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When a storm is brewing and you're running out the door to catch a bus, tackling outdoor chores, or braving the elements on a backcountry adventure, water-protective gear is a wardrobe necessity that can make life a lot more comfortable.
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is our top recommendation. It offers excellent water resistance and quality construction at half the cost of other high-end models.
If the Torrentshell's price tag is still more than you can shell out, check out the Rab Downpour or the L.L.Bean Trail Model. Both jackets offer good protection from the elements for reasonable price tags. The Downpour is one of the most comfortable jackets we tested.
We've tested over 70 men's rain jackets since 2010. For this review, we put 18 top contenders through rigorous wet-weather testing—from heavy downpours outdoors to our own showerheads—to break down their pros and cons and help you choose the right one.
Editor's Note: We updated our men's rain jacket review on Nov 3, 2026, after testing jackets from L.L.Bean, Kuhl, and The North Face.
The top-performing Patagonia Torrentshell 3L proves you don't have to spend a high premium to get high-quality weather protection. It's constructed from Patagonia's proprietary, three-layer H2No fabric, which we found dependable in a range of weather conditions, from afternoon downpours to fierce snowstorms. Patagonia is able to keep costs lower by using its proprietary material instead of Gore-Tex, which is often pricier. The expensive Arc'teryx Beta SL did outperform the Torrentshell in some areas, but only slightly, and it costs a lot more. The Torrentshell offers a robust construction, with useful features — we love the hood, which offers a stiff visor, good adjustability, and can even be stowed away when not in use. There's also a fleece-like lining at the back of the neck for more comfort. This jacket is a dependable workhorse that we recommend to anyone looking for a raincoat that just works.
SPECIFICATIONS
Material and Waterproof Membrane
3-layer H2No Performance Standard 50D ECONYL (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish
Measured Weight
12.7 oz
Pockets
2 zippered hand
Pit Zips
Yes, 11.5 inches
Helmet Compatible Hood (Per Testing)
Yes, but very snug fit with partial coverage
When storms began to blow sideways, the Torrentshell 3L was easy to adjust for a tight seal. Our lead tester said, “Even when the weather got nasty, this jacket really kept the elements out of the sleeve, hem, and hood areas and kept me dry.” However, during prolonged cardio outings, testers were less thrilled as they began to get wet from the inside out due to limited breathability (although there are pit zips to help release some heat). Options like the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic offer excellent ventilation and have incredibly supple fabric construction, especially compared to the Torrentshell's potato chip bag feel. Besides these few considerations, this staple from Patagonia's weather protection line is an incredibly well-made jacket suited for a wide variety of stormy day activities.
Rain jackets don't always need to cost you an arm and a leg. As long as you don't need to brave monsoons or extended backpacking trips, the L.L.Bean Trail Model might be all you need, and its affordable price tag saves you money for other outdoor clothing. L.L.Bean didn't include pit zips on this rain jacket, but its chest pocket and two hand pockets are all mesh-backed, so you can let some heat out by simply leaving those pockets open. If you need a rain jacket for doing everyday errands, this one is quite good and offers a lot of value. It may not be the best for extended outings in heavy rain, but as our tester said, “Usually, if I'm going to need a more robust jacket than this, I'm just going to go bowling instead of hiking.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Material and Waterproof Membrane
2.5-layer waterproof-breathable TEK shell
Measured Weight
13 oz
Pockets
2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest
Pit Zips
No
Helmet Compatible Hood (Per Testing)
Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage
We really liked this jacket, but it's not without its imperfections. Its rubbery liner doesn't feel as nice against the skin as a 3-layer jacket. It also has an annoying Velcro strip at the back of the hood that's less effective for tightening than a drawstring adjuster. If you want pit zips, the REI Co-op Rainier has them, and it performed similarly and is in the same price range. Outside of these qualms, it's hard to find a budget layer as quality as the L.L. Bean Trail Model.
