10 Finest Rain Jackets of 2024 with Ultralight Choices


A backpacker wearing the Rab Kinetic 2.0 Rain Jacket
Rab Kinetic 2.0 – Photograph Credit score: Heather Eldridge (CleverHiker.com)

In the event you’re searching for the most effective rain jacket to suit your wants, you’ve come to the appropriate place. Our group of seasoned backpackers and devoted gear buffs has been analyzing rain jackets for years.

However we don’t simply examine specs – we analysis and take a look at dozens of jackets out on path to see how they carry out in actual world situations. It may be troublesome to seek out the proper rain jacket with so many choices on the market. So we put our a long time of data and expertise to good use to slim down this record of the easiest rain jackets.

Our prime purpose is to get you to the knowledge you want so you may make an knowledgeable buy and get exterior. In the event you’ll be in actually moist situations, we advocate having a look at our record of the finest rain pants obtainable. And if chilly days and nights are within the forecast, you’ll undoubtedly wish to layer up with one among our prime 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 evaluations.

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Finest rain jacket general

Worth: $179

Weight: 14.1 oz.

Professionals

  • Inexpensive
  • Sturdy
  • Excessive-quality development
  • Pockets
  • Pit-zips

Cons

  • A bit heavy/cumbersome for backcountry journeys

The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (Males’s / Ladies’s) is one among our all-time favourite rain jackets as a result of it’s reasonably priced, sturdy, and has an amazing match. Whereas it’s not as light-weight and compressible as some, we’ve used it extensively on backpacking journeys once we anticipated stormy situations. Its laminated triple-layer development is very 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 comfy rain jacket

Worth: $230

Weight: 10.5 oz.

Professionals

  • Comfy (stretchy)
  • Quiet
  • Pockets
  • Pit-zips

Cons

  • Hood is not as adjustable as some

If consolation is a prime precedence, you’ll love the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket (Males’s / Ladies’s). The stretch cloth is gentle 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 possibly can 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

Worth: $249

Weight: 6.4 oz.

Professionals

  • 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 must be a bit extra cautious with it than you’d a burlier jacket. That stated, we’ve been utilizing it for years with out concern, and the burden financial savings makes it top-of-the-line 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 & reasonably priced rain jacket

Worth: $170

Weight: 11.3 oz.

Professionals

  • Inexpensive
  • Light-weight
  • Extremely packable
  • Excessive-quality development
  • Pockets
  • Pit-zips
  • Plenty of colours to select from

Cons

  • Excessive collar & helmet suitable hood is not for everybody

The Black Diamond Stormline Stretch jacket (Males’s / Ladies’s) hits the nail on the pinnacle with an amazing steadiness of every thing – reasonably priced value, prime 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. General, it’s a extremely practical and engaging jacket. Due to the considerate design and the reasonably priced value level, we discover the Stormline to be probably the most well-rounded rain jackets available on the market.

REI Rainier

Finest funds rain jacket

Worth: $100

Weight: 13 oz.

Professionals

  • Inexpensive
  • 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 trade as a result of it’s reasonably priced, well-designed, and it has an amazing steadiness of weight and climate safety. We’ve used the Rainier for hundreds of miles on the path and it’s carried out very properly, 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 choose the Rainier for its huge availability and an enormous array of coloration selections.

REI XeroDry GTX

Finest worth rain jacket

Worth: $179

Weight: 12.7 oz.

Professionals

  • Inexpensive
  • Sturdy
  • Comfy
  • Straightforward to layer

In the event you’re searching for a jacket with an amazing steadiness of affordability and high quality, the REI XeroDry GTX (Males’s / Ladies’s) is a strong choice. It prices a bit greater than a few of our extra primary picks, however the supplies really feel extra sturdy and cozy towards the pores and skin. The XeroDry can be much less fitted than some jackets, so it’s extra comfy and flattering for many who choose a relaxed match or need just a little further room to accommodate insulation layers. In the event you don’t thoughts the shortage of pit zips and also you need an amazing worth for on a regular basis put on, the XeroDry is hard to beat.

Outside Analysis Helium

Most reasonably priced ultralight rain jacket

Worth: $170

Weight: 6.3 oz.

Professionals

  • Inexpensive
  • 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 Outside Analysis Helium (Males’s / Ladies’s) is without doubt one of the most reasonably priced ultralight rain jackets available on the market. Enhancements to the design have given the jacket a extra streamlined match, higher waterproofing, and larger sturdiness. The one draw back is that the lads’s model doesn’t have hand pockets, however that is simply remedied by bringing waterproof gloves on chilly, moist journeys. Ultralight gear may be costly, and when you’ve loads to purchase, it’s vital to make each greenback rely. The Helium does simply that – it’s easy however high-quality, and a very good worth. Try our full assessment of the Helium Jacket and Pants.

Arc’teryx Beta AR

Most protecting rain jacket

Worth: $600

Weight: 16 oz.

Professionals

  • 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

In the event you’re searching for a technical jacket that may stand as much as the pains 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 situations. A couple of of our favourite options are the excessive collar, exact hood changes, and huge visor that preserve 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 many who want a rain jacket that may final for years of exhausting use.

