REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Good fit
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Hood isn't super comfortable
Fabric doesn't feel good on skin
REI Rainier - Women's Review
A simple rain jacket in which function meets value at a reasonable price point
Credit: Jessica Albery
RELATED: Best Rain Jackets for Women of 2024
Our Verdict
The REI Rainier is a decent buy for those seeking a functional and affordable rain jacket. This jacket may not be the most high-tech, most water resistant, or most breathable, but for the price, this is a very good rain jacket. We recommend it for outdoor enthusiasts who need a jacket for adventuring in moderate rain. Read more about the best women's rain jackets.
Editor's Note: This review of the REI Rainier was added to our women's rain jacket review on October 4, 2022.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
REI Rainier - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Budget Water Resistance | Best on a Tight Budget | |||
| Price | $100 List $99.95 at REI | $179.00 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $84.00 at Amazon Compare at 4 sellers | $88.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $59.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An easy-to-use rain jacket that combines functionality and value at a reasonable price point | A quality rain jacket offering exceptional water resistance and performance that will hold up to the wildest weather | A reliable rain jacket that offers great value for good performance at a reasonable price | A straightforward, no-frills rain jacket with a stylish cut and decent water resistance | A good causal layer to keep you dry when you have to run errands in the rain, but lacks breathability for more active outdoor adventures |
| Rating Categories | REI Rainier - Women's | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Marmot PreCip Eco -... | The North Face Anto... | Columbia Arcadia II... |
| Water Resistance (30%) | |||||
| Breathability (25%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (20%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | REI Rainier - Women's | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Marmot PreCip Eco -... | The North Face Anto... | Columbia Arcadia II... |
| Measured Weight | 11.4 oz | 12.2 oz | 9.2 oz | 12.2 oz | 11.2 oz |
| Waterproof Fabric Material | 2.5-layer HydroWall (proprietary material) with non-PFC DWR finish | 3-layer 50D H2No Performance Standard ECONYL (propriatary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer PFC-free NanoPro (proprietary material) | 2-layer 70D DryVent (proprietary material) with non-PFC DWR finish | 2-layer Omni-Tech (proprietary material) |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand, 2 interior drop-in | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand |
| Pit Zips | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Stows into Pocket | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Helmet Compatible Hood | No | No | No | No | No |
| Additional Features | Adjustable hood, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem, brushed collar lining | Dual adjustable and stowable hood, microfleece-lined neck, external and internal zipper storm flaps, chin zipper guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, drawcord hem, carabiner clip-in loop | Adjustable stowable hood, DriClime-lined chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem | Adjustable hood, elastic cuffs, front zipper storm flap, adjustable drawcord hem | Adjustable hood, chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The REI Rainier offers exceptional value with a low price point and excellent functionality, good breathability, and water resistance that is up to scratch with many jackets with a higher price point. The 2.5-layer bluesign approved recycled nylon ripstop fabric offers ample protection in moderate rain and provides decent breathability while on the move. We also appreciate that this jacket is manufactured in a Fair Trade certified factory.
Performance Comparison
The REI Rainier offers good value at a reasonable price
Credit: Jessica Albery
Water Resistance
The Rainier offers satisfactory water resistance for outdoor activities in moderate precipitation. The 2.5-layer nylon fabric held up decently well in all of our lab tests as well as field tests. The center and pocket zippers offered adequate protection from the elements in order to keep the wearer and pocket contents dry. The hood's visor provides disappointing coverage, offering minimal protection from the rain for the wearer's face.
The Rainier's fabric takes up a bit of water.
Credit: Jessica Albery
Breathability
The 2.5-layer fabric of the Rainier breathed pretty well while hiking, allowing the tiny molecules of sweat to escape while still keeping the outside precipitation at bay. This jacket is on the warmer side, and we found that we had to open the vents sooner when the temperature was balmy. Fortunately, the pit vents of the Rainier rapidly dump heat to prevent overheating and keep the wearer comfortable.
The REI Rainier is on the warmer side, but the vents dump heat quickly.
Credit: Jessica Albery
Comfort and Mobility
The cut of the Rainier is generous in the length of the body and sleeves, offering excellent coverage for those on the taller side. It provides a full range of motion and is easy to move in. The mesh lining of the pockets, as well as the fabric around the neck and chin, were soft, feeling pleasant against the skin. However, the inner fabric of the rest of the jacket felt plasticky against bare skin, which wasn't super comfortable. The hood was comfortable when up loosely, but when cinched down, we found it forced the head down, which was uncomfortable over an extended period of time.
The lining of the hand pockets on the Rainier is soft against bare skin.
Credit: Jessica Albery
Weight
The Rainier weighs in at 11.4 ounces, on the slightly higher end of the spectrum of jackets tested. While this is not a dealbreaker if weight is not an issue, it may be on the heavy side for those looking to keep packs as light as possible.
The garment stows away in a hand pocket. Once stowed, the size is fairly compact, measuring 9" x 5" x 3". The zipper ends about two inches from the edge of the pocket, so to get it to fit the user has to fill that corner first. Because of this, it can take a bit of practice to quickly and efficiently pack it away.
The Rainier packed up next to a 1-liter Hydroflask.
Credit: Jessica Albery
Durability
The Rainier held up well over months of testing and frequent use. The fabric and seams are durable and well constructed. The snap at the bottom of the storm flap was sub-par and hard to snap shut. The soft mesh pocket lining also occasionally got stuck in the zipper, which was annoying.
Testing all components frequently helps us evaluate durability.
Credit: Jessica Albery
Should You Buy the REI Co-op Rainier?
The REI Rainier is a steal with its functionality and performance out-scoring a few other jackets in its price range. We think it is a great choice for the outdoor enthusiast looking for a budget rain jacket that performs well in a wide range of conditions. The water resistance and breathability may be up to snuff with the very top competitors, but many of those are more than twice the price.
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
The Marmot PreCip Eco is another rain jacket that offers exceptional value at a low price, with a bit better performance in most fields, and is worth considering for a budget rain jacket that performs well. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is another good value rain jacket with very water-resistant fabric, if you don't mind the stiffer material.
The REI Rainer was tested on a spring splitboard mission.
Credit: Claire Lawrenson
—
Jessica Albery
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