It's hard to beat the comfort of the Rab Downpour, which offers great range of motion and a friendly against-skin feel for a relatively low price. The rubbery liner most often used with 2.5-layer rain jackets is typically an annoyance against the skin, but the Downpour's Pertex Shield fabric was noticeably more comfortable. It has good adjustment toggles, and our tester noted, “I loved being able to cinch down the hood one-handed, a feature that's handy mid-hike or mid-climb.” This is a versatile jacket that'll serve you well for city rains or backcountry storms, just keep in mind this isn't meant for the most intense precipitation.
SPECIFICATIONS
Material and Waterproof Membrane
2.5-layer Pertex Shield
Measured Weight
13.3 oz
Pockets
2 zippered hand
Pit Zips
Yes, 10 inches
Helmet Compatible Hood (Per Testing)
Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage
We had very few complaints with the Downpour, besides a bit of excess fabric in the stomach area that could bunch up. “This is a layer that looks nice enough for town walks, but has the performance needed for more adventurous trips in the backcountry, as long as you don't mind its weight.” At 13.3 ounces, it's not heavy, per se, but hikers or backpackers counting every gram going into their pack might seek out a lighter jacket like the featherweight Outdoor Research Helium UL or the Helly Hansen Loke.
If you need the best rain jacket for weather protection under torrential conditions, look no further than the new Arc'teryx Beta SL. The Beta series from Arc'teryx is a well-established jacket line and a classic go-to for guides, avalanche workers, search and rescue teams, and serious recreationalists. The “SL” stands for “super light,” the lightest version yet of the Beta jacket. This is a high-end option that could be classified as more of a hardshell jacket. Our tester says, “I am able to easily use it as a winter skiing shell as much as a summertime rain layer.” In contrast, we also tested the Arc'teryx Beta, a less expensive model from the same line that weighs a bit more, lacks pit zips, and delivers slightly reduced water resistance. Both scored well across all metrics, but the SL stood out on top if price is no object.
The Beta SL utilizes a new three-layer Gore-Tex material made with a thinner ePE membrane, which stands for expanded polyethylene. This new construction is more environmentally friendly, less harmful for its wearer, and keeps the jacket lighter. With a thinner membrane at play, the manufacturer could thicken the jacket's face fabric, making that layer more robust. The most substantial setback of the Beta SL is its very high price. We'd also recommend sizing the Beta SL for your intended activities. If you'll be using it for year-round outdoor adventures and need to fit insulation underneath, consider sizing up to leave space for a performance fleece or puffy. At the end of the day, this jacket is a no-brainer if you want the very best and you don't mind paying the price.
The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic's claim to fame is its exceptional breathability and mobility. This layer feels more like a softshell than a crinkly rain jacket. Our lead tester, Zach Lovell, reported, “The Ozonic is a genre-bending layer that I could wear all day, whether it was raining or not.” At 9.6 ounces, this layer can easily be carried with you. When things got stormy, the Ozonic was adequate for lighter-intensity squalls, but when faced with particularly nasty weather, something like the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is a more appropriate choice to keep you dry.
SPECIFICATIONS
Material and Waterproof Membrane
2.5-layer 50D Dry.Q (proprietary material)
Measured Weight
9.6 oz
Pockets
2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest
Pit Zips
Yes, 12.5 inches
Helmet Compatible Hood (Per Testing)
Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage
We were delighted to wear the Stretch Ozonic for any outdoor activity, whether climbing or skiing, thanks to its unmatched stretch and breathability. Due to the 2.5-layer Dry.Q 50D Stretch Ripstop construction, this option was substantially more comfortable than the typical nylon models, even if its zippers did snag frequently. Others like the lightweight Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell or even less expensive Outdoor Research Stratoburst Stretch are worth checking out as an alternative rain jacket that prioritizes freedom of movement and comes with smoother zippers. Even so, the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is an excellent choice for those prioritizing mobility and on-the-go comfort over a high degree of weather protection.
The Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell is a mold-breaking rain jacket that delivers solid performance for its modest weight. Typically, a weather-protective garment that's on the lighter side makes compromises to keep the weight down, but the 9.4-ounce Fineline kept us dry in many scenarios. It's got just enough protection for longer trips, depending on the forecast, but won't slow you down. Cyclists and climbers will appreciate features like the helmet-compatible hood and the ability to stow the jacket in its own pocket with a carabiner loop. As long as you're not voyaging into more intense storms, this layer will likely offer plenty of water resistance and even has some stretch to its BD.dry 2.5L fabric to accommodate a range of activities on the go.
