How To Buy a Good Rain Jacket for Outdoor Activities

Rain doesn’t have to ruin your fun. A good rain jacket will help keep you dry and comfortable, whether you’re caught in a sprinkle or hiking for days in a steady rain.

Get a jacket that’s made for outdoor sports, meaning it’s both waterproof and breathable. Wearing a rain jacket that’s not breathable is a little like wearing a trash bag: You’ll get wet from your sweat on the inside.

You’ll also want one that’s packable.

“It’s much more efficient and enjoyable to own a rain jacket that’s low bulk so you can pack it away, carry it with you and always have it on hand when you need it,” says Charlie Berg, a Seattle-based hiker, skier, climber and mountain biker, who is the senior outerwear product manager at Outdoor Research.

Look for jackets tough enough to handle rubbing against your backpack. If you like to travel fast and light, abrasion resistance isn’t as important as packability and weight.

THE LOW DOWN ON RAIN JACKETS

When experts talk about rain jackets, they usually categorize them as either hard shells or soft shells.

Hard shells are what most people think of when they talk about outdoor rain jackets. These are lightweight hooded jackets designed to keep out wind and rain. Standard rain slickers are considered hard shells, too, but we’re focusing on rain jackets that are also breathable, meaning they wick sweat away from your body. If you’re wearing something that doesn’t breathe, you’re going to sweat and get all the rest of your insulation wet because none of the moisture is going to be able to leave.

Soft shells are woven jackets that are wind- and water-resistant and totally breathable. Many soft shells use a durable water-repellent (a.k.a. DWR) coating on the jacket’s surface to make it shed rain.

ONE RAIN JACKET FOR ALL?

If you can afford only one rain jacket, you should buy a simple lightweight hard shell. Hard shells are necessary equipment for heavy wind and wet weather because a soft shell jacket simply won’t give you the needed protection. That said, if you can afford both, a soft shell jacket is ideal for about 80 percent of your outdoor activities, and you can keep a lightweight, waterproof hard shell in your backpack for the nasty weather.

HARD VS. SOFT SHELL

Soft shells are generally more supple and more breathable but less windproof and less waterproof. Hard shells typically don’t fit quite as nice, but they’re usually more waterproof, more windproof and lighter weight.

WATERPROOF/BREATHABLE FABRICS

These are marketing words you’ll hear used to describe rain jackets. Usually these jackets are built with two to three layers of material, including a special membrane layer that keeps weather out while letting your sweat escape.

A common misconception when people are looking for a rain jacket is they think they need to see the words 100 percent waterproof on the tag. Depending on your activity, you might want a decent amount of waterproofness, but don’t get hung up on it.

There are a wide variety of waterproof/breathable materials on the market. Some are more heavily advertised than others, but often the generic or “house brand” waterproof/breathable fabrics offered by manufacturers will work just as well for you. Gore-Tex, for example, is a fine product, but it’s only one of many waterproof/breathable fabrics.

Look for a rain jacket that is free of PFAS (or “forever chemicals”), commonly used in waterproof coatings.

MAKE SURE YOUR RAIN JACKET FITS

You want a rain jacket to be decently trim. You don’t want it to be bulking out and getting in the way of your mobility. To make sure it fits right, raise your arms over your head and make sure the bottom of the jacket doesn’t come up above your waist.

If you want the most versatility from your hard-shell rain jacket, size up — not down — so you can layer underneath it when the weather gets cooler.

Soft shells should be more form fitting. If you’ll be wearing a backpack waist belt or climbing harness, consider how the jacket may interfere with that.

THE HOOD

A really well-designed hood that lets you see well is something a lot of people probably don’t think about a lot, but it’s really important because with poorly designed hoods, you can barely do anything. Every time you turn your head you’re looking into the side of the hood.

Look for a hood that has good coverage, can fit over a climbing helmet (if you’ll be climbing) and is able to cinch down tight to your face so it doesn’t obstruct your view.

TAPED SEAMS

As rain jackets increase in price, you move from a basic coated fabric to one with taped seams.

“Taped seams are crucial for keeping you protected from rain in a downpour,” Berg says.

That said, keep in mind it doesn’t matter how much you spend, in a downpour even the most expensive rain jackets will probably eventually wet-out.

h2>PIT ZIPS

Even though they may claim breathability, the truth is that any rain jacket is going to be a little clammy. So look for one with pit zips (zippers that open the sides of the jacket under your arms) because they help with breathability, especially when you’re being active.

BELLS AND WHISTLES

MP3 pockets, hydration bladders, etc. You’ll see tricked-out jackets in the stores with these things, but it’s best to keep it simple. The ideal jacket is really lightweight and just has a well-designed hood, two chest pockets and fully sealed seams.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

You can find good rain jackets online, but it’s always best to buy in person because you can try it on.

COST

In general, the more you spend on a jacket, the more bells and whistles you’ll get. Also, higher-end waterproof rain jackets tend to be more breathable.

“Invest a little more, and you’ll get a jacket with pit zips for clearing sweat, better fabrics and an adjustable hood with a brim so you can see well while you’re moving,” Berg says. “Above $150, rain jackets may have some stretch for comfort, and the fabrics will usually be more breathable.”

If you happen to fit into kids’ sizes rather than adult jackets, you can save lots of cash on a rain jacket while still getting the same waterproof/windproof performance.

KEEPING YOUR RAIN JACKET CLEAN

Consider using a product like Nikwax to wash and re-waterproof your jacket, and follow the jacket manufacturer’s instructions regarding cleaning.