Comparison: Our Top 10 Best Waterproof Hiking Jackets 2026

You want to invest in a hiking jacket, but you will be hiking in Nord-Pas-de-Calais? In other words, you need a waterproof jacket… You’re in the right place.

Through this article, we have selected for you different brands and hardshell hiking jackets that stand out on the market. Our selection was made according to the models you prefer, but also for their innovative technologies and their various advantages (European sourcing, environmental respect…).

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L, the best Patagonia hiking jacket

First in this selection: the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L. Our customers made it, last year, the most popular hiking jacket at Alltricks. You have to admit that it is undoubtedly one of the best waterproof hiking jackets. To achieve this, this jacket benefits from a three-layer material (hence the name 3L), meeting the H2No™ standard. H2No™… another complicated standard whose name you'll have forgotten in 30 seconds?

To keep it simple, you should know, as we explain at the end of the article, that some brands like Patagonia do not use the Gore-Tex membrane to make some of their waterproof products. Thus, the H2No™ standard is Patagonia’s in-house standard for designing its waterproof products. However, be careful: unlike the Gore-Tex membrane, H2No™ is not a membrane but simply a standard that Patagonia jackets must meet to be considered waterproof and breathable by the brand. For us, the little extra of this product is its eco-responsible aspect (Fair Trade Certified™).

Millet Seneca Gore-Tex 2L, the Gore-Tex ePE jacket without PFC designed for hiking

After the Torrentshell, we change recipe with the Millet Seneca: a GORE-TEX ePE membrane without PFC, built in 2 layers. Basically, a 100% recycled polyester outer face and a mesh lining that avoids the “plastic bag stuck on your back” effect as soon as you climb.

On the protection side, you’re well covered with 28,000 mm of waterproofness, enough to handle most heavy showers without stress. Breathability (RET < 13) is announced as "good," no more: Millet plays it straight, and compensates with zippered vents under the arms you can open without taking off the jacket. The 3D adjustable hood with visor and retention cable holds well against the wind, and cuffs, collar, and hem are easy to adjust (you close everything, and it doesn’t move).

On the scale, 465 grams: not a record, but it slips at the bottom of the bag without you feeling it. Two zippered hand pockets under flaps and an internal chest pocket keep your essentials safe. The compromises? A 2-layer remains less robust than a 3-layer against repeated backpack abrasion. And the active fit, slim, leaves little room for a thick down jacket underneath. Last detail: the jacket bears the Made in Europe label and is made in the Annecy workshop.

Columbia omni-tech ampli-dry, the best affordable waterproof hiking jacket

The Columbia Omni-Tech Ampli-Dry jacket is third in this ranking of the best hiking jackets, and it also uses a third waterproofing technology.

Indeed, for all its waterproof models, Columbia created its own waterproof technology: Omni-Tech. This technology is ideal for rain or light to moderate snow. To achieve this, it is made up of a multi-layer waterproof protection, including a material dedicated to windproofing as well as another breathable material allowing excess heat and moisture to escape. The big advantage of Columbia’s Omni-Tech waterproof technology is that it does not contain any forever pollutants (PFAS).

This jacket won us over because, although less waterproof than its competitors (water column of 10 meters compared to 20 to be considered fully waterproof), its price is 2 to 3 times less important than that of the competitors. So consider if you really need a perfectly waterproof product!

Millet Kamet Gore-Tex, the mountaineering jacket that joins hiking

We step up a notch with the Millet Kamet Gore-Tex, of which the Seneca seen above is the more reasonable cousin. It was born in 2012 during an expedition in Pakistan, for the opening of the west face of Kamet (7,756 m, no less). So you’re not dealing with a simple Sunday stroll jacket.

On the protection side, the new Gore-Tex ePE membrane, without PFAS, offers 28,000 mm of waterproofing. That’s a comfortable margin for a hiking trip, even when the sky keeps pouring. Breathability remains good (RET below 20 m².Pa/W), and zipped vents under the arms help when climbing. The outer fabric in 100% recycled polyamide is tough, all seams are fully taped, and the durable water repellent treatment is PFC-free.

For movement, Millet has taken care with the design: active cut, raglan sleeves, pre-shaped elbows, and helmet-compatible hood, with visor and precise adjustments. The two hand pockets remain accessible with a harness (which you might not wear every weekend, but they’re ready).

Haglöfs Alert GTX, the 2-layer Gore-Tex without PFAS for hiking in all seasons

After the Kamet mountaineering, we’re back on more walkable trails with the Haglöfs Alert GTX. Its playground: day hiking, whatever the season, with a Gore-Tex 2-layer membrane and the promise "guaranteed to keep you dry" (the slogan is long, but it’s kept).

On the waterproof side, the sheet states 28,000 mm, enough to endure without flinching a mountain downpour that drags on. The water repellent is PFAS-free, which is good for the planet (and your conscience). The outer fabric is 75-denier recycled polyester, Bluesign certified, light and durable according to the brand. Equipment-wise, it stays simple with an adjustable hood, Velcro cuffs, adjustable hem, and three zipped pockets (two for hands, one on the chest). Finally, the central Aquaguard Vislon zip closes it all. No gadgets, so no bad surprises.

Patagonia Triolet GORE-TEX ePE, the sturdy 3-layer jacket for hiking in all weather

We’re back to Patagonia with their Triolet model. The brand targets it for high mountains, cold and snow: in hiking, it’s the “who can do more can do less” (no need to have an ice axe in hand to appreciate it).