Zpacks Vertice

Extremely breathable ultralight jacket

Worth: MSRP: $299

Weight: 5.9 oz.

Professionals

  • Ultralight
  • Breathable
  • Extremely packable
  • Match accommodates layers properly
  • Wonderful protection

Cons

  • Costly
  • Much less sturdy then some
  • Hood works finest with a hat

The Zpacks Vertice (Males’s / Ladies’s) is without doubt one of the lightest rain jackets obtainable. This featherweight shell gives wonderful protection, is extremely breathable, and is surprisingly sturdy for the 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 just a little hotter when it’s moist out. It’s additionally probably the most 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 the most effective steadiness of low weight and wonderful protection – this jacket is tough to beat. Try our full assessment of the Zpacks Vertice right here.

Rab Kinetic 2.0

Smooth & comfy rain jacket

Worth: $250

Weight: 11.8 oz.

Professionals

  • Comfy (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 without doubt one of the most comfy and quiet rain jackets we’ve ever worn. It feels extra like a softshell jacket than a conventional rain shell as a result of stretch cloth, so that you would possibly end up sporting 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 comfortable, flattering match. The Kinetic Plus is nice for occasions whenever you want just a little heat and wind safety whilst you’re energetic in mildly wet situations.

A day hiker wearing the Patagonia Torrentshell rain jacket
Patagonia Torrentshell 3LPhotograph Credit score: Casey Handley (CleverHiker.com)

What’s Most Essential to You in a Rain Jacket?

PRICE

In the event you spend plenty of time outside in moist situations, paying a bit extra for a rain jacket with an superior match and high-quality supplies may be properly price the associated fee. That stated, there are many funds jackets that may also preserve you dry and cozy. We advocate jackets at a wide range of value factors to go well with each funds.

Finest high-end rain jackets

COMFORT

You don’t must 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 comfy rain jackets

WEIGHT & PACKABILITY

It’s a good suggestion to hold a rain jacket even when the climate appears clear, particularly when venturing into distant areas. In additional fair-weather situations, an ultralight jacket that hardly takes up any room in your pack is all you should present emergency safety. If the forecast requires sustained rain and also you’ll seemingly be sporting your jacket for almost all of a visit, a light-mid weight jacket may 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 whenever you wish to preserve weight to a minimal, simply needless to say light-weight materials have a tendency to wear down faster. Sturdiness, consolation, and bomb-proof climate safety could also be extra vital than weight financial savings for on a regular basis put on or for those who plan to get into significantly rugged terrain.

Most sturdy rain jackets

BREATHABILITY

Many rain jackets promote that they’ve acquired the newest most “breathable” vapor barrier available on the market, however the fact is, you’ll get sizzling and sweaty for those who do vigorous train in any of them. We search for rain jackets with vents and pit zips once we desire a surefire strategy to keep cool when on the go.

Finest rain jackets with pit zips

Essential Rain Jacket Concerns

NUMBER OF LAYERS

The variety of layers in a jacket determines how waterproof and breathable it will likely be.

2-layer jackets are the commonest and reasonably priced and so they’re sometimes constructed with a Sturdy Water Repellent-coated (DWR) outer shell and a breathable liner (normally mesh)

2.5-layer jackets are sometimes the lightest and are made with the identical DWR-coated outer. The interior layer of a 2.5-layer jacket is a skinny polyurethane laminate or coating meant to maintain sweat and dust from clogging the breathable pores of the jacket from the within

3-layer jackets are the simplest and so they incorporate the entire 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 all the time good to have the choice for extra airflow. Zippered openings on the armpits, aka pit zips, are nice for letting extra warmth escape for those who get too heat whereas mountaineering uphill or being energetic.

CONDENSATION

In the event you’re sporting a rain jacket on a chilly, wet day, condensation will seemingly type on the within cloth. This leads many individuals to suppose that their rain gear is failing despite the fact that it’s nonetheless waterproof and doing its job. In the event you really feel wetness forming inside your jacket, don’t fear an excessive amount of about it and preserve truckin’. It’ll seemingly evaporate with physique warmth so long as you’re sporting applicable wicking layers beneath. So long as you’re transferring, you’ll nonetheless be comparatively dry and cozy.

Arc’teryx Beta AR – Photograph Credit score: Dave Collins (CleverHiker.com)

How To Keep Cool & Dry In A Rain Jacket

Getting sizzling and sweating whenever you’re working exhausting in a rain jacket is inevitable.

  • Begin chilly – Solely sporting a light-weight wool or artificial t-shirt or base layer prime below your rain jacket for those who count on to hike quick or uphill instantly
  • Ventilate – Dump warmth by the pit zips, backside hem, wrist cuffs, and entrance zipper
  • Decelerate – Moderating your tempo will sluggish your coronary heart fee
  • Drink water – Staying hydrated and consuming chilly water will cool you from the inside-out
  • Shed layers – Take off your hat and gloves
  • Use rain pants – Stable waterproof clothes programs 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

Honorable Mentions

The next rain jackets didn’t make our ultimate record, however they’ve nonetheless acquired plenty of good issues going for them. You by no means know, one among these jackets could be good for you:

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