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

Every time I slip on a rain jacket, I give thanks that we no longer have to wrap ourselves in thick, smelly sealskin to stay dry. The best rain jackets today are more comfortable and watertight than ever, thanks to advances in weatherproof textiles and apparel design. But depending on the climate and your level of activity, sorting through different styles, technologies, and waterproof ratings can be confusing.

Every year, I test dozens of rain jackets through the soggy Pacific Northwest winter. I hike, bike, run, and walk my dogs—sometimes I even stand in the shower with my clothes on when the weather isn’t cooperating. I also got advice from Amber Williams, a professor at Brigham Young University who has been an expert on outdoor product design. All to find the rain jackets worth your time and money.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our outdoor coverage, including the Best Puffer Jackets, Best Merino Wool Clothes, and Best Hoodies. If you want a more in-depth explanation for what these terms mean (like, what’s hydrostatic head?) we have a fabric explainer here.

Updated November 2025: We added the Arc’teryx Beta SL, the Lolë Piper 2.0, the Páramo Velez Adventure Smock, the Helly Hansen utility rain coat, the North Face Antora, the North Face Mountain Parka, the Finisterre Stormbird, and the Rab Firewall Alpine and Phantom.

Photograph: Adrienne So

Arc’teryx

Beta Jacket SL

$500

REI (Men’s)

$500

REI (Women’s)

$500

Arc’teryx

Every year, I try to find another jacket that beats the Arc’teryx Beta SL for roominess and dryness, and it’s just impossible. Despite its extravagant price, this is the jacket that I always end up reaching for when an atmospheric river starts pouring through Portland. This is Arc’teryx’s lightest rain shell. It has Gore-Tex’s latest fabric innovation, called ePE (expanded polyethylene)—it’s a breathable, waterproof membrane laminated to a nylon face that’s also free of carcinogenic perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and has a hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 28,000, which is pretty incredible (the standard is around 10,000). When it comes to rainwear, I sacrifice sustainability in favor of not getting wet—being cold and wet really sucks and could be life-threatening in the wrong situation. But this jacket has kept me dry through the bugging-est out, sideways-pouring rain.

Features-wise, the hood is big enough for my hair (or a helmet, if your hair is smaller than my hair), with adjustable cuffs and pit zips (very important for activity!). And unlike many other jackets, the women’s version has plenty of space for my shoulders and arms to move freely for biking, hiking, and moving heavy objects. If you’re only getting one rain jacket, it should be this one.

I love this rain jacket. I was walking in the city with my friend (in the rain) when a truck suddenly went through a puddle right next to us on the road and covered me head to toe, Sex and the City-style. This jacket kept me dry. Its waterproofing specs are average—it uses a carbon-based, durable water repellent and has a HH rating of 10K, which is about half the waterproofing of what some of our other picks have—but I really like its design features.

I’m 5’2″ and it’s long enough to cover my shins. You can button the cuffs to prevent water from running down the sleeves. It has multiple (huge) pockets for all your random walking-around needs, with both zippered and open options. The fit is incredibly loose for layering—why don’t more outdoor brands do this? I’m very small on the bell curve of humanity, but I shouldn’t need to size up to men’s medium to get a size loose enough for layering! Most importantly, it packs up into its own small, self-contained backpack with straps so you can hang it on a wall when you get to the party instead of leaving a giant, soaking garment to hang from a hook and drip all over everything.

★ Alternative: If you’re not trying to stay dry for hours while outside and you also like a feature-rich rain jacket with big pockets, I like the Helly Hansen utility rain coat ($200), which also covers a lot of your body and has a lot of pocket options.

Photograph: Adrienne So

Stutterheim

Stockholm

$350

Stutterheim

Since the 1960s, modern rainwear has relied on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals”, to waterproof clothing. Modern durable water repellents (DWRs) use PFAS in manufacturing, which then migrate from your clothing into soil and streams as you tromp around outside. Today, many companies are reducing the levels of PFAS in their products, probably because states are banning these chemicals.

