Each time I slip on a rain jacket, I give thanks that we now not must wrap ourselves in thick, smelly sealskin to remain dry. One of the best rain jackets right this moment are extra comfy and watertight than ever, because of advances in weatherproof textiles and attire design. However relying on the local weather and your degree of exercise, sorting by means of completely different kinds, applied sciences, and waterproof scores might be complicated.
Yearly, I take a look at a dozen or so rain jackets by means of the soggy Pacific Northwest winter and false spring. I hike, bike, run, and stroll my canines—typically I even stand within the bathe with my garments on when the climate isn’t cooperating. I additionally received recommendation from Amber Williams, a shopper science educator and lecturer in textile science and sample making at Utah State College’s Out of doors Product Design program. All to search out the rain jackets price your money and time.
Remember to take a look at the remainder of our out of doors protection, together with the Finest Umbrellas, Finest Puffer Jackets, Finest Operating Shorts, and Finest Merino Wool Garments.
Desk of Contents
Up to date April 2025: We added the Gorewear Concurve Windbreaker, the MEC x Aquanator, the Montbell Versalite, the Rab Cinder Phantom, and the 66 North Snaefell rain jacket.
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Understanding Rain Jacket Tech
{Photograph}: REI; Getty Pictures
Attempting to decipher jackets’ product specs is sort of as annoying as getting soaked by a sudden cloudburst on the path.
Search for laminated layers: Most technical waterproof jackets are known as two- or three-layer jackets. These layers often include a face material that has been handled with a waterproofing agent like sturdy water repellent, which is a skinny mesh for releasing water vapor, plus a protecting inside lining beneath. Basically, for higher sturdiness you’ll wish to search for layers which were laminated collectively, reasonably than merely coated with a waterproofing agent. That’s the recommendation of Amber Williams, the patron science educator and lecturer from Utah State College.
Waterproof and breathability scores: Producers often fee every material based mostly on its waterproofing and breathability. For instance, a rain jacket with a water-proof ranking of 20,000 implies that when you had an endlessly lengthy 1-inch sq. tube, you could possibly pour 20,000 millimeters of water on high of the material earlier than it could begin seeping by means of (that is over 65 toes!). A 20,000 breathability ranking implies that 20,000 grams of water vapor can move by means of the material going the opposite path. Whereas the upper breathability ranking may appear higher, you may wish to suppose twice when you’ll be out within the chilly. Physique warmth can escape a breathable jacket virtually as simply as water vapor.
Examine the seams and zippers: If you need your rain jacket to last more than an amusement park poncho, take a look at the seams. Shoulders are notably weak factors, as most out of doors sports activities require you to put on a backpack that may rub and injury them. “Design traces look actually horny, however over time, they’re not going to final as lengthy,” Williams says. Different options to search for embody plasticized, waterproof zippers and protecting zipper flaps. That’s why our rain jacket picks are so costly—lots of new material tech and lots of design particulars.
Care to your jacket: You possibly can vastly prolong the lifetime of your gadgets by correctly caring for them. Grasp your jacket—don’t retailer it crammed in an abrasive, tiny stuff sack. If you happen to see stains from grease, filth, or sunscreen, or discover that water is now not beading on the floor, you’ll want to clean it. Observe the producer’s directions. Chances are you’ll want a specialised detergent—many material detergents will depart residues that may intervene with the sturdy water repellent’s (DWR) efficiency. Keep away from material softener, bleaches, dry cleansing, and the dryer.
Finest Rain Jacket for On a regular basis Use
Because the Sixties, trendy rainwear has relied on carcinogenic perfluorocarbons (PFCs), or “endlessly chemical compounds.” Trendy sturdy water repellents (DWRs) use PFCs in manufacturing, which then migrate out of your clothes into soil and streams as you tromp round outdoors. In the present day, many corporations are making steps to cut back the degrees of PFAS of their merchandise, most likely as a result of states are banning these sorts of chemical compounds. In 2023, in style out of doors retailer REI introduced it could section out any merchandise with PFAS in its shops.
If you wish to be lifeless sure that your jacket doesn’t have PFAS, you may’t go flawed with a traditional rubber raincoat, like Stutterheim’s Stockholm raincoat. Technical rain jacket producers are inclined to draw back from polyurethane, as a result of it is, nicely, rubbery. However the materials is sturdy, long-lasting, windproof, waterproof, and PFC-free! I additionally favor rubber rain jackets in damp coastal climates, just like the Pacific Northwest. Breathability is much less of a sticking level when the air is already humid.
That is the one rain jacket I’ve ever purchased with my very own cash, as a result of I am so bored with having to switch my rain jacket each few years when the waterproofing wears off. I put on the Stockholm virtually every single day. The outer protecting is created from one hundred pc rubberized PVC with a cotton lining, so you do not squeak like a duck when sporting it.
