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Our review team spent months testing 19 men's rain jackets in heavy rain and under varied conditions so that we can now point you to our top favorites among them.
Is a storm brewing? Whether you are running out the door quickly to catch a bus or a cab or braving the elements over longer stretches while tackling outdoor chores or backcountry adventures, high-quality water-protective gear is a wardrobe necessity. Yet, different tools may best suit different jobs.
We've been testing rain jackets for 14 years, collectively testing over 70 of the best rain jackets designed for men. This review features 19 of the market's top contenders pitted against each other in rigorous real-world testing over several weeks. We wore each model in heavy downpours, snow, sleet, and even in the shower, ensuring we were as thorough as possible. We've identified the pros and cons of each jacket and offer honest recommendations to help you narrow the list down to the right rain jacket for you and your specific needs.
Our primary recommendation is the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L, which offers excellent water resistance and construction quality at a great price that sells at half the cost of other high-end models.
If you're seeking an even more affordable rain jacket, our top choice is the Helly Hansen Loke. Helly Hansen's proprietary 2.5-layer membrane keeps the cost down while delivering decent weather protection.
Do you need to stay dry from head to toe? We've also tested rain pants and top-ranked umbrellas, as well as hardshell jackets if you'll be running into burlier weather or need a designated shell jacket for hitting the slopes.
Editor's Note: We updated our men's rain jacket review on March 5, 2025, to retest old favorites by Helly Hansen, Patagonia, and Columbia and include several new models from Arc'teryx, Black Diamond, Outdoor Research, and more.
Great water resistance, incredible value, effective features
Best-in-class breathability, super stretchy material, nice interior feel, lightweight
Storm-worthy, durable, versatile, good breathability and ventilation, waterproof pockets
Great mobility, amazing breathability, waterproof chest pocket, helmet-compatible hood
Great weight to performance ratio, clean aesthetic, helmet compatible hood, fabric has some stretch
Great storm protection, above average breathability, no clammy feeling, packs tightly into reversible stuff pocket, helmet-compatible hood, less crinkly
Freeing mobility, excellent weight, large pit zips great for ventilation
Excellent side vents, comfortable, excellent water resistance
Exceptional value, great weight, clean style, helpful features
Better breathability than others in its price range, decent ventilation, roll away hood, nice pit zips, affordable
Very accessible price, relaxed fit, great adjustability
Incredibly lightweight, packs down small, decent features for its jacket class
Great value, cut for layering, compresses into its pocket, respectable weight, hood tucks away nicely into the collar
Good breathability, comfortable feeling internal fabric, stretchy material allows mobility, respectable weight and packed size
Weight: 12.7 ounces | Material: 3-layer H2No Performance Standard ECONYL (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish
REASONS TO BUY
Top-notch storm protection
Great value
Helpful features
Dependable build quality
REASONS TO AVOID
Fabric crinkles
Heavier than some options
Less ideal breathability
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is a high-performing rain jacket that proves you don't have to spend big money to get high-quality weather protection. Zach Lovell, our main reviewer, shared, “I had to triple-check the price tag on the Torrentshell since its scores competed easily with jackets twice as expensive.” This model is made with Patagonia's in-house three-layer H2No fabric, which is dependable in a variety of weather, from afternoon downpours to fierce snow storms. In using a proprietary material, Patagonia can more easily make a water-resistant layer affordable without a substantial compromise in performance. The pricey Arc'teryx Beta SL did outperform the Torrentshell in multiple metrics, but the Patagonia option is significantly less expensive and offers an even more robust construction.
When storms began to blow sideways, the Torrentshell 3L was easy to adjust for a tight seal. Our testing team commented, “This jacket really kept the elements out of the sleeve, hem, and hood areas and kept me dry, even when the weather got nasty.” However, during prolonged cardio outings, testers were less thrilled as they began to get wet from the inside out due to limited breathability. 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.