SPECIFICATIONS
Material and Waterproof Membrane
2.5-layer BD.dry PFC-free DWR finish
Measured Weight
9.4 oz
Pockets
2 zippered hand
Pit Zips
Yes, 12 inches
Helmet Compatible Hood (Per Testing)
Yes
Depending on the intended use, sizing the Fineline Stretch Shell may be slightly difficult. When in between sizes, we suggest leaning towards the larger size, knowing that if we are recreating in cooler weather, we'll need that extra space for adding insulating layers underneath. If you want to go super light and don't require as much weather protection, look at the Outdoor Research Helium UL, which is featherlight even compared to the Fineline. In a market flooded with a wide variety of rain jackets for men, this latest offering from Black Diamond is worth considering for those in need of an ultralight garment that strikes the rare balance between performance and weight.
For its weight, this layer offers great performance and features. Credit: Mark Lovell
Product Comparison Table
We intentionally head outside in the worst rain storms, whether in the backcountry or in town, to make our testing as thorough as possible, Credit: Zach Lovell
How We Tested
This review results from over 400 field hours of hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and camping in wet weather. Our testing process ranged from objective evaluation under a shower head to months of real-world testing in the field. Every single finding, big or small, was documented and carefully considered before distilling scores into a digestible format. Our testing team dragged these rain layers across the planet, from the monsoons of the Himalayas to the steady and dependable drizzle of the Pacific Northwest, all in the name of offering you as dependable and as solid a review as possible.
We rate rain jackets using five performance metrics:
Water Resistance (45% of overall score weighting)
Breathability (20% weighting)
Comfort and Mobility (15% weighting)
Weight (10% weighting)
Durability (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
This review is headed by Zach Lovell and and Ben Applebaum-Bauch. Zach is an IFMGA Mountain Guide, guiding climbing and skiing in many mountain ranges across the planet. He has relied on a rain jacket for hundreds of days throughout his career, from stormy glaciated mountains in the Pacific Northwest to moody hikes, climbs, and skis in the European Alps.
Ben spent over a decade in blustery northern New England. He has guided backpacking, cycling, and canoeing trips throughout the region and maritime Canada. He is also an avid thru-hiker, completing treks of some of America's most iconic long trails, including the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Long Trail, Colorado Trail, and others. Having spent more than 500 nights in the backcountry, Ben knows the value of a reliable waterproof rain jacket.
Our team of gear experts is made up of a diverse group of people, from mountain guides to Forest Service workers.
Analysis and Test Results
Our selection involves a wide range of products, from budget-friendly to the most high-tech and stormworthy. We also select models that excel at specific applications or have particular attributes, from the lightest and most highly packable options to the stretchiest and most mobile jackets on the market. 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.
[buying advice]
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Put the L.L.Bean Trail Model on your finals list if you need something less expensive. We've long believed casual hikers or anyone who just needs an in-town jacket shouldn't feel obligated to shell out for a premium layer, and the Trail Model offers enough reliability for standard rainstorms. The REI Co-op Rainier also offers respectable 2.5-layer water resistance for its $100 price tag.
Don't be fooled by its low price tag; the Trail Model can keep up in moderate rainstorms. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Helly Hansen Loke is another affordable rain jacket with features that will likely suit the average user, and it's quite lightweight, if that's something that matters to you in your rain gear. The North Face Antora also boasts good performance across the board, though it's heavier than the Loke. Its relaxed fit slips over insulated jackets easily, and its clean aesthetic even worked for some of our testers as a home-to-office rain jacket. Its hood doesn't offer as much coverage, but the rest of the design is excellent for a budget piece.
The North Face Antora is a thoughtfully made rain layer that's still in the budget class. Credit: Zach Lovell
And though it's not dirt cheap, we think the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L offers incredible performance for its price. It's the most affordable 3-layer rain jacket we tested. Some jackets cost twice as much with only marginally better performance, which makes this one easy to recommend.
