People love spending time outdoors, but unpredictable weather conditions can shorten one’s adventures. Some women don’t like the idea of giving up, though, and will search for ways to remain active on rainy days. In this case, one thing they will need is a waterproof jacket.
Waterproof jackets can handle everything from drizzles to rain-soaked hiking trails, but which jacket is right depends on the type of activities one is set on. Whatever women want to do, this article will highlight four waterproof jackets that will help them to stay comfortable and dry this rainy season.
Table of Contents
A brief look at the waterproof jacket market
Women’s waterproof jackets: 4 types to stock in 2024
A closer look at the 3 waterproof jacket weights and features to consider
Final words
A brief look at the waterproof jacket market
Jackets are a huge part of the waterproof apparel market, which experts valued at U$ 3.864 billion in 2022. They say the global market will grow to US$ 5.935 billion by 2030 at a 5.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The market’s drivers include the rising adoption of rainwear as a fashion trend and its popularity among the working population.
The jackets segment was the most popular in 2022, accounting for 52.8% of the total revenue. While men were the dominant category in 2022, experts predict the women’s segment will experience the fastest CAGR (5.7%) from 2023 to 2030. Asia Pacific is also the most profitable region for the waterproof apparel market, with a 39.4% share.
Women’s waterproof jackets: 4 types to stock in 2024
1. Rain jacket
Women reach for rain jackets during downpours (heavy or light). But it goes deeper than that because not all rain jackets are the same. For instance, retailers can stock two types: waterproof hard shells and water-resistant softshells.
Choosing between the two types requires a few important questions. How hard would it be raining (light spring showers or heavy summer downpours)? What activity will the ladies do (hiking, fishing, or hanging around)?
Retailers can offer rain jackets with fully waterproof outer shells if women are battling heavy rains or engaging in intense physical activities. These hardshell jackets may be lightweight but can stop the rain (and other weather elements) from reaching the wearer without making ladies too hot.
On the other hand, women looking for solutions to lighter rain showers or less intense activities will only need water-resistant softshells. According to Google data, interest in rain jackets registered a recent 20% growth. It boosted from 135,000 monthly searches from February to April to 165,000 in May, June, and July 2024.
2. Puffer jacket
Rain jackets may be able to block out the wind and rain, but they won’t do much to keep women warm and insulated, especially during winter downpours. That’s where puffer jackets come in. Ladies can even pair them with hardshell rain jackets or use them alone.
However, a puffer jacket’s waterproofness depends on two factors. The first one is the type of insulation. Some puffer coats use natural down feathers, while others use synthetic options.
Natural down feathers offer impressive lightweight warmth but perform poorly when wet. Conversely, synthetic down insulation has better waterproofing qualities and can keep ladies warm in moist conditions. It even dries faster than its feather counterparts.
The second factor is technology. Some puffer jackets use fully waterproof technologies, making them excellent for various excursions. They can easily keep water out while being breathable enough to keep women dry.
Puffer jackets have attracted 246,000 monthly searches in the last three months (May, June, and July). However, winter is a different time for these jackets, as they reached 1.2 million searches in December 2023.
3. Parka
Here’s another go-to waterproof winter jacket: the parka. These jackets catch the attention of women hoping to brave those months with low temperatures and short days. Parkas are excellent because they combine the insulation of puffer jackets with the water resistance of a rain shell.
For this reason, parkas are an all-in-one jacket that can keep women warm and protected from whatever nature sends their way on their adventures. It’s why many people choose them for multiple seasons—despite parkas being winter jackets.
Women can use parkas for everything from fishing and hunting to skiing or snowshoeing. These jackets are usually longer than other jackets and may come with faux fur-lined hoods for extra cold protection. Retailers may also consider anoraks, the shorter-length parkas that offer all the benefits with extra mobility.
Google data shows parkas raked in 246,000 searches in July 2024. While impressive, they gained even more searches last winter, surging up to 673,000 searches in December 2023.
4. Trench coats
While the previously discussed jackets work for various physical activities, trench coats take a different approach. These jackets are the go-to for more stylish and practical women hoping to go about their daily activities without getting wet.
Thanks to materials like gabardine, trench coats offer impressive water resistance. They also combine functionality with a timeless aesthetic, offering features like a double-breasted front with large buttons, wide belts at the waist, and vented backs for easy movement.
These waterproof jackets are also famous for their long length. This length gives women extra protection from rain and boosts the coat’s versatility as an outerwear choice for formal and casual settings.
Trench coats are one of the most popular waterproof jackets, but they’ve been on a downward trend. They attracted 1 million searches in April 2024 but dropped to 550,000 in July the same year.
A closer look at the 3 waterproof jacket weights and features to consider
1. Lightweight
Women often choose lightweight and compact waterproof jackets for unpredictable summer weather. Since the weather can get hot or rainy, consumers need jackets they can easily stash away or bring out on their fast and light adventures. The goal is to provide waterproof performance without weighing the wearer down.
Here’s what these jackets often have:
- A 2.5-layer construction for lightweight designs
- Lightweight jackets also have taped seams and waterproof zips.
2. Midweight
Some days just require more rain protection. That’s when women will search for thicker, waterproof jackets to keep their adventures going regardless of the forecast. Midweight waterproof jackets are often comfortable and breathable to prevent wearers from overheating.
These jackets usually have the following:
- Midweight jackets come with breathable membranes to let moisture escape
- They may have helmet-compatible hoods
- These jackets come with extra breathability features like pit zips.
3. Heavyweight
Heavyweight waterproof jackets are for women taking on a storm in extreme mountains. They are tough enough to keep them protected and warm, making these jackets perfect for hiking in winter.
Heavyweight jackets often have the following features:
- These jackets come with impenetrable 3-layer constructions
- They have sleeve articulation to give women more effortless movement
- Heavyweight jackets also have two-way adjustable hoods
- They may come with taped seams and water-resistant zips
Final words
Finding the perfect waterproof jacket is one of women’s most essential decisions during the wet season. Whether they want to continue their exercise efforts or get to their destination without soaking in the rain, ladies can choose from multiple options to meet their needs.
Some fantastic options business buyers can offer them include rain jackets, puffer jackets, parkas, and trench coats. These options will keep women dry and returning for more in 2024. To continue getting steady content like this one, subscribe to the Alibaba Sports section.
