Rain jackets get a bad rep: They’re often too bulky, unbreathable, or simply not waterproof. We believe a good rain jacket is essential, so we set out to find the best rain jackets for men that will actually keep you dry.
We tested 17 highly rated rain jackets for men, scoring each jacket on water resistance, breathability, and comfort. We tested the jackets in our PEOPLE Tested lab (yes, we sprayed water on our testers), and we wore the jackets on rainy days over a period of six months.
Read on for the best rain jackets, according to our tests.
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Oversized hood keeps your head and face protected
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Large vents in the armpits keep things breathable and comfortable
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Packable and storable thanks to the extremely lightweight fabric
This Marmot rain jacket kept us completely dry during our tests. Water droplets rolled right off the jacket, and we were able to shake off any excess water once we were out of the wet. That means the jacket was left almost completely dry within moments, and we could fold it up and plop it in a backpack without worry. We loved the oversized hood, which kept our head and face dry. There was some leakage at the neckline which we attribute to accidentally ordering a size too big, so make sure to order the correct size for the best waterproof fit.
Despite the jacket’s waterproof capabilities, it was still incredibly lightweight. The nylon fabric felt soft, almost like cotton, and was perfectly comfortable to wear — in fact, we would even be comfortable jogging in this jacket. We appreciated the ample-sized vents underneath the armpits, which kept things airy and comfortable.
While there is an adjustable drawstring on one side, we wish there was a second drawstring at the jacket’s edge to further customize the fit. But all in all, we found the $90 price reasonable, especially considering that there are much more expensive jackets on the market that are much less comfortable.
Material: 100% Nylon | Sizes: S-XXXL | Colors: 8
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Lightweight enough to allow full range of motion
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Layer of mesh on the inside helps with retaining body heat in colder temperatures
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Drawstrings on either side of the hood allow you to get a customized fit that will keep your head and face dry
This Giisam jacket keeps you dry at a fraction of the price of other high-quality rain jackets. During our tests, we found that water beaded off the jacket’s surface, though after a few minutes, a small amount of water tended to absorb into the jacket. Nonetheless, no water ever soaked through to the interior, leaving us completely dry. Drawstrings on the hood keep it securely drawn over the head, so your head will be protected even on rainy days.
We were shocked at this jacket’s $50 price point, since the jacket is constructed super well: hefty fabric, water-resistant zippers, inner mesh for warmth, and a removable hood. This jacket does lack in ventilation, though, so it’s not ideal for summertime rains.
Material: Polyester | Sizes: S-XXL | Colors: 14
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Lightweight and ideal for packing in a suitcase or storing in a closet without taking up too much space
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Rubber seams on the zippers make them watertight and keep the torso, arms, and pockets dry
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Zips up all the way to your nose for extra protection from wind and rain
This jacket from Outdoor Research is simultaneously lightweight, soft, and extremely waterproof. During our testing, water rolled right off the jacket. When we shook the jacket after wear, it was left completely dry. We also loved how foldable and packable it is — it would be great to take on a camping trip, and ideal for anybody working with limited storage space.
Although it doesn’t have obvious ventilation, the jacket does have small, subtle perforations on the seams that keep you cool and keep rain out, which we appreciated. The zipper seams are made of rubber on both the jacket itself and the pockets, which adds an extra level of waterproofing (especially on the pockets, so you can keep a phone in your pocket without worrying).
We loved that the jacket zips up all the way to your nose for extra protection from wind and rain, but the hood drawstrings are a bit hard to access on the inside of the hood.
Material: 100% nylon 20Dx45D ripstop with 100% polyester 30D knit backer | Sizes: S-XXXL | Colors: 3
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Fabric has a nice weight to it that feels high quality
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Roomy hood shields your head and face
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Hand warmer pockets and zippable armpit ventilation offer warming and cooling options
If you live in an area that tends to have unpredictable weather or need something for transitional seasons, this jacket would be a great addition to your closet. It’s a chameleon when it comes to what kind of weather you can wear it in, and it’s airy enough to grant you full range of motion. It has features that will keep you warm on a chilly day, like hand warmer pockets. On the other hand, if you get overheated and need to cool off, there are also zippable vents in the armpits which come in handy during humid summer rains.
While we appreciated the spacious hood, the elastic pull tabs at the collar meant to adjust its tightness were kind of flimsy. As soon as you set them at the desired tightness and let go they popped out of place. During rain tests we noticed that water tends to get into the collar because of this.