If you've been around outdoor gear for a while, you've probably heard of the Marmot PreCip Eco, or at least some iteration of it. This classic layer is impressively inexpensive, and competes with jackets two or three times more expensive.
The Marmot Precip Eco is a high-value option that's been a mainstay in the rain jacket world for years. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Columbia Hikebound II and Columbia Watertight II aren't bad jackets, and if you find them on clearance, they might do the job for light around-town needs, but we think some of the other jackets we tested in this price range (like the REI Co-op Rainier and L.L.Bean Trail Model) are better jackets overall. Likewise, bargain-priced jackets like the OTU Lightweight Hooded may be super affordable, but in general we recommend shelling out just a bit more for some basic features and better protection.
Water Resistance
A rain jacket's primary job is to keep you dry in wet weather. With that in mind, we extensively tested each contender in the rain, wind, sleet, and snow, as well as in controlled environments 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. Most of these jackets feature a seam-taped waterproof fabric to create a complete seal. What differentiates the performance of each is how well and for how long they keep out water. This results from several factors, but generally refers to design specifics such as the number of fabric layers, type of waterproof membrane, hood style, cuffs, pockets, front/primary zipper, pit zips, and other vents.
Our testers deliberately went out in storms to see how each jacket's weather protection performed in the real world. Credit: Zach Lovell
A jacket's ability to keep its wearer dry has much to do with the makeup and construction of its waterproof insert (more frequently called a membrane) and its DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment. This treatment is factory-applied to the fabric's exterior, causing water to bead up on the jacket's surface, allowing it to roll off. 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 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.
We drenched every rain jacket several times throughout our testing process to see how durable and consistent each model's water resistance was. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Arc'teryx Beta, Beta SL, and Patagonia Torrentshell 3L offer the group's most robust weather resistance. The combination of strong waterproof membranes and DWR treatments means these models all do an excellent job sealing precipitation in all forms. They also all have well-designed wrist cuffs and hoods that cinch down to keep the elements out.
Hands down, the most impressive results in this metric came from the Arc'teryx Beta SL, which is the ideal jacket for those demanding the best in weather protection. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Rab Downpour holds its own in water resistance. It's a relatively affordable rain jacket that offers both comfort and performance. The Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell and Outdoor Research Foray 3L are a duo of contenders that offer reliable weather protection in average showers, even if we did notice some wetting out under more intense conditions. The Foray has been updated recently with a 3-layer construction, and its weather protection is noticeably better.
From town runs to backpacking, the Rab Downpour has a comfortable construction and sheds rain well. Credit: Zach Lovell
In the budget class, the L.L.Bean Trail Model and The North Face Antora punch above their price point in the realm of water resistance. No, these are not the right jackets for your next thru-hike or backpacking trip in Patagonia, but they both will keep you dry in some moody weather.
The Antora jacket kept our team dry on rainy hikes like this, hunting for flash flood waterfalls in a historic storm in the desert. Credit: Zach Lovell
The more affordable options like the REI Co-op Rainier and Columbia Hikebound II perform well for their price point, with good moisture protection for less intense storms. These jackets use a 2.5-layer and 2-layer design, respectively. These generally don't keep water out as well as a 3-layer fabric construction, but as long as you're not outdoors for hours in a non-stop deluge, they will do quite well at keeping you dry.
We found the Rainier to be a worthy budget model in this metric, but we wouldn't head into the Alaskan wilderness with a massive storm on the way. Credit: Zach Lovell
Breathability
Breathability in a rain jacket is important because it helps keep you dry from the inside by allowing sweat, moisture, and heat to escape. That being said, it's important to keep in mind that none of these layers are breathable compared to a softshell jacket or even a fleece jacket. A rain layer's primary job is to offer weather protection, not to shed heat. Generally speaking, the better a jacket is at repelling water, the less breathable it'll be. This trade-off has been plaguing hikers, climbers, and backpackers for years.
