10 Finest Rain Jackets of 2024 with Ultralight Choices
Should you’re searching for one of the best rain jacket to suit your wants, you’ve come to the correct place. Our crew of seasoned backpackers and devoted gear buffs has been analyzing rain jackets for years.
However we don’t simply evaluate specs – we analysis and take a look at dozens of jackets out on path to see how they carry out in actual world circumstances. It may be troublesome to search out the right rain jacket with so many choices on the market. So we put our many years of data and expertise to good use to slim down this record of the easiest rain jackets.
Our high purpose is to get you to the knowledge you want so you can also make an knowledgeable buy and get exterior. Should you’ll be in actually moist circumstances, we advocate having a look at our record of the greatest rain pants out there. And if chilly days and nights are within the forecast, you’ll positively need to layer up with considered one of our high fleece jackets or down jackets.
Fast Picks for Rain Jackets
Try this fast record of our favourite rain jackets, or proceed scrolling to see our full record with in-depth critiques.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
Finest rain jacket total
Value: $179
Weight: 14.1 oz.
Execs
Reasonably priced
Sturdy
Excessive-quality development
Pockets
Pit-zips
Cons
A bit heavy/cumbersome for backcountry journeys
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (Males’s / Ladies’s) is considered one of our all-time favourite rain jackets as a result of it’s inexpensive, sturdy, and has an important match. Whereas it’s not as light-weight and compressible as some, we’ve used it extensively on backpacking journeys after we anticipated stormy circumstances. Its laminated triple-layer development is extremely protecting in sustained rain and the jacket nonetheless feels light-weight in your physique. As a result of it’s so versatile and such an superior worth, the Torrentshell is the primary rain jacket we advocate for all-around use.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic
Most snug rain jacket
Value: $230
Weight: 10.5 oz.
Execs
Snug (stretchy)
Quiet
Pockets
Pit-zips
Cons
Hood is not as adjustable as some
If consolation is a high precedence, you’ll love the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket (Males’s / Ladies’s). The stretch cloth is delicate to the contact and provides the jacket a relaxed, unrestricted really feel that’s straightforward to maneuver in. We additionally love how quiet the fabric is – you’ll be able to truly hear with the hood up! The Ozonic has all the important thing components we search for in a rain jacket – hand pockets, pit-zips, and low weight – so it’s nice for nearly any exercise. Greater than something, we attain for the Ozonic due to its excellent consolation.
Montbell Versalite
Finest ultralight rain jacket
Value: $249
Weight: 6.4 oz.
Execs
Ultralight
Extremely packable
Pit-zips
Hip belt-compatible pockets
Cons
Ultralight supplies are typically much less sturdy
Slim match is not for everybody
The Montbell Versalite (Males’s / Ladies’s) shortly turned our favourite rain jacket for ultralight adventures as a result of it’s extremely light-weight, however doesn’t compromise on necessities like hand pockets and pit zips. Like most ultralight gear, the Versalite is made with skinny supplies, so that you’ll need to be a bit extra cautious with it than you’ll a burlier jacket. That mentioned, we’ve been utilizing it for years with out difficulty, and the load financial savings makes it among the best selections on the market for actions like mountaineering and backpacking. The Versalite has a really aggressive value for a premium ultralight jacket and we extremely advocate it to anybody searching for methods to chop pack weight.
Black Diamond Stormline Stretch
Light-weight & inexpensive rain jacket
Value: $170
Weight: 11.3 oz.
Execs
Reasonably priced
Light-weight
Extremely packable
Excessive-quality development
Pockets
Pit-zips
Numerous colours to select from
Cons
Excessive collar & helmet appropriate hood is not for everybody
The Black Diamond Stormline Stretch jacket (Males’s / Ladies’s) hits the nail on the pinnacle with an important steadiness of the whole lot – inexpensive value, top quality development, and helpful options. We love that it’s sturdy sufficient for on a regular basis put on, however nonetheless light-weight sufficient to make use of for backcountry journeys. This jacket additionally has loads of changes to customise the match, and simply sufficient stretch to make it unnoticeable when reaching or transferring. Total, it’s a extremely purposeful and enticing jacket. Due to the considerate design and the inexpensive value level, we discover the Stormline to be one of the vital well-rounded rain jackets in the marketplace.
REI Rainier
Finest funds rain jacket
Value: $100
Weight: 13 oz.
Execs
Reasonably priced
Light-weight
Pockets
Pit-zips
Cons
Much less sturdy than others
Flap as a substitute of waterproof zipper
The REI Rainier rain jacket (Males’s / Ladies’s) has lengthy been a favourite within the business as a result of it’s inexpensive, well-designed, and it has an important steadiness of weight and climate safety. We’ve used the Rainier for hundreds of miles on the path and it’s carried out very effectively, particularly for the worth.
