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Best Hiking Jackets For Cold Weather

When the weather turns cold, you’ll benefit from a good hiking jacket designed specifically for winter days on the trail.

Best Hiking Jackets For Cold Weather

However, some of the best hiking jackets for cold weather are not necessarily quite as warm as you might imagine, with most hikers favoring a lightweight, layered approach to winter dressing with an outer layer that provides primarily water and wind protection.

Advantages of Cold Weather Hiking Jackets

A cold weather hiking jacket will keep you warm out on the trail mainly by providing a protective barrier or shell. Your outer shell should first and foremost be weatherproof to keep you protected from the elements, so you can stay warm with your other layers.

Specially designed for being active in cold conditions, your jacket should be lightweight and breathable. Hiking in the cold, especially on more strenuous hikes, can still get you hot and sweaty, especially with a heavy pack.

So, it’s important that your jacket allows some of this excess heat and moisture to escape and your inner layers the possibility to dry.

At the same time, a good cold weather hiking jacket will keep enough warmth in so you feel comfortable without that clammy feeling.

Hiking Jacket Features

Aside from breathable, waterproof membranes, expect some extra features, such as vents to dump heat on strenuous sections, as well as protective features such as collars and adjustable hoods to make your winter-time hiking comfortable, even if you hit a patch of bad weather.

Here’s some of the main features that are often found on cold weather hiking jackets that you should look out for.

Waterproof and Breathable Membrane

Essential to keeping you warm and dry, every cold weather hiking jacket needs waterproof protection. Almost all cold weather hiking jackets are treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) often coupled with a membrane or laminate.

Best Hiking Rain Jackets For Men

There are various types available, offering different degrees of breathability so you will stay dry from both the outside and the inside.

Insulating Inner Fabric

Some cold weather hiking jackets may come with a soft insulated interior fabric. This can be useful if you feel the cold and tend to take things slow and easy.

As a cold weather jacket is really to provide protection, if you tend to warm up pretty quickly out on the trail you may prefer a simple shell style over your mid-layer of clothing.

Vents / Pit Zips

Vents are extremely useful for when you find yourself getting too hot and sweaty after a stretch of strenuous hiking. Open your vents for a quick heat dump, allowing you to stay protected from the elements while cooling off quickly.

The North Face Mens Venture 2 Jacket Pit Zips

Vents are often zippered and may be found under the arms, pit zips, although some jackets rely upon mesh pockets or back vents.

Adjustable Hood

You’ll need a good, adjustable hood to keep you warm and dry in severe weather conditions. Some hoods come with a visor style front that can help to improve your visibility in heavy rain.

It’s essential to be able to adjust the hood tightly around your face to withstand strong winds. A collar will also help to block out the wind and rain, whilst retaining warmth.

Cuffs

Often overlooked, cuffs are essential to keeping the warmth in and the cold out. Adjustable hook and loop or drawstring cuffs can help to ensure a tight, individual fit, while making it easy to get your jacket on over a bulky mid-layer and for wearing with gloves.

Two-way Zipper

A two-way zipper can be handy to reach inside to your internal layers without having to remove your outer layer in the rain. It can also be used to quickly dump heat on the go.

Pockets

Pockets are pretty much essential in outer layers for easy access. However, they can mean vulnerabilities in your waterproof protection, so be sure to check that any zippers are waterproof or that they are covered by storm flaps.

Marmot Minimalist Jacket Chest Pocket

You may prefer a large breast pocket for maps and other larger items, or small, side hand warmer pockets for on-the-go essentials.

Some pockets double as vents, thanks to their mesh construction, although this can mean that you will have to rely upon pockets in your other layers for your valuables when you leave them open for venting.

Layering

When you’re out hiking, conditions can change quickly with little warning and you could potentially be hours away from civilization and shelter.

In order to ensure that you stay warm and dry, it is important to learn how to dress in layers for hiking. If you get wet, either from rain or perspiration, you could catch cold or even hypothermia.

As hiking is an outdoor activity, it’s not just as simple as dressing for the heat or the cold, you also have to dress in a way that can be adapted to the changing weather, your activity level and whether you have a tendency to feel the cold or the heat.

This is why it is common to dress in three, although sometimes four or more, layers for hiking.

Sometimes you won’t actually be wearing all three layers, one may be in your backpack just in case, but it’s important to have all three with you when you’re out on the trail. Here’s a quick rundown of the main three layers you’ll need and why they’re useful.

Base Layer

Your base layer is primarily worn to wick sweat away from your skin, keeping you dry and preventing you from catching a chill.

Polarmax Mid Weight Double Base Layer Men's Long Sleeve Crew Tee

Base layers need to be quick drying and comfortable next to your skin, especially when you’re carrying a fully loaded backpack that can cause chaffing.

Some base layers tend to suffer more from odor buildup than others, while certain types may be more durable. Some are also warmer than others, however, you should mainly focus upon a base layer’s wicking properties.

You can check out our best base layers for men here, and our best base layers for women here (To be added soon :-).

Mid Layer

Your mid-layer is designed to provide warmth and insulation. Available in a wide variety of options, you can opt for a thicker, warmer layer or thinner ones, depending upon the conditions and your personal preferences.

Polyester fleeces are a popular option as they are lightweight, fast drying and take up little space in your backpack. For colder places, you may want to wear a light down or synthetic jacket as a mid-layer.

It is also important to remember that you may want to add more layers in among your mid layers, if you are hiking in very cold conditions, e.g. an extra tee over your base layer.

Outer Layer

Your outer layer is there to provide protection from the elements. It should provide some breathability and possibly vents for those strenuous uphill sections.

Most importantly, your outer layer needs to be waterproof to keep you warm and dry, as well as windproof. Most hiking jackets are treated with a DWR coating so that water beads and rolls off the surface, keeping you dry and allowing the jacket to breathe.

Best Hiking Rain Jackets For Women

Generally speaking, for most average hiking, we recommend that you use a good hiking rain jacket for your outer layer, in conjunction with the other layers above, for warmth, etc.

You can check out our top hiking rain jackets for men, and our top hiking rain jackets for women, for some excellent options in this department.

For faster-paced hiking or lighter weather conditions you may want to consider a soft shell hiking jacket with extra breathability, or for colder conditions with less intense activity, a hard shell hiking jacket.

Depending upon where and when you are hiking, you may want to opt for a hiking jacket that is more breathable, designed for higher-intensity activities. Such jackets are likely to cost considerably more due to the advanced membrane and DWR used.

If you don’t need such a highly breathable garment, you can find weatherproof jackets at a much lower price that will keep the rain and wind out, although exerting yourself whilst wearing one is likely to result in an excess of perspiration and you could catch cold once you slow down.

Specialized Jackets

For your average hiking needs, you will be best suited to wearing the above layering combination. Its advantages are that it can be adapted to almost any conditions, and you can alter your combination piece by piece making it more affordable to update.

Best Men's Hardshell Jackets

However, if you are considering venturing out into very harsh conditions, you may want to consider a systems jacket, also known as a 3-in-1 jacket. Such jackets combine a waterproof shell jacket with a insulated liner jacket.

Each jacket can be worn alone or together, hence the 3-in-1 name. When worn together they offer good protection from the elements in extreme conditions.

However, for your average hiking trip, you probably will not experience the conditions needed to truly realize the benefits of a 3-in-1 jacket and their price can be extremely prohibitive.

That said, if you are planning an extreme hiking trip you can undoubtedly benefit from the expertise and cutting-edge technology that goes into these superior performance jackets, so they are worth looking into.

Conclusion

When you’re looking for the best hiking jacket for cold weather, it’s important to bear in mind what you’ll be wearing underneath, as much as the jacket itself.

When the temperature drops, we naturally think about keeping warm, however, a day on the trail is also physically exerting and you will build up a considerable amount of internal heat especially over strenuous uphill sections.

Finding the best hiking jacket for cold weather for you is all about keeping the weather out, whilst allowing for some breathability, especially if you tend to go in for higher intensity hikes.

Combining a waterproof, weatherproof rain shell jacket with wicking and insulating layers is the best way to tackle cold weather hiking, enabling you to adapt your combination in order to suit the exact circumstances, rather than being stuck with a jacket that is too warm, bulky, heavy and unbreathable.

What’s The Best Jacket For Hiking In The Winter?