Weight: 8.4 ounces | Material: 2.5-layer Helly Tech Polyamide (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish
REASONS TO BUY
Incredible value
Decent weight
Nice aesthetic
REASONS TO AVOID
Zipper isn't waterproof
Less effective hood seal
Velcro and zippers can snag
The Helly Hansen Loke is a bargain raincoat with above-average performance, retailing for nearly 40% less than the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L and less than a quarter of the Arc'teryx Beta SL's price. Made of 2.5-layer Helly Tech with a PFC-free DWR finish, it offers decent storm protection in average conditions, and the inclusion of pit zips with loose mesh pockets makes for a reasonably breathable fit. Our testing team shared, “For many casual-use shoppers, a rain jacket like this is all you'd really need, especially when considering its price”. The Loke is also lightweight, weighing only 8.4 ounces, 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 in design, 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. The only smaller option in our lineup, the 5.8-ounce Outdoor Research Helium, will cost you a good 50% more and delivers similarly average scores for storm protection and breathability.
While we love this storm shell's value, there is still a noticeable difference in quality between the Loke and other top-performing rain jackets. For instance, the zipper is not waterproof, relying instead on a Velcro front placket/storm flap that sits over the top of the zipper to keep moisture out. While it does this successfully when it's not raining too hard or for too long, the design isn't equipped for extensive downpours. Its construction quality is also less than ideal, with hard-to-close pit zips and Velcro that snags on the mesh pockets. Despite a few caveats, the Loke undoubtedly carries your dollar very far, especially for shoppers just needing a rain jacket for casual use. If you need something for more active use and can afford to spend a bit more, look at the ultralight, high-performing Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell or the super versatile Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket. Or, if you really want to save a buck and don't care as much about breathability or flex in the fabric and design, our team would direct you to the Columbia Watertight II.
The Columbia Watertight II is one of the lowest-priced men's rain jackets we've reviewed here at GearLab. This model is great for shoppers needing a light-duty garment to repel precipitation for casual use, be it for a rainy day around town or a short hike in a drizzle. Our lead reviewer remarked, “The Watertight II isn't the right option for heavy use outdoors; but I found it to work well in reasonably friendly storms, especially when staying somewhat close to the car or any other potential exit.” We also recommend the high-value Helly Hansen Loke or the more water-resistant yet pricier Marmot PreCip.
The Columbia Watertight II uses a two-layer fabric with a mesh interior, which offers an inviting next-to-skin comfort. Unfortunately, the construction of this garment didn't breathe as well during longer periods of walking or hiking, making our testers wet from the inside out. Rain jackets such as the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L have better breathability than the Watertight, with impressive water resistance results. We fully understand how constraining budgets can be, so if you need a casual-use rain jacket on a particularly tight budget, the Watertight II has plenty to offer and is worth checking out.
Updated Beta Models
This Beta SL jacket used to be known as the Beta LT. For this review, we examined the latest and greatest update to the Arc'teryx Beta line.
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 that has been a classic go-to for guides, avalanche workers, search and rescue teams, and serious recreationalists. The “SL” stands for “super light,” as this is the lightest version yet of the Beta jacket. One of our gear experts, Zach Lovell, shared, “This is a high-end option that could be classified as more of a hardshell jacket; 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. Jackets like the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L offer a top-tier yet affordable alternative when the cost is considered, even if it won't quite live up to the extraordinarily high scores the Beta SL receives across the board. 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 boasts exceptional breathability and mobility, feeling more like a softshell than a crinkly rain jacket. According to our primary tester's reports, “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, similar to the budget-priced but less activity-ready Helly Hansen Loke. 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.
Our test team found the Stretch Ozonic was a joy to wear for any outdoor activity, whether climbing or skiing, due to its unparalleled stretch and breathability. Thanks to the 2.5-layer Dry.Q 50D Stretch Ripstop construction, this jacket was substantially more comfortable than the typical nylon options, even if its zippers did snag often. Offerings such as the lightweight Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell or even lower cost Outdoor Research Stratoburst Stretch are worth looking into as an alternative rain jacket that prioritizes freedom of movement and comes with smoother zippers. That said, the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is an incredible piece for shoppers prioritizing mobility and on-the-go comfort over a high degree of weather protection.
The Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell, which used to be called the Stormline, is a mold-breaking rain jacket with decent performance relative to its modest weight. Typically, a weather-protective garment that's on the lighter side makes compromises to keep the weight down, but at 9.4 ounces, the Fineline kept us dry in many scenarios. Our review team concluded, "The Fineline strikes the ideal balance of weight to performance for many outdoors enthusiasts. It's got just enough protection for longer trips, depending on the forecast, but won't slow you down". 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. The Outdoor Research Stratoburst Stretch is a nice alternative with a similar weight. It prioritizes mobility even more so than the BD Fineline Stretch but sacrifices an additional degree of weather protection to achieve it.
The Fineline Stretch Shell might be a bit challenging to size, depending on your intended use. Our team's simplest solution to layers that put us between sizes is to err on the larger side, knowing that if we are recreating in cooler seasons, the extra space will be needed to allow for more insulating layers underneath. If you like the idea of going super light and don't need as much weather protection, consider the Outdoor Research Helium, which is featherlight even compared to the Fineline. In a market flooded with a wide variety of rain jackets for men, consider this latest offering from Black Diamond if you need an ultralight garment that strikes the rare balance between performance and weight.
The Outdoor Research Helium is a staggeringly lightweight jacket ideal for shoppers prioritizing weight above all else. At 5.8 ounces for a men's small, this is a layer you'll hardly even notice in your backpack or clipped to your harness, making it a garment you can keep with you always for “just in case” showers. A jacket this light does have its setbacks, as it isn't ideal for true storms. Our head tester noted, “If you're going to buy the Helium, you really need to consider it more of a windbreaker but with a slightly improved shell fabric for moisture protection — I wouldn't rely on it as a true rain layer.” If you need a layer with a bit higher level of weather protection, look at the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell, which weighs 3.6 ounces more but is still remarkably lightweight overall and will be more dependable.
The Outdoor Research Helium has an impressive list of features when considering how compact and light it is. The chest pocket doubles as a storage sack, and it comes with a carabiner loop to make it easy to clip to your harness or the hip belt of your backpack. It also includes an adjustable hood and hem that utilizes drawstrings. For what you get in terms of water protection, some might also find the Helium to be a bit pricey, so we think it's also worth taking a look at the windbreaker-style Columbia Glennaker Lake II, which also boasts a low, highly packable weight at less than a third the price. When shopping for your first — or your next — rain jacket, your intended use will be critical to making the best decision. The Helium is worth your consideration if your primary need is a simple, protective layer to break the wind and handle a brief drizzle when you are traveling with as little as possible.
This ridiculously light jacket can handle brief storms, making it an ideal “just-in-case” layer.
Credit: Zach Lovell
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We've collectively spent hundreds of hours testing rain jackets to offer you a review you can trust.
Credit: Zach Lovell
How We Test Rain Jackets for Men
This review results from over 400 field hours of hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and camping in wet weather. We tested these jackets in the Cascade Mountains, Rocky Mountains of Colorado, temperate rainforests of Western Washington, and the damp and humid Midwest and East Coast. When the precipitation wasn't pouring from the sky, it was pouring from our showers, where we had timed spray tests with each product to figure out their limits in controlled side-by-side tests. Testing in rain or the shower, we paid close attention to each jacket's ability to protect from water, how well the material breathes, limitations of mobility, comfort level, longevity, and measured weight.
We rate rain jackets on 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, Ian Nicholson, and Ben Applebaum-Bauch, with an update by Craig D'Innocente. 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. Ian is also a professional internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide who has spent over 2,000 days guiding in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, the Andes, the 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.
Our review team is made up of avid outdoors enthusiasts, from climbing to backcountry skiing to trekking.