The Marmot PreCip (Males’s / Ladies’s) is nearly an identical to the Rainier. Each are nice funds jackets, however we barely favor the Rainier for its large availability and an enormous array of coloration selections.
REI XeroDry GTX
Finest worth rain jacket
Value: $179
Weight: 12.7 oz.
Execs
Reasonably priced
Sturdy
Snug
Straightforward to layer
Should you’re searching for a jacket with an important steadiness of affordability and high quality, the REI XeroDry GTX (Males’s / Ladies’s) is a stable choice. It prices a bit greater than a few of our extra fundamental picks, however the supplies really feel extra sturdy and comfy towards the pores and skin. The XeroDry can also be much less fitted than some jackets, so it’s extra snug and flattering for individuals who favor a relaxed match or need somewhat additional room to accommodate insulation layers. Should you don’t thoughts the shortage of pit zips and also you need an important worth for on a regular basis put on, the XeroDry is hard to beat.
Out of doors Analysis Helium
Most inexpensive ultralight rain jacket
Value: $170
Weight: 6.3 oz.
Execs
Reasonably priced
Ultralight
Extremely packable
Cons
Much less sturdy than others
No pit zips
No hand pockets (males’s)
Runs a bit small – dimension as much as accommodate layers
The Out of doors Analysis Helium (Males’s / Ladies’s) is likely one of the most inexpensive ultralight rain jackets in the marketplace. Enhancements to the design have given the jacket a extra streamlined match, higher waterproofing, and higher sturdiness. The one draw back is that the boys’s model doesn’t have hand pockets, however that is simply remedied by bringing waterproof gloves on chilly, moist journeys. Ultralight gear will be costly, and when you’ve got quite a bit to purchase, it’s necessary to make each greenback rely. The Helium does simply that – it’s easy however high-quality, and a very good worth. Try our full evaluation of the Helium Jacket and Pants.
Arc’teryx Beta AR
Most protecting rain jacket
Value: $600
Weight: 16 oz.
Execs
Sturdy
Finest-quality supplies
Distinctive match
Pockets
Pit-zips
Prime-notch hood design
Cons
Very costly
Heavier/bulkier than some
Slim match is not for everybody
Should you’re searching for a technical jacket that may stand as much as the trials of on a regular basis put on and blasting storms, the Arc’teryx Beta AR (Males’s / Ladies’s) is the jacket you need. It has an extremely dialed-in match and materials that feels impenetrable but additionally strikes with you. The Beta isn’t the lightest choice, but it surely’s the jacket we belief most in extreme rain and snow circumstances. A couple of of our favourite options are the excessive collar, exact hood changes, and large visor that maintain even essentially the most sideways rain at bay. There’s little question that this jacket is spendy, however the Beta is definitely worth the funding for individuals who want a rain jacket that may final for years of laborious use.
Zpacks Vertice
Extremely breathable ultralight jacket
Value: MSRP: $299
Weight: 5.9 oz.
Execs
Ultralight
Breathable
Extremely packable
Match accommodates layers effectively
Wonderful protection
Cons
Costly
Much less sturdy then some
Hood works greatest with a hat
The Zpacks Vertice (Males’s / Ladies’s) is likely one of the lightest rain jackets out there. This featherweight shell offers glorious protection, is extremely breathable, and is surprisingly sturdy for a way mild it’s. The Vertice is lengthy sufficient to cowl your bum, which is handy when taking breaks on moist rocks or logs. It additionally means the seat of your shorts or pants isn’t bearing the brunt of the runoff out of your jacket, so that you’ll keep somewhat hotter when it’s moist out. It’s additionally one of the vital breathable jackets on our record, so it received’t trigger you to overheat instantly when backpacking. The Vertice is on the spendy aspect, however if you’d like one of the best steadiness of low weight and glorious protection – this jacket is difficult to beat. Try our full evaluation of the Zpacks Vertice right here.
Rab Kinetic 2.0
Smooth & snug rain jacket
Value: $250
Weight: 11.8 oz.
Execs
Snug (stretchy)
Quiet
Breathable
Light-weight
Flattering match
Cons
A bit expersive
No pit zips
Few changes
Slime match is not for everybody
Runs a bit small – dimension as much as accommodate cumbersome layers
The Rab Kinetic 2.0 (Males’s / Ladies’s) is likely one of the most snug and quiet rain jackets we’ve ever worn. It feels extra like a softshell jacket than a standard rain shell as a result of stretch cloth, so that you would possibly end up carrying it even when it isn’t raining. The Kinetic Plus isn’t essentially the most technical jacket on our record because it lacks hood and hem changes, however we just like the simplicity of the design and it has a cosy, flattering match. The Kinetic Plus is nice for occasions once you want somewhat heat and wind safety when you’re lively in mildly wet circumstances.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L – Photograph Credit score: Casey Handley (CleverHiker.com)
What’s Most Necessary to You in a Rain Jacket?
