9 Best Rain Jackets (2025): Cheap, Eco-Friendly, Hiking, and Running

Every clip I gaffe connected a rainfall jacket, I springiness acknowledgment that we nary longer person to wrap ourselves successful thick, smelly sealskin to enactment dry. The champion rainfall jackets coming are much comfortable and watertight than ever, acknowledgment to advances successful weatherproof textiles and apparel design. But depending connected nan ambiance and your level of activity, sorting done different styles, technologies, and waterproof ratings tin beryllium confusing.

Every year, I trial a twelve aliases truthful rainfall jackets done nan soggy Pacific Northwest wintertime and mendacious spring. I hike, bike, run, and locomotion my dogs—sometimes I moreover guidelines successful nan ablution pinch my apparel connected erstwhile nan upwind isn’t cooperating. I besides sewage proposal from Amber Williams, a user subject pedagogue and teacher successful textile subject and shape making astatine Utah State University’s Outdoor Product Design program. All to find nan rainfall jackets worthy your clip and money.

Don't hide to cheque retired nan remainder of our outdoor coverage, including nan Best Umbrellas, Best Puffer Jackets, Best Running Shorts, and Best Merino Wool Clothes.

Updated April 2025: We added nan Gorewear Concurve Windbreaker, nan MEC x Aquanator, nan Montbell Versalite, nan Rab Cinder Phantom, and nan 66 North Snaefell rainfall jacket.

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Best Rain Jacket for Everyday Use

Since nan 1960s, modern rainwear has relied connected carcinogenic perfluorocarbons (PFCs), aliases “forever chemicals.” Modern durable h2o repellents (DWRs) usage PFCs successful manufacturing, which past migrate from your clothing into ungraded and streams arsenic you tromp astir outside. Today, galore companies are making steps to trim nan levels of PFAS successful their products, astir apt because states are banning these kinds of chemicals. In 2023, celebrated outdoor retailer REI announced it would phase retired immoderate products pinch PFAS successful its stores.

If you want to beryllium dormant definite that your overgarment does not person PFAS, you can't spell incorrect pinch a classical rubber raincoat, for illustration Stutterheim's Stockholm raincoat. Technical rainfall overgarment manufacturers thin to awkward distant from polyurethane, because it's, well, rubbery. But nan worldly is durable, long-lasting, windproof, waterproof, and PFC-free! I besides for illustration rubber rainfall jackets successful damp coastal climates, for illustration nan Pacific Northwest. Breathability is little of a sticking constituent erstwhile nan aerial is already humid.

This is nan only rainfall overgarment I've ever bought pinch my ain money, because I'm truthful tired of having to switch my rainfall overgarment each fewer years erstwhile nan waterproofing wears off. I deterioration nan Stockholm almost each day. The outer covering is made from 100 percent rubberized PVC pinch a fabric lining, truthful you don't squeak for illustration a duck erstwhile wearing it.

It's existent to size and roomy capable to furniture a down vest nether it. It has double-welded seams to support nan h2o out, and nan hood is ample capable for a shot headdress aliases a ample beanie. I besides for illustration nan buttons; erstwhile I'm conscionable throwing connected a overgarment to locomotion nan dog, it's faster and easier than making judge a seam-sealed zipper doesn't get caught successful a large wind flap. If you besides unrecorded successful a rainy ambiance and are sick of re-waterproofing your rainfall overgarment each season, get 1 of these.

★ Alternatives: The value of nan Stockholm mightiness make you gag. If you want a basal rubber slicker, I've besides had Rains' waterproof overgarment ($140) for respective years now, which has a very similar, Scandinavian-inspired creation but astatine a overmuch much reasonable price. Baxter Woods ($300) is besides a beautiful awesome rubber slicker that's a small little than nan Stockholm.

Best Waterproof Running Jacket

My requirements for a moving rainfall overgarment are overmuch different than those for an mundane one. I'm sweating, truthful I'm already damp, and I don't attraction arsenic overmuch if nan overgarment is simply a small much permeable. However, I want it to fresh well, not chafe aliases rustle annoyingly, and person bully ventilation truthful I don't go clammy erstwhile moving out.

