The Best Women’s Rain Jackets for Soggy Adventures
45 jackets hit the trail. Only eight made it to the winners’ circle.
Author
Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan
Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan manages the women’s shells category for Outside from her home base of Missoula, Montana. Over her 12 years of testing and reviewing technical jackets, she’s been driven out of Washington’s Enchantments by freezing rain, hopped across Colombia’s squishy páramo landscape, and got engaged in a downpour at Glacier National Park.
My Stories
The 101 Best Miles of Hiking in the National Parks
America’s national parks boast thousands of stunning trail miles, but some are just a hair more amazing. Find the top 101 miles in the entire system on these 16 hikes.
14 Things All Backpackers Should Do Before Hitting The Trail
Want to make your hike better? A little time before you depart will save you a lot of hassle later.
43 Essential Skills to Take Your Backpacking Trip to the Next Level
Backpacking really isn’t that complicated. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Bad weather. A heavy pack. Blisters. Bears. Hazards big and small can sabotage any trip. Avoid common mistakes with these 100 tips and tricks for planning, hiking, and camping, and make your first—or next—trek problem-free.
The Best Shells of 2022
Fend off water and wind with these breathable, packable jackets
How to Avoid Mosquito Bites
Stay itch-free this summer with these guide-tested tips.
4 Lightning Myths That No Backpacker Should Believe
Knowing fact from fiction can help you avoid—and survive—a 54,000℉ strike.
8 Easy Backcountry Dinners You Can Cook for Pennies
Quite possibly the easiest meals you'll ever make with three ingredients or less
The Best Cold-Weather Apparel for Getting Your Kids Outside This Winter
Keep your little ones warm and dry with this cold-weather kit.
Weekly Obsession: This Kids’ Hiking Shoe Will Survive The Playground and the Mountain
The Keen Newport Shoe is durable and versatile.
The 10 Best Softshell and Hardshell Jackets of 2022
Block wind, rain, and snow with these protective outer layers.
Weekly Obsession: Stop Packing Out Period Waste With This Easy-Clean Gadget
The Lumma disc is the answer.
What We’re Testing Now: This Lightweight Wool Shirt is a Summer Superstar.
The Ibex Journey offers impressive thermoregulation, even on hot days.
Paddle Through a Florida Zoo in the Everglades
Alligators, birds, and even dolphins will be your company on this paddle.
This Goldilocks Softshell Squashes Shoulder-Season Chill
The Marmot WarmCube Novus Hoody will keep you warm—but not too warm—on early spring hikes.
Black Diamond TreeLine
The best value shell of 2021.
The North Face Flight Lightriser FUTURELIGHT
The lightest shell of 2021.
Odlo FLI 2.5L Waterproof Jacket
The best price-to-weight ratio shell of 2021.
First Lite Vapor Stormlight / Cascade Stormlight
the most versatile shell of 2021.
Direct Alpine Deamon
The most durable shell of 2021.
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0
The most comfortable jacket of 2021
Maloja Beifuss/Birne
The most breathable shell of 2021.
Outdoor Research Helium Wind Hoodie
The best windshell of 2021.
Montane Featherlite Smock
The best bargain shell of 2021.
The 11 Best Hiking Shells of 2021
Rain, sleet, snow, wind: These are our favorite shells of the season for any weather.
Columbia OutDry Ex Nanolite
The most breathable shell of 2021.
Norrøna Falketind
The shell with best features of 2021.
The 3 Best Softshell Jackets of Winter 2021
Find the sweet spot between weather protection and comfort with these flexible shells.
The 4 Best Hardshell Jackets of Winter 2021
Stay warm and dry with this season's most bombproof shells.
The Pacific Northwest Trail is Pitting Hikers Against Grizzly Bear Activists
In a remote corner of Montana, backpackers and wildlife advocates clash over the future of a bear population hanging on for dear life.
adidas Agravic Windweave Jacket
Best all-around
Montbell Storm Cruiser
Best all-around
The 10 Most Common Hiking Injuries and Illnesses and How to Treat Them
Learn how to treat the most common wilderness maladies with our guide to dealing with everything from bellyaches to broken bones.
51 Summer Camping Secrets Every Hiker Should Know
Maximize fun and minimize hassle with these essential tips on comfort, safety, cooking, and finding solitude during the high season.
Walking Off Heartbreak on America’s New Sacred Trail
Sacred paths the world over help hikers discover deeper truths about the world and themselves. But what truly makes a path transformative? Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan treks a new 170-mile loop in Montana in search of the pilgrimage she needs.
How to Make Your Own Energy Bars
Save money and eat better with these DIY trail snacks.
Hit the Beach in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
The sand beckons—but don't just throw down your towel and soak up the sun.
Explore a South Pacific Paradise in American Samoa National Park
The reefs and jungles of Mt. Alava are ripe for an off-beat trip.
Backpack the Desert in Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Towering cacti and no crowds make this a perfect hike for getting away from it all.
Get Lost in the Dunes of White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Walking in this gypsum dunefield is hard—but it's worth the trouble.
Endless Summer in the National Parks: Hike, Swim, and Snorkel the Caribbean
Reef Bay & Brown Bay, Virgin Islands NP
Ply the Bayous in Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas
The plains meet the bottomlands in this unique ecosystem.
Hiking the Deserted West Little Owyhee Canyon in Oregon
Toughen up to find total solitude on this 46-mile journey through a remote, untracked canyon. If you can get there, West Little Owyhee is worth the pain.
North Cascades National Park Hiking Guide
This remote park saves its best for hikers willing to tackle long miles and steep climbs. Our insider dishes the best ways to see its best views.
Recipe: Green Curry with Salmon
Bold flavors for the backcountry.
Top 3 Swimming Holes
Hot weather + cool water = late-summer heaven. Add a dose of backcountry solitude and scenic camping, and you might never leave.
Backpacker’s Top 3 Quad-Burning Trails
You're in mid-season shape; reap the rewards on some of the country's steepest hikes.