Credit: Zach Lovell
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 Tail, Colorado Trail, and others. Having spent more than 500 nights in the backcountry, Ben knows the value of a reliable waterproof rain jacket. Craig is a seasonal worker in natural resource management, working in the summer with the US Forest Service and in the winter as a ski repair technician. Spending most of his time outdoors, he understands the value of a solid piece of hiking gear, especially one that lasts multiple seasons and serves in a variety of conditions.
Checking out and making notes on every feature, inside and out.
Even when it's not raining, having a good insulating layer in camp is important.
This jacket is great for a wide variety of circumstances.
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, be it the lightest and highly packable options, or 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.
What's the Best Value?
The answer to the question, “Is this piece of gear worth the money?” is rarely crystal clear. Much depends on the user. To quantify value as best we can, we compare a jacket's overall score to its retail price. Items with high price tags also perform exceptionally, and of course, we are always on the lookout for products with disproportionately high scores relative to their price.
Although the Arc'teryx Beta SL is one of the most expensive jackets we have evaluated in the category, it is also the highest scorer, making it a good value for those with a corresponding budget. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L, on the other hand, offers great performance and at a more widely accessible price. The Helly Hansen Loke is even less expensive, but isn't as ideal for prolonged storms. Neither of these budget-friendly jackets are as high quality as our top-scoring models, but they retail for substantially less.
Jackets like the Arc'teryx Beta SL cost substantially more than our budget options, but their performance matches their price.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Bargain-priced jackets such as the OTU Lightweight Hooded or the Columbia Watertight II don't post the best scores in most metrics, but some shoppers might just be looking for a little bit of weather protection and don't need to spend big bucks.
While the Columbia Glennaker II doesn't offer the best water resistance, it's incredibly inexpensive and offers some handy features, such as a roll-up hood that hides in the collar.
Credit: Zach Lovell
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. These jackets feature a seam-taped waterproof fabric to create a complete seal. What differentiates the performance of each is how well and how long they keep out water. This results from several factors but generally refers to design specifics such as the number of layers of fabric, type of membrane, hood style, cuffs, pockets, front/primary zipper, pit zips, and other vents.
Our testers deliberately when out in storms to see how each jacket's weather protection performed in the real-world.
Credit: Zach Lovell
As mentioned above, a jacket's ability to keep its wearer dry has much 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 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 SL, the Arc'teryx Beta, Marmot Minimalist, and Patagonia Torrentshell 3L offer the group's most robust weather resistance. The combination of strong Gore-Tex 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. In addition, the Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell offers a highly functional DWR that testers found resisted wetting out well — both over time and during a single day out in heavy weather.
Hands down, the most impressive results in this metric came from the Arc'teryx Beta SL and is the most ideal jacket for those demanding the best in weather protection.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell and Outdoor Research Foray II are a duo of contenders that offer reliable weather protection in average showers, even if we did notice some wetting out under more extraordinary conditions.
The Outdoor Research Foray II has an elastic cord that makes it easy to secure the hood with a snug fit around the head.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch and Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic also perform fairly well in this metric, which is notable considering their high scores in breathability and mobility.
A rear two-paned Elastane panel on the OR Foray Super Stretch helps to keep air flowing through the jacket while still keeping water out.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
Breathability
Our water resistance metric 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. Though some models 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. By prioritizing real-world venting functionality, our review team was able to pinpoint some of the more significant differences between models and ventilation designs.
We took each rain jacket on a series of cardio missions, from more casual hikes to more rigorous mountain days climbing or skiing.
Credit: Mark Lovell
What's the deal with DWR?
DWR (Durable Water Repellent) is a coating applied to the outside of many rain jackets. Despite what its name implies, DWR is not meant to keep you dry (that's the job of the main waterproof membrane (usually Gore-Tex or some other proprietary fabric). Though DWR is responsible for the immensely 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 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, referring to a material that allows air to pass through at all times. It is also crucial to look at the overall construction of a jacket, including the number of layers (typically designs range from 2 to 3). We found a blend of breathable fabric construction and pit zips scored the highest in this metric.
