The 5 Best Rain Jackets for Men of 2023
Nội Dung Chính
Best Overall Rain Jacket
Arc’teryx Beta Jacket
OVERALL
SCORE
Weight: 10.75 ounces | Pockets: Two zippered hand
REASONS TO BUY
Top-tier storm worthiness
Excellent freedom of movement
Long-lasting DWR
Harness and pack-friendly pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Hood does not fit well over a helmet
No venting options
Does not stuff into its pocket
10.75 ounces |Two zippered hand
The Arc’teryx Beta scored at or near the top in all our scoring metrics and is our favorite overall. It is hearty enough for soggy week-long backpacking trips but also light and compact enough not to add much bulk to your pack. This jacket offers equal or better storm protection than most heavy-duty hard shells and provides some of the better breathability and mobility of any model we tested. The features are intuitive and user-friendly, and the waterproof coating has stood the test of time.
On the downside, the Beta doesn’t have any ventilation features, so folks who run warmer won’t have quick options to “dump” heat besides unzipping the jacket. The hood, though comfortable, doesn’t fit well over a helmet, and it’s not designed to stuff into a reversible pocket. Still, this jacket is superbly designed and feature-rich, and these amenities come at a premium price. Despite being one of the more expensive jackets in the category, for those who need a waterproof jacket worthy of meeting demanding conditions, this one is surely worth the upgrade for its top-notch performance.
Read more: Arc’teryx Beta Jacket review
The Beta is pricey, but this jacket is one of our absolute favorites for lightweight waterproof protection.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Best Bang For The Buck
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX
OVERALL
SCORE
Weight: 12.3 ounces | Pockets: Two zippered hand
REASONS TO BUY
Incredible price for a Gore-Tex jacket
Stormworthy
Very breathable
Nice hood design
DWR is robust
REASONS TO AVOID
Slightly clammier than other Gore-tex models
Wets out quicker than pricier jackets
Hood doesn’t fit over a helmet
So-so mobility
12.3 ounces |Two zippered hand
The REI Co-Op XeroDry GTX is a nicely-designed jacket at a great price. Though there are plenty of nicer, lighter rain shells out there, it’s tough to find other Gore-Tex options with this level of performance for less money. The XeroDry outperforms all less expensive options and more closely measures up to its pricier peers. It offers above-average weather protection and breathability at a decent weight and packed size.
The XeroDry does have a few downsides. Compared to several higher-end models, we found it has a slightly clammier interior and a tendency to wet out faster than spendier 3-layer models. However, these are minor differences, and this jacket’s price is hard to beat for its performance; it blows away the competition in a similar price range.
Read more: REI Co-Op XeroDry GTX review
The XeroDry offers incredible value and performance for the price. You can purchase a less expensive model, but not that will provide the performance this one does.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Best on a Tight Budget
Helly Hansen Loke
OVERALL
SCORE
Weight: 9.5 ounces | Pockets: Two hand
REASONS TO BUY
Incredible price
Pit zips
Respectable packed volume
REASONS TO AVOID
Zipper isn’t waterproof
Wets out quicker than pricier jackets
Hood doesn’t fit over a helmet
9.5 ounces |Two hand
The Helly Hansen Loke is a bargain raincoat with above-average performance. It offers decent storm protection, and the pit zips and loose mesh pockets make for a breathable jacket. It is super lightweight and packs down small into its own pocket for easy and convenient carrying when the sun is shining. Though its hood and waist toggles are basic, they get the job done, providing enough adjustability to get a solid seal; a combination of elastic and velcro offers the same protection around the wrists.
Don’t get us wrong, there is a noticeable difference in quality between this jacket and other top contenders. The zipper is not waterproof — instead, the jacket relies on a velcro flap over the top of it to keep moisture out, which it does if it’s not raining too hard for too long. Though the mesh pockets are breathable, they also strike us as more easily rippable. That said, if you need a rain layer for less intense climates and want to save some bucks for other goodies, this is a great contender to have in your closet.
Read more: Helly Hansen Loke review
The Helly Hansen Loke is one of our favorite low-cost jackets.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Best Mobility and Freedom of Movement
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket
OVERALL
SCORE
Weight: 10.5 ounces | Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest
REASONS TO BUY
Above-average mobility
Stows into a hidden mesh pocket
Nice interior feel
Very good breathability
REASONS TO AVOID
Only average storm protection
Shoulders and hood wet out faster than other models
Easy to over-tighten hood to the point where ears hurt
10.5 ounces |2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest
Constructed with an extremely stretchy material and a well-designed cut, the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is a champ for anyone who demands a high degree of mobility from a technical layer. Anyone lucky enough to get out in the Ozonic will appreciate its pleasant interior “feel” and some of the better breathability in our lineup.
