A women's raincoat is the garment that decides whether September is pleasant or unbearable. Yet it is almost always bought based on appearance, only for it to turn out during the first proper downpour that it was merely water-repellent – and that your shoulders get wet after ten minutes.
The difference between a jacket that lasts and one that doesn't lies in three things: the water column, the seams, and the breathability. Here we walk through what these mean in practice, how you recognize them in a product description, and how to choose a raincoat that works for everyday wear instead of mountain hiking.
Contents
- Waterproof or water-repellent – what’s the difference?
- Water column: the number that says the most
- The seams are where the jacket leaks
- Breathability – why you get wet from the inside
- Three models and who they are for
- How to keep your jacket waterproof over time
- Our current favorites
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Waterproof or water-repellent – what’s the difference?
The two words are used as synonyms in marketing, but they mean completely different things. Water-repellent means the fabric has a surface treatment that makes droplets bead up and roll off. This is perfectly adequate for light rain and for ten minutes on your way to the bus. It is not enough in persistent rain, because the treatment is only on the surface and eventually becomes saturated.
Waterproof means that the fabric has a membrane or coating on the inside that water cannot pass through at all. It is this quality you are paying for, and it is what determines whether the jacket will work for a full day outdoors. If you only see the word water-repellent in the product text, it is a conscious choice by the manufacturer – had the jacket been waterproof, it would have been stated.
Water column: the number that says the most
The water column is measured in millimeters and describes how high a column of water can stand on the fabric before it starts to leak. The higher the number, the more the jacket can withstand.
For everyday use in the city, 5,000 mm is a reasonable minimum and 10,000 mm provides plenty of margin. That sounds like a lot, but keep in mind that pressure dramatically increases the water column: a backpack strap or sitting down on a wet bench corresponds to far more than the weight of the rain itself. That is why a jacket can handle a downpour while standing, but leak at the shoulder strap.
The seams are where the jacket leaks
Every seam represents hundreds of needle holes straight through an otherwise tight fabric. A jacket with the highest water column possible will leak at the seams if they haven't been sealed. The solution is called taped seams – a thin plastic film welded over the seam on the inside.
Turn the jacket inside out and look at the inside of the shoulder area and the hood. If you see shiny strips along the seams, they are taped. If you only see regular sewing thread, they are not, no matter how good the fabric is. Critically taped means that only the most exposed seams – shoulders and hood – are treated, which is plenty for city use.
At the same time, look at the zipper. A waterproof zipper or a storm flap that snaps over it is the difference between a dry and a wet front.
Breathability – why you get wet from the inside
The most common disappointment with a raincoat is not that it leaks, but that you are wet anyway. This is condensation. A completely tight fabric without breathability traps moisture from your body, and after a brisk walk, the inside feels just as wet as if the rain had come through.
Breathability is often stated as MVTR or g/m²/24h, and over 5,000 is useful for everyday use. If the jacket has no figures at all, look for ventilation solutions instead: back yoke with an air gap, ventilated armpits, or a mesh lining. These do more actual good than a high number on paper.
Three models and who they are for
Length and fit determine how useful the jacket is in practice. A short jacket offers mobility but leaves your thighs wet; a long raincoat keeps you dry but is warmer and stiffer to walk in.
| Model | Suited for | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Short raincoat | Cycling, commuting, active days | Pants get wet when sitting in the rain |
| Mid-length with hood | Everyday use all year round – the most useful | Choose one that covers the bottom |
| Long raincoat | City use, over skirts and dresses | Warmer – can be too much in September |
| Adjustable waist | All models | Adds silhouette to an otherwise straight garment |
| Adjustable hood | All models | Without adjustment, it will blow off in the first gust of wind |
Buy a size that can accommodate a knitted sweater underneath. A raincoat that fits tightly over a thin top will become useless when it gets colder, which is exactly when you need it most. You can find more about layers in our guide on knitted sweaters.
How to keep your jacket waterproof over time
The impregnation on the outside is worn down by dirt and friction, not by rain. A jacket that has stopped beading is usually not worn out, just dirty. Wash it at 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) with a liquid detergent without fabric softener – fabric softener acts as a film and kills both the impregnation and the breathability.
Then tumble dry or iron on low heat if the garment’s care instructions allow it. The heat reactivates the impregnation, and many jackets bead like new after that treatment. If that doesn't help, there are impregnation agents to spray or wash in. More washing instructions per material can be found in our guide on washing knits, and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has background information on PFAS in impregnation if you want to choose fluorine-free options.
Our current favorites
Three rain garments that work with regular clothes, not just for the woods:
- Water-repellent Women's Raincoat with Adjustable Hood – mid-length, the most useful length for everyday life.
- Elegant Waterproof Women's Raincoat with Detachable Hood – full length, goes over dresses and skirts.
- Elegant Long Women's Jacket with Adjustable Hood – waterproof with an adjustable hood that stays on in windy weather.
A hood on a coat is either what makes the garment useful or what ruins its line, and the difference lies in two details. The first is whether the hood is detachable: a buttoned or zippered hood turns the same coat into an everyday garment in November and a purely outer garment for a dark suit in December, whereas a sewn-on hood decides for you. The second is the collar underneath the hood — if the hood lies directly on the shoulder area without a collar, it falls flat and adds width across the back, which is the most common reason why a hooded coat looks clunky in photos. The lining then determines how far into the season it will last: taffeta lining is windproof but cold; quilted or fleece lining takes it down towards freezing. Models, lengths, and linings in women's hooded coats.
Waterproof sneakers and water-repellent sneakers are not the same thing, and the difference is noticed on the first real rainy day. An impregnated upper holds off a drizzle for twenty minutes; a shoe with a membrane stays tight until the water goes over the edge of the shaft. At the same time, the membrane makes the shoe warmer and slower to dry, so those who mainly want to avoid wet socks on the way to work are often better served by impregnation plus an extra pair of insoles. Regardless: the seams and the joint towards the sole leak before the material does, so that is where you should look in the store. Models, membranes, and care in waterproof sneakers for women.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between waterproof and water-repellent?
Water-repellent is a surface treatment that makes drops roll off and becomes saturated in persistent rain. Waterproof means a membrane or a coating that water does not pass through at all.
What water column does a raincoat need for everyday use?
5,000 mm is a reasonable minimum in the city; 10,000 mm provides plenty of margin. Pressure from, for example, a backpack strap increases the load far beyond the weight of the rain itself.
How do I know if the seams are taped?
Turn the jacket inside out and look at the shoulders and hood. Shiny strips along the seams mean they are taped. Only sewing thread means the jacket will leak there, regardless of how good the fabric is.
Why do I get wet on the inside even if the jacket isn't leaking?
It is condensation. The fabric traps the body's moisture. Look for breathability over 5,000 g/m²/24h or for ventilation in the back yoke and armpits.
Can you wash a raincoat?
Yes, and it is necessary. Wash at 30 degrees with liquid detergent, never with fabric softener. Low heat in the tumble dryer afterwards reactivates the impregnation.
Which length of raincoat is most useful?
Mid-length that covers the bottom. It keeps you dry when sitting in the rain without becoming as warm and stiff as a full raincoat.
Summary
Read the product text before you read the price tag. Waterproof beats water-repellent, taped seams determine if the water column means anything, and breathability is what keeps you dry on the inside as well. Choose mid-length, an adjustable hood, and room for a sweater underneath – and wash the jacket when it stops beading instead of buying a new one.
Want to see the entire selection for the fall? Take a look at our women's jackets – free shipping within Sweden.
Looking for something else? See all our 111 guides in a list.