There many different jackets in our review made with a variety of liners, membranes, and shell fabrics. These nuances in construction greatly impact breathability.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Air-permeable jackets aren't technically windproof on a micro-level. That said, they feel windproof, even if they are cooler than most folks are used to once you stop moving. Our review features a few air-permeable models: the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic and the Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell. Another excellent option that feels somewhat like a softshell is the Outdoor Research Stratoburst Stretch.
The Stratoburst looks and feels alot like a softshell jacket, making it a particularly breathable option in this layer category.
Credit: Zach Lovell
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.
Pit zips can be a game change in the breathability metric, though many can be cumbersome to open or close yourself.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
The top performer for venting was the Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch. This jacket utilizes an updated Gore-Tex called Paclite 2.0, which offers great ventilation in conjunction with a rear mesh panel. When needed, the side vents can open to the entire torso length, far outclassing most other vents in the lineup.
With both vents fully open, the Super Stretch can be incredibly well-ventilated.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
The Outdoor Research MicroGravity is an air-permeable model that uses AscentShell technology to achieve a similar effect. The Marmot Minimalist, Arc'teryx Beta SL (with traditional pit zips), and Helly Hansen Loke are other breathable options. The Outdoor Research Foray II also offers generous pit zips.
The Outdoor Research Foray II has huge pit zips that run the entire length of the torso to dump heat super fast.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Minimalist models like the Outdoor Research Helium have a modest thickness that aids breathability. The Columbia Glennaker Lake II is a similarly lightweight model, but it felt more like a trash bag during testing for this metric.
Comfort and Mobility
If a jacket is uncomfortable, you probably won't wear it, no matter its other features. In testing for the comfort 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 microsuede 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 considering how easy each is to access and adjust. Some jackets add larger fabric pull tabs to their zippers — rather than small pieces of cord — to make them easier to adjust with cold fingers or gloves.
For mobility, 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. We also compare how well a jacket's hood maintains peripheral vision and how well it moves with the head. We look at each shell with our arms stretched out straight forward, up, and to the sides, and measure how much the arms pull back from our wrists and if the hem of the jacket pulls up around our waists.
Each product in our lineup went through extensive field testing, also conducting a standardized series of movements.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The models with the best range of motion are the ultra-stretchy Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic, the Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch, and the Outdoor Research Stratoburst Stretch. These options each have a uniquely freeing range of motion for being classified as rain jackets, largely due to their stretchier material. For any of these top-contenders, 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
Next in line for the best freedom of movement and mobility are the Outdoor Research Foray II and Black Diamond Fineline Stretch. The former has a soft, thinner, more supple feel and moves well with the wearer, while the latter is made with high-stretch fabric that is super comfortable. The Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell and Arc'teryx Beta SL are slightly stiff but make 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 Helium has a thin construction that slightly stretches, making for a fairly mobile option.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Some options offer decent scores in this metric simply due to their relaxed fit. The OTU Lightweight Hooded has a baggy fit that does bunch, but it certainly doesn't inhibit any upper body movement. High-performing options like the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L didn't shine as brightly in this metric, due to stiff and crinkly fabric.
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.
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 SL and Arc'teryx Beta. The OR Super Stretch, OR Foray II, 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 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
From beanies to baseball caps, each one of these jackets features a hood that cinches down over a range of headwear, maximizing the hood's ability to turn with the user's head — instead of turning into it — though our hands-down favorite hood is on the Arc'teryx Beta SL, which has a toggle at the back of the head that is easy to manipulate which means you get great coverage without limiting visibility.
Pockets
It is tough to understate the utility of pockets, as everyone uses them at least sometimes. They are unquestionably helpful for 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, however; their size and location can greatly impact their 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. This is where it pays off to think about where you will be using your jacket before you make final decisions on what might serve you best.