Though we love almost every aspect of this jacket, it only offers average storm protection and weather resistance. Don’t get us wrong, it isn’t bad by any means, and it will certainly keep you dry in light rain or a short-duration downpour, but the Ozonic tends to wet out slightly faster than other models and isn’t our first choice if we know we’re going to be logging a lot of time in the rain. On the other hand, if moderate is on the horizon and excellent mobility is paramount, this is one to seriously consider.
Read more: Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket review
The Stretch Ozonic was our top pick for any activity that demands a high degree of mobility. All of our testers loved its stretchy fabric, top-tier breathability, and cozy feeling interior.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
An Excellent Air-Permeable Option
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0
OVERALL
SCORE
Weight: 14.4 ounces | Pockets: 2 hand, 1 interior zipperedchest
REASONS TO BUY
Very breathable
Stretchy fabric
Versatile
Well designed hood
REASONS TO AVOID
Wets out faster than non-stretch competitors
Average weight and packed volume
14.4 ounces |2 hand, 1 interior zipperedchest
The Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is the stretchiest air-permeable rain jacket that we’ve tested. No model matches its blend of durability, comfort, and freedom of movement while maintaining top-tier breathability. The advantage of this jacket is the high level of breathability, regardless of user temperature or external environmental factors. This jacket is also supremely stretchy and offers excellent articulation and an athletic cut.
A downside to the Kinetic Alpine is that it just can’t match the weather protection of top performers on extended rainy days. It is definitely acceptable for a few hours of wet hiking, ice climbing, snowshoeing, or ski touring, but if you’ll be hanging out in a chronically wet camp, we’d steer you toward a Gore-Tex jacket. The excellent breathability also means that you’ll cool down much faster than with a more traditional model. It isn’t that the Kinetic doesn’t offer solid weather resistance; there are just a handful of burlier models that perform better for hanging out in constant rain. This coat is well-suited for aerobic activities (hiking, backpacking, ski touring, or anything moving) where some added wet protection is needed.
Read more: Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 review
We worked up a sweat in our rain jackets to see just how breathable they really are.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Compare Products
select up to 5 products to compare Score Product Price
82
$400
77
$230
76
$225
76
$279
75
$170
73
$220
72
$169
71
$295
70
$100
69
$170
69
$179
68
$230
68
$329
65
$100
65
$140
55
$100
50
$100
What does waterproof really mean? Rain adds three pounds per square inch of pressure to the fabric; however, most waterproof breathable fabrics can withstand a lot more than that. The US military has a 25 PSI standard that most companies use as a guideline. All the fabrics are plenty waterproof to keep you dry out in the rain. How long they last, how well they keep water out, and overall design have a major impact on their ability to keep you dry.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Why You Should Trust Us
This review is the result of over 400 field hours of hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and hanging out in wet weather. We loaned these jackets out to our friends to get more opinions on less objective tests like comfort. These jackets were tested in the Cascade Mountains, temperate rainforests of Western Washington, and the damp and humid midwest and East Coast. When the rain wasn’t pouring from the sky, it was pouring from our garden hoses and showers, where we had timed spray tests with each product to figure out their limits in a focused, side-by-side setting. We take testing seriously both in the field and in our home labs to help produce the best reviews possible.
We rate rain jackets on five performance metrics:
- Water Resistance (30% of overall score weighting)
- Breathability (25% weighting)
- Comfort and Mobility (20% weighting)
- Weight and Packability (15% weighting)
- Durability (10% weighting)
We rate rain jackets on
This review is headed by Ian Nicholson and Ben Applebaum-Bauch. Ian is a professional internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide who has spent over 2,000 days guiding in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, the Andes, European Alps, and beyond. Ian estimates he has worn a rain jacket over 800 days over the last two decades because he guides and lives in the rainy and wet Pacific Northwest. Ben has spent over a decade in blustery northern New England. He has guided backpacking, cycling, and canoeing trips all over the region, as well as maritime Canada. He is also an avid thru-hiker, completing treks of some of America’s most iconic long trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Long Tail, Colorado Trail, and several others. Having spent more than 400 nights in the backcountry, he knows the value of a reliable waterproof rain jacket.
