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Best Hiking Rain Jackets for Men and Women
Choose one of these 10 best hiking rain jackets to keep you dry during your hike. What do you want to think about when considering a new rain jacket?
When you hike, you want a compact, lightweight rain jacket. You want a hiking rain jacket that fits in your backpack easily. You want a jacket that does not add weight to your pack. Most importantly, you want a jacket that keeps you dry and a jacket that breathes with a waterproof breathable fabric so you do not get too hot.
Picking one of the best hiking rain jackets is an important decision that needs some consideration. You especially want to consider the following features when you shop for the best rain jacket.
- Waterproof so you stay dry
- Breathable to avoid condensation inside jacket
- Lightweight for comfort
- Comfort; room for layers
- Durable fabric to last longer
- Zippers and flaps over zippers to keep water out
- Pit zippers to cool and no condensation
- Pockets with zippers for secure storage
- Hood; ideally with a brim to stay dry
- Adjustments; draw-cords waist and/or cuffs for a better fit
- Packable
Each jacket has similar features, with minor differences, and offers very good rain protection.
| Feature | Columbia | Marmot | North Face | REI | Helley Hansen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Breathable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lightweight | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Durable Fabric | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof Hood: Brim Adjusts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (no brim adjust) |
| Draw-cords: Waist/Cuffs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Taped Seams | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
For more detail about how to choose the best hiking rain jacket, read this: Choose the Best Hiking Rain Jacket for Your Hike!
Columbia – Men’s Watertight II & Women’s Arcadia Hiking Rain Jackets
The Columbia waterproof, breathable, fully seam-sealed jackets keep you dry. The jacket keeps you dry in the heaviest rains. Try the women’s Arcadia II or men’s Watertight II.
Seam-sealed construction and a soft mesh lining, make these jackets waterproof and breathable. An adjustable storm hood and an adjustable hem provide extra coverage.
The jackets fold up into one of their own zip-up hand pockets for easy storage anytime.
Read this for more about Columbia and the company’s values.
Features & Benefits
- Waterproof, breathable fully seam sealed so you stay dry but not stuffy
- Attached, adjustable storm hood for a custom fit
- Draw cord adjustable hem for a better fit
- Zippered hand pockets so you stay drier
- Packable into hand pocket for easy storage
- Mesh lining to help get rid of sweat
- MSRP $100
Shop Backcountry Men’s & Women’s
Shop Columbia Men’s & Women’s
Marmot – Men’s and Women’s Precip Eco Hiking Rain Jackets
Description
The women’s and men’s PreCip Eco Jacket offers a reliable, value oriented, full function rain jacket. The rain jacket is well suited for both backcountry and urban wear.
The Eco PreCip’s affordable price combines great weather protection with a lightweight rain jacket. The jacket gives you all the features you need and likely want.
Additionally, the PreCip Eco rain jacket includes pit zippers so you stay cooler. Also, the jacket has a small stuffed size that makes it great for hiking and backpacking.
The quality hood design features a lot of adjustability’s. Also, you can stow the hood away under the collar when not in use.
Read this for more about Marmot and the company’s values.
Features & Benefits
- Waterproof, breathable fabric so you stay dry and cooler
- 100% seam taped to keep the water out
- Attached adjustable hood that rolls into collar for a flexible fit
- Chin guard to keep you dry
- Pit zippers so you can cool down
- Pack pocket; stuffs into own pocket
- Adjustable Velcro cuffs for a custom fit
- Elastic draw cord hem for a better fit
- 100% ripstop nylon for strength
- MSRP: $120
Shop Moosejaw Men’s & Women’s
Shop Marmot Men’s & Women’s
The North Face – Men’s and Women’s Antora Hiking Rain Jackets
Description
Be prepared for backcountry weather with the women’s and men’s Antora lightweight, waterproof, and windproof jackets. The jackets have a new, good looking, modern style, and the features to keep the rain out..
These jackets feature a recycled, breathable nylon exterior. The jackets also have a relaxed fit. The adjustable hood helps give you a custom fit. The fit and hood let you have room for extra layers.
You only need a little extra space in your pack to stash this ultralight, weatherproof rain jacket. You can quickly and easily access your jacket for extra weather protection when storms meet you on the trail.
The jacket keeps you dry but breathes to keep it from feeling stuffy. The jacket has a a seam sealed shell with a nonPFC, DWR finish for waterproof protection. The shell also provides moisture permeability and durability.
