How to choose the best raincoat
With so many raincoats to choose from, it can be hard to find the make a decision on the right one for you. Here are some things to consider when making your choice:
Style - What style raincoat would you like? Do you prefer a fitted, feminine style with nipped in waist or hem, or do you prefer a more relaxed, boxed style of coat?
Warmth - Some waterproof raincoats are thin, lightweight shells and as such, designed to be worn with layers underneath. If you’re looking for a coat that is warm as well as waterproof, a parka or thicker style raincoat may be preferable to a thin packaway design.
Length - Raincoats vary in length - some tend to stop at the hip, whilst other raincoats offer complete coverage of your bum. Think about when and where you’ll be wearing yours.
Hood - To protect against the rain, a good quality hood is a must. You may want to consider whether the hood is detachable (making it a great choice all year round) or whether it has any special features such as a fur trip or peaked hem to keep those raindrops away from your face.
Waterproof fabrics - Is it water repellent or water proof? Look out for the waterproof ratings. Whilst a lower waterproof rating will be perfectly adequate for school runs and dog walks, you might need something more substantial for hikes and treks in unpredictable conditions.
Breathable fabrics - Not all raincoats are fully breathable - so coats with good ventilation are helpful if you’re planing on being particuatly active.
Colour - Some raincoats are limited to muted, traditional shades, others come in a wider range of bright shades too, which can add some colour into otherwise dull days.
What's the best women’s raincoat?
The best women’s raincoat is the Helly Hansen W Kirkwall II Raincoat. With a timeless design and available in a range of classy colours, there’s no reason why this waterproof jacket shouldn’t be your go-to wet-weather garment for the foreseeable. Both modern and feminine, it also provides a great fit.
While it may not be warm enough for mid-winter and is fairly pricey, it’s perfect for spring, summer and autumn downpours and should be thought of as a long-term investment – particularly as it comes with its very own PU repair kit.
How we chose our recommendations
We first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which women’s raincoats discerning Mumsnetters recommended and had bought themselves, noting their feedback about these brands. We then drew up a shortlist of those that were repeatedly mentioned.
From there, we did some research across the wider web, consulting independent review sites and taking into account what customer reviews said about the garments featured. Having collated all that information, we picked the waterproof jackets and raincoats we thought were worthy of featuring in our selection.
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