A waterproof jacket is a must-have, especially if you would be going out in the rain or involving yourself in any water or sweat linked activities. Waterproof jackets are handy as they protect you from the wind and rain. However, to get the best use of your purchase, your best bet is to purchase a waterproof lightweight jacket.
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How to Choose a Waterproof Lightweight Jacket?
To ensure that nothing puts a dent in whatever outdoor fun you wish to have, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the features and options that are available for you before any purchase. Some of them include:
Differentiate Between Waterproof and Water-resistant
While water-resistant fabrics keep sufficient moistures out of the jacket, waterproof jackets ensure that moisture doesn’t penetrate or enter into the fabric. This is because, unlike water-resistant jackets, the seams of waterproof jackets are taped or covered to keep water out. Therefore, before making your purchase, check the jacket tags to distinguish whether the jacket is water-resistant or waterproof.
Breathability
The type of activities you wish to use the jacket for will determine how much breathable the fabric will and should be. For example, if you want to use the jacket for intense physical activities, you need jackets with membranes that allow sweat to pass through them without letting in water from the outside, hence highly breathable jackets. If you require the jacket for less intense activities, less breathable jackets with adequate water-resistant level are sufficient.
Weight Option
Since the discussion is centered around lightweight jackets, make sure you don’t choose heavy or bulky jackets that would weigh you down as they might be impending motion. Therefore, you should purchase either a waterproof or water-resistant jacket that is lightweight enough and offers maximum breathability.
Shell Type
Hardshell fabrics are not insulated, and as a result, warmth is generated from the mid-layer and the base layer. Softshell, on the other hand, permits greater breathability and allows greater perspiration. They are flexible, fuzzy, and have greater insulation. You could also purchase the hybrid shell that combines the features of the hard shell and the softshell.
External Features
This depends on what you want, however, feel free to diversify and explore your options. Such features include a hood, pockets, cuff, Velcro, zipper, and seam structure.
Best Waterproof Lightweight Jacket
VUCVUG Women’s Rain Jacket
Eco-friendly materials with an extremely breathable lining ensure the waterproof ability of the VUCVUG women’s Rain Jacket. The jacket features PVC coating, 2% spandex, and 98% polyester material to further ensure that the jacket is sunproof, breathable, windproof, and waterproof. This way, it adequately resists water, dries off quickly, and doesn’t add too much weight to the body. Also, among its many features, the jacket is long-sleeved and comes with a hood, an elastic waist, two patch pocket flaps, sleeve tab with metal snaps, and metal drawstring ends. It also features detachable drawstrings, and as a result, is very easy to pack for any kind of occasion, sports, traveling, or outdoor activities.
Pros
- Eco-friendly materials
- Premium design
- Suitable for various occasions
Cons
- You cannot wash with machine
Columbia’s Women Arcadia II Waterproof Lightweight Jacket
Although it comes with a simple design, Columbia’s Women Arcadia II waterproof rain jacket is simple enough to guarantee a no-rain entry on a rainy day. The jacket also comes with a storm hood which can be adjusted as desired to keep your hair free from the storm. It also features a zippered hand pocket and a drawcord adjustable hem to ensure a tight fit and promote better comfort. The back length is approximately 26-inches and lightweight. A bit more on the lightweight feature, the jacket is portable and can be an easy packet to fit into your hand pocket for on the go use.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable and easy-packaging
- Adjustable storm hood
Cons
- The noise of the nylon is not always appreciated
Diamond Candy Women Hooded Windproof Waterproof Rain Jacket
Much of the waterproof feature of this jacket is as a result of a fully sealed seam and the breathable fabrics used. As a result, you can plan your sports event or go about your daily life without the fear of rain. The Diamond Candy women hooded windproof waterproof rain jacket features a series of combination of human engineering and is designed exclusively for women. This is because the jacket is lightweight and skin-friendly. The inside is made of fleece materials that will leave the skin warm and soft. Other features of the jacket include a removable hood, 2 zippered hand pockets, 1 internal pocket, 1 zippered chest pocket, and high collar for neck protection.
Pros
- Wind resistant and heavy duty
- Skin-friendly
- 6-months guarantee
Cons
- Strong smell during the first few days of use
Twinklady Rain Jacket Women Windbreaker
Fashionable, glamorous, and stylish. Although they all look to be the same thing, an emphasis that the Twinklady rain jacket is a stylish jacket that is designed for women of style and class. The jacket has a striped lining design that is made from polyester material. As a result, it not too stretchy and you can wear a sweater or t-shirt inside. Also, it comes with a hood that you can attach when it is raining or detach when you want to make a fashion statement. Furthermore, it is long-sleeved with an adjustable drawstring waist design. It also has functional pockets at the sides for holding portable things.
Pros
- Stylish
- Adjustable drawstrings
- Detachable hood
Cons
- Finding your size is a bit cumbersome
Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Front-Zip rain jacket
Made from 100% nylon material, the Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Front-Zip rain jacket comes with adequate zipper closure to keep a man comfortable and protected from the wet weather. It features an Omni-tech fabric that guarantees protection by waterproofing the jacket and ensuring that it is breathable. It also comes with a mesh lining for interior breathability and soft shell exterior for protection. You can use the zippered pockets to keep your valuables secured throughout use. Other handy features include an adjustable hemline, adjustable cuffs, and a stowaway hood to keep you warm and dry. Overall, the jacket is versatile and lightweight for easy storage when you are not using it.