Checking out and making notes on every feature, inside and out.After heavy precipitation, the exterior just can’t bead quite as well as traditional jackets.Extra features like this waist cinches on the Arc’teryx Beta can make all the difference when you’re in a true downpour.
Analysis and Test Results
Our selection involves a wide range of products, from budget-friendly to the most stormworthy. We also select models that excel at specific applications or have particular attributes — for example, the lightest and most packable or the stretchiest, most mobile jackets. Each is evaluated across several important metrics to determine which are the best overall and which are best for specific applications or types of users.
Value
The answer to “is this piece of gear worth the money? is rarely crystal clear, as so much depends on the user. However, to quantify value, we compare a jacket’s overall score to its retail price. Items with high price tags also ideally perform exceptionally, and of course, we are always on the lookout for products with disproportionately high scores relative to their price.
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L and REI Co-op XeroDry GTX are two of the best and highest value options on the market today. Both offer great functionality and will keep you dry in most rainy conditions. Neither are as high quality as our top-scoring models, but they are roughly half the price of higher-end products without a massive drop in performance. If you’re on an even tighter budget, the Helly Hansen Loke is one to look closely at. It’s certainly not a premium jacket, but it performed admirably for a steal of a price. If you only need a rain jacket occasionally, this is a great product to have in your closet without having to empty your wallet.
Rain is not going to penetrate the fabrics that any of these jackets are constructed with. In a downpour, however, running water can seep its way in through a pocket zipper, down your wrist when you reach overhead, or where the hood meets your neck, and thus the features and design of each model is the most critical part of keeping you dry.
Credit: Ian Nichcolson
Water Resistance
A rain jacket’s primary job is to keep you dry in wet weather. With that in mind, We extensively tested each model in the real world using each contender in the rain, wind, sleet, and snow, as well as controlled environments like our showers, to assess zippers and other openings (e.g., cuffs) to see how long they take to wet out.
All of the products that we tested meet the technical requirements for waterproofing. However, this doesn’t mean they all perform at the same level. The jackets all feature a waterproof fabric that is seam-taped after sewing, creating a complete seal. What differentiates the performance of each is how well and how long they keep out water. This is the result of several factors but generally refers to specifics of design aspects such as the hood, cuffs, pocket(s), front/primary zipper, pit zips, and other vents.
A well-designed hood like the one on the Arc’teryx Beta is an important factor that impacts how dry a rain jacket will keep you.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
A jacket’s ability to keep its wearer dry also has a lot to do with the make-up and construction of its waterproof insert (more frequently called a membrane) and its Durable Water Repellent or DWR treatment. This treatment is factory applied to the fabric’s exterior and makes the water bead when it lands on the surface of the jacket, allowing it to shed the precipitation. Even though both nylon and polyester are hydrophobic, if they aren’t treated with a DWR, they will become covered with a thin but continuous film of water and will frequently appear wet — this is referred to as “wetting out.” Therefore, we consider the longevity of the DWR coating and its ability to resist wetting out after extended periods.
In addition to real-world rain testing, we also take these jackets into the high-pressure environment of a shower to see how they stand up.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Arc’teryx Beta, Marmot Minimalist, and Outdoor Research Foray II offer the group’s most robust weather resistance. These models all do an excellent job of sealing out precipitation in all forms and have well-designed wrist cuffs and hoods that cinch down to keep the elements out. In addition, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L, Patagonia Storm10, and REI XeroDry GTX offer good DWR and resist wetting out — both over time and during a single day out in heavy weather.
The Beta uses a 3-layer Gore-Tex construction and an excellent design that proved among the best at keeping its wearer dry in both our shower and garden hose tests, as well as in real-world use.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
A jacket wetting out reduces breathability in that wet area. Water may or may not be making it through the fabric. Still, in nearly all cases, the continuous film of water eliminates all breathability. The wet-looking area will feel cold, wet, or clammy from the inside and look like the liquid is getting through. A jacket that is wetting out will also be heavier due to water weight and feel cold or damp — which no one appreciates.
The OR Foray uses Gore-Tex with Paclite technology for its weather resistance, along with a 50D external face fabric, which was among the most durable in the review.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Breathability
Our water resistance metric measures and compares how well each jacket keeps its wearer dry from the outside. In contrast, our breathability and ventilation metric quantifies how well each model keeps its wearer dry from the inside by allowing sweat, moisture, and heat to escape.
Interestingly, waterproof fabrics tend to distinguish themselves the greatest from one another from the perspective of breathability, even more so than weather protection. Though some may not always feel like it, all of these multi-layered fabrics are breathable, allowing water vapor to wick through the material from the inside to the outside, where it can evaporate.
