Men's Climbing. With any luck, youll have sunny weather for most of your fun outside. In addition, the single side waist adjuster means the jacket feels uneven when pulled tight. Dinesh Kumar. Need to go fast and light? We're big fans of the men's and women's Montbell Versalite and think it's the Best Ultralight Rain Jacket for Thru-hiking. But Patagonia upped their game with the Torrentshell 3L (see review above ), a more-adjustable helmet-compatible hood, top-of-the-line waterproofing, higher eco-standards, and a price . MENU MENU. Most rain jackets fold down into their zippered hand warming pocket. Men's Glennaker Sherpa Lined Rain Jacket, Waterproof. While this is great, its doesnt necessarily mean the jacket is that packable. The men's and women's Black Diamond Stormline Stretch is our winner for Best Stretchy Rain Jacket. Photo by Trey French. Its not perfectopening your pockets to vent means that anything stored inside could fall out and it doesnt dump heat as quickly as the traditional pit zipbut it does save weight while offering a boost in ventilation.Waist Adjustments With its 50D ripstop nylon shell, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is one of the more robust budget-friendly models. Marmot Minimalist - Women's. $199. That said, the Helium does have one chest pocket to stash snacks or other necessities. To be sure, Gore-Texs Paclite Plus is one of the most premium membranes used in rain jackets, and more durable, comfortable, and breathable than standard Paclite (as seen in jackets like the Marmot Minimalist and OR Foray II above). Patagonia Torrentshell 3L. In fact, the innovative K-MONO Cut reduces seam lines, where all rain jackets are most likely to wet-through. People sometimes have a hard time distinguishing between things that are cold and things that are wet. However, in the light rain shell jacket, $60 to . These downsides are enough to drop the XeroDry a bit on our list, but we still like its combination of features, Gore-Tex membrane, and price Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's REI XeroDry GTX See the Women's REI XeroDry GTX. Of note: OR also offers the 3-layer Helium AscentShell ($399), which combines the Heliums durable fabric with a more breathable AscentShell membrane Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Outdoor Research Helium Rain See the Women's OR Helium Rain. It uses a weather resistant Aqua-Text Zipper and has a 3-way adjustable hood that rolls up to prevent flapping in the wind. 100% seam taping, a DWR (Durable Water-Repellent) finish, an attached adjustable hood, and a . The Marmot Minimalist features good quality, clean style, and an all-around rain jacket. Both of these rain jackets have a regular fit, which means they are a bit loose, hanging . These are made from a special spandex & nylon fabric that features a 4-way stretch, and, as such, provides wearers with increased freedom of movement. Expect cold and wet weather? All told, if youre looking for versatile rain and snow protection but dont want to spring for a full-on Gore-Tex Pro hardshell, the Beta LT is hard to beat Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Beta LT See the Women's Arc'teryx Beta LT. Category: Daily use/hikingWeight: 13 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5L PeakWhat we like: Great price for a solid all-around design; wide range of colors and sizes.What we dont: Fits very big, so we ended up sizing down. But Patagonia upped their game with the Torrentshell 3L (see review above), a more-adjustable helmet-compatible hood, top-of-the-line waterproofing, higher eco-standards, and a price tag thats cheaper by $40. The hood is roomy and two-way adjustable, it now stows with a simple hook, and it features a fleece-lined neck for added comfort. Further, you miss out on hand pockets, which means the only storage option is the single chest pocket. A final note related to DWR is that there has been a recent push to move away from traditional coatings that use perfluorocarbons, which is a chemical that has been linked to environmental and health issues. Category: Hiking/daily useWeight: 12.5 oz.Waterproofing: 2L Gore-Tex PacliteWhat we like: Great price for a Gore-Tex shell.What we dont: Step down in material quality from OR Foray above. Men's and women's The North Face Lightriser is our winner for Best Waterproof Running Jacket for its excellent balance of weather protection and breathability. 48. And last we checked, it was out of stock. Still, it seemed to work well enough in conjunction with the superior breathability of the Gore Tex Paclite over proprietary waterproofing materials. Take time out of your adventures to adequately dry your rain jacket after it gets wet, when you can. With the lack of pockets and pit zips, this isnt necessarily the best choice for commuting or going out on the town in the wet. The 2.5-layer shell is softer and more pliable than most 3-layer designs here, and Pertex Shield has a long track record for being hardwearing and weather-protective. Each proves to be able to handle anything we could hope a backpacking-oriented rain jacket could take. But despite the nitpicks, the Beta is a versatile, high-performance rain shell from one of the best brands in the business Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Beta Jacket See the Women's Arc'teryx Beta Jacket. This is the outer layer you turn to for ultimate protection while backcountry and resort Seattle-based Outdoor Research is no stranger to creating quality rain jackets that can fend off the elements, and we like what they've come up with in the Foray. The jacket also is well equipped and competitively lightweight with two hand pockets, a coated front zipper, and an all-in weight of 10 ounces (for our mens medium). The Patagonia Torrentshell is super packable . Finally, we've had consistent issues with the jacket wetting out fairly quickly in heavy rainfall (it's also slow to dry). The Outdoor Research Helium will give you the wind and rain protection you need for just over a quarter of a pound. In testing, material quality has been a common theme: Everything from the thick-toothed main zipper to the pit zips and three-way adjustable hood have a solid and reliable feel. One of Patagonia's flagship jackets, the Torrentshell is a hardwearing and 3-layer jacket that is ready for the elements. The chest pockets shape has changed from rectangular to curvierand it will no longer fit larger phone models. As we trek to higher ground, we open the underarm vents to keep our microclimate calm, while the hood's laminated visor diverts the sky's steady stream away from our eyes. Not everyone will be a fan of the full-length side zips, but all things considered, the Foray and Aspire are excellent quiver-of-one rain jackets for the backpacker, spring skier, and daily wearer Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Outdoor