A good camping jacket will protect you from rain and wind, keeping you warm even while you are inactive sitting around camp. If you aren't backpacking, you don't need to worry about weight - just focus on versatility and comfort.

Steps
1. Thumb through a couple of reputable outdoor magazines for equipment reviews and articles about equipment purchases to find out the most recommended models and manufacturers of outerwear. If there is a particular product that interests you and you can't find a review, call the manufacturer and ask if the product has been reviewed in an outdoor magazine.

2. Look for simplicity: The more features a jacket has, the heavier it will be, and the more likely that things will malfunction or tear.

3. Look for sleeves that are long enough to pull over your hands if the wind becomes nippy, with Velcro cuffs to adjust for a better fit with or without gloves.

4. Look for a jacket with an adjustable hood that's roomy enough to fit over a wool cap.

5. Make sure the jacket fits comfortably and loosely to allow for ventilation and layering underneath.

6. Look for a jacket with some insulation. Down is the warmest, lightest and most expensive insulator, but loses all insulating properties when wet; synthetic fibers are usually hypoallergenic, dry quickly and will insulate when wet, and are less expensive.

7. Check the zippers and Velcro closures to make certain they close securely and are covered with flaps to protect from the wind.

8. Consider a jacket with zippers in the arm pits - called "pit vents" - to allow for ventilation. If you sweat too much inside your jacket, you will get cold quickly.

9.  Buy a reputable brand from a reputable outdoor company, and make sure there is a return policy and warranty in case you have a problem.