Water resistance: In order to be 100 percent waterproof, a raincoat must be constructed from an impenetrable material like vinyl, plastic, or rubber. This style of raincoat is perfectly appropriate for city commutes, but not so much hiking or other athletic activities. For those, we looked for lightweight and packable jackets treated with a durable water-resistant (DWR) coating. Some of our favorites are also made from technical fabrics like Gore Tex. A water-resistant jacket should keep you dry in all but the most extreme cases, and it will also pack down and breathe much better than a traditional rubber coat. For extra protection against the elements, we also favored raincoats featuring reinforced seams, elasticized or velcro wrist cuffs, and covered zippers.
Comfort: Because your raincoat should keep you comfortable as well as dry, we looked for options with lots of (preferably zippered) pockets, underarm ventilation, and adjustable hoods.
Weight and length: We sought out a range of coats, jackets, anoraks and ponchos in varying lengths and weights, from classy trench coats to three-layer Gore Tex hard shells with stormproof hoods. The raincoat you choose will depend on its intended use: A mid-length, mid-weight jacket is ideal for dashing between subway stations, but when hiking, you probably just want something lightweight that protects your core.