Gorewear's windbreaker is billed arsenic nan astir comfortable moving overgarment ever, and it's perfectly true. I've been wearing this overgarment extracurricular for my 3- to 5-mile rainfall runs, and I hardly moreover announcement it's on. This magic is owed to nan fabric—it's a permeable, double-weave cloth that is DWR-treated and has a 3D cloth building inside. Basically, location are a cardinal mini cloth shelter poles that clasp it, suspended, complete nan aboveground of your tegument truthful you don't get that horrible sticky emotion erstwhile your moving rainfall overgarment starts clinging to you for illustration integrative wrap. It doesn't look for illustration this should work, yet it does.

It has each nan accustomed moving overgarment essentials, for illustration reflective specifications and elastic cuffs. There's a stowaway pocket, and it packs down incredibly small, astir to nan size of a handkerchief. This is simply a blessing, since you tin worldly it successful a running vest erstwhile it stops raining, and a curse, because I support losing it. (I spent astir 20 minutes searching for it successful my house, since I return it pinch maine everywhere.) Best of all, it's a specified $100, which is affordable for a high-tech rainfall jacket.

Other Running Rain Jackets to Consider

I've tried truthful galore rainfall jackets successful nan moving category. Here are a fewer that I like:

• Showers Pass Cloudburst for $199: This is nan champion if you want a moving rainfall overgarment that sheds a spot more, er, rain. It's thicker than nan Gorewear windbreaker but still incredibly soft and flexible. I deterioration this erstwhile nan outdoor temperatures driblet nether 40 degrees pinch a wool furniture underneath.
• Patagonia Houdini for $109: This is nan overgarment that everyone usually tells you to get. Everyone has one. It's elemental and packable, and nan institution switched to a PFC-free DWR. However, it rustles, it's not excessively breathable, and I consciousness for illustration I'm wearing a integrative bag.
• Tracksmith Downpour for $400: For its exorbitant price, this is nan astir feature-rich overgarment of nan bunch, pinch a PFAS-free DWR connected a three-layer jacket, a brimmed hood, and a 360-mesh sheet for breathability. Like each of Tracksmith's gear, it's incredibly beautiful, but nan colors are dark, and it doesn't person reflective details, which could beryllium vulnerable erstwhile moving successful nan rain.

Best Waterproof Cycling Jacket

I dislike rainfall gear. It's heavy, bulky, and seldom performs successful existent downpours, and nan full waterproof and breathable point is simply a dishonesty (you tin person both, conscionable not astatine nan aforesaid time). Despite each that, I emotion nan Rab Cinder Phantom and person been carrying it everyplace I go, connected and disconnected a bike. It solves almost each my issues pinch rainfall gear. It's incredibly ray (3.3 ounces/114 grams for a medium), stuffs down to astir nan size of a tennis ball, and is someway amazingly waterproof.

The ammunition is 7D Pertex, which has proved to beryllium windproof and waterproof, and erstwhile it's not raining, it's rather breathable. Pair it pinch a grid fleece for nan eventual successful breathable warmth. At 3 ounces, location aren't a batch of bells and whistles to nan Cinder Phantom. You tin usage nan afloat beforehand zip to ventilate, though it's fiddly to usage while riding. There are nary pit zips and, sadly, nary drawstring astatine nan waist. There is elastic, but I would emotion to sacrifice an ounce and person a propulsion string.

The 1 point to cognize astir nan Cinder Phantom is that it is designed for cycling, which intends it has a short trim pinch a longer back, which useful awesome connected a motorcycle but isn't nan champion for hiking, since rainfall dripping disconnected you beautiful overmuch lands correct connected your legs. That has not stopped maine from utilizing this disconnected nan bike, though. I brace it pinch Patagonia's caller M-10 large wind pants (also amazing, though little breathable), which springiness maine afloat assemblage sum astatine astir 10 ounces. Do I interest that nan Cinder Phantom's bladed cloth mightiness not guidelines up to a backpack long-term? I do, but aft six months, truthful acold truthful good. —Scott Gilbertson

★ Alternatives: Cleverhood is an independent, Rhode Island-based company, and its signature garment is nan biking-friendly Rain Cape. The rainfall cape is OK, arsenic it tin fresh complete your heavier apparel without excessively overmuch fuss. I besides for illustration nan Rover Anorak ($129), which is besides trim very generously and longer successful nan backmost to screen my tail arsenic I’m riding. It besides has a protected flap nether nan beforehand zip truthful I don’t get bedewed erstwhile I unfastened it up, and an tremendous kangaroo pouch that’s useful for stowing my shell gloves, masks, and moreover bike locks successful a pinch.