Its strong point is the material: a 3-layer GORE-TEX ePE Performance in recycled polyester, 75 denier and 170 g/m², with knit lining. Translation: a tough fabric that withstands shoulder strap rubs and nasty branches, with high waterproofness. True to Patagonia, the fabric, membrane, and DWR water repellent treatment contain no intentional PFAS additions, and the model is Bluesign® certified and made in a Fair Trade Certified™ workshop.

On the equipment side, the Triolet is up to the task. The laminated visor hood adjusts in two points and works with or without a helmet. The welted front pockets remain accessible under a harness or pack, and two chest pockets complete the setup. The ventilation zips under the arms are no luxury: breathability is qualified as “good,” not excellent, so on a steep climb, you’ll open them. Finally, the RECCO® reflector is a good point (we just hope you never have to use it).

The North Face Dryzzle Futurelight II, the waterproof hiking jacket that breathes

After the robustness of the Triolet, we change style: the goal of this Dryzzle Futurelight II is not to end up cooked inside your jacket (which happens more often than you admit under a waterproof membrane).

To do so, The North Face relies on Futurelight, a 3-layer 145 g/m² recycled polyester fabric made by « nanospinning ». Behind the somewhat strange word lies a promise: to let air circulate as well as blocking water. The zip vents under the arms help when you climb and the rain just won’t stop. But let’s be realistic, like a Gore-Tex membrane already designed to be breathable, the sheet announces high waterproofness but only “good” breathability. It remains a waterproof jacket, not a T-shirt.

Where this Dryzzle scores points, though, is with the adjustments—nothing’s missing: three-part hood with front and back cords, hook-and-loop cuffs, elastic hem, chin protector. The hood is fixed, though: in great weather, it will stay on your back. It, the cuffs and hem are made with DryVent 133 g/m², a lighter weight than the main fabric. We’ll finish with a nice eco point: the DWR water repellent treatment is PFC-free and the jacket packs into its chest pocket, handy for the pack.

Lagoped Tetras, the best waterproof hiking jacket Made in France

For this eighth product, we chose a model from a brand you might know less well. This is the Lagoped Tetras jacket. For those who don't know the Lagoped brand, it is a young French brand created in 2017, that makes responsible clothing. The brand focuses on its respect for the environment, but also on its local sourcing to establish itself on the market.

Indeed, its jackets are woven and dyed in France. But above all, they are sourced in Europe. Finally, the brand does not use PTFE to make its waterproof membranes. They use a Sympatex membrane 100% recyclable, featuring waterproofness of 20,000 mm of water. You can therefore be assured that you will stay dry by investing in one of its models.

MAMMUT Crater Light Hs Hooded, the best hiking jacket?

With this ninth product, we stay in the category of specialized brands by choosing Mammut. The Swiss brand is indeed specialized in manufacturing high-end mountaineering equipment (ropes, clothing, hiking boots…). Its know-how is therefore reflected in this product. This Mammut Crater Light is made from 100% recycled polyester. The jacket also uses a PFC-free Gore-Tex® ePE membrane and adopts a solution-dyed process (Solution Dyed), significantly reducing water consumption and carbon footprint during its manufacture.

One of the strengths of this jacket also lies in its ergonomics. This Crater Light thus has pre-shaped sleeves with adjustable hook-and-loop wrist straps, a hem adjustable with a cord, and a hood adjustable at a single point. Finally, the two side pockets are positioned to remain accessible even when you're wearing a backpack, and are equipped with water-repellent zippers to protect your personal belongings.

Lagoped Eve

For this last selection of the best hardshell hiking jackets, we once again chose a Lagoped product, not that we are biased, but you simply have to admit that their products are of excellent make. Moreover, this Lagoped Eve jacket has a style that does not leave you indifferent; personally, I really like it. Just like its counterpart Tetras, this model uses a Sympatex membrane certified without PTFE. It also has the advantage of having a YKK® Vislon® 5 mm double-slider front zipper (opening from the bottom or the top).

What is a hardshell jacket?

First of all, what is a hardshell jacket? A hardshell jacket, literally a "hard shell", is a waterproof and breathable jacket. It consists of a membrane that ensures a balance between waterproofness and breathability. This membrane has pores too narrow to let external water through (rain, snow…) but wide enough to let sweat pass. Thus, unlike a softshell jacket designed to keep you warm (see hardshell vs softshell), a hardshell jacket is a waterproof jacket that protects from bad weather (snow, rain…). Having said that, there are different levels of waterproofness. There's also a technique to compare the waterproofness of hardshell jackets. This method uses the water column in mm. For that, the jacket is placed under a column filled with water, and we check at what water height the first drops pass through. We then consider that a garment with a water resistance of 20,000 mm (20 meters) will be completely waterproof.

Hardshell jacket or Gore-Tex jacket?

Now that you know what a waterproof hiking jacket, called hardshell, is, you're probably wondering what the difference is with a Gore-Tex jacket? In fact, you should know there really isn't any: it is an antonomasia. For those we might have lost, antonomasia is the use of a brand name to designate a common object. For example, you probably say "Scotch" to refer to adhesive tape. For Gore-Tex, it’s the same, as Gore-Tex is just an American brand that developed a waterproof membrane that lets water vapor (your sweat) pass through. Thus, a waterproof hardshell hiking jacket can be Gore-Tex (if the brand manufacturing it uses Gore-Tex’s company to develop its product), or not (if the brand develops its own waterproof and breathable membrane).