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The best raincoats for everything from hiking to commuting.

Most of us have been there—an unexpected downpour rolls into town right when you're in the midst of commuting, or, worse, enjoying the great outdoors and you're either without a raincoat or stuck with a $25 one that somehow still manages to get you wet. A high-quality rain jacket is a closet staple no matter the time of year. In fact, we might even suggest that you have more than one depending on your activity level and location!

So, what exactly makes a high-quality rain jacket. Turns out, there's quite a few things. We sat down with Grace Wu, Product Analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper & Plastic Lab, and Amanda Constantine, Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute, to find out exactly what to look for.

No, these two terms are not interchangeable! Waterproof is the ultimate seal when it comes to rain. Absolutely no moisture should penetrate a waterproof raincoat. "To be truly waterproof, zippers and seams should also resist moisture to keep you completely dry," Constantine says. "This does mean that the material isn’t breathable, so true waterproof jackets can get hot and sweaty."

Water-repellant raincoats are oftentimes treated with a coating that actively repels water, though this will fade with every use and wash. "They’re not entirely impermeable to moisture, unlike waterproof materials, so you can expect to get a little wet if you’re out in the rain for an extended period of time," Constantine explains. "Jackets from these materials are typically more breathable and therefore more comfortable to wear."

Generally, if you're relying on a raincoat for daily use or in short bursts of heavy rain, you should be okay getting a water-repellant jacket. However, you will need to replace these every few years. If you live in a location that experience wet weather often or if you don't want to worry about buying a new jacket every few years, we recommend investing in a waterproof raincoat.

Your lifestyle will make a huge difference on what raincoat is suitable for you. For instance, if you're mainly using a raincoat during your commute or while out running errands, you probably want something that has more style than top-notch functions. But, if you're using your raincoat when hiking or for other outdoor adventures, functions like a breathable fabric and storm hood will probably be top priority.

You definitely do not want to use the same rain jacket for a 95 degree summer storm and a 5 degree snow storm. This is why most people prefer to have two or more different rain jackets to use depending on the season. For a summer raincoat, you'll want to look for a jacket that's lightweight and breathable. Many waterproof jackets feature fabrics that use cutting-edge technology to allow body moisture out of the jacket while not allowing rain to penetrate. "Coats that use a waterproof membrane may run a little warm for some users due to the decrease in air permeability or breathability," Wu says.

Waterproofing is essential for a winter raincoat. Not only is it unpleasant to have moisture seep into your coat, but it's also dangerous when it's freezing outside. You'll want to look for a coat with an outer shell that's waterproof and an inner lining of fleece, flannel, or another insulating material. Another option is to get a raincoat that is meant for layering so you can wear it alone in the summer and pair it with a coat in the winter months.

There's no way around it: the best way to care for your raincoat is to prevent damage. "Unfortunately, raincoats can’t be washed as often as say, t-shirts or leggings, because, at least for those made with topical finishes, the water-repellant finish can only withstand so many washes before it begins to lose its effectiveness," Wu says. If you really want a raincoat that will stand the test of time, you have to invest in a high-quality piece. In fact, "A finish for a rain coat/rain jacket only has to last 20 washes to be considered a 'lifetime finish.'" Wu explains.

Waterproof jackets will continue to repel liquids for years, making them naturally stain-resistant. Another option is to get a jacket that's waxed cotton as you can regularly re-wax.

Get ready for a bit of nerd-ing out here, but The North Face's FUTURELIGHT™ technology is a high-tech way to merge repellency and breathability seamlessly. Per Wu, "it uses a nanospun waterproof membrane that’s lightweight and offers more breathability." On top of that, it also features a non-PFC DWR finish for added protection.

This lightweight jacket is ideal for staying dry on any and all of your adventures. It features a high-neck zipper to be sure your entire neck is enclosed, three zippered pockets, and compresses into an included bag for maximum portability.

When it comes to high-quality pieces with the basic necessities at affordable prices, no one plays the game like Columbia. Their clothing is perfectly suitable for the slightly adventurous folk who find themselves on a hike or camping occasionally. It's affordable, durable, and has features the competent outdoorsman will appreciate.

Their Arcadia II Jacket is the redesigned version of their signature raincoat. It includes key features like an adjustable storm hood, drawcord adjustable hem, and zippered hand pockets. Columbia utilizes their Omni-Tech™ waterproof and breathable technology to keep you cool and dry.

Like we mentioned, this rain jacket is suitable for the novice to competent outdoorsman/woman. If you're an avid adventure-seeker, you'll likely want to splurge on the Arc-teryx or North Face jackets to get the top-notch features.

Raincoats aren't exactly known for their figure-flattering shape. A cinched waist is a go-to styling technique designers use to make this less-than-flattering silhouette look much better.

Paired with the gold button accents and muted leopard print, we might just wear this jacket on sunny days. And, fortunately, that's totally doable thanks to the detachable hood of this jacket. The polyester exterior is water-resistant and snap cuffs make sure no moisture can slip in through your wrists.

This leopard print version is a bit of splurge, but there's a slightly less expensive olive green color that's equally as cute.

The cinched-waist style strikes again with this flattering Amazon pick. The drawstring allows you to control just how tight you want the jacket to hug.