A good quality winter hiking jacket is a must for any serious hiker. As with any major purchase, it’s well worth going over your needs, budget and must-have features beforehand to help decide what’s the best jacket for hiking in the winter months. Let’s take a look at the types of winter jackets you should be considering to keep warm and active on the trail this winter.

Hiking In Winter

Benefits of a Good Winter Hiking Jacket

A good winter hiking jacket is about much more than just keeping warm in cold conditions, it should enable you to stay active throughout the coldest months in comfort. A winter hiking jacket needs to have two main qualities: it should be breathable and weatherproof.

Breathability is an essential quality for any kind of hiking jacket. The more challenging your hikes are, the more you’ll perspire. Even in minus temperatures, you’ll still appreciate a jacket with good breathability that will help regulate the temperature around your torse, rather than stopping to adjust layers, fiddling with gloves and interrupting your hike. The same goes for wet weather, you don’t want to have to remove your outer layer and risk getting drenched.

Most modern winter hiking jackets are made from advanced materials that have weather resistant qualities, to ensure that you stay warm and dry. Depending upon your level of activity and where you do most of your hiking, you’ll probably be best off with a robust hard shell jacket or a quality rain shell jacket used in conjunction with appropriate layering. This will offer extra protection against the wind and rain, as well as insulation.

A good winter hiking jacket will keep you warm, but more importantly dry, allowing perspiration to pass through micro pores away from your skin, whilst keeping the elements out. Many people new to hiking envisage thick padded coats. However, thanks to advances in modern technology and the creation of new lightweight, robust materials alongside the tendency to layer jackets with clothing for an adjustable level of warmth and freedom of movement, winter hiking jackets are much less bulky than your average winter coat.

Features to Look For in a Winter Hiking Jacket

Now that you know what kind of jacket you’ll need, time to take a look at some of the top-rated features, to help you to really make the most of your winter hikes. Whilst these aren’t strictly essential, they can make a huge difference to your comfort and performance.

Adjustable Hood

When it’s cold and wet, or snowy, you’ll need a hood that adjusts to keep the elements out. Adjustable hoods allow for bulkier headwear and stay up in strong winds. A nice addition is a brimmed hood which can be very useful to keep your line of sight clear while you hike, read a map, etc. in very bad weather.

Air Vents

Although most jackets are breathable, if your trail features challenging sections of intense activity, you’re going to need to cool off quickly and easily. Air vents are the best way to do so in bad weather as you don’t need to remove your protective outer layer, or indeed any layers.

Especially popular are full torso vents for rapid cooling and armpit vents, also known as pit zips. If you’re considering any kind of strenuous hiking in colder weather, you’ll definitely want to make sure you have vents in your winter hiking jacket

Large Zipped Pockets

This may sound like a minor detail, but when you’re out in the cold with thick gloves, large pockets with zipper pulls will make your life a lot easier. The size and number of pockets depends on your personal preferences, what you keep on your person and what goes in your backpack. Just make sure you can easily open and close with gloves.

Adjustable Cuffs

Adjustable cuffs help keep warmth in and allow you to put gloves under or over your sleeves. This also sounds like a minor detail, but you’d be surprised just how much heat you can lose from ill-fitting cuffs and if its wet you risk the rain getting in.

Recommended Layering with a Rain Shell Hiking Jacket

Now that you know what to look for in a winter hiking jacket, how do you wear it to optimize warmth whilst allowing for episodes of perspiration and heat generation?

It’s highly recommended to start with an absorbent base layer next to the skin that will wick sweat away to the outer layers. Your base layer should be tight fitting and as lightweight as possible. This will allow it to wick better and to dry faster, keeping you drier.

The following layers can be multiplied if required, depending upon temperatures and activity levels. In winter you’ll likely need a mid-layer or two, typically a long sleeved top. This layer should also be lightweight with good wicking properties to ensure moisture flows away from the skin.

After your mid-layer, the standard outer mid-layer would be a fleece or similar garment, that will add extra warmth, without weighing you down, and finally you have the outer layer, your hard shell or rain shell jacket to protect you from the elements.

Layering allows you to alter the level of warmth depending upon the temperature. It is important to choose merino wool, silk-based or synthetic-based materials for clothes close to your skin, as they help to ensure that moisture is wicked away to the outer layers so you don’t get wet from the inside.

Cotton is to be avoided where possible, especially near to the skin as cotton absorbs and holds moisture, quickly becoming and staying wet and weighing you down. Ever wonder why bath towels are usually made from cotton? Yep, because they’re so good at absorbing and retaining moisture!

In terms of wearing cotton clothes hiking, this can also contribute to you getting very cold e.g. if you sweat when hiking, when you stop the sweat absorbed into the cotton will rapidly cool down, and it will be like wearing a wet and cold towel after a while … not good! If you were unfortunate enough to become immobilized for some reason, your chances of getting hypothermia will also shoot up if you have damp clothes close to your skin in very cold temperatures.

Conclusion

What’s the best jacket for hiking in winter? In short, we think a good hard shell jacket or a quality rain shell hiking jacket that’s lightweight, strong, breathable and weatherproof is the way to go. Whether you choose the hard shell or the rain shell, really depends on the toughness of the conditions you plan to hike in.

If you’re a regular year round hiker, it is worth investing in both so you have the option and you can try out different combinations of layering in different conditions to see what works well for you.

When used with appropriately layered garments and accessories you’ll have a jacket that will be suitable for a huge range of hiking in winter weather and temperatures, as well as for practical day-to-day use should you need that.

The Marmot Minimalist Jacket For Men Review

I recently purchased the Marmot Minimalist Jacket for Men and after using it for about a month, I figured it was time to put a review up on the site regarding my experience with it.

Marmot Men's Minimalist Rain Jacket


Marmot Men's Minimalist Jacket

A really nice rain jacket for the trail from the rain shell category. Functional and versatile, it is an excellent choice that will meet most needs of most hikers.





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Summary

Brand and Model

Marmot Men's Minimalist Rain Jacket

Price

Check price on Amazon

Our Rating

Pros

Very functional jacket, peaked hood works well, pit zips

Cons

A little heavier than a basic rain shell, at the higher end of the price scale for a basic rain jacket (You get more though)

Best Uses

Day hiking, backpacking, general outdoor use, day-to-day use

Overview

The Marmot Minimalist jacket caught my eye late last year. It was a little different from many other jackets in the same rain shell category in that it was made from Gore-tex. That is not to say that there aren't many rain jackets made with Gore-tex, there are of course many of them. However, in the light rain shell jacket, $60 to $200 category, Gore-tex isn't as prevalent there as in the higher priced hard shell jacket category.

After looking into it, the signs were good. Decent user reviews were common and overall it seemed to be a hit on the market. Marmot, have scored some home runs in the rain shell jacket category over the last few years. From the Aegis to the Precip, they seem adept at creating a decent rain shell that is a hit with many folks.

In brief summary, while the Minimalist is a rain shell jacket, I think it definitely sits at the higher end of that category. This is mainly due, from what I can see, to the tougher Gore-tex construction.

While it is pricier than some other jackets in the same family, e.g. the Marmot Precip at in and around $100, it does still fall into the rain shell category, which I feel is the most suitable for hiking jackets. In saying that, the Minimalist is still affordable and very functional, and while it may cost some extra bucks, it comes with a lot of very nice features that I would look for in a good rain jacket.

Update June 2017 -  after a year of use: Overall, I have been really pleased with the Minimalist. I have only used it for hiking purposes and so it gets a day or two of use most weeks, although I do alternate use between other jackets I have as well. All in all, I would estimate that I've used it about 50 to 60 times over the last year and I have been very pleased with how it has performed. I have taken good care of it throughout. The only criticism I have is that the breathability could be better. I have found moisture building up inside the jacket at times. The pit zips help with this but the breathability could definitely perform better I feel. Overall though, I am happy with the performance of the jacket for the price I paid and it is still going strong.

Waterproof Capability

The Minimalist is of course waterproof but I couldn't find a specific rating ... not that, that means a great deal in my opinion. Interestingly though, some promotional material I saw read 'guaranteed waterproof'. Now, when looking at waterproof fabric for hiking rain gear, I don't really think anything is guaranteed 100% waterproof. Given enough of a watery battering, it will eventually wet out.

