How to Choose a Waterproof Jacket

There is no 'best' waterproof of shell jacket, only what is most suitable to your requirements and those requirements can change all the time. Here we will walk through what to look for (membranes, layers, features) and how priorities change by activity.

Key Components & Terminology (What to watch in any waterproof jacket)

Before getting into per-activity advice, here’s a quick primer on the features and jargon so you know what matters.

Waterproof membranes / fabrics

A “waterproof” jacket typically has a membrane (or laminate) plus a face fabric and an inner liner. Some common membrane technologies from the Facewest range: GORE-TEX, GORE-TEX Pro, Pertex Shield, DRILITE, Proflex, etc.

Key properties to compare:

Property	What it means in practice	Trade-offs
Waterproofness / hydrostatic head	How much water pressure the jacket can resist before leaking. Higher is better for driving rain, heavy storms.	High waterproof ratings often come at the cost of weight, stiffness, and sometimes breathability.
Breathability / moisture vapor transmission	How well internal moisture (sweat) can escape	If breathability is poor, you’ll overheat or get damp inside during exertion
Durability / robustness	How well the fabric and membrane withstand abrasion, repeated use, edge wear	More durable layers tend to be heavier or stiffer
Layers (2-layer, 2.5-layer, 3-layer, “Pro” versions)	E.g. 3-layer = face + membrane + bonded inner liner; lighter shells may use 2 or 2.5 layers	3-layer is more durable (for big mountain use), while 2/2.5 is lighter and simpler but less rugged
Stretch / soft shell hybrids	Some membranes or constructions (e.g. Proflex) add stretch to improve mobility and comfort	Might sacrifice a little durability or waterproofness at high pressure

When picking a jacket, you’ll want the “right” balance of waterproofness, breathability, weight, and durability for your intended activity.

Key Jacket Features / Design Elements to Consider

Beyond the membrane, these are the features that can make or break usefulness in the field:

• Hood design — fixed, adjustable, helmet-compatible (rolling peak, stiffened brim, multi-adjustment). For climbing or skiing, you want a hood that fits over a helmet and seals well.

• Pit zips / underarm vents — essential for regulating heat when exerting hard, without removing the jacket.

• Front zipper and storm flap / sealing — ideally a waterproof zipper or flap over the zipper to prevent leakage.

• Pockets — chest, hand, internal pockets; make sure the pocket arrangement is usable with a harness, pack hip belt, or ski harness.

• Hem and cuff adjustments — drawcords, Velcro cuffs, elasticated hems to seal out wind and rain.

• Articulated sleeves, gussets, stretch panels — to allow freer movement (important when climbing or using poles).

• Reinforcements — in high wear zones (shoulders, elbows) for durability.

• Pack compatibility — space for layers underneath; compatibility with a pack (shoulders, harness).

How the Priorities Shift by Activity

Here’s how you might choose differently for hiking, mountaineering, ski touring, and running.

 

Hiking (Day hikes to multi-day trekking)

What you’re doing: Moderate to prolonged walking, occasional bursts of exertion (steep climbs), often carrying a backpack. Weather may change but generally moderate.

Priorities:

• Good balance of waterproofness and breathability.

• Moderate weight (you’ll carry it for hours).

• Ventilation (pit zips) to dump heat on climbs.

• Pockets that are accessible even with a hipbelt or harness.

• A decent hood (adjustable, possibly helmet-compatible if scrambling sections).

Recommended fabric choice: A reliable midweight waterproof membrane (e.g. GORE-TEX, Pertex Shield, DRILITE) in a 2.5 or 3-layer format. You don’t need the ultra-heavy “Pro” shell unless you anticipate very severe weather or lots of abrasion.

Feature checklist for hiking:

• Pit zips / ventilation

• Two hand pockets + a chest pocket (preferably zippered)

• Adjustable hood, good brim

• Hem and cuff adjustment

• Enough room to layer underneath (soft fleece, etc.)

 

Mountaineering / Alpine / Technical Climbing

What you’re doing: Glacier travel, scrambling, steep ice/rock, exposed ridges, harsher storms. You need protective outerwear that stands up to wind, ice, and abrasion.

Priorities:

• Maximum durability, waterproofness, and breathability.

• Ability to layer underneath (you may carry many layers).

• Hood that fits a climbing helmet securely, good cinch controls.

• Robust reinforcements (shoulders, elbows).

