Your guide to choosing the perfect women's raincoat for you. Living in Britain means living in a lot of wet weather, so finding the perfect women's raincoat to keep you shielded from the rain can take a lot of hard work. We can help you stay prepared to find a women's raincoat. There's something for everyone and every outdoor activity with a variety of options. Just use this handy guide
Raincoat for women: Everything You Should Know About
Have you ever wandered into the outerwear section of a store and feel like you're lost in the wilderness of nylon and polyester? Understanding some key terms and the basics of rainwear technology will help you navigate the women's raincoat that keeps you dry—and the one that fits your budget.
What are the types of raincoats?
- Waterproof/breathable: This kind of women's raincoat performance keeps the rain from getting through to your skin, while also moving the sweat back to the outside world. If you're planning any activity that gets limbs and lungs pumping, this is your kind of gear, because both precipitation and perspiration can soak you up.
- Water-resistant: Also breathable, this women's raincoat gear can handle light rain for a short time—windbreakers and featherweight jackets, for example. If precipitation lingers or starts to come down sideways, it won't be up to the task.
- Waterproof/nonbreathable: Think of rain slicker or emergency poncho. If you just need to keep the rain out while sitting or standing around, this women's raincoat is just fine—and it costs very little money. However, if you do any exercise, your rain slicker will be slick inside, too. And it won't take a lot of wind to make the poncho largely ineffective.
What is the difference between windproof and wind-resistant?
- Windproof: Any waterproof women's raincoat is windproof as well. It makes sense to think that a barrier designed to block driving rain would also block the wind that pushes the rain. You will also find windproof women's raincoat with typically some type of laminate, that is considered waterproof.
- Wind-resistant: Essentially the same as a waterproof women's raincoat, this is often an ultra-light women's raincoat that can easily be stuffed into a pocket. Made for short trips and optimistic forecasts, it's not going to offer much protection in a full-fledged storm.
What should I look for in a raincoat?
While the technology in the fabric is the biggest factor in the cost of a women's raincoat, the details of the construction also play a role. Women's raincoat s with a robust feature set reflects that in their price. Weight is also affected, so you might see a top-notch women's raincoat but few extra features, especially pockets, if the goal is ultra-light design.
Because construction requires so many seams, a true women's raincoat must be fully sealed to make it completely waterproof. Since all waterproof women's raincoats are made this way, you don't have to consider seam taping as part of your purchase decision. Don't assume that the jacket is completely waterproof based solely on finding the seam tape in the hood and shoulders, though: it's a common practice on water-resistant women's raincoats. Also, do not assume that lack of seam taping indicates poor quality in a softshell or other waterproof women's raincoat: seam taping is not used because it would simply add complexity that is not required for the intended use.
Summary
From the front opening to the pockets to the pit zips, most women's raincoats are packed with zippers. Keeping the water from draining through the zippers requires a rubberized coating or a storm flap. Coated zippers, also known as laminated zippers, are harder to zip up and down. They also need a cover, often called a zipper hut or a zipper garage, to protect the tiny opening at the end of the zipper track.
The current trend is away from full flaps in order to save weight, although the coatings will eventually wear down and be less effective. Because even the most breathable women's raincoat can get overwhelmed during strenuous activity.