Best Waterproof Hiking Jacket

Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) is nan Canadian type of REI Co-op. The institution was founded successful nan 1970s but has had financial struggles successful nan past fewer years pursuing nan pandemic surge. It now sells successful nan US, however, and I've been shocked by nan awesome worth successful nan Aquanator.

It has everything you request and extras you mightiness not expect astatine this price, for illustration a nice, soft chin defender connected nan large wind flap and a laminated brim truthful you don't request to deterioration a shot headdress underneath nan hood. It's made from 100 percent recycled Japanese-milled ripstop polyester that's incredibly light, and nan DWR is PFAS-free. The hood has some broadside and backmost toggles for awesome adjustability, and it is packable successful its pocket, though not arsenic pocketable arsenic nan Gorewear. This is nan overgarment I've been utilizing for outpouring biking recently, arsenic nan backmost hem extends conscionable a small spot farther to screen my bum, and it's besides a awesome lightweight rainfall overgarment for outpouring hiking.

An Upgrade Pick

Pronounced “Sny-feddle,” this next-generation waterproof overgarment from Icelandic marque 66°North is nan first to usage Polartec’s Power Shield Pro. This sustainable cloth is made from non-PFAS materials and 48 percent Biolon, a plant-based nylon replacement pinch a 50 percent little c footprint than regular nylon. Somehow, this ammunition besides manages to beryllium bizarrely soft connected nan tegument pinch almost nary rustle. It’s generously stretchy while boasting a waterproof standing beyond 20,000 mm hydrostatic unit (20,000 g/m2/24h breathability too).

The style and style of nan overgarment are accordant pinch a premium hiking overgarment alternatively than a superior mountaineering waterproof, pinch taped seams, value YKK Aquaguard waterproof zippers, backpack-friendly pockets, and a two-way adjustable hood pinch a stiff peak. There’s nary venting successful nan armpits, though, and it is comparatively short.

This overgarment doesn’t consciousness for illustration a hardshell, but thankfully it performs for illustration one. I’ve spent hours stepping done drizzle and torrential rainfall successful it and ne'er erstwhile felt it was going to neglect me. It’s sustainable, soft, and stretchy, truthful it doesn’t bead arsenic good aliases for arsenic agelong arsenic a classical (pre-PFAS ban) Gore-Tex Pro shell, but thing does. It’s excessively costly for astir budgets but is amended for nan planet, helps push cloth exertion forward, and keeps you impressively barren and brilliantly comfortable. —Chris Haslam

Other Hiking Rain Jackets to Consider

This is astir apt nan biggest class of rainfall jackets we test. Here are a fewer different ones that you shouldn't overlook.

• Arc'teryx Beta SL for $500: This is nan classical outdoor rainfall jacket. When I spell camping successful Oregon successful nan rain, everyone stands astir successful their identical Betas. Last year, Arc'teryx wholly redesigned nan statement pinch a PFAS-free Gore-Tex expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane. It's lighter, thinner, and much sustainable. In nan pouring rain, it kept maine barren underneath. I peculiarly for illustration features for illustration nan very beardown rubberized cuffs that enactment put complete my gloves.
• Patagonia Torrentshell for $179: Another great, classical rainfall jacket. My spouse and I person owned versions of this 3-layer rainfall overgarment for years, which now besides has a PFC-free DWR finish.
• Mont-Bell Versalite for $260: This ultralight (6.4 ounces, 192 grams) waterproof overgarment from uber-cool Japanese marque Mont-Bell packs down truthful mini (2.8 x 2.8 x 5.5 inches) I often hide it’s successful nan bottommost of my bag. Despite this ridiculous packability, nan two-layer 10-denier ripstop cloth offers earnestly bully protection against upwind and rain. Mont-Bell has utilized 2 layers of Windstopper Gore-Tex here, which is technically rated arsenic “water-resistant” but pinch taped seams and a generous DWR—it has a 20,000 mm HH rating, which is amended than many. It’s each nan much awesome fixed it besides has a sweat-limiting 43,000 g/m²/24h breathability rating. It’s uncommon to find lightweight jackets arsenic waterproof arsenic this, and moreover aft a twelvemonth nan DWR coating beads nan h2o distant without issue. My only gripe is that nan worldly feels and sounds a spot crinkly, and nan lightweight packability payoff intends it won’t clasp up arsenic good to heavy-handed use. —Chris Haslam

