Beware: You should never explore wild caves alone or without proper gear. Consider getting in touch with a Grotto of the National Speleological Society at www.caves.org or a qualified cave club. These groups are skilled and will train you. Without sufficient knowledge, preparation, and equipment, cave exploring can lead to serious injury or death.
If you are a caver, investing in a waterproof jacket is one of the best decisions you can make. It will not only protect you from the rain, but also saves your body from the damp environment of the cave. Keep in mind that the temperature inside most caves drops dramatically once you are inside, and you will want both the warmth and protection that a high quality jacket will provide.
Most caves are in mountainous areas due to their geographical feature; They receive heavy rain time and time again, therefore, it is vital to wear a waterproof jacket if you are planning to visit them. You can wear it in both sunny and gnarly weather conditions.
Some people think waterproof jackets are just for rain or colder months.
This isn’t true; these days they are designed for all unpredictable weather conditions. That’s why they are packed with many extraordinary benefits and features, such as:
- Allow flexibility; facilitate in all motions.
- Keep your body dry during intense activities.
- Tough by design, but easy to store neatly and efficiently.
- Pretty fashionable and maintain an aura of freedom and adventure.
- Highly functional with many pockets.
One question people often ask is ‘How long does a waterproof jacket last?‘ It’s hard to guess a time frame because every jacket is made differently, and we have many brands of various quality available today. But a rough estimate, if we wear them frequently and in rougher climates, would be a year or less.
However, most of you will find that these jackets can easily last several years, especially if you are more careful while you are spelunking.
- A Quick Look at our Top 4 Caving Waterproof Jackets
- What kind of Top Should You Look For?
- What about Hoodies?
- Carhartt Men’s Storm Defender Lightweight Jacket
- Columbia Men’s Watertight II Rain Jacket
- FROGG TOGGS Women’s Java Toadz 2.5 Lightweight Jacket
- THE NORTH FACE Men’s Venture 2 Rain Jacket
- Conclusion
A Quick Look at our Top 4 Caving Waterproof Jackets
| Image | Product | Rating | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Lightweight  | Carhartt Men's Storm Defender Lightweight Jacket | 9.6 | Buy from AmazonBuy from Carhartt |
Most Popular  | Columbia Men's Watertight II Rain Jacket | 8.7 | Buy from AmazonBuy from Columbia |
Best Women's Jacket  | FROGG TOGGS Women's Java Toadz 2.5 Rain Jacket | 9.4 | Buy from AmazonBuy from Frogg Toggs |
Most Versatile Fit  | THE NORTH FACE Men’s Venture 2 Rain Jacket | 9.4 | Buy from AmazonBuy from BackCountry |
What kind of Top Should You Look For?
Ideally, your upper half should have multiple layers. This includes a comfortable shirt, or a sweater, with a waterproof outer layer that is durable and resistant to more than just a bit of water.
These jackets are chosen due to their ability to be layered comfortably, as well as their ability to survive in harsher climates like caves. We recommend you opt for something thin with a zipper, so you can easily adjust inside if it is warm or too humid.
What about Hoodies?
Hoodies are great for activities like hiking or camping, but not so much when it comes to caving. This is mostly because of the fact that you should have a headlamp inside, and hoodies can make things difficult. With that said, let’s take a look at some of these top waterproof jackets.
Carhartt Men’s Storm Defender Lightweight Jacket
This Carhartt Men's Storm Defender jacket is lightweight (4.2 oz) but very resistant. It seals out wind and heavy rain, so you stay dry and comfortable. Complete with water-repellent zippers and an adjustable hood, it has a fully seam-sealed design.
What customers say:
?Fits perfectly and packs small enough that I can take it everywhere I go.
?This is the best rain gear I've ever owned. I'm very pleased with the purchase.
- 10k/5k waterproof breathability rating
- Fully-taped waterproof seams
- Secure zippered pockets
- Stays comfortable even in heavy rain
- Velcro for tightening cuffs seems a bit oversized
- Hood is large enough to hang over the eyes if not wearing a helmet or visor
Columbia Men’s Watertight II Rain Jacket
Columbia offers several high quality waterproof jackets. This is the Men's Watertight II, a waterproof-breathable, fully seam-sealed jacket that keeps you nice and dry, even in the heaviest of rains. You can stuff it in its own hand pocket for easy storage anytime.
What customers say:
?This jacket has put in a lot of work lately and I'm very happy with my purchase. I highly recommend this jacket for anyone that is looking to have a loose jacket that doesn't overheat your body and also keeps you dry.
?Jacket is exactly as I expected: lightweight, easy to carry in a backpack, great fit, and comfortable wear
- Omni-Tech™ waterproof/breathable fully seam sealed
- Attached, adjustable storm hood
- Packable into hand pocket
- Abrasion resistant chin guard
- Some colors don't look that good in person
- Can be a bit tight under the arms/on shoulders in medium
FROGG TOGGS Women’s Java Toadz 2.5 Lightweight Jacket
Frogg Toggs's Java Toadz 2.5 is a Women's rain jacket that's lightweight and easy to layer. Boasting a breathable water and windproof fabric, it's our top choice for affordable women's caving jackets.
What customers say:
? It is thin for packing but kept me dry and was a great wind block on those windy days. I would absolutely recommend this jacket.
?This is my third FroggToggs raincoat in 40 years and I will never buy any other brand. It's the best.
- Fits well with room for another layer underneath
- Adjustable, attached hood with cord locks
- Zipper hand warmer pockets
- Interior has a slightly plastic feel to it
THE NORTH FACE Men’s Venture 2 Rain Jacket
The North Face's Venture 2 is a classic year-round rain jacket designed to withstand backcountry storms and is styled for everyday use.
Waterproof, breathable, and seam-sealed DryVent 2.5L fabric, this jacket delivers cozy comfort for both casual nights and adventurous outings.
What customers say:
?I love this jacket! Seams and construction are high quality (as you'd expect from anything North Face), and the fit is very comfortable.
?Lots of attention to detail with different functionality, and one of my favorite features is being able to unzip the armpit area to help give some needed air flow, especially if you are wearing this during warm rains in the summer.
- 2.5 layer propitiatory Dryvent fabric
- Tough and durable
- Fits Big & Tall body types
- Reasonably priced
- Not as breathable as some other jackets
- Hood cannot fit over a caving helmet
Conclusion
While figuring out whether to buy a caving suit or a jacket, or both, the best waterproof jacket for you will naturally depend on the environments you plan to be in. In many caving environments, water-resistant jackets can also work for you. The difference is in the construction. Water-resistant jackets keep you dry in light rain because of DWR (durable water repellent), but are not as effective as a 100% waterproof jacket.
People tend to buy water-resistant jackets for a humid environment, which is present in most caving systems. For a show cave or tourist cave, a water-resistant jacket can fulfill all your needs. But if you are going for the wild caves, and may face heavier rain or even flooding, be sure to have a waterproof jacket ready!
Do you have any suggestions for jackets that you tried but weren’t mentioned here? Let us know in the comment section.