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 Beta SL offers pit zips to dump some of your body heat. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Outdoor Research Foray has pit zips that reach from the underarms all the way to the hem of the jacket. We can't imagine unzipping these all the way during an active rainstorm (you'd get wet), but this feature allows you to keep moving without removing your jacket in between storms or once the rain stops and you start to heat up a bit.
The Outdoor Research Foray has huge pit zips that run the entire length of the torso to dump heat super fast. Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
As far as fabric breathability goes, the stretch rain jackets are often more breathable than the jackets with stiff and crinkly fabric. The tradeoff is that the malleable fabrics tend to wet out faster than the stiff fabrics. The Kuhl Stretch Voyagr has such a soft exterior that it's impressively breathable despite lacking pit zips or mesh pockets to dump heat. The downside is that this jacket wets out pretty quickly.
The Voyagr may not be the most weather-resistant, but its soft exterior fabric helps shed body heat. Credit: Zach Lovell
Some jackets, like the well-priced L.L.Bean Trail Model, do not have pit zips, but have zippered pockets with mesh backing that will allow heat to escape if you unzip them mid-hike. We've found pit zips to be more effective in general, but this is a great way to vent without adding more zippers (and therefore weight).
The Trail Model has some decent airflow from its three mesh pockets. Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort and Mobility
While rain jackets aren't particularly known for their coziness, especially compared to a layer like a fleece, there were some noticeable differences between the models we tested. Mobility is another extremely important aspect of a rain jacket and must be taken into account before you make your purchasing decision. If a jacket is too restrictive, you're far less likely to wear it, and it can make hiking, scrambling, backpacking, climbing, or fishing much more restrictive.
If you're shopping on a budget, the Rab Downpour is an impressively comfortable layer. Its interior liner isn't nearly as rubbery-feeling as some jackets, and it has a relaxed fit without too much bunching. It's a standout for comfort among the models we tested, especially at its reasonable price point.
We appreciated the comfortable feel of the Downpour against bare skin, and the cut was comfortable, too. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic, Outdoor Research Stratoburst Stretch, and Black Diamond Fineline Stretch offered great mobility thanks to their stretchy material. These options each have a uniquely freeing range of motion for a rain jacket. Consider sizing up to maintain mobility when adding layers underneath.
The Stretch Ozonic felt more like a softshell than rain jacket, thanks to a stretchy fabric construction. We were happy wearing this layer all day. Credit: Mark Lovell
The Outdoor Research Foray 3L has a soft, thinner, more supple feel and moves well with the wearer. The Arc'teryx Beta SL is slightly stiff, but makes up for it with roomy yet well-fitting fabric. The Outdoor Research Helium and Helly Hansen Loke are much thinner than the average rain jacket in our lineup, offering a supple, lightweight shell that doesn't restrict movement.
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L offers decent mobility, but its fabric is stiffer and more crinkly. Other models simply have a more relaxed fit. The OTU Lightweight Hooded has a baggy fit that bunches, but it certainly doesn't inhibit any upper body movement. Budget models like the Columbia Hikebound II also had a nice relaxed fit that had a great range of motion.
The Hikebound II utilizes Columbia's classic relaxed fit to achieve top-tier mobility, though there is some fabric bunching. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Kuhl Stretch Voyagr has a supple exterior and spacious cut that make scrambling or any overhead moves easy, and its against-skin feel isn't too rubbery for a spray liner. Unfortunately, its comfortable stretch material comes at the expense of waterproofing, and it's quick to get wet in a real rainstorm.
The supple fabric of the Voyagr doesn't even feel like a rain jacket (and unfortunately doesn't perform like much of one, but it's got great range of motion). Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight
If you're just running errands in the rain, you likely won't even consider the weight of your rain jacket. But if you're planning on taking it into the backcountry, it might matter to you. Most of the jackets in our review weigh a pound or less.
The Outdoor Research Helium UL weighs a featherweight 5.6 ounces in a men's medium - this latest version of the Helium has become even lighter. It can also be stuffed into a built-in reversible chest pocket with a clip-in loop, a nice feature for climbers carrying it on their harness. This feature could also be useful for anyone wanting to clip their jacket to anything else, like the outside of a backpack.