The best way to make sure you don’t have PFAS in your coat is to go with a classic rubber raincoat, like Stutterheim’s Stockholm raincoat. Technical rain jacket manufacturers tend to shy away from polyurethane because it’s, well, rubbery. But the material is durable, long-lasting, windproof, waterproof, and PFAS-free. I also prefer rubber rain jackets in damp coastal climates, like the Pacific Northwest. Breathability is less of a sticking point when the air is already humid.

This is the only rain jacket that I’ve ever bought with my own money because I’m so sick of the DWR running off every other rain jacket I own. It’s true to size and roomy enough to layer a down vest under it. It has double-welded seams to keep the water out, and the hood is large enough for a baseball cap or a large beanie. I also like the buttons; when I’m just throwing on a jacket to walk the dog, it’s faster and easier than making sure a seam-sealed zipper doesn’t get caught in a storm flap.

★ Alternatives: The price of the Stockholm might make you gag. If you want a basic rubber slicker, I’ve also had Rains’ waterproof jacket ($150) for several years now, which has a very similar, Scandinavian-inspired design but at a much more reasonable price.

Courtesy of Páramo

Páramo

Velez Adventure Smock

$390

Páramo

Every time I slip this adventure smock from Páramo over my head, I feel like a Gallagher brother. And not just because of the very English shoulder badge. British brand Páramo is the sister company of wash-in water repellent maker Nikwax. In addition to shipping with treatments, Páramo uses a special angled two-layer construction to create what it calls a “heat pump” effect, whereby condensation is fed away from the core of the body. That design has the added advantage of leaving lots of fabric near the shoulders, meaning you can lift and wave your arms without lifting the Velez smock’s scooped hem. (You could also play guitar or smack a paparazzi without looking too silly.)

The hood and wrists are easy to adjust and stay as they’re set. While the jacket’s two layers mean it hangs a bit heavier than most rain jackets, it does an excellent job of maintaining a suitable temperature, though I wouldn’t want to wear it in a summer storm. On the streets of Manny or on a cold, damp climb, though, this smock would be my first choice out of the hanger. —Martin Cizmar

Photograph: Adrienne So

Gorewear

Concurve Windbreaker

$120

Gorewear (Men’s)

$120

Gorewear (Women’s)

My requirements for a running rain jacket are much different than those for an everyday one. I’m sweating, so I’m already damp, and I don’t care as much if the jacket is a little more permeable. However, I want it to fit well, not chafe or rustle annoyingly, and have good ventilation so I don’t become clammy when working out.

Gorewear’s windbreaker is billed as the most comfortable running jacket ever, and it’s absolutely true. I’ve been wearing this jacket outside for my 3- to 5-mile rain runs, and I barely even notice it’s on. This magic is due to the fabric—it’s a permeable, double-weave fabric that is DWR-treated and has a 3D fabric structure inside. Basically, there are a billion tiny fabric tent poles that hold it, suspended, over the surface of your skin so you don’t get that horrible sticky feeling when your running rain jacket starts clinging to you like plastic wrap. It doesn’t seem like this should work, yet it does.

It has all the usual running jacket essentials, like reflective details and elastic cuffs. There’s a stowaway pocket, and it packs down incredibly small, nearly to the size of a handkerchief. This is a blessing, since you can stuff it in a running vest when it stops raining, and a curse, because I keep losing it. (I spent about 20 minutes searching for it in my house, since I take it with me everywhere.) Best of all, it’s a mere $120, which is affordable for a high-tech rain jacket.

I’ve tried so many rain jackets in the running category. Here are a few that I like:

• Patagonia Houdini for $109: This is the jacket that everyone normally tells you to get. Everyone has one. It’s simple and packable, and the company switched to a PFC-free DWR. However, it rustles, it’s not breathable at all, and I feel like I’m wearing a plastic bag.
• Rab Phantom for $200: This jacket looks great and packs down incredibly small; I used it for traveling. However, when I tried running in it, I wetted out almost instantly. It’s not nearly as breathable as some of our other picks.
• Tracksmith Downpour for $400: For its exorbitant price, this is the most feature-rich jacket of the bunch, with a PFAS-free DWR on a three-layer jacket, a brimmed hood, and a 360-mesh panel for breathability. Like all of Tracksmith’s gear, it’s incredibly beautiful, but the colors are dark, and it doesn’t have reflective details, which could be dangerous when running in the rain.