Research Foray II See the Women's OR Aspire II. In the world of rain jackets, Marmot just seems to get it, delivering good fit and performance at reasonable price points. ", 42F and dumping rain, running alongside the creek and Juniper Pines in the Eastern Sierra in The North Face Lightriser. Breathability as well as compressibility increases and weight decreases with the design, making this the most popular option for hikers, backpackers, and climbers. The other way of looking at packable rain shells is how compressible they truly are. The underarm zippers extend all the way down to the hems on either side. Wash your rain jacket according to the manufacturers instructionsmost prefer it if you avoid using detergent, though something like NikWax Tech Wash helps to restore the fabric. As always, if you can try it on before you buy, youll likely be happier. However, there are a few key differences in the two companies. And the upside to Gore Infinium is excellent breathability for the weight, which makes the Versatile a great option for long days of hiking (its no coincidence that its a part of Montbells thru-hiking collection). . Popular applications include backcountry skiing and trekking in mild weather. For fast-and-light alpine trips when the forecast looks favorable, the Highline certainly can do the trick. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is the newest version of Patagonia's mega-popular and value-focused line of Torrentshell jackets. Comparison of expert ratings. Premium: Columbia Watertight II. Velcro adjustable cuffs can be made wider than your wrist, allowing most of that rain to drip onto the ground instead of your hands. . One downside is that the interior fabric isn't as soft to the touch as a true 3-layer (some consider it slippery or plasticky), but we've seen improvements with recent models. The Patagonia Torrentshell was updated to 3L this year (2020) so the 2020 version should be an improvement over the previous 2.5L models. Fitted with pit zips and Gore-Tex Paclite technology, this is a super warm yet breathable jacket that can . For those looking to carry their rain jacket in a running belt or running vest, and potentially racing with them, the FutureLight Rain jacket is also tailored to balance packability and weight while keeping you dry. We outline other key measures in our "Sustainability" section below. Their breathable and stretchy fabrics offer fantastic performance and a really comfortable fit that moves with you. For a rain jacket dedicated specifically to trail and distance running, check out Patagonia's Storm Racer Jacket ($249), which uses an innovative design that allows for access to a running vest worn beneath. If zippers go out, check out our How to Fix Zippers on Outdoor Gear guide. Your jacket will stop being able to breatheand all that moisture next to your skin is there to stay. In testing the Helium Rain, we found it remains a solid ultralight/emergency piece: The 2.5-layer build and DWR coating can handle light to moderate rainfall, the adjustable hood offers good all-around coverage, and its small packed size is ideal for activities ranging from hiking and backpacking to climbing. Better yet, trail running is an immensely easy sport to get into. Jackets in this category include the Arc'teryx Beta LT, which impressed us with its performance during a wet and slushy winter in the PNW. Its not that any of these features is a dealbreaker, but rather, you have to decide what you must haveand what you could do withoutbefore going hunting for a jacket. For casual wear, these complaints may not be deal breakers, but we think there are better crossover everyday/backcountry options.See the Men's Outdoor Research Motive See the Women's OR Motive. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. Hiking jackets are built to be light and packable to bring along on a backcountry trip, and their performance in heavy rain and wind is admirableparticularly the more substantial Gore-Tex Paclite models (including the Marmot Minimalist and Outdoor Research Foray II). It has a lower waterproof rating of 20,000 mm. But we do appreciate Cotopaxis effort towards sustainably built outerwear, and their rain jacket is undeniably good-looking for a budget piece. Best Performance Balance: Marmot Minimalist Rain Jacket. Other models charge up to $100 more than the Versalite's sticker price to get the same specs for waterproofing and breathability, as well as pockets, pit zips, and an adjustable hood. Check out the Marmot Men's Minimalist Jacket at Enwild: https://www.enwild.com/marmot-mens-minimalist-jacket-2022.html?utm_source=youtube.com&utm_medium=desc. $169.00. The market leader has long been Gore-Tex, particularly in their high-end "Active" and "Pro" offerings, but a number of fabrics are now challenging the paradigm, including AscentShell by Outdoor Research. The North Face Antora - Women's. $89. Category: HikingWeight: 6.3 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5L Pertex Shield Diamond FuseWhat we like: Ultralight yet reasonably tough.What we dont: Too streamlined for around-town use; doesnt breathe very well. best stylish rain jacket for men. Despite the Gore Tex Paclite's superior breathability, that's a feature we still want. Make sure you think about whats best for you before you buy. The big news is the stretchy 2.5-layer construction, which offers greater comfort than a standard rain jacket like the REI Rainier above. But dont just throw it away and buy a new one if its well used and soaking through! Rain jacket layer technology works by using thermal gradients to move warm moisture vapor from inside your jacket to cooler air outside your jacket. And on the move, the hand pocket vents on the REI arent as effective for dumping heat as the Minimalists and Forays pit zips (plus, opening them up means you can't rely on the pockets for storage). Photo by Tiffany Searsdodd. Another thing to keep in mind is in our testing, sizing ran big and sleeves ran long (though they come with adjustable cuffs). Some rain jackets offer pit zips and/or full side vents, while basic models do not (as well as taped seams on more expensive rain jackets for extra protection from the elements). Photo by Robert Curzon. Whereas the Beta LT features a burly shell that's purpose-built to handle winter weather and sustained wet conditions, the Storm10 is more suitable for summer alpine environments. 3L jackets are designed to better move excess heat and sweat from the inside of the jacket to the outsidekeeping you more comfortable in the process. While Switchback Travel complains about how large it is, suggesting its too large for the backcountry, user reviews suggest the sizing isnt as straightforward as all that. (Just know thats not going to magically stop you from sweating.). Marmot Minimalist.