Best Budget Rain Jacket

For $100, it's reliable to find a rainfall overgarment that offers amended worth than nan Rainier. It uses high-quality laminate waterproofing alternatively of nan little costly coating that galore cheaper rainfall jackets trust on. Rather than bonding a waterproof, breathable membrane beneath nan ammunition fabric, manufacturers will prevention money by conscionable coating nan soul aboveground pinch a waterproof, breathable film. It’s little pricey but besides little durable than three-layer construction.

The Rainier has galore awesome features that are reliable to find successful rainfall jackets astatine this price. For example, it’s made from recycled nylon, and nan DWR is non-fluorinated (no PFAS). It has features for illustration venting pit zips, is seam-taped, has a weatherproof halfway zip, and features an adjustable, packable hood. For casual time hikes and traveling, nan Rainier overgarment is simply a awesome choice. I bargain nan kids' type ($80) each twelvemonth for my 2 children.

Other Budget Rain Jackets

There are a ton of affordable rainfall jackets connected nan market. Here are nan champion ones we've tested.

• Decathlon Quechua MH100 for $50: This overgarment works, but it runs mini and is not very breathable, and nan cloth is stiff and unpleasant to wear.
• Frogg Togg Ultralight for $25: I support this overgarment arsenic an emergency furniture successful nan car, but I didn't for illustration nan fabric's almost slimy texture, and it's often returned connected Amazon for that reason. However, commerce head Martin Cizmar swears by nan Frogg Togg's Xtreme Lite ($60), which is very light, protective, and runs large capable to beforehand aerial circulation. It weighs nan aforesaid arsenic jackets six times its cost.

These Accessories Will Keep You Dry

Here are a fewer different accessories you tin usage to enactment dry.

The North Face Etip Recycled Glove for $45: It's not very comfortable to person a barren torso and beryllium soaking bedewed everyplace else. I usage these gloves almost each day. Read our Best Touchscreen Gloves for much recommendations.

Helly Hansen Seven Rain Pants for $85: I ne'er look to get rather arsenic bedewed arsenic I do erstwhile I'm biking. I ain these rainfall pants, arsenic good arsenic REI's Rainier rainfall pants ($100). They propulsion connected complete immoderate soft pants you're wearing and person PFC-free DWR treatment.

Arc'teryx Gamma Hat for $50: If your rainfall overgarment doesn't person a laminated brim, you request a shot headdress to support nan rainfall disconnected your face. I ain this softshell hat, which besides has a DWR finish, but immoderate aged shot headdress will do (wear it nether your hood).

Xtratuf 6-Inch Deck Boots for $115: Xtratuf now makes these classical boots successful each different colors, but I for illustration nan basic brown. These are easy to gaffe on, wholly waterproof, and person fantabulous traction. I person worn these for years successful nan rainfall and snow.

Davek Mini Umbrella for $60: If you for illustration wearing jackets alternatively than carrying an umbrella, past you mightiness admit nan Davek Mini. This umbrella is designed to beryllium tiny, yet its 34-inch canopy is capable to screen astir of your caput and torso. Keep it successful a pouch aliases bag, and return it retired erstwhile nan rainfall gets heavy. Read our Best Umbrellas guide for more. —Julian Chokkattu

Rain Jackets I Hate

Snow Peak Gore-Tex Rain Jacket for $600: I usually emotion everything that Snow Peak makes. But this jacket's pouch zipper and large zipper busted aft a period of outdoor hiking successful nan rainfall and getting shoved successful and retired of backpacks. For $600, I expected a small much durability.

Rab Downpour Plus for $125: Likewise, Rab is besides known for nan value of its jackets. But nan recycled, PFAS-free Pertex shield fto much h2o successful than different jackets I tested while hiking.

H&M StormMove for $70: I applaud H&M's move into affordable sports wear, but nan StormMove soaked done aft astir an hour.