However, in saying that, the Minimalist is constructed using a polyester shell and a Gore-tex pac-lite membrane. Gore-tex is of course an industry standard when it comes to waterproof and breathable material for making waterproof gear. Now, I've had pretty good experiences with Gore-tex, in various forms, to date, which goes back a fair while at this stage 🙂 Specifcally Gore-tex Paclite is also a well known and trusted technology. So all in all, that tried and trusted vibe did provide a comfort factor for me.

The jacket is fully tape seamed, so between that and the Paclite membrane, moisture is kept out. I have tested the waterproof capabilities of the Minimalist in the best way I know how, by taking it out on three separate and very wet day hikes. So far, it has come up trumps and kept me dry and comfortable.

In the photo's below you can see the water beading in pretty crappy conditions. Beading is where the water forms little beads on the surface of the jacket and rolls off. This is the membrane at work. It's a bit of a hazy shot of my arm in a heavy shower but it gives you the idea 🙂


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Beading On The Sleeve

And below, in a rather strained looking selfie 🙂 . This was at the end of the hike in the car park after a good 30 minutes of heavy continuous rain and the jacket really held up well so I thought a picture was a good idea.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Selfie In the Rain

The Minimalist jacket features waterproof zippers covered with a storm flap on the front which secures with Velcro patches and a button at the bottom of the flap.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Button

The hood, which I'll talk about in more detail below, is fully adjustable and fit's very well. It is peaked with a stiff brim. Again, it adds another nice water protection element to the jacket.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Peaked Hood

In summary, to date, I have been very, very happy with the rain protection provided by the Minimalist. It definitely performs well in tough conditions providing good protection from external moisture. In fact, on a recent hike, the one from the selfie above and the shot below, I was exposed to rain, hail, sleet and snow as I made my way higher up to the summit of a mountain! Pretty much excellent testing grounds and I have to say, I was very pleased with the performance of the Marmot Minimalist Jacket.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket In The Field

My final comment on this performance element is that the real test will come over a longer time period. After I've put this jacket through it's paces in the wind and rain over 6 months, i'd be interested to see how well it performs. Hopefully it will do good but I'll have to wait and see. I'll check back here with an update.

Breathability

Looking at breathability, again I couldn't find any exact numbers, with the Gore-tex membrane I expected the breathability to be reasonably better than a standard rain shell. However, before getting too far into detail, I should state that I think breathability of fabric can be a bit misleading.

Of course, a rain jacket like the Minimalist will have better breathability than some kind of PVC jacket, that's a given. However, I find that broadly speaking, I prefer cooling down using the direct ventilation features such as opening the main front zipper or utilizing pit zips.

In case you're reading this and aren't sure what I'm referring to, breathability just means how much air can get out from the internal environment while still keeping the rain out. So, condensation in the form of sweat vapor versus water in the form of rain and so on. Think of temperature regulation as well.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Walking View 1

I don't mean to totally dispel the functional use of breathability in rain shell jacket materials, I think it does play it's part to some degree. However, it's hard to beat pit zips for a quick let out of air. Pit zips are zips underneath your arm pits and they offer a quick and efficient way to let hot air out from the internal environment around your body. I'm happy to say the Minimalist has these, see below, and they're very easy to use and I also found them effective.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Pit Zips

So far, I have found the Minimalist to be very comfortable in terms of breathability. However, I've only really tested it out in cooler conditions. I'd be interested to see how it would feel on a hot summers day in a muggy downpour. The jacket does feel sturdy so it would be interesting to put it through it's paces in those conditions to see how it would fair.

Comfort

I have to simply say that the Minimalist jacket from Marmot is an all round comfortable jacket. This is borne out in most of the user reviews I read as well as my own experience.

I referenced the hood above and it fits very well on the Minimalist. The hood has a stiff peaked brim which both fits and works very well.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Front View

There is room to wear for a helmet or a hat in the hood and it fits very snugly. It can be easily adjusted using the little adjustment tabs on the side of the hood. As with all hoods on hiking jackets, these are a bit fiddly and so you would need to take your gloves off in colder weather to work with them. Nothing new there. While they are a bit fiddly, they do work well and they're definitely one of the better set of adjusters I've worked with over the years.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Hood Adjustment 2

Marmot Minimalist Jacket Hood Adjustment 1

Also as mentioned above, the jacket is roomy enough to take several layers underneath should you need to layer up at a colder time of year, while at the same time not feeling odd and uncomfortable if you've only a layer or two on. Overall, a good mix for a year round rain jacket for the trail. The usual size ranges are catered for and from my experience as well as the multiple reviews I read, the Marmot Minimalist jacket does fit true to size for most.

The jacket also features a DriClime-lined chin guard to 'provide comfort and a little insulation for your face during mountain storms', as the promotional material suggests. However, I have to say that I have found this to be the case and the chin guard is very comfortable and does the business in bad conditions.

Finally, in terms of comfort, it's worth noting that the Minimalist jacket allows Angel Wing Movement so you can spin your arms in circles and the jacket will stay relatively stationary and not ride up your back. This feature does work really well and I have been very comfortable at times when I had to overly stretch upwards or downwards e.g. scrambling over steep rocky terrain. The jacket didn't ride up my back I am happy to say.

Overall, the Marmot Minimalist rain jacket is a very comfortable fit while hiking. Thumbs up!


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Walking View

Weight, Durability and Packability

The claimed weight of the Minimalist is in and around 15 oz, give or take for the size considerations i.e. a small size will be lighter than an xtra Large size. For a hiking rain shell jacket, weight is always something to consider. Too bulky and heavy and it can be a pain to carry, never mind wear, for longer periods of time.

While there are definitely other rain jackets in the same class that are lighter in terms of weight, I think you get more in terms of functional performance which the extra weight of the material make-up allows. In the broad scheme of things, for average day hiking and backpacking, it is not a heavy jacket and I'm really talking about splitting hairs, but it is an important factor for some more than others.

In terms of packability, the jacket doesn't pack into it's own pocket. Not a big deal for me as I just roll in up into the hood.

Features

In terms of features, the Minimalist has pretty much everything I personally look for a hiking rain shell. The hood, which we've already touched on, is fully adjustable and closes tight in a stuff brim to protect you from the worst weather.

The Driclime chin guard lining, also touched on above, is a nice feature which again I have found works very well. When I've had the hood secured and the jacket zipped up fully primed with storm flaps etc. it feels very comfortable. No edgy or sticky out annoying bits on the skin which is of course what we're after.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Sleeve Adjustment

The cuffs, pictured above, are adjustable via a Velcro strap which works pretty well. As with any rain shell jacket, the aim is to create a protective layer and keep you as comfortable as possible inside it. All these straps and adjusters enable you to do that around your particular body shape.

In terms of pockets, I really like what the Minimalist has to offer. There are the 2 standard zippered hand pockets but man are they sweet. Big and roomy, you can get a lot in them and they can be secured with a zip-up closure as well as a Velcro seal. They are also easily accessible while wearing a pack which is a really good thing to have which many rain jackets either don't have of if they do, they don't work that well.


Marmot Minimalist Jacket Chest Pocket

There is also a Napoleon Chest pocket which I am a big fan of. Handy to store your compass and map. Functional and easy to access without having to go into your pack or your hand pockets. All in all, I am really happy with the pockets on the Marmot Minimalist, very functional and convenient for hiking purposes.

Price

As referenced at the start of this review, the Marmot Minimalist Rain Shell Jacket does sit at the pricier end of the scale of rain shell jackets but I think, as in a lot of things, you get what you pay for. As always though, if you shop around, you will likely probably get a deal and knock a chunk off the list price. Click on the link above and you will be taken through to Amazon where you can check for a live price. 

I think for functional capability and features, the Marmot Minimalist is a really top level jacket that can be used all year round. However, in saying that it might be a bit bulky for some for a hot humid day, I need to test that out myself though. I've been very pleased with it's performance to date and all the features work very well, So I think it is fairly priced.

Best Uses

The Minimalist is a tougher option in the rain shell jacket category. It performs well in tough conditions and fits comfortably protecting you from the wind, rain, etc. and should accommodate most hikers needs

I think combined with good layering, you'll get 4 season use on the trail, barring extreme conditions of course. Whether day hiking, trekking or backpacking the minimalist should meet the challenges presented by inclement weather. It is definitely a bit bulkier and heavier than other rain shell jackets but that's due to the Gore-tex construction which I think works great.

