The best waterproof jackets that look good and are guaranteed to keep you dry, tested by the GH team

Our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan, was impressed by how lightweight this jacket felt, while still having enough room underneath for a chunky jumper. She found it true to size and liked the practical design, which includes a zipped chest pocket for your phone and two side pockets.

Available in six colours, including classic black, khaki and a brighter pink, it has a 10,000mm waterproof rating, which means it's suitable for moderate to heavy rain. Megan found it useful for both hiking and commuting: “The rain just beaded off the jacket, while the Velcro cuff on the wrists helped block out the cold.”

The adjustable hood stayed put during testing, while the mesh lining helped keep sweaty hikes feeling more comfortable.

If you want more coverage than a cropped rain jacket offers, this thigh-length style is a practical choice for wet-weather walks and commutes. Available in five colours, including mahogany and forest green, it’s made from the brand’s waterproof Glyde fabric, which repelled even torrential rain during our testing.

Although it’s pricier than some of the other jackets we tested, we liked how easy it was to adjust for a comfortable, flattering fit. The cinchable hood and waist drawcord let us tweak the shape, while the double front zip, zipped side pockets and hidden internal phone sleeve make it practical for every day.

We also liked the reflective detailing on the cuffs, which is useful when you’re out in low light. We found it a little bulkier than other styles we tested, so it’s perhaps best suited to outdoor adventures than everyday city wear.

At under £55, this H&M jacket is a strong choice for your winter wardrobe. It has a sturdy hood, waterproof outer and mesh lining, all designed to help keep the rain out while keeping you comfortable underneath.

Its waterproof, windproof and breathable fabric helps repel rain, and our wellness editor, Sarah, found it performed equally well on rainy lunchtime walks and countryside walks. Available in two colours, including our favourite cherry red, it has chic press-stud fastenings, taped seams and box cuffs.

The stand collar and snug hood provided extra protection from the rain, while an adjustable drawstring helped keep the hood securely in place. Sarah liked the oversized fit, but if you prefer a closer silhouette, we’d suggest sizing down.

A more polished alternative to a packable mac, our homes writer Jasmine found this jacket lightweight enough to carry around without sacrificing coverage from the elements. “It’s much sleeker than ones that fold into a little bag, but it’s still lightweight and compact,” she says.

The neat hood kept the rain off her face and, most importantly, her glasses. She liked the high collar, too: “It meant the wind didn’t nip at my neck when it was fully zipped up.”

The jacket has a breathable, windproof three-layer construction, but we found it worked better in lighter drizzle than heavy downpours. “It also looks great layered up, so if you’re between sizes, go larger so you can wear it on top of a thick jumper,” Jasmine advises.

Our shopping director Alison has been wearing this on her daily commute, and the trench-inspired design has proved versatile enough for every day. “I can wear it with my work tailoring and more casual outfits, making it super versatile, and I know I'm covered if it does rain,” she says.

Made with ISOTEX 15000 fabric, it’s designed to keep you dry in wet weather: “The hood is really generous, and the rain just runs off it,” Alison adds. “I wore it in heavy rain on a morning commute this week and when I got to the office, it looked like I hadn't been outside.”

The lightweight jacket also has taped seams, a detachable hood, generous pockets and a navy checked lining. Best of all, it's packable, so you can stow it away when the weather clears. Want to know more? Read Alison's full Regatta Trench Raincoat review.

Light enough to stash in a bag, this jacket proved useful beyond running. Our wellness editor found herself reaching for it on her daily commute, too, particularly when the forecast was looking changeable.

It has two zipped side pockets, with enough room for a phone and keys, plus a 10,000mm waterproof rating and a fluorine-free water-repellent treatment designed to help keep rain out. We found it kept us dry and sweat-free during runs, hikes and a busy commute.

Our only slight niggle was the well-hidden hood toggle – but once located and adjusted, it helped keep the hood secure in windy weather.

The hood of this M&S jacket can be rolled away when you don’t need it, so it essentially converts into a chic bomber.

The funnel neck also gives extra coverage when fully zipped up, which we appreciated on windy hikes. Inside, mesh panels helped keep us ventilated on the move, while the waterproof fabric kept rain out without leaving us feeling sweaty.

Available in an on-trend chocolate brown, it has a slightly oversized fit, leaving plenty of room for layers on chilly commutes or hikes. The adjustable hem and hood kept it securely in place on a rainy run, too.

When lifestyle writer, Maddie, wrote about this parka-style jacket for her BAM Any Weather Mac review, she said it ticked the three boxes she always looks for in a coat: a hood, a waterproof outer layer and, most importantly, a stylish design.

Available in three colours, including mint, the full-length jacket is smart enough to wear to the office, while remaining lightweight and breathable enough for a short countryside walk. It has a 10,000mm waterproof rating, and Maddie found it kept her bone dry when torrential rain hit.

The built-in harness lets you take the coat off and carry it on your back when the weather brightens up – a clever feature Maddie appreciated (although it may be an acquired taste. “I’ve never worn a coat with one before, but it proved extremely handy on multi-seasonal walks,” she said. “The mac also dries quickly when the rain stops.” If you're not a fan of the harness, you can just tie it round your waist instead.

If you haven’t saved enough for a rainy day, this budget buy could be the answer. At under £30, it’s one of the most affordable waterproofs we tested. Made with 69% recycled polyester, it’s also available in three colours, including eye-catching orange.

The design is fairly simple, but an internal drawcord lets you cinch in the waist for a more fitted look. It also has an adjustable hood and cuffs, plus a two-way zip. Our favourite feature was the zipped chest pocket, which is handy for keeping keys and your phone secure.

With a 6,000mm waterproof rating, it won’t completely protect you in torrential rain, but we found it kept us dry on our commutes and during drizzly dog walks.