PRICE
Should you spend quite a lot of time outside in moist circumstances, paying a bit extra for a rain jacket with an superior match and high-quality supplies will be effectively value the fee. That mentioned, there are many funds jackets that may even maintain you dry and comfy. We advocate jackets at quite a lot of value factors to swimsuit each funds.
Finest high-end rain jackets
COMFORT
You don’t need to accept an uncomfortable proscribing or plasticky-feeling rain jacket. There are many nice choices which can be designed with match, motion, and next-to-skin consolation in thoughts.
Most snug rain jackets
WEIGHT & PACKABILITY
It’s a good suggestion to hold a rain jacket even when the climate seems clear, particularly when venturing into distant areas. In additional fair-weather circumstances, an ultralight jacket that hardly takes up any room in your pack is all it’s essential to present emergency safety. If the forecast requires sustained rain and also you’ll seemingly be carrying your jacket for almost all of a visit, a light-mid weight jacket will be definitely worth the added weight for a bit extra assurance.
Finest ultralight rain jackets
Finest light-weight rain jackets
Finest midweight rain jackets
DURABILITY
Ultralight rain jackets are superior once you need to maintain weight to a minimal, simply remember that light-weight materials have a tendency to wear down faster. Sturdiness, consolation, and bomb-proof climate safety could also be extra necessary than weight financial savings for on a regular basis put on or if you happen to plan to get into notably rugged terrain.
Most sturdy rain jackets
BREATHABILITY
Many rain jackets promote that they’ve obtained the newest most “breathable” vapor barrier in the marketplace, however the reality is, you’ll get sizzling and sweaty if you happen to do vigorous train in any of them. We search for rain jackets with vents and pit zips after we need a surefire solution to keep cool when on the go.
Finest rain jackets with pit zips
Crucial Rain Jacket Issues
NUMBER OF LAYERS
The variety of layers in a jacket determines how waterproof and breathable it is going to be.
2-layer jackets are the most typical and inexpensive and so they’re usually constructed with a Sturdy Water Repellent-coated (DWR) outer shell and a breathable liner (normally mesh)
2.5-layer jackets are usually the lightest and are made with the identical DWR-coated outer. The inside layer of a 2.5-layer jacket is a skinny polyurethane laminate or coating meant to maintain sweat and filth from clogging the breathable pores of the jacket from the within
3-layer jackets are the best and so they incorporate all the above – they’ve a DWR-coated outer shell, a breathable and waterproof mid-layer, after which a polyurethane lining for the innermost layer.
PIT ZIPS
It’s at all times good to have the choice for extra airflow. Zippered openings on the armpits, aka pit zips, are nice for letting extra warmth escape if you happen to get too heat whereas mountaineering uphill or being lively.
CONDENSATION
Should you’re carrying a rain jacket on a chilly, wet day, condensation will seemingly kind on the within cloth. This leads many individuals to assume that their rain gear is failing although it’s nonetheless waterproof and doing its job. Should you really feel wetness forming inside your jacket, don’t fear an excessive amount of about it and maintain truckin’. It’ll seemingly evaporate with physique warmth so long as you’re carrying applicable wicking layers beneath. So long as you’re transferring, you’ll nonetheless be comparatively dry and comfy.
Arc’teryx Beta AR – Photograph Credit score: Dave Collins (CleverHiker.com)
How To Keep Cool & Dry In A Rain Jacket
Getting sizzling and sweating once you’re working laborious in a rain jacket is inevitable.
Begin chilly – Solely carrying a light-weight wool or artificial t-shirt or base layer high beneath your rain jacket if you happen to count on to hike quick or uphill straight away
Ventilate – Dump warmth by way of the pit zips, backside hem, wrist cuffs, and entrance zipper
Decelerate – Moderating your tempo will gradual your coronary heart price
Drink water – Staying hydrated and ingesting chilly water will cool you from the inside-out
Shed layers – Take off your hat and gloves
Use rain pants – Strong waterproof clothes methods incorporate high quality rain pants
Waterproof footwear – Select waterproof mountaineering boots (Males / Ladies), mountaineering footwear (Males / Ladies), or rain boots (Males / Ladies) to maintain your toes dry
Umbrella – Think about using a mountaineering umbrella along with an ultralight rain jacket
We personal & use all the rain jackets we advocate – Photograph Credit score: Heather Eldridge (CleverHiker.com)
Honorable Mentions
The next rain jackets didn’t make our closing record, however they’ve nonetheless obtained quite a lot of good issues going for them. You by no means know, considered one of these jackets is perhaps excellent for you:
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