• Excellent venting so you don’t overheat in hard exertion.

Recommended fabric choice: A 3-layer “Pro” shell (e.g. GORE-TEX Pro or equivalent) is ideal for mountaineering. The Pro variants are built to handle abuse, more durable, often with heavier face fabrics and stronger membranes.

Feature checklist:

• Helmet-compatible hood with multiple adjustments

• Long pit zips (sometimes full-length side zips)

• Multiple pockets (shoulder/chest) that can be accessed while wearing a harness

• Reinforced high-wear areas

• Good cut for mobility (articulated arms, stretch panels)

• Minimal but well-thought-out features to reduce weight/bulk

When doing serious alpine routes, you’re prioritising protection and durability over lightness. A mountaineering shell is your “go-to” outer barrier.

 

Ski Touring / Backcountry Skiing

What you’re doing: You’ll split, climb, ski down, sometimes facing heavy snowfall, wind, or occasional warmer spells. You also want movement, venting, and protection from snow.

Priorities:

• Waterproofness for snow as well as rain.

• Good breathability (you’ll exert uphill).

• Hood that works with a helmet.

• Venting (pit zips or full side zips) to dump heat.

• Pockets designed to be usable with harnesses, ski straps.

• Snow-shedding features (e.g. powder skirt, cuffs that seal snow out).

Recommended fabric choice: A robust 3-layer or “Pro” shell. Many of our ski shells are based on GORE-TEX Pro or GORE-TEX ePE.

Feature checklist:

• Helmet-compatible hood with stiff brim and good adjustment

• Long pit zips or full side zips (helps on uphill heat)

• Snow skirt or internal powder dump (maybe detachable)

• Cuff closures that seal (gaiter cuff, adjustable Velcro or snap)

• Pockets for gloves, goggles, avalanche tools (some shells have map/avalanche beacon pockets)

• Reinforcements in shoulders (for carrying heavy packs or skis)

• Good mobility (stretch panels, articulated arms)

In ski touring you’re fighting both weather and the thermal challenge of climbing uphill and skiing downhill, so ventilation is key, as is sealing out snow from below.

 

Mountain Running / Fastpacking / Trail Running in Wet Conditions

What you’re doing: High aerobic output, frequent bursts of effort, short exposure to wind/rain, minimal weight and pack.

Priorities:

• Ultra-lightweight waterproof shell.

• Excellent breathability (this is critical — you’ll sweat hard).

• Minimal packability (so you can stow it easily).

• Simple but effective weather protection.

• Limited features (fewer pockets, simpler hood) to reduce weight.

Recommended fabric choice: A “lightweight” membrane — e.g. Pertex Shield, DRILITE, Proflex, or lighter versions of GORE-TEX (e.g. GORE-TEX Active or ePE) — in 2.5 or light 3-layer format. We stock some very light run shells (e.g. Rab Phantom Jacket in the Run category).

Feature checklist:

• Hood (often low profile, maybe helmet-compatible if running alpine)

• At least one chest pocket or internal pocket (often less is more)

• Minimalist ventilation (some ultralight shells skip pit zips, but side zips or back venting is useful)

• Hem and maybe cuff adjustment (but lightweight)

• Stretch or soft panels to allow motion

Because you’ll generate a lot of heat, breathability is the top priority — too much insulation or heavy membranes will make it uncomfortable

 

How to Choose (Putting It Together)

Here’s a rough decision flow you could use when browsing our waterproof jacket range:

1. Decide your primary activity / use case. If you do multiple, think of the hardest you’ll demand from the jacket.

2. Select the membrane / “tier” appropriate to that use.

   • Running → ultralight membranes

   • Hiking → midweight shells

   • Mountaineering / ski touring → Pro / heavy duty shells

3. Check weight vs durability tradeoff. If you expect rugged use (rocks, abrasion), favor the more robust shell even if heavier.

4. Inspect the features.

   • Hood: is it adjustable, helmet-compatible?

   • Venting: are there pit zips or side zips?

   • Pocket layout: accessible with pack/harness?

   • Reinforcements, seam sealing, etc.

5. Fit & layering room. You should be able to move freely, layer underneath, and still seal cuffs/hem.

6. Packability. For running and fastpacking, see how small it packs down.

7. Aesthetic / brand / price. Within your functional constraints, pick something you like — you’ll use it more if you enjoy it.