Material: 3.5 oz. 50-Denier Econyl recycled ripstop nylon/tricot | Sizes: XS-XXXL | Colors: 8
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Vents in the armpits and the interior of the back keep you cool in humidity
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Soft rubber fabric feels comfortable and high quality, but still lightweight
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Brimmed hood offers extra protection from the rain
While a longer rain jacket allows for extra protection from the rain, you may be worried that it would be easier to overheat in. Well, not this one: Its ventilation and lightweight material keep things breathable despite the extra coverage. Not only does it have ventilation in the armpits but also on the back interior. (Note: Although the jacket is breathable, it’s still best for cooler weather.)
Water rolls right off the soft, rubbery fabric, and the hood does a good job of shielding the head and face from the rain. We love the minimalistic and lowkey design that’s not too sporty, so it’s great for a variety of settings.
While we did appreciate the design overall, we wish it had a zipper closure instead of buttons. The button closure allows for extra gapping that could cause leakage. In a rain jacket, zipper enclosures are always ideal for insulation and protection, so we were kind of disappointed by this design choice.
Material: 100% polyester with polyurethane coating | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 12
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High-quality waterproof fabric allowed the fabric itself to stay dry
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Lightweight enough that you can move freely while wearing it
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Lined zippers allow for extra water protection
This jacket was extremely waterproof. While most jackets we tested were relatively permeable and allowed water to gently bead on the surface, this one wicked all moisture off completely, and the fabric itself stayed dry throughout our tests. Even though the fabric is high-performing, it’s still lightweight enough that you can totally move freely in it, even when doing more intense physical activity.
While many zippers inevitably allow some water leakage, this one had extra lining that adds an extra level of waterproofing. A unique feature we noticed is that there are zippable vents all the way up both sides of the torso, which is ideal for hot and humid weather.
During more intense water flow, the hood’s brim started to collapse which allowed water to get in around the neck and collar. This isn’t a huge deal, but in heavier rain storms this could be a problem.
Material: Gore-Tex | Sizes: S-XXXL | Colors: 4
Other Rain Jackets We Tried
- 33,000ft Packable Rain Jacket Men’s Lightweight Waterproof Rain Shell: If you’re looking for something affordable, lightweight, and functional, this $37 men’s rain jacket is a great choice. You’re definitely getting what you pay for, though. The zippers were not made of water-resistant material, the wrists have elastic adjustments notorious for giving out over extended use, and there’s no ventilation, so you may feel on hot and humid days.
- Merrell Men’s Whisper Rain Shell: This jacket certainly feels high quality and is an ideal pick for someone who lives in a colder climate. It stays nice and warm, and this is largely because of the extra bulk of the material. However, it has a two-way zip, which means the zippers easily get caught on each other. Also, there is zero ventilation, which is good for colder weather, but if it’s hot and humid, you’ll definitely be uncomfortable.
- Columbia Men’s Glennaker Rain Jacket: If you want something simple and stylish, this men’s rain jacket is a good option. The hood has a generous brim that keeps water out of your eyes and adjustable drawstrings on either side for customized fit and comfort. But our main issue with this one, and why it didn’t make the final cut, is the zipper. It repeatedly got caught on the inside fabric during testing, which would probably only get worse over prolonged use.
What to Know About Men’s Rain Jackets
Design
It really is all in the details: Once you get used to some small design elements, especially in something that’s all about function, like a rain jacket, you’ll never be able to go back. Looking at the design of a jacket and determining your non-negotiables is key for making a purchase that will last. According to Charlie Berg, Senior Product Manager of Outdoor Research, you should pay close attention to the hood in rain jackets. “[It’s good to have] a hood that is nicely adjustable and big enough to [perhaps] wear over a bike helmet, [or not so big] that it doesn’t cover your face.” He recommends trying it on in-store or looking at product reviews to see what customers say about its fit.
Another thing to think about is the climate you live in. If the area you live in has a lot of humidity, you’ll definitely want to look for a rain jacket that has good ventilation to prevent overheating. If you live in a colder area, something with a little more bulk and insulation will save you during cold rain showers. And universally, waterproofed zippers and internal pockets are design elements that will be an absolute game changer.