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

Rab

Cinder Phantom

$235

Rab (Men’s)

$235

Rab (Women’s)

I hate rain gear. It’s heavy, bulky, rarely performs in true downpours, and the whole waterproof and breathable thing is a lie (you can have both, just not at the same time). Despite all that, I love the Rab Cinder Phantom and have been carrying it everywhere I go, on and off a bike. It solves almost all my issues with rain gear. It’s incredibly light (3.3 ounces/114 grams for a medium), stuffs down to about the size of a tennis ball, and is somehow surprisingly waterproof.

The shell is 7D Pertex, which has proven to be windproof and waterproof, and when it’s not raining, it’s quite breathable. Pair it with a grid fleece for the ultimate in breathable warmth. At 3 ounces, there aren’t a lot of bells and whistles to the Cinder Phantom. You can use the full front zip to ventilate, though it’s fiddly to use while riding. There are no pit zips and, sadly, no drawstring at the waist. There is elastic, but I would love to sacrifice an ounce and have a pull string.

The one thing to know about the Cinder Phantom is that it is designed for cycling, which means it has a short cut with a longer back, which works great on a bike but isn’t the best for hiking, since rain dripping off you pretty much lands right on your legs. That has not stopped me from using this off the bike, though. I pair it with Patagonia’s M-10 storm pants (also amazing, though less breathable), which give me full body coverage at about 10 ounces. Do I worry that the Cinder Phantom’s thin fabric might not stand up to a backpack long-term? I do, but after six months, so far so good. —Scott Gilbertson

★ Alternatives: Cleverhood is an independent, Rhode Island-based company, and its signature garment is the biking-friendly Rain Cape ($99). The rain cape is OK, as it can fit over your heavier clothes without too much fuss. I also like the Rover Anorak ($129), which is also cut very generously and longer in the back to cover my tail as I’m riding. It also has a protected flap under the front zip so I don’t get wet when I open it up, and an enormous kangaroo pocket that’s handy for stowing my shell gloves, masks, and even bike locks in a pinch.

I tested a ton of rain jackets for this category, but Rab’s jacket won out. The Firewall Alpine ended up being my favorite hiking jacket for a combination of great waterproofing specs, great fit, and good hiking features. It’s a 20-denier three-layer jacket with PFC-free DWR and an HH rating of 20,000. It has pit zips and a stiffened brim on the hood, which helps keep water off your face if you forget your baseball cap. The sizing is accurate and generous to layer underneath. Since it’s a climbing and alpine shell, it’s super light—it weighs half as much as some of the other jackets sent to me in this category.

Photograph: Adrienne So

66° North

Snaefell Jacket

$590

66° North (Men’s)

$590

66° North

Pronounced “Sny-feddle,” this next-generation waterproof jacket from Icelandic brand 66°North is the first to use Polartec’s Power Shield Pro. This sustainable fabric is made from non-PFAS materials and 48 percent Biolon, a plant-based nylon alternative with a 50 percent lower carbon footprint than regular nylon. Somehow, this shell also manages to be bizarrely soft on the skin with almost no rustle. It’s generously stretchy while boasting a waterproof rating beyond 20,000 mm hydrostatic pressure and a breathability rating of 20,000 g/m2/24h.

The shape and style of the jacket are consistent with a premium hiking jacket rather than a serious mountaineering waterproof, with taped seams, quality YKK Aquaguard waterproof zippers, backpack-friendly pockets, and a two-way adjustable hood with a stiff peak. There’s no venting in the armpits, though, and it is relatively short.

This jacket doesn’t feel like a hardshell, but thankfully, it performs like one. I’ve spent hours walking through drizzle and torrential rain in it and never once felt it was going to fail me. It’s sustainable, soft, and stretchy, so it doesn’t bead as well or for as long as a classic (pre-PFAS ban) Gore-Tex Pro shell, but nothing does. It’s too expensive for most budgets but is better for the planet, helps push fabric technology forward, and keeps you impressively dry and brilliantly comfortable. —Chris Haslam

I tried so many rain jackets in this category. Here are a few others I liked.