In summary, I think the Marmot Minimalist Jacket will work for practically all hiking needs and most outdoor activities. It will also be great for day-to-day use too should you need a sturdy jacket for the normal day-to-day run of things.

Customer Reviews

As of the date of this post, from about 190+ reviews I totaled across five retailers, 71% of people gave the Minimalist Jacket 5 stars and 86% 4 stars or more! They're excellent scores and I would wholeheartedly agree with that from my own personal experience.

Read user reviews on Amazon.

Our Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5)

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Waterproof utilizing Gore-tex construction - Gore-tex is a mainstay in rain protection
  • Breathable with pit zips to provide an extra ventilation options if required - they work well
  • Very comfortable fit with lots of room for layering underneath
  • Functional hood that can comfortably fit a helmet / hiking hat
  • Adjustable Velcro cuffs, hem-cinch cord, waterproof zips and storm flap enable a cocoon around the upper body to protect you from the nastiest of weather
  • Nice roomy zippered hand pockets which are accessible with a pack on - Napoleon chest pocket is roomy too - ideal for a compass and map
  • Very functional jacket overall and I think good value for the price

Cons

  • A little bulkier / heavier than other rain jackets in the class - that's the price of the better Gore-tex construction though I feel
  • At the higher end of price in the rain jacket category but worth it in my opinion

The Marmot Men's Minimalist Rain Jacket Features Summary

  • Polyester shell, fully taped seams and Gore-Tex Paclite membrane
  • Adjustable hood, hem, and hook-and-loop cuffs
  • Zippered underarm air vents (pit zips)
  • Roomy hand pockets that are easily accessible while wearing a pack or harness
  • Water-resistant zippers and front storm flap
  • DriClime-lined chin guard
  • Angel-Wing movement ensures coverage no matter how you stretch and contort your body
  • Available colors: 10+ (plenty of choice!)

Conclusion

The Marmot Minimalist Jacket for men is one of the purchases I have been more pleased with in the recent past. To be honest, I was in an REI store in Santa Barbara when I first saw it, tried it on and liked it. After checking into it some more, I decided I wanted to try it out and so got myself one while staying in REI Henderson near Las Vegas on my recent trip to the West Coast of the US.

I was pleased with the purchase and having tried and tested it out in the field now on several occasions in pretty tough conditions, so far I am a happy camper. It's a good buy for sure.

As alluded to in the review above, I am curious to see how it holds out over a longer time, say in 6 months. Will I still be getting an optimal performance from it? I'll have to wait and see but I'll be sure to add a note here on how it gets on.

Aside from my own experience with the Minimalist, it has lot's of good customer ratings over a decent period of time so that seems to hold true to my experience as well. In conclusion, if you're a hiker in the market for a new rain shell jacket, you could do a lot worse than purchasing the Marmot Minimalist.

Finally, if you are just starting on the road to buying a good rain jacket, check out the rain jacket buying guide, that will walk you through all the things you need to think about before buying a rain jacket to meet your needs. Also, you can check out some of the best hiking rain jacket recommendations here.

Have you used the Marmot Minimalist Jacket? What's your experience with it? I've love to hear about it in the comments below.

I hope you found this review useful, please share it round your networks if you did 🙂

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When you’re out hiking, it is inevitable that the weather will turn on you at some point. To help keep you dry and protected, your pack should always have your rain gear in it.

How To Waterproof A Backpack

As mentioned, the downpour and / or rain shower will catch up with you, so it’s important to be prepared. With that in mind, you want to find the absolute best rain jackets for the trail.

Here in this article, I want to lay out the best hiking rain jackets for women in 2020 that are currently available on the market today. They all, more or less, have all the functionality and features that you, as a day hiker or shorter term backpacker, should be looking for in a rain shell jacket.

They all also score well across multiple review sites and multiple user reviews, so if you’re in the market for a new waterproof jacket, this list will give you plenty of ideas and options to consider.

Please note that any prices referred to here are the retail guide prices and so, they are subject to change. Prices for gear change all the time, so any reference is only meant to give you a ballpark idea of the actual cost.

If you can’t wait and just want to know how to get our top rain jacket recommendation, then check out the Arc’teryx Zeta SL, it’s our number one choice for the best women’s rain jacket.

So, now that the introductory blurb bit is done and out of the way, let’s crack on and take a closer look at some of the best hiking rain jackets for women in 2020!

1. Arc’teryx Zeta SL

Check out the Arc'teryx Zeta SL at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Jacket design and construction fits well
  • Very lightweight
  • Excellent waterproof capabilities
  • Breathes well using Gore-tex technology
  • Packable
  • Designed with the hiker in mind

Cons:

  • No extra additional venting options e.g. pit zips
  • Hood is not helmet compatible
  • Pricier compared to some of its peers

Arc’teryx Zeta SL Rain Jacket for Women Features Summary:

  • Waterproof and breathable
  • Ultralight compact construction
  • Taped seams for added weatherproofness
  • Laminated high-strength hanger loop
  • 2L GORE-TEX with NEW PACLITE Plus product technology
  • Articulated patterning and gusseted underarms for mobility and comfort
  • Storm Hood with laminated brim and halo adjuster
  • Not helmet compatible
  • Chin guard collar with brushed microsuede facing for added comfort
  • Watertight full length front zippers and fly
  • Die-cut Velcro cuff adjusters
  • Adjustable hem draw-cord with slight drop hem
  • Two hand pockets with watertight zippers and RS zipper sliders
  • Weight: 310 g / 10.9 oz

Best Uses: Very versatile jacket suitable for all types of hiking, backpacking and general outdoor use

Arc’teryx produce some of the best performing outdoor gear available today and the Zeta SL Jacket is another top of the line offering from them.

Check Availability at Amazon.

This jacket is developed and designed specifically with the hiker in mind. The Zeta SL is a great jacket for day hiking and longer trekking adventures too, basically a really great all round hiking rain jacket.

The jacket hugs the body comfortably and it’s sleek contours are all in the right places providing a great fit, with or without multiple layers. The jacket utilizes very functional materials and an efficient design so it doesn’t leave anything out in terms of functionality.

The waterproof and breathable capabilities in the Zeta SL are provided via Gore-tex with PACLITE® Plus product technology, and it performs admirably in tough wet conditions.

The zips are highly water resistant and the jacket seams are taped, all of which enables a protective and breathable cocoon around the torso. However, the Zeta SL has no additional venting features e.g. pit zips.

The jacket packs away easily and it is very lightweight, so easy to carry in your daypack when not in use.

The Zeta SL comes with a very functional storm hood, however, the hood is not helmet compatible. This is a bit of a disadvantage in terms of versatility to use the jacket for other outdoor activities e.g. rock climbing.

The jacket features two hand warmer pockets with a fully adjustable hem and cuffs. So, it’s easy to adjust the jacket to fit your unique body shape as needed.

Overall, the Zeta SL is designed as a functional rain jacket, and it comes up trumps! An excellent rain jacket option for any lady hiker!

2. Outdoor Research Aspire

Check out the Aspire Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • A Gore-Tex 2.5 layer jacket that offers excellent protection
  • Another lightweight jacket, both to wear and to carry
  • Perfect for all types of hiking year round
  • Very waterproof construction (50D plain weave) and breathable

Cons:

  • At the higher end of the price scale but it is more bang for your buck

Outdoor Research Aspire Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • GORE-TEX® with Paclite® product technology 2L
  • 100% polyester 50D plain weave
  • Waterproof, windproof and breathable
  • Fully seam-taped and laminated construction
  • Fully adjustable hood
  • YKK® AquaGuard® zippers
  • Internal Front Stormflap and Hem-To-Bicep TorsoFlo™ Venting
  • Zip Hand Pockets, with pocket placement above harness, and zip arm pocket
  • Left-hand pocket doubles as stuff sack
  • Carabiner Loop and hook/loop cuff closures
  • Elastic cuffs and an elastic drawcord hem
  • Weight: 388g / 13.7 oz – average weight for size M

Best Uses: Hiking, camping, general outdoor and day-to-day use

The Aspire rain jacket from Outdoor Research is a Gore-Tex 2.5 layer rain jacket that offers outstanding protection from the elements.

Check Availability at Amazon.

Gore-Tex is an industry standard in the rain protection business, so we’re off to a good start with the Aspire.