We also look at how effectively each model dumps heat and moisture and how effectively vents like pit zips or meshed pockets work, even if you’re in a downpour. A vent might be well-designed at dumping heat, but it isn’t doing its user much good if it lets more rain inside the jacket than body moisture out. By prioritizing real-world venting functionality, our review team noticed some of the more significant differences between models and ventilation designs.
Pit zips keep the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (and many others in the category) a little more breathable.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
What’s the deal with DWR?
DWR (durable water repellant) is a coating applied to the outside of many high-end rain jackets. Despite what its name implies, DWR is not meant to keep you dry (that’s the job of the main material: Gore-Tex or some other proprietary fabric). Though DWR is responsible for the really satisfying beading that you see on the outside of a jacket, its primary role is to keep water off of the fabric surface so that it can remain breathable from the inside and effectively release water vapor (sweat) while keeping out precipitation.
Another feature to consider is a jacket with air-permeable fabric. Air-permeable is a new buzzword (and a technical term) in the outdoor industry, and it refers to a material that allows air to pass through at all times. This is in contrast to most waterproof-breathable garments, which rely on a heat and/or pressure differential to force moisture through the material. This does mean that air-permeable jackets, on a micro-level, aren’t technically windproof. With that said, they feel windproof, though they are cooler than most folks are used to when you stop moving. We feature several air-permeable models in our review, the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 and Outdoor Research Microgravity being two of our favorites.
The Microgravity is one of the more breathable models. Its air-permeable fabric means there doesn’t have to be a big temperature difference for it to perform well and it keeps working even once you’ve stopped moving. While it doesn’t have any traditional vents, most of our testers didn’t find that to be problematic; if you really need to, you can dump a little heat by unzipping its mesh-lined pockets.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
One common misconception is that air-permeable fabric must also be more breathable than Gore-Tex, eVent, or other proprietary waterproof fabrics. However, this isn’t always the case. Air-permeable fabrics offer a much more static level of breathability, meaning they always let the same amount of moisture through, regardless of user exertion or environmental conditions. This is in contrast to high-end materials like Gore-Tex Paclite, normal Gore-Tex, or eVent, which all have a fluctuating level of breathability. These fabrics breathe when there is a temperature differential (and temperature differences inherently create a pressure difference) between the inside of the jacket and the outside environment. In these ideal conditions and scenarios, these materials will likely breathe better than most air-permeable models, as they have a higher ceiling of potential breathability that is likely reached with exertion in a cold environment.
The super stretchy air-permeable material of the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is great for both mobility and breathability.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Effective venting options like pit zips, side zips, core vents, or other zippered ventilation designs can prove incredibly useful for users who run warmer or for variable weather. Besides a jacket’s front primary zipper, pit zips are the next most effective ventilation tool for dumping heat and moving moisture, with the advantage of not letting much moisture back in. Pit zips generally allow more moisture to escape than “core vents,” a fairly generic term for mesh-lined pockets that you can leave open to let a little moisture out. The Outdoor Research Foray II has super long side zippers that extend from the middle of the arm down to the bottom hem. You can completely open up the jacket, practically transforming it into a poncho.
The Foray’s TorsoFlo ventilation dumps heat quickly.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
The most breathable materials in our review tended to be those that use Gore-Tex and air-permeable materials. These two types of materials were a cut above the rest when we were out working hard on a rainy winter hike, as they can pass an impressive amount of moisture at an astounding rate. The most breathable models that feature an air-permeable fabric are the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0, using Proflex, and Outdoor Research MicroGravity using AscentShell. The most breathable non-permeable options are the Marmot Minimalist, Arc’teryx Beta, Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic, and Helly Hansen Loke.
The Minimalist features Gore-Tex Paclite, which is among the most breathable fabrics we tested. It also has pit zips to help dump extra heat and assist in moving moisture.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Comfort and Mobility
For whatever activities you have planned, you’ll want a jacket that moves comfortably with you and doesn’t inhibit your movement. In the mobility portion of this metric, we compare how each model moves in use and how restrictive it is, depending on the activity. We tested each model’s overall freedom of movement for general applications and a handful of specific activities like climbing and ski touring. We also explicitly compare how well a model’s hood maintains peripheral vision and how it moves with the head. We compared each jacket with our arms stretched out straight forward, up, and tdo the sides. We measured how much each one pulled back from our wrists and if the hem of the jacket pulled up around our waists.