Large, high pockets are ideal for retaining accessibility with a backpack.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Weight
Light is right for many shoppers, and weight is a crucial consideration for almost any gear you plan to carry. All of our testers value lightweight clothing and equipment, but not at the expense of basic functionality. Weight is likely one of your primary concerns if you're thru-hiking, climbing technical terrain, or riding your bicycle from coast to coast. For burlier adventures, soggy backpacking trips, expedition-type mountaineering trips, or even daily use, you'll want to consider durability and stormworthiness equally as much as weight.
Additionally, a jacket's ability to pack compactly is beneficial when out and about. You may well carry your rain shell rather than wear it nine times out of ten. So, the smaller such a just in case item packs, the more room you have for other items.
Every contender in our review weighs a pound or less. The Outdoor Research Helium weighs a featherweight 5.8 ounces in a men's small. 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 among the lightest jackets we've ever tested in this category.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Helly Hansen Loke is one of the most affordable full-featured jackets, weighing just 9.5 ounces. The highly mobile and breathable Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is similar at 9.6 ounces.
For such a versatile layer, the Stretch Ozonic offers a great weight.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Essentially all of these models stuff into one of their own pockets, though some are easier to stow in their hood. In this metric, we only scored the weight of each option along. However, we did investigate every option's packability. 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.
While the Torrentshell won't win any awards for its weight, it's convenient to clip to a harness or hip belt.
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 exterior material of nearly all the rain jackets we tested (also known as the face fabric) is either nylon or polyester. Though we like to talk about other aspects of rainshell jacket construction, this external material plays a huge role in overall durability. For the most part, the lighter the face fabric is, the easier it may tear or the faster it can be to abrade. Most of the jackets we tested use 30-80 Denier face fabric, with those at the higher end of the spectrum being notably more robust than the lower. The Columbia Watertight II is among the few models tested that isn't made of a ripstop fabric. 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
The Arc'teryx Beta SL was a top performer in this metric. Its thinner ePE membrane allows Arc'teryx to use a thicker face fabric, making it more robust than previous versions of the lightweight Beta. The Marmot Minimalist and Patagonia Torrentshell 3L have comparable performance. Both use 50D polyester ripstop face fabric, the former with a much longer-lasting Gore-Tex Paclite membrane and the latter with proprietary H2No Performance Standard fabric.
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
We also like the triple-layer Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell and the The North Face Dryzzle Futurelight. For 2-layer technology, the Outdoor Research Foray II and Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch are our top picks for their excellent face fabric. Notably, the Super Stretch does not compromise on durability to offer great mobility.
Getting ready as the rain rolls in with the Loke.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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
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 as it tended to be 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 frequently associated with the best performing jackets, featuring an outer layer, a membrane, and an interior liner fabric in combinations that boast top scores in 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
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. On the opposite side of the spectrum, some will need more rain protection if living in the Pacific Northwest, with mountain ranges like the Cascades consistently serving up robust rain storms.
What Activities Will You Be Doing in Your Rain Jacket?
After determining your primary climate, consider what activities you'll be doing. Some might be shopping for a water-resistant layer to stay dry while traveling around town, while others might be depending on their 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.
If you're needing a layer for casual walks around town, breathability and mobility might not play as crucial of a role. If you're planning on hikes, backpacking trips, or climbs, consider a more all-around option.
Credit: Mark Lovell
What Features Do You Need?
A rain jacket typically includes key features like a zipper, pockets of varying types (often including hand pockets), and adjustable drawstring hoods and hems. Some jackets also offer pit zippers, which open underneath the armpit and can greatly improve ventilation. Another key consideration when it comes to available features is weight — some shoppers will care more than others about their jacket's weight, but that will purely depend on intended uses and personal preferences.
Adjustable hoods and hems are a staple in rain jacket features, we recommend looking for these offerings in your first, or next, jacket.
Credit: Mark Lovell
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 on the design characteristics that will be most important to you. Stay dry out there!
—Zach Lovell, Ben Applebaum-Bauch, Ian Nicholson and Craig D'Innocente