Aside from its water resistance, Gore-Tex is also very breathable, so the Aspire offers good performance in that regard. There’s also an interesting feature with the Aspire that I don’t think I’ve seen in a jacket before.

It features two-way zippers that run from the biceps to the arms. This enables the jacket to be worn as a poncho! An interesting concept I can honestly say I have not come across before.

There are two zippered hand pockets on the Aspire jacket as well as one pocket on the arm. The jacket weighs in at 388 g / 13.7 oz (medium), and so it ranks pretty well in terms of weight.

This packable rain jacket fits nicely into its own pocket so it can be snugly wrapped up and put into your day pack.

As mentioned at the start, this rain jacket for women is at the higher end of the scale in terms of price, but I think you get a lot of functionality for your money.

3. Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic

Check out the Stretch Ozonic Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • The jacket offers good ventilation and breathability
  • Lightweight design provides a comfortable wearing experience
  • Suitable for all types of hiking, most of the year round
  • 40D construction offers excellent waterproof protection

Cons:

  • A stiff brimmed hood would be nice to have

Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • Fabric Body: Dry.Q™ Active Stretch 40D 2.5L (100% Nylon)
  • Breathable waterproof technology
  • Weight: 313 g / 11.1 oz
  • 4-way all-over stretch fabric
  • Abrasion-resistant 40D face fabric
  • Large underarm vents
  • Hood cinch system
  • Exposed matte vislon Aquaguard zipper
  • Packable zip chest pocket

Best Uses: Hiking, backpacking, camping, general use

The Stretch Ozonic rain jacket from Mountain Hardwear is a very functional rain jacket. Sleek and very stylish, it’s a great all-rounder for every season. It is also tough and durable for even the harshest of conditions.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The Mountain Hardwear Ozonic jacket is a super light rain shell jacket. As with the Venture and PreCip, it performs very well in terms of ventilation while utilizing its patented Dry Q membrane in its 2.5 layer construction.

This allows your torso to breathe while keeping the nastier elements out. This is further supported by the underarm pit zips which can be opened for venting purposes at your convenience.

The hood and cuffs are fully adjustable so you can create a decent protective shell in the worst of conditions. The Stretch Ozonic also features two standard hand warmer pockets.

The jacket also comes with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer, which is always nice to have.

4. REI Co-op DryPoint

Check Availability at REI.

Pros:

  • 3 layer Gore-tex Active laminate provides strong protection from the elements
  • Mesh-lined pockets are accessible while wearing a pack
  • Minimalist design means the jacket is lightweight
  • Sleek design looks and feels great
  • Constructed with Bluesign® approved fabric

Cons:

  • No extra ventilation options
  • More expensive than some of its peers

REI Co-op DryPoint Rain Jacket for Women Features Summary:

  • Lightweight GORE-TEX Active 3-layer; 20-denier ripstop nylon (bluesign® approved) fabric
  • Fully seam taped ensuring waterproof protection
  • 3-point adjustable hood with built-in visor preserves your field of view and blocks wind and rain
  • Mesh-lined hand pockets double as core vents to dump excess body heat
  • The zippered hand pockets are set high to enable access with a pack and are coated for water resistance
  • Minimalist hook-and-loop cuff tabs adjust to keep out wind and rain without adding excess weight
  • Adjustable hem drawcord seals in warmth
  • Weight: 244 g / 8.6 oz

Best Uses: Day hiking, backpacking, various outdoor activities and general day-to-day use

The DryPoint is an excellent offering from the well known and loved REI Co-op. They are outdoor people so you know this jacket has been created by and for people who love the outdoors!

Check Availability at REI.

The DryPoint offers excellent protection from the elements in inclement conditions by utilizing a lightweight GORE-TEX Active 3-layer fabric. This performs well under tough conditions.

This material also enables excellent breathability in the fabric itself, which is always a must for when you exert yourself on the hills and it gets stuffy inside.

One minor downside is that the jacket does not come with additional ventilation features such as pit zips. I happen to be fan of pit zips so do miss them in this jacket, however the jacket utilizes its mesh vent pockets to provide some additional ventilation.

The jacket features two hand warmer pockets, which are designed to sit high. I love this feature as it means your pockets on your jacket are accessible even with a pack secured to your back. I told you, designed with the hiker in mind 🙂

This jacket is definitely pricier in comparison to some of it’s peers in the same class, but you get a really great jacket for the extra bucks. So I feel that overall it is an investment in quality as opposed to needless extra expense.

Given the fact that environmental impact is a growing concern by the day, it is worth noting that the material used for the DryPoint is bluesign® approved.

This standard translates to mean that all efforts were made to ensure that no damage to the environment or exploitation of workers happened in it’s manufacture. Comforting for any avid lover of the outdoors to know in this day and age.

5. Outdoor Research Interstellar

Check out the Outdoor Research Interstellar Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Love the material used in the jacket construction, somewhat stretchy and feels good
  • A lightweight jacket that provides a comfortable fit
  • Waterproof, windproof and breathable
  • Helmet compatible hood

Cons:

  • Pocket location could be better, hard to access while wearing a pack

Outdoor Research Interstellar Rain Jacket for Women Features Summary:

  • Fabric: Ascentshell™ 3L, 100% nylon, 20D mechanical stretch ripstop face with 100% polyester 12D backer
  • Waterproof, windproof and breathable
  • Lightweight and air permeable
  • Fully seam-taped electrospun membrane
  • Movement-mirroring stretch
  • Fully adjustable helmet compatible hood; Wire-brimmed halo-hood with Hood Lock™
  • YKK® AquaGuard® Zippers; YKK® AquaGuard® Vislon Center front zipper
  • Internal front stormflap
  • Zip chest pocket; Zip hand pockets; jacket stuffs into left hand pocket
  • Carabiner loop and key clip
  • Dynamic Reach™ underarm panels
  • Elastic cuffs with hook/loop cuff closures
  • Elastic Drawcord Hem
  • Weight: 285 g / 10.1 oz

Best Uses: Day hiking, backpacking, climbing, general day-to-day outdoor use

Outdoor Research have come up trumps with the Interstellar jacket. It’s a top rain jacket option which has the versatility to be used for a broad range of outdoor activities, not just hiking.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The jacket fabric is ‘Ascentshell™ 3L, 100% nylon, 20D mechanical stretch ripstop face with 100% polyester 12D backer’. This tough layer provides strong protection from the elements, and works well throughout its sturdy design and construction.

The same material is also very breathable and reports are that this feature performs particularly well in the Interstellar jacket. Good breathability in the fabric can be a hard thing to achieve in a rain jacket, so they have done well with that here.

The movement-mirroring stretch fabric means the jacket has excellent mobility, providing a great range of motion. This is really practical and useful for someone hiking over tougher terrain, where the use of your hands may be required e.g. scrambling.

The hood is very functional providing excellent protection in tough windy conditions. It is fully adjustable and helmet compatible. It also features a wire-brimmed halo-hood with a Hood Lock™ to keep your line of sight good in a windy downpour.

The jacket comes with two zipper hand pockets and one chest pocket. they have YKK® AquaGuard® zippers so good rain protection at the zips too. The chest pocket is perfect ideal for quick access for a key item, say a compass or a mobile phone.

The Interstellar jacket offers excellent functional capability, so overall it’s a good value for money hiking rain jacket in terms of price.

In summary, the Outdoor Research Interstellar is a great rain jacket option for the trail. It will perform well giving you the protection you need under a wide range of tough conditions.

6. Patagonia Torrentshell

Check out the Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Waterproof capability performs very well in the Torrentshell
  • Good breathability with very effective pit zips for extra ventilation
  • A great hood that is very adjustable to suit and performs well
  • Overall very durable and quality construction

Cons:

  • Zipper pulls and cord locks can be a bit fiddly

Patagonia Torrentshell Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • Material: [membrane/laminate] H2No (2.5-layer), 100% recycled nylon ripstop
  • Recycled fabric is waterproof and breathable
  • Taped seams
  • DWR treatment bolsters defense against moisture
  • Zippered underarm vents release excess heat quickly
  • 2 hand pockets keep necessities close
  • Hood is adjustable and packable for convenience
  • Hem and cuffs are adjustable to personalized preference
  • Jacket stuffs into hand pocket when not in use

Best Uses: Day hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, general outdoor use, day-to-day use

The Torrentshell is a very functional and popular option from Patagonia with many great reviews all over the web.

