Don’t be fooled by the fact it’s meant to be summer – rain in the UK is usually never too far away. That’s why if you’re heading to a British festival you’ll need to take a trusty waterproof with you to save you from getting completely soaked in a downpour.
Most on the list are completely waterproof but if you’re heading to sunnier climates for a festival, there are a few fashion-forward “showerproof” options that will keep you warm as the sun sets (don’t rely on them for complete protection from the rain, though). And we haven’t forgotten about men either, here’s our separate round-up of waterproofs for you.
We tested jackets for comfort, rain protection, style and how easy they are to pack away to find the ones worth taking to a festival. There’s a range of prices, but generally the more you’re willing to spend, the more weather protection you’ll receive.
1. Joules Go Lightly Pack Away Waterproof Parka: £44.95, Joules
Joules has a great range of pack-away parkas in colourful prints and designs. Our favourite is this blue spotty jacket that will keep you dry in heavy downpours. It’s extremely lightweight and built for layering over thicker clothing, while the hood is large enough to keep all your hair protected. The pockets on the front are big so there’s plenty of space to slip your hands into and keep them warm. The jacket itself conveniently packs away into the pocket leaving plenty of extra room in your rucksack for a cider or two. You can use it on rainy dog walks after festival season is over too.
2. The North Face Cagoule Short Jacket: £160, The North Face
Known for its high-performance gear, The North Face has a range of fully waterproof jackets to pick from that will all stand up to the harshest weather conditions. We like this cagoule for festivals, coming in both navy and white. The zip front fastening goes all the way up to the top of your neck so when you put the hood on you can cover most of your face using the additional poppers and drawstring pull, giving you maximum protection. This meant our face stayed dry in a downpour and the adjustable cuffs and drawstring pull at the bottom of the jacket means you can keep your top half dry and warm too. The pockets also have a zip so you can store valuables safely. Ideal for hiking and other outdoor pursuits after festival season has finished, if you’ve got a bigger budget, this is a safe choice.
3. Hunter Women’s Original Clear Smock: £145, Hunter Boots
Hunter has a range of festival-appropriate gear, including this stylish, see-through waterproof jacket seen on the likes of model Lottie Moss and actress Natalie Dormer. You can rely on it for complete protection from the rain and the hood sits comfortably over your head – saving your festival hair-do from the elements. The draw cord at the waist means it’s a more flattering design than most on the list and there’s a range of colours to pick from. This jacket is also long enough to sit down in, covering your bottom and keeping your shorts mud-free. It’s also robust and will last you for years, making it worth the initial investment.
4. Topshop Metallic Mac: £39, Topshop
Ok, so this one won’t protect you from heavy downpours but it’s on trend when it comes to festival fashion. The metallic blue is bright and colourful, while the wide pockets at the front are ideal for storing the odd item or keeping your hands warm. We’d recommend packing a fully waterproof option too though, just in case the weather decides to take a turn for the worse. Conveniently, this mac is lightweight, so it wouldn’t be heavy to carry in your rucksack.
5. Asos Holographic Unicorn Print Pac Away Mac: £20, Asos
Focussing more on fashion than rain resistance, this unicorn-patterned poncho is a fun addition to your festival wardrobe. It only comes in one size and it’s fairly large so it’ll cover your whole outfit, making it easy to sit down on damp or muddy ground without fear of getting your clothing dirty. There’s a large pocket on the front too with a popper fastening so you can store your phone and valuables somewhere safe while you party by the Main Stage. We enjoyed wearing it and it was a popular option with friends who loved the design but it’s fairly thin and probably wouldn’t stand up to heavy downpours. It packs away into its pocket though, so will take up minimal space if you wanted to take an extra, more weather resistant waterproof too.
6. Adidas Women Originals Info Poster Rain Jacket: £110, Very
Athleisure is big at the moment and that’s why this vintage-style Adidas jacket is ideal for festivals. Apart from being on trend it’s also waterproof, long enough to cover most of your clothing and will go with all festival-inspired outfits. It’s fairly thin and lightweight meaning it’s a good top layer over jumpers and T-shirts and it’s a loose fit, so your movement doesn’t feel restricted. This jacket should last for years too, so it’s worth splashing out on.
7. Boohoo Ellie Floral Hooded Festival Rain Mac: £16, Boohoo
If you’re on a tight budget and not too bothered about your jacket being fully waterproof, this floral print mac from online retailer Boohoo is worth considering. It will stand up to light showers (not heavy rain) but the gathered waist and bright print make it a more flattering option than others on the list. The hood is attached with poppers so you can take it off depending on the weather and the pockets have a Velcro opening to keep valuables safe. Its mid-thigh length also means you can sit on muddy or damp ground without getting your shorts dirty.
8. Canada Goose Hayward Shell: £350, Canada Goose
Best known for its quilted, feather-down winter jackets, Canadian brand Canada Goose also has a range of lightweight waterproofs that will keep you dry in heavy rain. With the familiar logo on the arm, this semi-fitted jacket is understated and stylish. It hangs loosely over clothing, has wide pockets and a thick collar and hood (which zips away) for protection against wind and rain. The cuffs also extend over the top of your hands for extra protection. With a mid-thigh length it’s also the ideal length for protecting your outfit and can pack away into the pocket for easy storage. It’s expensive but we think it’s worth it.
9. Seasalt Rain Collection The Reversible Raincoat: £79.95, John Lewis
Based down in Cornwall, Seasalt knows a thing or two about rain and its jackets are waterproof and windproof. The best thing about this coat is that it’s reversible: opt for fisherman yellow or navy, depending what your festival outfit of the day calls for. The cut’s roomy so you can fit a jumper under it for chillier evenings and the hood is big enough to actually keep the rain off your face – and protect your do – while you’re watching the headliners. It’s still lightweight though so isn’t a hassle to carry around and it gets bonus points for pockets big enough to stash your essentials – and possibly a can of cider or two.
The Verdict:
For a reasonably priced waterproof that will keep you dry, go for the Joules Pack Away Parka. For complete protection from all the elements, try The North Face or for something more trend-led try Topshop.
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