Highraise has a soft interior lining and is also very comfortable.

Gore-Tex, used throughout the jacket, does a genuinely good job of keeping rain out. Reviewers have noted it can run a little warm during high-output activity like jogging, though that’s often more about how many layers are worn underneath than a real breathability issue with the jacket itself. Overall, it’s a chic and useful piece of gear.

How To Select A Good Waterproof Winter Jacket?

Fabric

To make the best waterproof jackets, well, waterproof, equipment manufacturers use a variety of technologies. The first layer of the jacket is durable water repellency (DWR), which causes raindrops to bead on its surface.

Walkers who take good care of their gear can restore a worn DWR finish by washing the jacket with a specialized cleaning solution, such as Nikwax, and then tumble-drying it.

The shell or barrier fabric, which gives the best rain jackets their structure and anti-abrasion protection, and determines whether it’s supple or stiff, silent or noisy, is the second line of defense.

Membrane

The scientific component of the design is a membrane sewn to the outer shell that prevents water from penetrating while allowing sweat to evaporate as vapor, providing what’s referred to as “breathability.”

The most well-known membrane is Gore-Tex, but many gear manufacturers have created their own similar technologies, most recently TNF with Futurelight. Typically, an inner mesh protects the membrane. Different membrane types offer varying levels of waterproofing, as indicated by their hydrostatic head rating.

Ventilation

The best waterproof jackets may claim on in-store swing tags to be both waterproof and breathable, but in reality, you’ll still feel warm while carrying a backpack up a hill in damp weather. When you layer properly, with a base layer and a mid-layer (like a fleece jacket), even when it’s raining, there will be times when a waterproof shell on top of all that is simply too much.

The best rain jackets have strategically placed vents and (arm) pit zips that allow air to flow through, which can cut down on condensation and reduce how sweaty you feel.

Hood

For the hood to provide the greatest level of protection, it should completely enclose your head, ideally leaving room for a favorite winter hiking hat to fit underneath. Mountaineers and climbers need a hood that can fit over a helmet too.

The best waterproof jackets have adjustable hoods that move with your head for clear vision when crossing a road, so a cinch or ties are helpful for a snug fit. Tuck in any ties to avoid getting whipped in the face on windy days. A stiff, wired hood brim will also hold its shape in a gale.

Zips And Seams

All seams need to be taped, and zips need to be stormproof or covered by a storm flap, since water seems determined to find its way into any waterproof jacket eventually. If you plan on wintertime walks, make sure you can actually open the zips while wearing hiking gloves.

Fit

Leave room underneath your jacket for a down jacket or other mid-layers on colder walks. Jacket length comes down to personal preference; longer jackets offer more coverage by nature. Cuff and hem adjusters let you seal in warmth or loosen up to shed some heat as needed.

Weight

Think of a waterproof jacket as an insurance policy carried in your pack in case of rain for a good chunk of the year. The best rain jackets pack down smaller and lighter than the best one-person tents, making them easy to carry, but they typically offer less protection and durability in exchange.

If you’re relying on one jacket for year-round walking rather than a featherweight option for when the wind’s blowing sideways in December, it’s worth choosing something robust enough for the worst of winter and simply carrying the extra weight in summer.

Conclusion

With so many excellent options available, picking the best winter jacket for your requirements and your budget can be difficult. Because this is the most important factor that will influence your choice, carefully consider the winter climate in which you expect your jacket to perform. You can select your preferred option from the list of options above.