In the comfort portion of this metric, we consider the small features that make a given product more enjoyable to wear and the feel of the interior material. We note small features like a microfleece patch at the chin or soft fabric where the hood rests on the brow, which are design inclusions that create a nicer wearing experience. We also consider the ease of use of each feature, comparing cinch cords for the hood and how easy to access and adjust they were. Some jackets add larger fabric pull tabs to the zipper — rather than small pieces of cord — to make them easier to adjust with cold fingers or gloves.
Which jacket has the best range of motion? Only one way to find out.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
The models with the best range of motion are the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic and the ultra-stretchy Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0. Though the number of stretch models continues to grow, the Kinetic Alpine is the stretchiest we have ever seen and offers nearly restriction-free movement. The only thing worth noting is that it has a slimmer fit aimed at more technical pursuits. Those who want to add more than one thin layer underneath should consider sizing up.
All of our testing team loved the Ozonic’s stretchy material and appreciated how nicely it maintained our range of motion nearly regardless of activity.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Next in line for the best freedom of movement and mobility are the Outdoor Research Microgravity, Arc’teryx Beta, and Black Diamond Stormline Stretch. These models feature mobility-oriented designs and offer a functional range of motion that is just a small notch below the top two, though all score well for different reasons.
The sleeves on the Beta are longer than average, making this jacket a favorite for performing tasks with our hands above our heads. Despite the extra length, we didn’t feel like there was any extra bagginess in the sleeves.The Stormline is constructed with a stretchy material that facilitates some of the better mobility and range of motion among any model in our review.
Good range of motion makes a huge difference in a rain jacket
Features
If you’re wearing your jacket around town, having room in the pockets for gloves and a warm hat or a phone and keys can be nice. Interior pockets can offer additional peace of mind, and each jacket has a slightly different take on hoods, toggles, zippers, and cinch cords.
Consider whether you would like to use your rain jacket with a climbing or bike helmet. While any hood can be worn under a helmet, it can be more convenient (and comfortable) if it can be pulled on and off quickly by fitting over the top.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Hood Design
A good hood will keep your head dry without chafing the chin or limiting peripheral vision, and the effectiveness from jacket to jacket can vary wildly. Our favorite hoods are on the Arc’teryx Beta and Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0, with the Outdoor Research Foray II, Patagonia Storm10, and Patagonia Torrentshell 3L not too far behind.
We really value a well-executed hood like the one on the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L which has a toggle in the back that tightens a cord around the circumference of the head, holding it securely in place.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The hood on the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is of special note because it features an internal elastic band designed to ride directly on the forehead, acting as an internal gasket to the main hood. As crazy as this sounds, and trust us, most of our review team was skeptical, it turned out to be comfortable and effective, maintaining top-notch peripheral vision.
From beanies to baseball caps, each one of these jackets featured hoods that cinched down over a range of headwear, maximizing the hood’s ability to turn with its user’s head — instead of turning into it — though our hands-down favorite hood is on the Arc’teryx Beta.
Pockets
It is tough to understate the utility of pockets, as everyone uses them at least sometimes. They are unquestionably helpful in keeping track of small items, keeping certain things close at hand, and are a convenient place to warm your hands. Not all pockets are created equal though, and their size and location can greatly impact their overall usefulness. For example, lower handwarmer pockets are great for around town but can be a nuisance and rendered nearly or entirely unusable while wearing a harness or heavy pack.
If a jacket’s handwarmer pockets are too low, they are rendered totally useless by the waist-belt of a pack or a harness and can pinch the wear’s hips quite uncomfortably under heavier loads. We prefer models with higher handwarmer pockets, as seen here on the Arc’teryx Beta, or at least lower-profile zippers to minimize pinching.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Weight and Packability
Light is right for many, and weight is a crucial consideration for almost any gear. All of our testers value lightweight clothing and equipment, but not at the expense of basic functionality. If you’re thru-hiking, climbing technical terrain, or riding your bicycle from coast to coast, weight is likely one of your primary concerns. For burlier adventures, soggy backpacking trips, expedition-type mountaineering trips, or even daily use, you’ll want to consider durability and storm worthiness just as much as weight.
Additionally, the ability of a jacket to pack up compactly is beneficial when out and about. In reality, most folks carry their rain shell nine times out of ten, so the smaller it packs, the more room you have for other items. Weather can change quickly and unexpectedly, so if there is less of a personal debate on whether to throw it in your running vest or the bottom of your pack, the happier you might be later on when the skies open up.
