Best Waterproof Walking Jackets for UK Countryside Walks (2026)

If you walk in the UK, you already know the weather rarely makes up its mind. A walk can start bright and calm, then turn damp and windy halfway through, especially once you leave sheltered lanes and head into open ground.

A decent waterproof jacket doesn’t just stop you getting wet. It stops you slowing down, fiddling with layers, or cutting a walk short because you’re uncomfortable. The problem is that most jacket advice is either brand-led or aimed at mountain conditions that don’t reflect how most people actually walk.

This guide looks at the best waterproof walking jackets for UK countryside walks, so you can choose something that suits how you walk, not how gear companies think you should.

Best Waterproof Walking Jackets – Quick Picks

• Rab Downpour – Best all-round countryside jacket
• Berghaus Deluge Pro 3.0 – Reliable everyday waterproof
• Fjällräven High Coast Hydratic – Comfortable casual option
• Columbia Watertight II – More affordable choice

What Makes a Good Walking Jacket for the UK Countryside?

Waterproofing (what’s actually enough)
You don’t need expedition-level waterproofing for most UK countryside walks. What matters more is consistent rain protection over a few hours, not surviving a storm on a summit. Overbuilt jackets often feel stiff and unnecessary for lanes, woodland, and rolling hills.

Breathability (why jackets feel clammy)
Many “waterproof” jackets keep rain out but trap heat in. On steady walks, especially on mild days, poor breathability is often more uncomfortable than getting a bit damp from drizzle.

Under-arm vents (why they matter more than you’d expect)

Some jackets include zip vents under the arms (often called pit zips). They don’t look like much, but they make a noticeable difference on longer walks.

Breathable fabrics help, but they work slowly. Under-arm vents give you instant airflow when you start warming up, without needing to unzip the front and let rain in. They’re especially useful on mild, damp days or when you’re walking uphill.

Not every jacket has them, and once you’ve used a jacket that does, you really notice when they’re missing.

Hood design (often overlooked)
A good hood matters more than people expect. It should move with your head, shield your face from wind-driven rain, and stay put without constant adjusting.

Fit & length
Short, tight jackets can ride up and let rain in when you’re moving. A slightly longer cut with room for a layer underneath is often more comfortable for relaxed countryside walking.

Weight vs durability
Ultra-light jackets are tempting, but they’re not always the most pleasant to wear for long walks. For regular countryside use, a balance of comfort and durability usually beats shaving off a few grams.

Softshell vs Hardshell: Which Is Better for Countryside Walks?

Softshell jackets
Softshells are usually more comfortable to walk in. They’re quieter, stretchier, and better at dealing with light rain and wind on mild days. For sheltered lanes, woodland paths, and steady-paced walks, they often feel less fussy than fully waterproof shells.

Hardshell jackets
Hardshells are built for proper rain and exposed conditions. They block wind better and cope with longer spells of wet weather, but they can feel stiffer and less breathable on easier walks. They tend to make more sense when the weather is unsettled or when you’re out for longer.

Which makes sense for most people?
There isn’t a single “best” option. It comes down to how often you walk in persistent rain, how exposed your routes are, and whether comfort or weather protection matters more to you.

Do You Actually Need “Fully Waterproof” in the UK?

Not always, and that surprises people. For many countryside walks, especially on sheltered routes or shorter outings, water-resistant jackets can cope fine with light rain and drizzle. They’re often more comfortable, quieter, and less sweaty to walk in.

Where fully waterproof jackets earn their place is in persistent rain, exposed terrain, and longer walks where getting wet becomes uncomfortable rather than mildly inconvenient. Wind-driven rain, open hills, moorland, and coastal paths are where proper waterproofing really matters.

In the UK, it’s less about having the “best” jacket and more about matching it to the kind of walking you actually do, and the conditions you’re most likely to stick with, rather than hope for.

Recommended Waterproof Walking Jackets for UK Countryside Walks

Rather than chasing whatever is newest or most technical, these picks focus on jackets that suit real countryside walking. Think lanes, woodland, rolling hills, coastal paths, and long steady days rather than alpine extremes.

These are reliable options that balance comfort, weather protection, and everyday wearability.

You don’t need the most expensive jacket here. The right choice depends on how exposed your walks are and how often you head out in persistent rain.

Rab Downpour Waterproof Jacket (what I actually use)

This is the jacket I’ve been walking in myself, and it’s quietly become my go-to for typical UK days out.

It’s light enough not to feel annoying on longer walks, properly waterproof in steady rain, and comfortable layered over a fleece when it’s cooler. It doesn’t feel overly technical, which I like. Just practical, easy to wear, and reliable. The under-arm vents make a bigger difference than I expected, especially on longer walks or mild days when fully waterproof jackets can feel clammy.

It’s held up well on damp lanes, open paths, and longer countryside walks where the weather can’t quite decide what it’s doing.