Check Availability at Amazon.

It features a 2.5 layer construction that is probably one of the toughest on this list. It also uses 50D nylon ripstop for even more durability.

This women’s rain jacket performs very well in tougher conditions making it an excellent option for the trail. It is very water resistant with a rating of 20,000 mm, which is high scoring.

Most user reviews I have read for both the men and women’s version of this rain jacket fully support the effectiveness of this capability.

The waterproofness of the jacket is further enhanced with DWR treated zippers, a storm flap, and waterproof pockets.

Again, user accounts indicate that the Torrentshell is very breathable and the pit zips it features provides an extra quick venting option which works well.

One of my favorite features of the Torrentshell is the stiffened brim hood. It looks strong, and all the reports I have read indicated that it holds up very well under tough conditions.

The Patagonia Torrentshell Rain Jacket for women has two hand warmer pockets, and overall, the fit of the jacket generally comes in as true to size. In terms of weight, the Torrentshell is about average in relation to its peers.

It is packable in its own pocket with a handy clip-in loop to attach to a pack. Its overall construction can be classed as tough and durable. The Patagonia Torrentshell is a very fitting option for all kinds of hiking!

Read the full review.

7. Marmot PreCip Eco

Check out the Marmot Precip Jacket at Amazon.

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Functional adjustable hood works well
  • Waterproof, breathable and packable rain jacket
  • Underarm pit zips provide easy and quick ventilation
  • Good price and value for money

Cons:

  • Not as tough as other jackets
  • Breathability not as good as with other jackets in its class

Marmot Precip Eco Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • Waterproof/breathable, PFC-free Marmot NanoPro™ recycled nylon face fabric lasts longer than ever, thanks to the advanced technology of the microporous coating
  • 100% seam taped
  • Adjustable hood rolls into the collar when not needed
  • DriClime®-lined chin guard is soft on skin
  • PitZips allow cooling airflow when the temperature rises
  • Pack pockets are strategically placed to be out of the way of pack straps and your hipbelt
  • Angel-Wing Movement™ sleeves allow full range of arm motion and prevent jacket from rising up when arms are raised
  • Adjustable hook-and-loop cuffs

Best Uses: Day hiking, general outdoor use, day-to-day use

Our top budget rain jacket, the Marmot Precip Eco rain jacket for women, is a really popular rain jacket. It is a new iteration to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Marmot Precip line, which features a focus on environmentally friendly recycled materials used in its construction.

Check Availability at Amazon.

It’s a top seller on Amazon and with good reason. It’s a nice all around rain jacket that will keep you dry on the trail. It is also great for casual use as well.

You don’t have to look too hard to find a slew of excellent user reviews for the Precip Eco. It’s a top performer and generally scores consistently well in terms of functionality and performance.

As with the men’s rain jacket option, its sleek look works well in the women’s version of this rain jacket too. It provides a comfortable fit that allows angel wing movement, i.e. it doesn’t ride up your back when you swing your arms.

The PreCip Eco is waterproof and breathable, and from the many tests and reviews I have seen in these areas, it performs well. It also has pit zips for extra ventilation should you need them after a tough push on the trail.

The Precip Eco is also lightweight and durable, so ideal for carrying in a day pack or backpack. It packs away in its own pocket so it can be easily stowed away.

The hood is fully adjustable, and while it is functional, it is one area in the jacket that could perform better in tougher conditions. Some other nice features of the PreCip are the DriClime® chin guard, the adjustable Velcro cuffs and the elastic drawcord hem to secure a cocoon around your torso.

If you secure all of those, you should be able to keep some of the most uninviting weather at bay! In terms of pockets, the PreCip features two zippered hand pockets.

Read the full review.

8. Columbia Arcadia II

Check out the Columbia Arcadia II Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Very accessible in terms of price, good value for money
  • Very functional design for a rain shell jacket
  • Performs well for light trail hiking on wet days and for casual use

Cons:

  • Definitely heavier than some its peers in the same category

Columbia Arcadia II Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • 100% nylon 2 layer jacket with full dull, plain weave
  • Omni-Tech™ waterproof/breathable fully seam sealed
  • Adjustable storm hood attached to the jacket
  • Drawcord adjustable hem
  • Zippered hand pockets
  • Packable into hand pocket

Best Uses: Light day hiking, general day-to-day use

This is listed as one of our best budget choice rain jackets for women. The Columbia Arcadia II is another top seller, and it comes in at the very affordable mid to low range in terms of price. Stylish and functional.

Check Availability at Amazon.

A basic rain shell jacket retailing in at about $59.95 (depending on size etc.), it is very accessible. It is made with 2 layer construction featuring Columbia’s waterproof Omni-Tech technology and a mesh lining.

The breathability is limited because of its two-layer construction and there are no pit zips featured, so this rain jacket offers no quick ventilation option. The two hand pockets are mesh, so when left open, they do offer some level of ventilation.

Overall, the user reviews indicate that the Arcadia II is a comfortable fit. Although not brimmed, the hood can be cinched down for a snug fit for tougher conditions.

In terms of weight, the Arcadia is probably in the middle to top end of the range when compared to its peers listed on this page. The Arcadia II has two hand pockets, and the jacket does stuff into one of them by design.

Overall, I feel the Arcadia II is perfect for someone who wants to give hiking a go. If they don’t take to it, it will work great as a day-to-day rain jacket.

In summary, it’s a basic but functional enough 3 season entry level rain shell hiking jacket but not much more than that.

9. Outdoor Research Helium II

Check out the Helium II Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • A super lightweight jacket, they’re not kidding when they say helium
  • Stuffs into its own pocket for easy packability
  • Construction offers good mobility and range of motion
  • The 30D ripstop fabric enables good protection from the elements

Cons:

  • As a result of the ultralight construction, there are no hand pockets
  • Wrist cuffs are elasticated as opposed to Velcro so can’t be opened

Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • Pertex® Shield+, 100% nylon
  • 2.5 layer laminated construction
  • 30D ripstop, fully seam-taped
  • Waterproof, breathable, windproof and lightweight
  • YKK® AquaGuard® zippers
  • Zip chest pocket
  • Internal pocket doubles as stuff sack
  • Reflective logos
  • Carabiner loop
  • Elastic cuffs and an elastic drawcord hem

Best Uses: Running, hiking, climbing, emergency rain protection on the trail

This super lightweight Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket is a packable rain jacket and will fit easily into your day pack or travel bag. It’s a no frills and no nonsense rain jacket.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The obvious starting point with this jacket from Outdoor Research is its weight. With a name like Helium II, this jacket zeroes in on being lightweight and easy to carry while not sacrificing protection from the elements.

The Outdoor Research Helium II features standard 2.5 layer construction and utilizes its Pertex Shield+ technology to offer breathability and rain protection.

From many of the reviews I checked on the Helium II in this area, it performs very well. There are no other venting features on the jacket though except for the cuffs.

Protection from the rain comes in the form of a DWR coating on the outside of the jacket which as alluded to above, performs well. The Helium II comes with a stiffened hood that was noted by many users to perform well, and it is also easy to adjust.

The Helium features only two pockets – one inside stuff pocket and one on the chest – with the internal pocket being where the jacket can be packed away, so no standard hand warmer pockets.

Overall, I feel the Helium II is probably better suited for a runner rather than a hiker, but if weight is a big issue for your hikes, it could be a great option for emergency rain protection in a heavy pack.

Read the full review.

10. Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid

Check out the Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket at Amazon.

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Lightweight, breathable and water-resistant; Gore-Tex performs very well
  • Very comfortable design with good mobility
  • Perfect for all types of hiking year round

Cons:

  • May not fit true to size so take that into account when buying
  • More expensive than other options listed but much more resilient – you get what you pay for!

Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • Compact, lightweight, 2-layer GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Plus is reinforced with 3-layer GORE-TEX in high-wear areas
  • Breathable and waterproof protection
  • Adjustable, helmet-compatible StormHood™ provides coverage and full visibility
  • WaterTight™ VISLON center front zipper; 2 hand pockets with WaterTight zippers and RS™ zipper sliders
  • Adjustable hem drawcord seals out wet and cold
  • DryCuff™ laminated adjustable cuffs provide weather protection and a fine-tunable fit
  • Weight: 300 g / 10.6 oz (approximate, may vary per sizing)

Best Uses: All types of hiking, climbing, backpacking, trail running, skiing

The Beta SL Hybrid is a highly functional rain jacket from Arc’teryx. If you like to be out on the trail in tougher conditions, then this is a great choice.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The first thing to highlight about the Arc’teryx Beta SL jacket is its weight. It comes in at around 300 g / 10.6 oz (approximate, will vary as per sizing) so definitely in the lightweight department.