The Helium is the lightest and most packable rain layer we tested. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Helly Hansen Loke is one of the most affordable full-featured jackets, weighing just 8.4 ounces. The highly mobile and breathable Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is similar at 9.6 ounces.
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L wasn't the lightest option, but it proved fairly packable and offers a convenient carabiner loop to clip to your harness or backpack.
The Patagonia Torrentshell and the OR Foray won't win any awards for their weights, but we like that they pack into their own pockets.
High-value jackets like the L.L.Bean Trail Model are not the lightest, but at 13 ounces, it's light enough to travel with, and some might even backpack with it. It also squeezes into its own pocket, which we love to see in the wallet-friendly designs.
The Trail Model isn't the lightest, but it's portable enough for day hikes or some overnight trips. Credit: Zach Lovell
Construction Quality
A high-quality rain jacket will stand up to the test of time. However, as materials technology continues to trend toward thinner, lighter fabrics, a tradeoff can sometimes be required, sacrificing some durability and resistance to abrasions, punctures, and longevity for the sake of lightweight, easy-to-carry weather protection. This is particularly true among the most extremely light models, which are often far less durable than products weighing just three to five ounces more.
The Arc'teryx Beta jackets were top performers in this metric. Their thinner ePE membrane allows Arc'teryx to use a thicker face fabric, making it more robust than previous versions of the lightweight Beta. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L uses 50D polyester ripstop face fabric with proprietary H2No Performance Standard fabric.
The Outdoor Research Foray is another standout model in this metric, with a hefty 3-layer design that is completely seam-taped. Its Aquaguard zippers were a bit sticky here and there, but were dependable throughout the entirety of our testing.
While we were somewhat annoyed with the lack of water resistance in the Kuhl Stretch Voyagr, its supple exterior made it more abrasion resistant than most rain jackets. The face fabric has a bit more stretch than your typical waterproof material, so as it caught on granite granules or on a tree branch, its give kept the fabric intact, instead of ripping or at least causing some discoloration.
The Voyagr doesn't have the best water protection, but this surface fabric stretches rather than tears. Credit: Zach Lovell
How to Pick the Best Rain Jacket for You
A staggering number of rain jackets are on the market today, from penny-priced Amazon specials to high-end premium options. While this can be daunting to sift through, there are a few primary considerations to make when determining which jacket best suits your needs.
Asking yourself a few key questions before shopping can significantly streamline your buying decisions. Credit: Zach Lovell
If you're looking to stay dry from head to toe, we've also tested rain pants and umbrellas, as well as men's hardshell jackets if you'll be running into burlier weather or need a designated shell jacket for hitting the slopes.
How Much Weather Protection Do You Need?
There are storms of all shapes and sizes across our planet. In the rain jacket category, you must consider the severity and duration of a typical rainstorm in your home climate and the climates you might travel to. Some might need less rain protection if living or recreating in a drier area, such as a desert in the Western US. Those recreating in the Pacific Northwest, with mountain ranges like the Cascades consistently serving up robust rainstorms, will need a more protective jacket.
Even if you live in a wet climate, brief runs from the car to the restaurant may not demand the most expensive layer out there. Credit: Zach Lovell
Rain Jacket Construction 101
A rain jacket or hardshell will typically be built with multiple layers of fabric. In each of our individual jacket reviews, you can unpack more of the specifics about a particular model. Still, it is helpful to be aware of a few generalities when considering the range of options. While shopping, you're most likely to find a jacket with 2, 2.5, or 3 layers.
2-Layer Jackets
Two-layer options typically consist of an outer face and an interior liner, which was not historically the most ideal for wet weather protection because it's heavier, bulkier, and generally less comfortable than other material technologies. But in recent years, Gore-Tex introduced Paclite Plus, which proved more lightweight and durable with impressive water resistance and breathability.
2.5-Layer Jackets
Jackets with 2.5 layers consist of an outer layer, a membrane, and some sort of spray treatment that serves as another layer of protection against the elements (but only “counts” as half a layer). These usually perform much better than two-layer options and can often strike a nice balance between weight and performance. Some, however, can feel rubbery.
