The best raincoats and jackets for women

Why you'll love it: Joules’ Right as Rain Packable Hooded Raincoat won’t take up a lot of room in your luggage and comes in a range of cute prints that won’t ruin your vacation outfit.

You never realize how much stuff you use in a day until you’re trying to distill your life down to the size of a carry-on. A rain jacket isn’t always a vacation essential, but if you’re traveling to a drizzly locale — Portland, Oregon? London, England? — it’s not a bad idea to bring one along.

The Right as Rain Packable Hooded Raincoat by Joules is a great option. It’s unlined and easy to fold down so it fits into even the smallest empty space in your luggage. Thanks to an array of cute prints from florals to dogs, you’re almost guaranteed to find one that fits your style. You can finally kiss ruining your vacation Instagrams with an ugly raincoat goodbye.

This topper comes recommended by experts at Best Products, PopSugar, and CNN and it has a 4.5-star rating on Nordstrom. People love the fit (it features a waist-defining drawstring) and the fact that it’s lightweight and easy to pack on-the-go.

Pros: Foldable for easy packing, cute patterns, under $100

Cons: Unlined so you’ll need to layer in cold weather

Buy the Joules Right as Rain Packable Hooded Raincoat on Amazon for $47 and up

Why you'll love it: Patagonia’s Torrentshell Jacket is tough enough to withstand harsh weather conditions, but it's not bulky.

If you live for the great outdoors, you need outerwear that will have your back on all kinds of adventures — and in all weather. Patagonia’s Torrentshell Jacket is an expert-approved rain jacket that will keep you dry on long hikes, without any added bulk to weigh you down.

The jacket is made of the brand’s sturdy (and cleverly named) H2No fabric, which is both waterproof and breathable, two characteristics that aren’t always compatible. The jacket has plenty of additional features that make it stand out. The neck area is lined with soft microfleece designed for both comfort and to “[protect] waterproof/breathable barrier,” there’s an oversized adjustable hood with a visor and handwarmer pockets that zipper closed.

The Wirecutter named the Patagonia Torrentshell its favorite raincoat for daily use, specifically because of the roomy hood. “Unlike cheaper jackets with hoods that don’t fit your face, the Torrentshell’s is cavernous, keeping precipitation off your nose, chin, and hair,” says Wirecutter writer Eve O’Neill.

The publication also notes that “[t]he fit is generous, which makes this coat ideal for layering when it gets cold. And, if you work up a sweat, armpit zips let you vent heat,” making this a great pick for varied temperatures or outdoor activities.

Pros: Sturdy fabric, breathable lining and zip vents at the armpits, large hood to keep you extra dry

Cons: You’ll want to layer in really cold temperatures

Buy the Torrentshell Jacket at Patagonia for $129

Why you'll love it: For those times when you really don’t want to look like you’re wearing a raincoat, check out The City Anorak by Everlane.

Think of The City Anorak from Everlane as your non-raincoat raincoat. It’s a simple polyester anorak with a hood and two pockets that comes in three muted colors: black, surplus green, and navy.

You don’t have to wait for a rainy day to wear this jacket, but you certainly could. While perhaps not ideal for a torrential downpour or freezing cold temps (it’s not fully waterproof and is unlined), this is a great option for the everyday commuter who wants to stay mostly dry while heading to the office or an evening out with friends. It’s the perfect “April showers” coat.

The style is just as cute as a regular jacket, with the added bonus of protecting your outfit from precipitation. And the best part? It’s only $88. The City Anorak has a 4.5-star rating on Everlane based on 645 reviews. It’s also a hit with experts, too — Best Products and PopSugar are both fans of the Everlane anorak.

Joanne Goddard from Cup of Jo told New York Magazine’s The Strategist, “[the Everlane City Anorak] is my absolute favorite because it has a flattering silhouette, cozy hood, and comes in three colors.”

Pros: Under $100, stylish silhouette, oversized hood, lightweight fabric good for transitional seasons

Cons: Unlined and not fully waterproof

Buy The City Anorak at Everlane for $88 Read our review of the ReNew Anorak

Why you'll love it: The transparent Hunter Boots Original Smock Coat is adorable, durable, and waterproof.

See-through rain jackets are iconic, but they aren’t always the most practical. Experts agree that the Hunter Boots Original Smock Coat is the exception.

I’ve wanted a transparent raincoat for basically as long as I can remember, but I’ve always been a little wary. They look cool, but would they actually do the job as well as their more opaque counterparts?

Enough people online have gushed about this version from Hunter Boots, called the Original Smock Coat, that I feel confident it won’t disappoint. Buying a rain jacket from the brand that makes fan favorite wellies seems like a pretty safe bet.

The Original Smock Coat is made of waterproof vinyl and features a hood and drawcords at the waist and neck. Despite its transparent design, the jacket really is completely waterproof. It even has welded seams to make sure water doesn’t seep into the coat from the outside.

There are a few color options, but my personal favorite is the clear white, which looks like a fashion-forward poncho.

The Original Smock Coat appears on a number of “best raincoat” roundups, most notably at Redbook, Best Products, and The Strategist. “I love that this raincoat is sheer, so you can still see your outfit underneath,” Caroline Maguire of Shopbob told The Strategist.

Pros: Waterproof, sheer design, good hood, multiple colors

Cons: Expensive

Buy the Hunter Boots Original Smock Coat on Amazon for $69.10-$218.50 (price varies by size and color)

The best umbrellas you can buy

A rainy day can ruin your plans, your outfit, and your mood, but with a great umbrella in your hands, rain need not put a damper on the day.

You're sure to find an umbrella or two on our list that will help keep you dry during the next rainstorm. The only issue is whether or not you'll remember to keep one close by.

Here are the best umbrellas you can buy:

• Best umbrella overall: Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella
• Best umbrella for travel: Samsonite Windguard Auto Open Umbrella
• Best golf umbrella: G4Free Automatic Double Canopy Golf Umbrella
• Best heavy duty umbrella: BLUNT Metro Travel Umbrella
• Best ultra compact umbrella: LifeTek FX1 Windproof Travel Umbrella

The best women's rain boots you can buy

Rain boots don't have to be ugly. We did the research and testing to find the best rain boots that are both good looking and functional.

Here are the best rain boots you can buy in 2019:

• Best rain boots overall: Sperry Top-Sider Saltwater Rope Emboss Neoprene Rain Boots
• Best ethically made rain boots: Everlane Rain Boots
• Best lightweight rain boots: Native AP Rain Boots
• Best rain boots under $50: Sam Edelman Tinsley Rain Boots
• Best rain boots for serious rainfall: Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots
• Best rain boots that aren't rubber: Timberland Women's Nellie Lace Up Utility Waterproof Boots