However, don’t let that fool you into thinking that less weight equates to not being as tough as you’d like, that is certainly not the case.

The Beta SL Hybrid is constructed using superlight N40r GORE-TEX fabric, so we are talking tough here but without having additional unnecessary weight from the construction.

Featuring their new Paclite® Plus product technology, the Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid jacket is both water resistant and breathable. The jacket also features pit zips for extra ventilation as required

The cuffs are laminated, and the hem drawcord means you can get a snug and secure fit. There are two front hand warmer pockets that have watertight zippers so you can securely close them. They are well positioned to enable access while wearing a pack.

The Beta SL Hyrid offers a sleek fit. It is a very functional choice and also looks the part as well. If there is a downside, it is the price, as the jacket is at the top end of the scale in that regard. However, with Arc’teryx, you know you are an getting excellent quality product for your investment.

11. The North Face Venture 2

Check out the Venture 2 Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • The Venture 2 is a functional and lightweight rain jacket
  • Breathable with extra ventilation available via pit zips
  • Available at a good price with a long history of satisfied customers

Cons:

  • The Hood is basic with not as many functional adjustment options as some of its peers

The North Face Venture 2 Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • 2.5-layer DryVent fabric is waterproof and windproof
  • Fully sealed seams help keep you dry in torrential downpours
  • Breathable material with underarm zip venting
  • Hem cinch-cord and fully adjustable hood
  • 2 Zippered hand pockets to stash small essentials
  • Jacket stows in hand pocket for easy packing
  • Relaxed fit with revised lines allows easy layering

Best Uses: Day hiking, general outdoor use, day-to-day use

The North Face Venture 2 is the next generation of the older Venture jacket, which was a tried and trusted favorite for many. You get all you need in the Venture in terms of function, as well as a long history of happy customers.

Check Availability at Amazon.

So, the North Face Venture jacket for women has been around for a long time, and the Venture 2 is the latest iteration of it. It’s been a bestselling rain jacket from North Face for a long time and has even won an award from Backpacker magazine in the past.

Made from 100% nylon 40D ripstop, the Venture 2 ticks most of the boxes you would want in terms of a rain shell jacket.

It is waterproof and breathable and has the extra feature of pit zips to help ensure good ventilation in and around the chest and torso area. The hood is fully adjustable, and while it is not peaked or stiff-brimmed, it does close up well.

The Venture is lightweight and stows away in its own pocket. There are two hand pockets. The Venture scores well in terms of price too.

Read the full review.

12. Columbia Switchback III

Check out the Columbia Switchback III Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • A lightweight jacket that is easy to wear and pack
  • Sports a nice design that fits and wears comfortably
  • Good for all light to medium trail hiking most of the year round

Cons:

  • Be careful with the sizing; some users reported it not fitting true to size
  • Not the best option for heavier rain showers

Columbia Switchback III Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • Material: OMNI-SHIELD 100% nylon Hydroplus
  • 100% seam taped
  • Stowaway hood
  • Back venting system
  • Packs into hand pocket
  • Modern Classic fit
  • Adjustable cuff tabs
  • Omni-Shield™ advanced repellency
  • Average weight: 176 g / 6.2 oz

Best Uses: Light to medium trail hiking, traveling, day-to-day use

This is the second featured rain jacket from Columbia. The Switchback III is another top seller on Amazon, so it is definitely worth a second look if you’re in the market for a new rain jacket.

Check Availability at Amazon.

Columbia is a well-known and respected brand in the rain jacket industry, and the Columbia Switchback III jacket is another very functional offering from them. It is also a very affordable and accessible option in terms of price.

The jacket features are constructed using OMNI-SHIELD 100% nylon Hydroplus, which features Columbia’s Omni-Shield™ advanced water repellency technology, which offers a decent level of protection from the wind and the rain.

The seams are fully taped which adds to the water repellent capability of the jacket.

The hood can be stowed away, and the cuffs are fully adjustable to allow for a more personalized fit so you can be both snug and comfortable.

The jacket can be packed away into its own pocket, which is handy to have if you need to pack it away for travel purposes, or just to stow it safely away in your day pack while you are out on the trail.

There are two hand warmer pockets that come with zippers so they can be closed up.

13. The North Face Resolve 2

Check out the Resolve II Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Very accessible in terms of price, offering good value
  • Comfortable design and construction for a basic rain shell
  • Durable and practical so perfect for casual urban and suburban use

Cons:

  • Minimal breathability around the torso
  • Elasticated cuffs can’t be opened for circulation of air

The North Face Resolve 2 Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • DryVent™ 2 layer jacket
  • Nylon & polyester mesh drop liner construction
  • Waterproof rain jacket
  • Breathable and seam-sealed
  • Center front storm flap with Velcro® closure
  • Adjustable hood stows in collar
  • 100% windproof fabric
  • Covered secure-zip hand pockets
  • Elastic-bound cuffs
  • Back panel kicker
  • Adjustable Hem cinch-cord

Best Uses: Day hiking, general outdoor and day-to-day use

Similar to the men’s top hiking rain jackets list, the Resolve is the second of two jackets from the North Face to feature on the list.

Check Availability at Amazon.

It sits at the lower end of the price range for a rain shell and offers a two-layered construction as opposed to 2.5, and is an excellent jacket for casual use.

The Resolve offers pretty good waterproof protection but not as much as some of its peers. This jacket is at the lower end of the price range though so you can naturally expect a bit less.

In terms of breathability, the Resolve’s 2 layer construction with mesh drop liner utilizes The North Face Dry-vent technology. This offers a basic enough solution and isn’t as functional as some of its peers.

There are no extra venting options like pit zips. The jacket is one of the heavier options listed here and isn’t stowable or packable in its pocket by design. The hood is adjustable and performs well, and the handcuffs are elastic. Now, this may sound a bit so-so, but it really isn’t the case.

The Resolve 2 jacket is very accessible in terms of price, and it will offer a sturdy enough option for day hiking and general day-to-day use.

For someone just testing the waters with hiking or who just enjoys a good hike in the hills with their dog at the weekend, the Resolve should suit them just fine without breaking the bank!

14. Diamond Candy

Check out the Diamond Candy Jacket at Amazon.

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Very accessible price point
  • Performs well in wet conditions
  • Jacket provides good warmth with room for layers
  • Comfortable soft lining inside

Cons:

  • Watch the sizing for larger / curvier shaped bodies

Diamond Candy Rain Jacket Features Summary:

  • Super soft and warm fuzzy lining provides great heat retention
  • Cotton padding will keep all your body warm and prevent heat loss
  • YKK zippers
  • Soft and lightweight, windproof and adjustable hood can be adjusted to get the right fit and protection in inclement weather
  • Water-repellent technology is suitable for rainy or misty weather.
  • Removable hood
  • Soft shell is highly wind resistant and heavy-duty
  • 2 zippered waterproof hand pockets, 1 zippered chest pocket, 1 internal pocket
  • Adjustable cuffs help seal in warmth
  • High collar provides neck protection

Best Uses: Day hiking, fishing, traveling, running, camping, walking your dog, general outdoor and day-to-day use

The Diamond Candy rain jacket for women is not as well known, in terms of brand, as others listed here. However, it is a very affordable and functional jacket that covers all the basics in terms of performance from a rain jacket for the trail.

Check Availability at Amazon.

As mentioned, the first thing of note is the jackets affordability. It comes in at a very wallet friendly price tag, while still providing good quality and functional capability. It’s worth noting the amount of satisfied customers on Amazon to back that up, the jacket scores very well.

The Diamond Candy jacket offers pretty good rain protection, the rain repellent coating performs well by most user accounts. The polyester fabric used in the jackets construction also allows a good level of breathability.

A very functional feature in this jacket is the soft inner lining which provides extra warmth for colder days on the move. While that is a good thing for cooler climes, it isn’t ideal for wearing in hotter and more humid conditions.