Breathability
If you are on the fence about purchasing a rain jacket because they’re notoriously stuffy, you’re not alone! Moisture and poor ventilation are a volatile duo, which is why picking a breathable rain jacket is key for comfort. If you’re worried about vented rain jackets defeating their purpose by letting water in, there are lots of options on the market.
“Pit zip vents are the gold standard for venting and comfort, especially a nice big pit vent that goes from your elbow to halfway down your torso,” Berg says, “Open that up, get a bunch of airflow, and you can cool off while maintaining protection from the rain.” Picking a rain jacket with vents that are hidden in the armpits (or even zippable) is a great way to stay dry and cool. (We love the Marmot Men’s Rain Jacket for this reason.)
Fit
Depending on the intended use of your rain jacket, whether you’re planning on wearing it to run errands or go on long distance hikes, your desired fit will vary. “Some basic rain jackets might not be sized for layering, so if you want your rain jacket to work when it’s cold, you’re going to want to have a roomier fit so you can fit some warm clothes underneath it,” Berg says, “You also want to ensure that it’s sufficiently long. Some value-priced rain jackets are pretty short, so somebody might buy a value-priced rain jacket and find out that it is shorter than some lightweight insulated jacket that they might want to wear the rain jacket over, which you can do, but it’s not ideal.” Our top pick for a long rain jacket is the Rains TM Long Jacket.
Behind the Scenes
Our editors scouted the web for the best rain jackets on the market and tested 17 different ones from a wide range of brands and price points. In our PEOPLE Tested lab, we put each rain jacket through a variety of tests that mimicked real-life weather exposure. We scored each jacket on the following:
- Water Resistance: We exposed each fabric to large amounts of water to test the integrity of its DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment, also keeping in mind how the zipper, button, and hood enclosures protected against moisture as well.
- Breathability and Comfort: We also wore each jacket while doing various physical activities to see how breathable it was when met with increased body heat and how flexible the fabric was with lots of movement.
- Design: After unboxing each rain jacket, We noted special features such as zippable armpit vents, extra pockets, and hoods. We then observed if those features were actually helpful throughout testing.
- Value: At the end of the test, we revealed the price to our testers and weighed whether the price matched the overall performance and quality.
We also wore each jacket out into the real world to see how they fared on rainy days. After six months, we updated this story to reflect real-world performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s the difference between a raincoat and a rain jacket?
You may be thinking, “There’s no way there’s a difference between a raincoat and a rain jacket,” but there actually is a slight nuance! While raincoats are more lightweight and designed for protection from lighter rain and moderate outdoor exposure, rain jackets are typically heavier, longer, more durable, and built to protect from more intense rain as well as wind. Both are usually waterproof, zippable, and come with a hood, but the type of conditions they’re built for are a bit different.
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Which fabric is best for a rain jacket?
This largely depends on preference and intended use, but anything that isn’t absorbent is ideal. You are most likely to see rain jackets made of: Gore-Tex, eVent, polyester, nylon, or neoprene. All of these are acceptable fabrics for a rain jacket and will certainly get the job done. If you want something more lightweight, you’ll probably be more comfortable in Nylon. If you want something durable and protective against harsh weather, neoprene is a better choice.
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Are rain jackets windproof?
To answer this question, it’s important to acknowledge the difference between waterproof and water-resistant jackets. While water resistant jackets can keep you dry to a certain degree they aren’t built for intense water exposure.
Waterproof jackets elevate the amount of protection by being designed to withstand water and its corrosive effects altogether. As a result, it’s pretty safe to assume that waterproof jackets are also windproof since they have more hefty protective technology on their side. However, if you want to be sure, check the product description of your desired rain jacket for mentions of windproof fabric.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
This roundup was written by Olivia Avitt, a freelance writer for PEOPLE who specializes in thorough, honest product reviews, and Michelle Rostamian, a PEOPLE contributing freelancer who specializes in fashion and beauty. For this roundup, they evaluated the results of our tests, as well as insights from expert Charlie Berg, a senior product manager at Outdoor Research. Nobody wants to buy something that doesn’t measure up to the loft promises in the product description, so they took an unbiased and thoughtful editorial approach to providing you with straight-to-the-point reviews that will help you make an empowered purchase.
Meet Our Expert
Charlie Berg is the Senior Product Manager of Outdoor Research, an outdoor gear retailer. Berg helped inform our tests by consulting our lab team on the best ways to test a rain jacket’s performance, as well as what to look for in a men’s rain jacket.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.