Some half liners are not particularly comfortable against the skin or base layers. Credit: Zach Lovell
3-Layer Jackets
Lastly, a three-layer construction is often associated with the best-performing jackets, featuring an outer layer, a membrane, and an interior liner fabric in combinations that score highly for weather protection and breathability.
3 layer designs typically boast top-tier performance across weather protection and breathability, though be sure to check out the specific attributes of each model. Credit: Zach Lovell
Features
If you're wearing your jacket around town, having room in the pockets for gloves, a warm hat, 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.
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 SL and Arc'teryx Beta. They have a toggle at the back of the head that is easy to manipulate, and they offer great coverage without limiting visibility. The OR Foray and Patagonia Torrentshell 3L also offer helmet-friendly hoods, though the fit might be a bit tighter depending on the exact helmet you're using.
We really value a well-executed hood. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L 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 North Face Antora and L.L.Bean Trail Model may be friendly on the wallet, but both of their hoods lack a rear drawstring to tighten over your head, with or without a hat. These are both also too small to fit over a climbing helmet.
Both of these budget jackets had a subpar hood for bigger rain storms.
Pockets
The importance of pockets in a rain jacket varies greatly depending on the person. If weight is a priority, even having a couple of pockets will add unnecessary weight. If you want pockets to keep your belongings dry, we recommend putting your cell phone or wallet in a pocket underneath the rain jacket in a different layer. In a drizzle, however, it may be more convenient to keep some of your belongings easy to access.
Large, high pockets are ideal for retaining accessibility with a backpack. Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
We love a chest pocket for easy access to a cell phone to take photos or check the map. If a chest pocket is too small, it becomes considerably harder to use. If you're consistently battling bigger storms, you might want this chest pocket on the interior of the jacket, but many of our testers prefer an outside access pocket to prioritize speed.
Having a chest pocket that's large enough for a cell phone is a significant plus to our review team. Credit: Mark Lovell
Adjustability
A quality rain jacket should be adjustable so that a tighter seal can be made when the storm blows in. Typically, manufacturers use some kind of shock cord in the hood and hem. Our favorite hood designs have an easy-to-grab pull tab, so that you can quickly batten down the hatches while maintaining some peripheral vision. For the arms, we are big fans of a classic Velcro cuff, though some models come with non-adjustable elastic cuffs that maintain a close seal to the wrist.
An adjustable rain jacket is, in our opinion, a must. Velcro cuffs like this are better if the velcro has higher hold power, since the rain can weaken the bond. Credit: Zach Lovell
What Activities Will You Be Doing in Your Rain Jacket?
After determining your primary climate, consider what activities you'll be doing. You may only be shopping for a water-resistant layer to stay dry while bopping around town, or you might be depending on your gear for multi-day protection while backpacking or alpine climbing. Consider purchasing upgraded storm protection when your prospective adventures grow and things like a lower weight or top-tier water resistance, breathability, and full mobility become more crucial. Around town, a highly functional yet versatile jacket won't hurt, but it might also not be as necessary.
Other Notable Rain Jackets
Montbell Versalite - This is a jaw-droppingly light jacket that offers a three-layer water-resistant design. It's also got some thoughtful features for an ultralight layer, including a reflective fabric along the zipper for night visibility, and it even has pit zips, which is rare for its weight class.
Patagonia Granite Crest - If the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L fabric is too stiff for your liking, this layer is an alternative designed to prioritize mobility in a rain layer. It's still a 3-layer jacket, but the NetPlus material is more supple.
Conclusion
The right rain jacket should match your intended uses, and you'll likely find it in this review's lineup. If you live and play in the Pacific Northwest, it might be worth investing in a higher-quality model that can handle a lot of rain. If you're only needing that just-in-case layer, you might be able to get away with a less expensive and lighter-duty option. Wherever you fall in the use spectrum, know that there's a jacket in this lineup that's just right for you. Whether you have a higher or lower budget, we're now in an era of garment design where you don't absolutely have to drop big bucks to get a blue ribbon rain jacket, though there are plenty of premium options still available if you need the absolute best.