• 7Mesh Guardian Air for $500: Do you like ultralight backpacking? This is the best jacket for you. Operations manager Scott Gilbertson swears by this jacket, which weighs 33 grams less than the Firewall Alpine and is the best jacket for someone who needs bomber rain protection and the least weight possible. It also uses Gore-Tex ePE as its breathable, waterproof membrane.
• Finisterre Stormbird for $320: I really love this jacket. It has an HH rating of 20,000, kept me dry in torrential rainstorms, and it’s the best-looking jacket. However, it’s expensive, and the inner lining is heavier than some of our other picks. It’s twice as heavy as the Firewall Alpine and that makes it hard to carry in a backpack.
• The Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell for $263: This is Helly Hansen’s lightweight climbing shell. It’s a three-layer jacket with PFC-free DWR and Recco tech, to find you if you get lost. It’s OK, but it’s heavier than the Firewall Alpine and is getting harder to find.
• Patagonia Torrentshell for $179: Another great, classic rain jacket. My spouse and I have owned versions of this three-layer rain jacket for years, which now also has a PFC-free DWR finish.
• Mont-Bell Versalite for $182: This ultralight (6.4 ounces, 192 grams) waterproof jacket from uber-cool Japanese brand Mont-Bell packs down so small (2.8 x 2.8 x 5.5 inches), I often forget it’s in the bottom of my bag. Despite this ridiculous packability, the two-layer 10-denier ripstop fabric offers seriously good protection against wind and rain. Mont-Bell has used two layers of Windstopper Gore-Tex here, which is technically rated as “water-resistant” but with taped seams and a generous DWR—it has a 20,000 mm HH rating, which is better than many. It’s all the more impressive given it also has a sweat-limiting 43,000 g/m²/24h breathability rating. It’s rare to find lightweight jackets as waterproof as this, and even after a year the DWR coating beads the water away without issue. My only gripe is that the material feels and sounds a bit crinkly, and the lightweight packability payoff means it won’t hold up as well to heavy-handed use. —Chris Haslam

Courtesy of REI

REI Co-op

Rainier Rain Jacket

$100

REI (Men’s Sizing)

$100

REI (Women’s Sizing)

For $100, it’s tough to find a rain jacket that offers better value than the Rainier. It uses high-quality laminate waterproofing instead of the less expensive coating that many cheaper rain jackets rely on. Rather than bonding a waterproof, breathable membrane below the shell fabric, manufacturers will save money by just coating the inner surface with a waterproof, breathable film. It’s less pricey but also less durable than a three-layer construction.

The Rainier has many great features that are tough to find in rain jackets at this price. For example, it’s made from recycled nylon, and the DWR is non-fluorinated (no PFAS). It has features like venting pit zips, is seam-taped, has a weatherproof center zip, and features an adjustable, packable hood. For casual day hikes and traveling, the Rainier jacket is a great choice. I buy the kids’ version ($80) every year for my two children.

There are a ton of affordable rain jackets on the market. Here are the best ones we’ve tested.

• The North Face Antora for $82: The North Face doesn’t publish the HH rating on these jackets, probably because it’s not very good. Still, the price frequently drops below $100 and it’s usually on sale. The kids’ version ($67) holds up very well to a lot of wear and tear.
• Frogg Toggs Xtreme Lite for $60: I keep this jacket as an emergency layer in the car. Both commerce director Martin Cizmar and operations manager Scott Gilbertson swear by this jacket, which is light, protective, and runs big enough to promote air circulation. However, it does not have pit zips.

Something that I do as a perpetually cold person is to wear mountain or ski jackets in the Portland winter rains, since those are both waterproof and warm. The North Face’s short parka is not technically a rain jacket. Nor is it really that practical, since it’s cropped. Everyone knows that a good jacket, like a good partner-in-crime, should always cover your behind. Still, I can’t help but love this fashionable, retro jacket. It’s made from one material (hence, mono) so it can be easily recycled. It’s seam-sealed and has a PFC-free DWR. I like the loose fit, all the better to fit a light puffer underneath, and the alpine styling, with the sealed zips and big warm pockets.

