Best: For the environmentally conscious

Rating: 10/10

This all-rounder from Finisterre became a firm favourite during testing and seemed to be at home in any setting. Whether strolling around open settings or navigating streets between skyscrapers, we were confident that the storm bird could handle anything that was thrown at it. A three-layer waterproof with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish, it might get overlooked for something featuring Gore-Tex, but we didn’t find it wanting – rain would bead on the surface, keeping us dry throughout.

Its two front pockets are big enough to comfortably carry an Ordnance Survey map, there’s a third, internal pocket for keeping your phone dry, and an array of adjustable fastenings on the hem, cuffs and hood allowed us to get a perfect fit. Its biggest feature though is its sustainability status – the jacket is made from 100 per cent recycled fabric throughout.

Best: For extreme pursuits

Rating: 8/10

Adidas’ terrex myshelter Gore-Tex rain jacket is easily one of the more eye-catching waterproof jackets that we tested, thanks to pearlescent reflective detailing and its marigold-orange finish – but it’s more than just a looker. The jacket features Gore-Tex active fabric – the most breathable material in the iconic waterproof-specialising brand’s line – and you can tell. During some brisk hiking, the jacket kept us dry on the inside, while long, zipped vents on either side of the torso allowed us to up the airflow on milder days. Its helmet-compatible hood makes it one for climbers, and its big zip puller makes it easy to adjust, even when wearing gloves. Although it is designed to be oversized, we found that the medium tested was slightly larger than we’d like, so it might be best to opt for a size down when ordering.

Best: For hiking

Rating: 8/10

Hiking in the middle of the summer should only require a waterproof for the odd shower, but there were a few rather mild, wet weeks in August where we were glad to have packed this shell from Columbia in our holiday luggage. The jacket helped to keep us warm on cooler starts to the day or when entering sheltered, shaded areas, but it didn’t flounder when the mercury rose. Underarm venting added to the jacket’s overall breathability, and its fully seam-sealed construction ensured any water stayed on the outside. Nice finishing touches include a micro-fleece fabric lining on the zip that prevents it irritating your neck and face, and an easily accessible external chest pocket big enough for a smartphone and some snacks.

Best: For those on a budget

Rating: 7/10

While £110 might not seem cheap for a waterproof, it’s the minimum you’ll have to pay for something that actually does what it’s supposed to. The downpour eco is Rab’s everyday option and we found it to be a good addition for general wear and less taxing walks. Its 2.5-layer construction with DWR treatment is not only 100 per cent recycled, but can be fully recycled at the end of its life too, meaning it lives up to its “eco” label. The only downside we found when testing was that the inside of the jacket felt clammy against bare skin, but this is only an issue if wearing a T-shirt.

Best: For looking seriously smart

Rating: 9/10

A waterproof jacket can be quite an investment, so it’s understandable if you want to buy something that is not only functional on bridle paths but wouldn’t look out of place in the boardroom too. Enter the fubus GTX jacket from Swedish brand Häglofs. A long, parka-length cut ensures the tops of your trousers stay dry when the rain starts falling, and storm flaps over the top of the two front pockets keep your belongings safe too. Its two-layer construction uses Gore-Tex fabric to stop any wind or moisture getting inside, and a mesh-lined torso provides enough breathability to not need arm vents – whether on the trails or public transport.

Best: For storage space

Rating: 7/10

Waterproof hardshells have a reputation for being on the minimalistic side, but this isn’t an issue with Keela’s prosport offering. As well as passing the waterproof, windproof and breathability tests with flying colours, we found that the prosport gave us more storage than any of the other jackets we tried. In addition to two deep front pockets and a roomy chest one, the jacket even has its own concealed security pocket that’s big enough for an OS map. Although a little on the heavy side for a waterproof, we forgave it this slight issue because we rarely had to take a bag when wearing it.

Best: For lightweight protection

Rating: 8/10

If you were tasked with finding the most expensive jacket when it comes to cost-per-gram, then the beta LT from Arc’teryx is probably it. But for those who need their kit to be lightweight at all costs, it’s well worth the investment. Constructed from a three-layer Gore-Tex fabric, we found the jacket to be so minimalist, we almost forgot we were wearing it – until it started bucketing down, at which point we were glad we were. Its featherweight stature doesn’t mean it’s a pushover though, and it was durable enough to be wearing a bag or heading onto challenging terrain without fear of tears.

Best: For packability

Rating: 8/10

Waterproofs are an obvious layer to take with you if you’re heading out for a walk and it’s raining or looking like it will. But rain can sometimes appear from nowhere, and if your jacket is still hanging up in your hallway, you’re going to get wet. The torrentshell 3L from Patagonia solves this issue in a neat way – it can be self-stuffed into one of its pockets, leaving you with a compact package that can be shoved in a walking bag or even clipped to the outside of one courtesy of a carabiner. Aside from this party trick (which it takes about 10 seconds to unravel from, if you’re suddenly caught in a storm), the jacket features a three-layer shell that stood up to anything we threw at it, and had one of the best hoods on test.