Read this for more about The North Face and the company’s values.
Features & Benefits
- Waterproof, breathable, fully seam sealed windproof fabric that keeps the rain out
- Standard fit for your comfort
- Adjustable hood for a great fit
- Storm flap with hook and loop closure over the front zipper for easy adjustment
- Covered, secure zip hand pockets for secure, dry storage
- Cuffs with elastic binding to keep the rain out
- Side hem adjust for a better fit
- Easy to store, easy carry
- Guarantee: Lifetime Warranty for your peace of mind
- MSRP $89
Shop Backcountry Men’s & Women’s
Shop North Face Men’s & Women’s
REI Men’s and Women’s Rain Jackets
Description
Put this in context. 60 mph winds uproot trees! You might not stay on your feet in a 60 mph gale. Still, this fabric helps keep you from feeling like the wind is blowing right through your body. Stay dry with the men’s or women’s Rainier Jacket.
This jacket packs conveniently. It quickly stashes into its own pocket, prepared for you to pull it out when the weather turns foul. It is tucked away when you don’t need it.
Using the bluesign® system, REI makes great gear that does not unnecessarily harm the environment. Meeting the tough to get bluesign standard means that REI took steps to minimize certain harmful effects. REI reduced the harmful impacts on the environment’s health, the workers who made the fabric, and on you, the new jacket owner of this rain jacket.
Developed by REI Co-op, the recycled ripstop nylon shell shields you from rain and wind to 60+ MPH. Still, the jacket breathes and stays dry on the inside.
Sealed seams ensure full waterproof protection. A durable water repellent (DWR) finish sheds light rain.
Features & Benefits
- Pit zips let you get rid of excess heat as the day warms up or you exert yourself more
- 3 piece hood has dual adjustments for a fine tuned fit
- Hood to keep you dry and warm
- Hood stows away when not needed for your convenience
- Draw cord hem and hook and loop cuffs adjust to seal out snow and wind
- Weatherproof center front zipper so you stay dry
- Zippered hand pockets to secure your stuff and keep it dry
- Jacket packs away in its own left pocket for easy storage
- Fabric Recycled nylon ripstop (bluesign® approved) for a tough jacket
- Windproof for warmth
- Waterproof to keep you dry
- MSRP $99.95
Helley Hansen Men’s and Women’s Hiking Rain Jackets
Description
These classic women’s and men’s Loke fisherman’s rain jackets give you full wind and water protection.
These iconic rain jackets are made from a heritage of protecting fishermen in the coldest of seas in all kinds of weather. Totally windproof and waterproof polyurethane (PU) fabric provides full weather protection.
Features & Benefits
- Fully wind and waterproof to protect from weather
- Welded seams for durable jacket
- Quick dry inside to keep you dry
- Button closure storm flap to help you stay dry and warm
- Ultralight for comfort
- Pit zips for comfort
- Front zipper for your convenience
- Packs easily into pocket for easy storage
- MSRP $100
Shop Moosejaw Men’s & Women’s
Shop Helley Hanson Men’s & Women’s
| Feature | Columbia | Marmot | North Face | REI | Helley Hansen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Breathable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lightweight | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Durable Fabric | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof Hood: Brim Adjusts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (no brim adjust) |
| Draw-cords: Waist/Cuffs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Taped Seams | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
What did I buy?
I bought the REI Co-op Men’s Rainier.
Why? There were several reasons:
- All of the reasons listed above make this rain jacket a compelling choice.
- Second, REI generally makes high quality, durable products.
- Third, I like REI’s attention to environmental sustainability considerations.
- Fourth, during a recent anniversary sale, the hiking rain jacket was discounted 30 percent. 🙂
Any of these best hiking rain jackets make very good choices though.
Conclusion – Best Hiking Rain Jackets
You want several important features when you choose the best hiking rain jacket to keep you dry during your hike. When you consider a new hiking rain jacket you want:
- Compact, so your jacket fits easily in your backpack
- Lightweight, so you do not carry unnecessary weight
- A jacket that keeps you dry
- A jacket that breathes with a waterproof, breathable fabric.
You want to stay dry and comfortable so you enjoy your hike. Choosing one of the best hiking rain jackets is an important decision that improves your hiking experience.
Amazon has some good budget hiking rain jacket choices.