Many of the contenders in our review weigh less than a pound, which is the unofficial benchmark for what is considered a lighter-weight jacket. Though one pound might be a benchmark, the average weight in our review is closer to 12 ounces, with some models dipping down under 7 ounces — an unfathomable weight even just five years ago.
We weighed all the models in our review on a postal scale.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
The Outdoor Research Helium weighs in at a featherweight of 6.5 ounces. It can be stuffed into a built-in reversible chest pocket with a clip-in loop, a nice feature for climbers carrying it on their harness. It could also be useful for anyone wanting to clip their jacket to anything else, like the outside of a backpack.
Graham Zimmerman wearing the lightest and most compressible jacket in our review, the Outdoor Research Helium.The Helium Rain is easily the most packable jacket in our review, compressing down to half the size (or smaller) than most other jackets we tested. Here it is zipped into its pocket with a one liter Nalgene for size reference.
The Helium is an impressively light and packable rain jacket.
Those seeking the lightest, fully featured model should check out the Patagonia Storm10, which has front pockets that offer superior storm protection and weighs just 8.5 ounces. The final sub-10-ounce contender is the Helly Hansen Loke, one of the most affordable full-featured jackets in the category and weighing just 9.5 ounces.
The Loke is super easy to stuff into its own pocket if you don’t actually need to wear it.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Approximately half of these models stuff into one of their own pockets, and others can be rolled and stuffed into their hoods. Our rating for packed size considers the compressed size and the ease of using the integrated stuff pocket. Some compress relatively small but require wrestling to get them stowed; others fit comfortably into their stuff pocket.
The Storm10 reverses into a chest pocket to help stow it. While it takes a little more effort than most to pack it away in this pocket, we appreciate how much it compresses.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Durability
A rain jacket must stand up to its user’s demands. Materials technology tends toward thinner, lighter fabrics. However, as jackets get more lightweight, they also generally become less durable against abrasions and punctures, and overall longevity goes down. This is particularly true among the lightest models, which are far less durable than products weighing three to five ounces more.
Nearly all rain jackets’ exterior material (also known as the face fabric) is either nylon or polyester. While we like to talk about other aspects of rain shell jacket construction, this external material plays a huge role in the overall durability. For the most part, the lighter the face fabric is, the easier it tears or the faster it is to abrade. Most of the jackets we tested use 30-50 Denier face fabric, with the 50D shells being notably more robust than the 20-30D. All but the Columbia Watertight II feature ripstop material. A ripstop weave doubles up on the thread at intervals, providing a grid of strong fibers to stop tears from growing once a tear has occurred. This is a significant advantage and why many outdoor products utilize it.
With a 50D face fabric and a long-lasting Gore-Tex Paclite waterproof membrane, the Minimalist is one of the tougher rain jackets currently available. With that said, its durability is what makes it heavy – though 16 ounces is still pretty darn light.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
While polyester is generally stretchier and more durable than nylon, thickness matters. For example, a 50D nylon jacket is likely more robust than a 30D polyester, even though polyester is generally tougher. If you plan to use your jacket off-trail or while bushwhacking, choose a model with a higher denier and ripstop face fabric, and at least consider a polyester model. Lastly, after years of experience, we have found that jackets with fewer seams in the shoulders hold up better, especially if you plan to carry a pack regularly.
While it’s a bit more expensive than other proprietary air-permeable models, the Microgravity is generally more storm-worthy and higher performing overall. It’s on par (or slightly less) than many Gore-Tex models, but offers the performance, durability, and feature set to justify the price.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Jackets of particular note in this metric are the Marmot Minimalist, Arc’teryx Beta, and Outdoor Research Foray II. The Minimalist and Foray use a 50D polyester ripstop face fabric with a much longer-lasting Gore-Tex Paclite membrane, and the Beta uses a 3-layer Gore-Tex with a Gore C-Knit backer. With its 50D ripstop polyester shell, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is one of the more robust budget-friendly models.
Getting ready as the rain rolls in with the Loke.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Conclusion
Determining which rain jacket is right for you might seem complicated. Though staying dry is the goal, aspects like breathability, hood design, and level of mobility can make a big difference in daily use. Our metrics are meant to help you narrow down your options and decide based on the design characteristics that are important to YOU. Stay dry out there!
Determining which rain jacket is right for you might seem complicated. Though staying dry is the goal, aspects like breathability, hood design, and level of mobility can make a big difference in daily use. Our metrics are meant to help you narrow down your options and decide based on the design characteristics that are important to YOU. Stay dry out there!