Pros
- Mesh lining
- Handy features
- Omni-technology guarantees waterproof and breathability
Cons
- Not too fashionable, a feature that many cannot live without.
GEMYSE Men’s Waterproof Mountain Jacket
The GEMYSE men’s waterproof mountain jacket is a relaxed fit insulated outdoor jacket for various outdoor activities. For example, you can use it for snow sports, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and many other outdoor activities. This is possible because of durable yet wear-resistant fabric and a soft fleece lining interior that promises warmth and comfort during the cold months. It also features reinforced stitching that can keep you going for many years. All the zippers on the jacket are waterproof design and the jacket itself comes with a waterproof level of 10000mm/H2O. This way, you can rest assured that it will offer all-around protection all day long. It comes with various features that enhance wearing.
Pros
- Reinforced stitching and solid build
- Exceptional and handy features
- Reflective stripes make it visible in low light areas
Cons
- The color is not always as displayed in the pictures.
UUANG Waterproof Rain Jacket
The bonus feature of the UUANG waterproof rain jacket is a soft smooth lining that can be clinched to reveal your figure. More than this, the jacket contains 5% spandex material and 95% polyester material to make a comfortable, stylish, breathable, and soft jacket that you can wear for all seasons. It features a quick-drying technology coupled with water-resistant materials to prevent rain from ruining whatever plans you have for the day. The front zip can be fastened with Storm flap and the hood is detachable for stylish wearing. It also features 2-flap patch pockets and ultimately shields you from the rain, sun, and wind.
Pros
- Zipper closure
- Soft smooth lining
- Windproof and sunproof
Cons
- Hard waist clinching procedure
Columbia Youth Girl’s Switchback Rain Jacket
Designed for the youth in mind, the Columbia Youth Girl’s Switchback rain jacket offers sufficient protection from the soft drizzle and heavy downpour. To manage the different color, desire, and imagination, the jacket comes with multiple color options and designs to give you all the attention that you need. To ensure protection, it features a 100% nylon shell design to promises lightweight and charming effect on any girl. It also includes elastic hems and cuffs that will keep any girl cozy in addition to a reflective detail for security during the dark.
Pros
- Colorful options
- Reflective details
- Comfort fit
Cons
- Thin
Swiss Alps Boys Wind Resistant Lightweight Rain Jacket
To ensure that the boys are not left out in the quest for waterproof protection from the rain, the Swiss Alps boys wind resistant lightweight rain Jacket comes with mesh lining, two side zippered pockets, and a lightweight hood that keeps the body and hair dry all day long. It also features a 240T polyester ripstop fabric and has 3000mm water-resistant coating for guaranteed durable performance. Unlike many other jackets, the Swiss Alps rain jacket is machine washable and the bottom hem secures the fit even in the wind. Furthermore, it has a vented back panel that promotes cooling in humid temperatures and is light enough for portable folding.
Pros
- Vented back panel for cooling
- Lightweight construction
- Machine washable
Cons
- Weak pocket zipper
Daxvens Women Rain jacket
Designed to be a functional and cute trench raincoat, the Daxvens Women Rain jacket can be used in all weather for outdoor activities and casual daily workout. This is because the jacket is designed to be an active windbreaker with its slim waist, big hood, and zipper closure. It also promotes breathability through a mesh-lined raincoat with quick-drying mesh lining that keeps you comfortable all day. Since the jacket is designed exclusively for women, it is made of superior fabric that is long and warm enough to keep you safe from cold rain and wind.
Pros
- Active windbreaker
- Breathable
- Lightweight
Cons
- The back of the jacket is considered by some as too long
Carhatt Men’s shoreline Jacket
The Carhatt Men’s shoreline Jacket is designed as gear for those who engage in rugged work comes to rain, snow, or wind. Whether men or women, the jacket advocates that work should not be delayed because of rain. This is why the Carhatt men’s jacket comes with built-in technology to ensure that you work smarter and harder away from the rain. It features a storm defender fabric technology that keeps water out, but also promote heat and sweat escape. It also comes with a hood with an adjustable drawcord lock and built-in visors. You can also store some portable equipment in the jacket’s heavy-duty waterproof pocket.
Pros
- Storm defender fabric technology
- Built-in visors
- Rugged pockets
Cons
- Repeated use of hot water and hot dry cycles is bad for the jacket
Rokka&Rolla Boy’s Lightweight Wwater-resistant Zip-up Hooded Windbreaker Jacket
The name seems to have passed the message about what the Rokka&Rolla jacket is all about, however, some features are still worth mentioning. Some of it includes side hand pockets, zipper utility pockets, an elastic hem, cuffs, and neckline that keeps the wind out. It also comes with an active hoodie with zip-front closure and rubber band zipper puller that allows for easy wearing and wind prevention. In all, the jacket is lightweight and is made from wind-resistant and water-resistant fabric made with breathable soft lining for better protection and flexibility.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Elastic band hood attachment
- Lightweight
Cons
- Runs small
Conclusion
In all, waterproof jackets are designed to allow you to enjoy maximum outdoor fun under any type of weather condition. They are lightweight, breathable, and stylish. If you require everyday protection from rain, get yourself a waterproof lightweight jacket.