Best winter waterproof jackets 2024 | Tested and reviewed

We loved this classy mountain shell. It oozes quality and feels great to wear, thanks to a 60D ripstop stretch fabric that is quiet and supple. Being polyester-based, it’s softer than nylon normally favoured for high-end waterproofs, but was still tough enough to take considerable abuse.

Eco-Shell is Fjällräven’s own 3-layer waterproof construction, with lab stats of 30,000mm HH for waterproofing and 26k MVTR for breathability. Those figures put this near the top of the pile. Our real-world testing supported the stats – it kept us dry and comfy through a wet, cold and often snowy Snowdonia winter.

The Bergtagen Eco-Shell's fit is excellent, and a slightly longer hemline meant this jacket provided the best all-round coverage of the jackets we tested. There are two large Napoleon-style chest pockets, which ensured they were never blocked by a pack hip belt, though some might prefer hand pockets.

However, we did miss the lack of internal pockets. And while the jacket has no pit zips either, it employs two big torso vents which do eliminate bulk under the arms and are easy to use. They are a bit more susceptible to ingress from rain and snow though.

All the zippers have chunky toggles that are easy to grab when wearing gloves. But the hood adjusters the exterior drawcords can whip around in high winds.

Check out the women's version here

Reworked for 2023, the Makalu now uses Gore-Tex’s new and more sustainable ePE fabric, which is free from harmful PFCs. Skeptics will be relieved to know that if we hadn’t told you it used a new type of Gore-Tex, you wouldn’t have noticed.

During our testing, we found it’s just as durable, waterproof and breathable as standard Gore-Tex, while being lighter and more pliable, with no drop-off in performance.

The 3-layer jacket uses a 75D face fabric – plenty tough enough for winter use, yet comfy enough for all-day wear – but weighs in at creditable 520g (men’s L). However, it has no stretch, which some rivals can offer, and it would be nice to see recycled material used.

On test, it delivered excellent all-round protection, with long sleeves, contoured cuffs and a mid-sized hood, which can fit over a climbing helmet but cinches in superbly over a bare head. The stiffened peak deflects rain well, while the lower half covers the chin, with integrated cordlocks to reduce bulk around the face.

We liked the generous collection of pockets – you get two well placed hand pockets, a large external chest pocket with an internal key clip and a zipped inner security pocket. It also has two-way pit zips and a two-way main zip with a chinguard, an inner stormflap and a bottom press stud.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Mountain Equipment Makalu Jacket review

Artilect is a relatively new US outdoor brand from Colorado. We’ve tested a few bits of its gear now, and it all seems intelligently designed and very forward-thinking, taking advantage of innovative fabrics or new and emerging tech.

This shell employs Artilect’s own impressive High & Dry membrane, which is rated at 30,000mm hydrostatic head (HH) for waterproofing and 30k MVTR for breathability. On test, it unquestionably matched the best rivals such as Gore-Tex Pro.

The fabric is also impregnated with Trizar thermoregulating material and finished with EMPEL, a permanent water-repellent treatment that shouldn’t need reproofing. See what we mean…innovative.

We loved how the tough 70D nylon material has four-way stretch to offer a combination of durability and comfort. Overall, the fit is excellent. It feels great to wear and is protective without being stiff or crinkly.

Although the Formation 3L is remarkably advanced, it’s not highly technical and therefore isn’t especially suited for the most demanding mountain expeditions. For example, it lacks two-way zippers, hand pockets are partly obstructed by a rucksack hipbelt and the hood doesn’t cinch in as well as some. It’s also one of the heaviest jackets we tested.

Check out the women's version here

Employing zoned 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro Most Breathable fabrics in tough 40D and 70D weights, the Spitz is a top-end, technical waterproof. We found its rugged construction balances fairly low weight with high-grade weather protection, while also ensuring good lifetime durability.

We liked the fully adjustable hood complete with a stiff brim. It protects the face very well and still offers good field-of-vision. Unusually, the Spitz features dual underarm and torso vents, but we appreciated the boost to ventilation it provides.

There are plenty of practical pockets: two Napoleon-style chest pockets, a zipped lower sleeve pocket, and a stretch mesh inner dump pocket with a smaller secondary zipped pocket. Happily, zips and big cuff tabs are easy to use with gloves too.

The cut is slightly shorter in the body than its rivals on test, but the sleeves are very long. The trim fit really only suits slimmer builds, though it still leaves adequate room for layering. And while the fabric is stiff and crinkly, clever patterning means there is very little excess bulk or bunching.

Check out the women's version here

Yes, that price is eye-watering, but this might be the toughest shell on the market. But still, is it worth it?

We found the Draupner certainly delivers on durability, performance and sustainability. The outer fabric has a laminated abrasion resistant coating at shoulders, sleeves and hips. The collar, cuffs, and hem are lined with mesh and microfibre to boost protection too.

This jacket has some very unique details, most of which we found worked but all told makes the Draupner a bit unusual, and quite heavy.

For example, the high storm collar has a huge throat flap and a funnel-like hood which cinches in well to block out wind and spindrift. An aluminium toggle and D-ring at the chest act as a secondary closure for the two-way main zip, which also has a full-length Velcro stormflap with double press studs at the bottom.

Cuff closures are webbing straps with metal buckles, so they can't get clogged with snow. One cuff even has a built-in survival compass. And there are two voluminous chest pockets plus extended pit-to-torso vents. The chunky zipper pull is also an emergency whistle.