It is true to measurement and roomy sufficient to layer a down vest below it. It has double-welded seams to maintain the water out, and the hood is giant sufficient for a baseball cap or a big beanie. I additionally just like the buttons; once I’m simply throwing on a jacket to stroll the canine, it is sooner and simpler than ensuring a seam-sealed zipper would not get caught in a storm flap. If you happen to additionally reside in a wet local weather and are sick of re-waterproofing your rain jacket each season, get certainly one of these.
★ Options: The value of the Stockholm may make you gag. If you need a fundamental rubber slicker, I’ve additionally had Rains’ waterproof jacket ($140) for a number of years now, which has a really related, Scandinavian-inspired design however at a way more affordable value. Baxter Woods ($300) can also be a fairly nice rubber slicker that is rather less than the Stockholm.
Finest Waterproof Operating Jacket
My necessities for a operating rain jacket are a lot completely different than these for an on a regular basis one. I am sweating, so I am already damp, and I do not care as a lot if the jacket is a bit more permeable. Nevertheless, I would like it to suit nicely, not chafe or rustle annoyingly, and have good air flow so I do not turn into clammy when figuring out.
Gorewear’s windbreaker is billed as probably the most comfy operating jacket ever, and it is completely true. I have been sporting this jacket outdoors for my 3- to 5-mile rain runs, and I barely even discover it is on. This magic is because of the material—it is a permeable, double-weave material that’s DWR-treated and has a 3D material construction inside. Principally, there are a billion tiny material tent poles that maintain it, suspended, over the floor of your pores and skin so you do not get that horrible sticky feeling when your operating rain jacket begins clinging to you want plastic wrap. It would not seem to be this could work, but it does.
It has all the standard operating jacket necessities, like reflective particulars and elastic cuffs. There is a stowaway pocket, and it packs down extremely small, practically to the scale of a handkerchief. It is a blessing, since you may stuff it in a operating vest when it stops raining, and a curse, as a result of I hold shedding it. (I spent about 20 minutes trying to find it in my home, since I take it with me in all places.) Better of all, it is a mere $100, which is inexpensive for a high-tech rain jacket.
Different Operating Rain Jackets to Think about
I’ve tried so many rain jackets within the operating class. Listed here are just a few that I like:
- Showers Go Cloudburst for $199: That is the very best if you need a operating rain jacket that sheds a bit extra, er, rain. It is thicker than the Gorewear windbreaker however nonetheless extremely tender and versatile. I put on this when the out of doors temperatures drop below 40 levels with a wool layer beneath.
- Patagonia Houdini for $109: That is the jacket that everybody usually tells you to get. Everybody has one. It is easy and packable, and the corporate switched to a PFC-free DWR. Nevertheless, it rustles, it is not too breathable, and I really feel like I am sporting a plastic bag.
- Tracksmith Downpour for $400: For its exorbitant value, that is probably the most feature-rich jacket of the bunch, with a PFAS-free DWR on a three-layer jacket, a brimmed hood, and a 360-mesh panel for breathability. Like all of Tracksmith’s gear, it is extremely lovely, however the colours are darkish, and it would not have reflective particulars, which could possibly be harmful when operating within the rain.
Finest Waterproof Biking Jacket
I hate rain gear. It is heavy, cumbersome, and barely performs in true downpours, and the entire waterproof and breathable factor is a lie (you may have each, simply not on the identical time). Regardless of all that, I like the Rab Cinder Phantom and have been carrying it in all places I’m going, on and off a motorcycle. It solves virtually all my points with rain gear. It is extremely mild (3.3 ounces/114 grams for a medium), stuffs all the way down to concerning the measurement of a tennis ball, and is someway surprisingly waterproof.
The shell is 7D Pertex, which has proved to be windproof and waterproof, and when it is not raining, it is fairly breathable. Pair it with a grid fleece for the final word in breathable heat. At 3 ounces, there aren’t lots of bells and whistles to the Cinder Phantom. You should use the complete entrance zip to ventilate, although it is fiddly to make use of whereas driving. There aren’t any pit zips and, sadly, no drawstring on the waist. There may be elastic, however I’d like to sacrifice an oz. and have a pull string.
The one factor to know concerning the Cinder Phantom is that it’s designed for biking, which implies it has a brief reduce with an extended again, which works nice on a motorcycle however is not the very best for mountain climbing, since rain dripping off you just about lands proper in your legs. That has not stopped me from utilizing this off the bike, although. I pair it with Patagonia’s new M-10 storm pants (additionally superb, although much less breathable), which give me full physique protection at about 10 ounces. Do I fear that the Cinder Phantom’s skinny material won’t stand as much as a backpack long-term? I do, however after six months, thus far so good. —Scott Gilbertson