Trying to decipher jackets’ product specs is almost as annoying as getting soaked by a sudden cloudburst on the trail.

Look for laminated layers: Most technical waterproof jackets are referred to as two- or three-layer jackets. These layers usually consist of a face fabric that has been treated with a waterproofing agent like durable water repellent, which is a thin mesh for releasing water vapor, plus a protective interior lining underneath. In general, for greater durability you’ll want to look for layers that have been laminated together, rather than merely coated with a waterproofing agent. That’s the advice of Amber Williams, an associate teaching professor and expert on textiles and apparel.

Waterproof and breathability ratings: Manufacturers usually rate each fabric based on its waterproofing and breathability. For example, a rain jacket with a waterproof rating of 20,000 means that if you had an endlessly long 1-inch square tube, you could pour 20,000 millimeters of water on top of the fabric before it would start seeping through (that’s over 65 feet!). A 20,000 breathability rating means that 20,000 grams of water vapor can pass through the fabric going the other direction (listed as grams per square meter per 24 hours, or g/m/24h). While the higher breathability rating might seem better, you want to think twice if you’ll be out in the cold. Body heat can escape a breathable jacket almost as easily as water vapor.

What are PFCs and PFAS? You may have seen me switch between using the terms PFAS and PFCs to refer to forever chemicals. When you see a manufacturer do it, PFCs can refer to either perfluorinated chemicals, which is just another way to say PFAS, or perfluorocarbons. Perfluorocarbons are a specific variation of a PFAS molecule that are more commonly used in waterproofing outdoor gear; they only have carbon and fluorine atoms, while PFASes can contain oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur and/or nitrogen. The short answer is that all PFCs are PFASes, but not all PFASes are PFCs.

Check the seams and zippers: If you want your rain jacket to last longer than an amusement park poncho, look at the seams. Shoulders are particularly vulnerable points, as most outdoor sports require you to wear a backpack that can rub and damage them. “Design lines look really sexy, but over time, they’re not going to last as long,” Williams says. Other features to look for include plasticized, water-resistant zippers and protective zipper flaps. That’s why our rain jacket picks are so expensive—a lot of new fabric tech and a lot of design details.

Care for your jacket: You can vastly extend the life of your items by properly caring for them. Hang your jacket—don’t store it crammed in an abrasive, tiny stuff sack. If you see stains from grease, dirt, or sunscreen, or notice that water is no longer beading on the surface, you’ll need to wash it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You may need a specialized detergent—many fabric detergents will leave residues that can interfere with the durable water repellent’s (DWR) performance. Avoid fabric softener, bleaches, dry cleaning, and the dryer.

Courtesy of The North Face

Here are a few other accessories you can use to stay dry.

Xtratuf 6-Inch Deck Boots for $125: If you’re in the rain, you need a pair of boots. Xtratuf now makes these classic boots in all different colors, but I prefer the basic brown. These are easy to slip on, waterproof, and have good traction. I have worn these for years in the rain and snow.

The North Face Etip Recycled Glove for $45: It’s not very comfortable to have a dry torso and be soaking wet everywhere else. I use these gloves almost every day. Read our Best Touchscreen Gloves for more recommendations.

Helly Hansen Seven Rain Pants for $85: I never seem to get quite as wet as I do when I’m biking. I own these rain pants, as well as REI’s Rainier rain pants ($100). They pull on over whatever soft pants you’re wearing and have PFC-free DWR treatment.

Arc’teryx Gamma Hat for $50: If your rain jacket doesn’t have a laminated brim, you need a baseball cap to keep the rain off your face. I own this softshell hat, which also has a DWR finish, but any old baseball cap will do (wear it under your hood).

Davek Mini Umbrella for $65: If you prefer wearing jackets rather than carrying an umbrella, then you might appreciate the Davek Mini. This umbrella is designed to be tiny, yet its 34-inch canopy is enough to cover most of your head and torso. Keep it in a pocket or bag, and take it out when the rainfall gets heavy. Read our Best Umbrellas guide for more. —Julian Chokkattu