Yet despite its heft and bulk, we think the jacket is surprisingly soft and comfy, with in-built stretch. Not to mention we think it’ll outlast the other jackets here. It's also reasonably eco-friendly, being bluesign-approved and PFC-free.

Check out the women's version here

Gore-Tex Pro is often seen as the pinnacle waterproof fabric. But it’s also stiff, heavy, expensive and rustles like a crisp packet. To combat its much-criticised crinkle, Gore-Tex has now introduced a stretch version of Pro fabric, improving freedom of movement and flexibility. Not all brands are using it yet, but the Hornstrandir is one of the few shells that does.

It certainly makes a big difference to overall comfort, without adversely affecting protection or durability. On test, this jacket dealt admirably with snow, heavy rain and strong winds. It is also less crackly than non-stretch Gore-Tex Pro shells, though not quite as soft or supple as rival fabrics.

This jacket’s fit is a little broader than some. It bags out a bit at the waist, especially if worn with a harness or hipbelt. The jacket has quite a short hem too, and occasionally rides up a bit when bending over or crouching down.

Otherwise, we think the Hornstrandir has some really nice features, such as dual hem adjustment and contoured cuffs with chunky and secure Velcro tabs; four decent sized outer pockets all fitted with durable metal zippers; and an inner security pocket. It lacks pit zips, but breathability is very good.

The helmet-compatible hood cinches in well without a lid, with low-profile adjusters and internal drawcords that don’t flail around. But if we were to nitpick, the peak could be stiffer.

Check out the women's version here

We put the Alta III to the test during a challenging six-day hike along the 90-mile Dales High Way in winter and were subject to persistent rain and heavy downpours. This jacket held up admirably.

Paramo, a company based in Sussex, takes a unique approach to waterproof gear. Their Alta III, like other jackets in their lineup, utilises the Nikwax Analogy fabric system.

It has no traditional membrane. Instead, it has a water-resistant outer, plus an inner layer called a pump liner, which moves rain and perspiration away from you. We found it works a treat. It’s heavy and warm, but this novel design kept us dry and offered excellent breathability.

More than this, the Alta III is far more cosy than the other jackets here – both in feel (soft and virtually noiseless) and in its ability to get rid of moisture. However, it also feels heavier because it is – second only the Klättermusen Draupner. It’s also warm and only suitable for very cold conditions.

Paramo also takes sustainability seriously here. The Alta III is PFC-free and produced in a Fair Trade factory. But Paramo will also take the Alta III back at the end of its life and recycle it.

The jacket comes equipped with several features, including six pockets, a hood with a wired peak, mesh-lined pit zips, Velcro cuffs, and waist adjustment for added versatility.

Check out the women's version here

As an all-round general hiking jacket, there's little to fault with the Rab Arc Eco.

It's not the most technical jacket around, but for many, that's not important. What we like so much about it is that it has the important stuff: a high 20,000mm HH waterproof rating, 3-layer construction, a few important add-ons like pit zips, and good eco credentials.

On test, it served us well in almost all circumstances, even in wintery hill conditions. This is thanks not only to a high waterproof rating, but important weatherproofing features like a wire peaked hood, Velcro cuffs, and adjustable hood.

We found the relaxed fit, while not particularly flattering, is very easy to layer with. The main zip is a one-way, water-repellent with a stormflap behind it. In terms of pockets, there are a brace of large external side pockets that can accommodate a map but we think a smaller chest pocket would be useful also.

The Arc Eco's main fabrics are fully recycled and designed to be recyclable by using a single polymer fabric. It’s also PFC-free and Rab is a Fair Wear Foundation member with ‘Leader’ status with an in-house repair service also available.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Rab Arc Eco Waterproof Jacket review

Gore-Tex waterproof jackets are desirable (with good reason) but are often pricey. A way to skirt this is to consider Gore-Tex Paclite, which is a good option for many hillwalkers because it's less expensive than other Gore-Tex products, still has the same waterproof rating (28,000mm HH), but is lighter and not quite as tough.

For those who frequent winter mountains we maintain you invest in a proper winter hardshell (such as one using Gore-Tex Pro). But for those who want a more affordable, comfortable and reliable Gore-Tex option for year-round hillwalking, we suggest this model from Adidas.

On test, we liked how the 2.5-layer construction felt far less burdensome than a heavyweight winter hardshell. Its level of waterproofing was typical Gore-Tex - excellent. We also liked the chucky Velcro tabs and main zip. They're easy to use with gloves and although the main zip is a bit stiff, it's durable.

We think a proper rear hood toggle adjustment for windy conditions should be included. Also, the external side pockets aren't very big and can get obscured by a backpack hipbelt. But we are pleased to see the use of a PFC-free DWR and a partially recycled construction

Check out the women's version here

Bluesign approved and PFC-free, this water-based fabric cleaning is ideal for any technical or waterproof fabric, including Gore-Tex. It's highly concentrated too, so a little goes a long way.

Like Grangers, this is water-based and PFC-free. It too is a very effective cleaner of outdoor and technical garments. Really, there's nothing separating the effectiveness of Grangers and Nikwax.

This kit supplies a big one litre volume of Tech Wash and the 300ml bottle of reproofing TX.Direct. With TX.Direct, add it to the washing machine and run a second cycle after cleaning with Tech Wash.

This combo is perfect for cleaning outdoor garments and then adding durable water repellency to waterproof fabrics. The Performance Wash is used like a laundry detergent, while the Repel Plus is a simple spray.