This adorable coat also features a blue-and-white striped inner lining that peeks out when the sleeves are rolled or if the hood is down. Speaking of the hood, it also has a drawstring adjustment.

Will this jacket last you for years to come? Most likely not, but it is a great deal to hold you over on a jacket you'll wear regularly until you're ready to invest.

A waterproof trench coat with detachable hood is a working woman's closet staple and 100% worth investing in. When well cared for, these coats can last decades and their classic design is always in style.

Originally launched in 2011, this J. Crew trench recently got a redesign that added some features that we can't live without, i.e. a detachable hood, while keeping so many that we already loved. The new, more-relaxed fit is great for layering on top of coats and jackets, making this the perfect winter weather commute cover. The cotton fabric has a water-repellant coating to keep you warm and dry.

Another feature we love about J. Crew's trench? The sizing. Ranging from 00-24 in regular and petite, this coat is perfect for just about anyone to get a near-exact fit.

It's hard to beat (or even compare to) Acr'teryx's durability and quality. Designed in partnership with W.L. Gore, creators of GORE-TEX, enables the brand to use cutting-edge technology to produce and test their products. And not only do the products get factory-tested; Arc'teryx's proximity to Canada's Coast Mountains allows them to field-test each and every product in real-life situations. Needless to say, they've set the current industry standard.

Their mid-thigh length Beta Coat is made with 3L GORE-TEX material that's waterproof and windproof and includes a GORE C-KNIT™ backer that enhances breathability. It's lightweight (just 320 g) and has an adjustable storm hood.

With all the high-tech manufacturing and field-testing, though, comes a high price point. If you live an active lifestyle and regularly find yourself facing the elements, then we'd encourage making the investment.

This trench-style raincoat from Uniqlo has a triple-layer structure, with a ripstop top and jersey inner that mixes efficiency and comfort in the best way. With an A-line silhouette, it's perfect for layering on chilly days, though it does provide wind-resistant protection.

We love the minimalist yet chic style of this raincoat that's perfect for use just about anywhere. It's stylish enough to throw on for your office commute but would also work well for a leisurely hike thanks to the ripstop top layer. In fact, Wu has owned this coat for years and attests that it still looks "fairly new after years of use and washes. It does run a little warm, but I love that it’s long enough that I can get away without using an umbrella in a pinch and stylish enough for non-rainy days."

One important distinction you'll want to note about this raincoat, however, is that it has a water-repellant coating and the actual fibers are not water-repellant. Translation: this coat will become less water-repellant through heavy usage.

Waxed canvas is one of the oldest forms of water-proofing fabric, originally discovered by Scottish sailers hundreds of years ago. While it's not waterproof, but water-resistant, waxed canvas coats mix comfiness and practicality perfectly, and no one does waxed canvas better than Barbour.

The way we see, waxed canvas coats are perfect for just about everywhere, from the fields to the farmer's market. They're stylish and classic yet flexible and sturdy, making them perfect for active and daily wear.

We get it—$400 is a lot of money. But, here's the thing—Barbour's coats are so high-quality that they've been known to last decades. After a century in business, they know what they're doing and how to make the absolute best waxed canvas coats. Barbour will also re-wax your coat as needed through the years to keep it in top water- and wind-resistant condition. You can even re-wax your own jacket at home, if you prefer. And, if you should ever need a new one, you can turn your used coat in for an $80 voucher on a new piece.

If you're not ready to invest in a Barbour coat just yet, L.L. Bean makes an excellent runner up at a fraction of the price. Their Adirondack Barn Coat features a similar style as the Beadnell, but with a bit more of a relaxed fit. The interior is also flannel-lined like Barbour to keep warmth in and wind out. And, of course, the waxed canvas is water- and wind-resistant.

One huge bonus of the L.L. Bean coat is that it's machine washable. While we would only recommend washing your coat when it's absolutely necessary (i.e. after many wears or if it's soiled in some way), this is a huge perk over the sponge wash-only Barbour.

The downside of the L.L. Bean coat? It doesn't have nearly the warranty or durability-potential of Barbour. You could re-wax this coat yourself, but there's no guarantee of how it will work, and L.L. Bean doesn't offer a re-waxing or sell back program.

When frigid temperatures and wet weather mix, we're ready to pull out all the stops to stay both dry and warm. Fortunately, not much is necessary if you've got this Lands' End parka on hand. In their own words, "with over 30 years of Wisconsin winters under our belt, we’ve learned a thing two about staying warm in wicked weather."

Constantine's pick for winter-weather raincoat, this Lands' End parka features a fleece-lined upper interior and quilted bottom interior. The fleece/quilting duo was designed to provide maximum warmth where needed, while leaving your bottom half protected yet breathable. Even the seams of this coat are sealed to prevent any moisture from finding its way inside.

The last thing we want to be wearing on 95 degree days is a jacket, nevertheless a raincoat meant to keep water out, therefore trapping moisture in. Alas, summer storms just don't care what we want! On those days, this is the jacket we turn to.

It's 100% waterproof with two layers of polyester for a lightweight yet protective covering. Weighing just 16 ounces, the jacket also has a vented back that allows a stream of steady airflow. Taped seams and a YKK AquaGuard® water-resistant zipper along with a storm hood ensure that you'll stay both cool and dry, because why try to keep the rain out if you're just going to sweat?