The jacket does not come with pit zips and it doesn’t pack away into it’s own pocket. Given the extra bulk needed to enable the extra capability to provide warmth though, that is understandable.

The hood is adjustable and detachable, and is closed using a Velcro closure. The hood also comes with a functional chin guard which performs well. The handcuffs are also adjustable and can also be sealed using Velcro straps

For a hiker who enjoys sticking to well worn trails and needs a bit more warmth in a rain jacket, the Diamond Candy is a good option to consider. It comes in at a very affordable price and offers most of what any hiker will need for a day out on the hills.

Where to Start When Choosing a Rain Jacket

It can get confusing when you start looking at all the available rain jacket options there are, because there are just so many. To narrow down your choices, you need to think about the style you want and what kind of hiking you will be doing.

Best Hiking Pants For Women

Overall, a basic but functional and durable rain shell jacket should meet most people’s hiking needs. I’m talking about average hiking here so not trekking off into remote arctic regions or anything like that.

I do think that this is good news in terms of hiking gear. As you have probably noticed, it can cost a fair bit of money to get brand made hiking kit.

However, for most average hikers, a rain shell jacket made using 2 or 2.5 Layer construction in line with sensible layering, should easily meet your needs for decent protection from the rain and wind while on your next hiking trip.

Getting a more expensive and tougher hard shell jacket is certainly an option, but I honestly think that unless you’re spending a serious amount of time outdoors, it won’t be necessary for most.

In terms of basic waterproof protection, the good news is that rain shells are the most accessible in terms of cost, and you can get a pretty decent one from anywhere between $50.00 at the lower end to $300.00 at the higher end.

I always say this when talking about hiking gear, but to say it again, be sure you’re clear on what you need your rain jacket for.

As I alluded to above, if you spend a lot of time outdoors in tough conditions (3 to 5 hours a day more than twice a week), then investing in a more expensive hard shell jacket could be a better option.

To learn more about what to be thinking about when buying a rain jacket, check out the post on how to buy a waterproof hiking jacket.

Waterproof versus Water Resistant

This is a pretty important topic to bring up when we start to dive into what the best hiking rain jackets for women are.

When a rain jacket proves that it is good at keeping water out, then it is usually referred to as waterproof. However, it actually really is just water-resistant because no rain jacket can be 100% waterproof.

A waterproof and breathable rain jacket keeps the rain from reaching your skin but it also breathable enough that your sweat doesn’t stick around and linger inside the jacket. This kind of jacket is ideal for when you know there will be both precipitation and perspiration e.g. when hiking.

Water-resistant rain jackets, on the other hand, can really only handle a small amount of light rain and only for a short time. These jackets are often referred to as windbreakers or featherweight jackets.

If the rain lasts for a longer duration or it starts to hit you at an angle, you will find that this type of rain jacket really isn’t going to offer you much in the way of protection while you are out hiking on your favorite trails. So, a weather check before you go is definitely in order if this is all you have in your pack.

Waterproof but non-breathable rain jackets can keep the water out if you are just standing or sitting around and not really doing a whole lot.

However, since you are planning on hiking, then this is probably not the kind of rain protection you are looking for. This is often compared to an emergency poncho or rain slicker and won’t guard you against rain and wind.

So, when you spend your time on the trails and a rain shower threatens to ruin your fun, you should think back to the different types of rain protection you can get and decide which will work the best for what you need it for.

Many times, you will find that a rain jacket that is both breathable and water-resistant may be all you need to protect you until the rain passes so you can hit the trail again.

Types of Weather Shells

We should also take a quick second to provide you with a brief rundown of what a hard shell is compared to a soft shell because you will hear these terms a lot when looking for a rain jacket.

Hard shell is a term used often for gear that is also waterproof and breathable. The fabric used will often be stiffer than in a rain jacket and you may find no insulation with hard shells. This is when layering is needed.

Soft shells, on the other hand, have an insulating layer and a water-resistant shell. This allows for improved breathability but doesn’t offer as much protection from the rain as hard shells do.

However, if you find that you will be doing a lot of activity and possibly overexerting yourself, then you are going to want something lightweight and breathable – especially when perspiration is a concern as well.

Overall, for most hikers, a rain jacket like any of the ones listed here, combined with layering, should be more than adequate for your needs.

FAQ

In this section, we wanted to list out some of the typical questions folks ask about hiking rain jackets, especially when they are new to buying one will be adding to this as we need to. We hope you find it useful and if your question isn’t covered, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you.

Q1. I see 2, 2.5 and 3 layer jackets, what is the difference and which should I get?

We did a full article on the difference between these, which is worth a look. However, the Reader’s Digest version is that for most average hikers, a 2 or 2.5 layer jacket should be adequate.

3 layer jackets are not ruled out, but they are usually more expensive and are much sturdier in their construction, and so they are heavier, bulkier, etc.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in inclement conditions, investing in a 3 layer might be a good idea. But as mentioned, they are a much bigger affair, so take that into consideration before purchasing.

Q2. I need a rain jacket that will keep me 100% dry in torrential downpours, what is the best option?

The simple fact of the matter is that no rain jacket is completely waterproof; it will allow the rain to get in eventually.

It’s always important to check the forecast before you head out on the trail, and if the weather is raining solidly for the next 8 hours while you are out on the trail, you are probably better off skipping the trails that day.

No rain jacket, even a 3 layer, can withstand that type of relentless rain for hours on end. Something made from PVC or the like might keep the rain out, but you will sweat like crazy from the inside and get wet from your sweat.

It’s the fine balance between some level of breathability and waterproof capability, that is an ongoing holy grail of sorts for manufacturers.

Q3. Do I need to care for my rain jacket in a special way, say when cleaning, etc.?

Yes, you do indeed. We did an article all about cleaning and caring for your rain jacket, but in a nutshell, follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to washing your rain jacket. Be sure to use the right kind of detergent and wash cycle, and reproof as you need to.

How often to reproof? It differs for different people, but our rule of thumb is to reproof after about 12 heavy uses. By heavy, I mean the jacket was out in some heavy rain for decent stretches while you were hiking.

Finally, drip dry is always the rule. Don’t tumble dry your rain jacket, or worse, dry clean it!

Q4. What features should I look for in a good functional hiking rain jacket?

This is usually down to personal preference, but broadly speaking, we like plenty of accessible and functional pockets, pit zips, and a brimmed storm hood. Angel wing movement is also a really nice thing to have, so you can have more mobility in your arms and torso.

Q5. I’m not sure what size I should pick, how do I know the right one for me?

Most manufacturers and sellers on Amazon provide sizing guides, which are helpful and usually easy to follow. Women’s sizes typically come in S (small), M (Medium), L (Large), XL (Xtra Large), etc. Each of these categories has a range of chest, torso, etc. size within them.

Sizing can be funny though, so it can be good to check user reviews to see if the jacket fits ‘true to size.’ Sometimes jackets can run large or small.

Another easy way to get a feel for the right size for you is if you can get to try one. Go to an outdoors store and try a few on. Most outdoor stores will be happy to help you find the right fit … and sell you a jacket too of course 🙂

Q6. Is the capability for the jacket to be stowed into its own pocket important?

The short answer is no. It can be a nice feature to have, but rolling your jacket into its hood works fine as a way to safely store a jacket in a day pack.

Q7. What should I look for in a good hood on a rain jacket?

This depends on what hiking you do. Overall, we like a stiff-brimmed hood that can be zipped up, like a snorkel as such, and secured by zipping and a button closure. Velcro is always good to have too – as long as you have the security of a zipper or button as well.

In tough conditions, like heavy wind and rain, a hood like this can really be a huge help when trying to see your way ahead, as it keeps all the nasty elements out of your eyes and gives you a clearer field of vision.

Q8. There are so many great jackets, how do I pick the one that’s right for me?

Well, being on this page is a very good start. You should also spend a little time reading up on user reviews on places like Amazon, REI, etc.

You will get a wealth of information in those reviews, and while nothing can ever be 100%, (that is just because most people love a jacket, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will) it is not a bad aid to help you with further information to help you filter your choices and make a better decision.

What can’t be stated enough as well though is, to be sure to know what you need your jacket for, so you are looking at the right type of jacket in the first place.

Conclusion

So that’s it! I hope you enjoyed this quick preview of the best hiking rain jackets for women in 2020. As you can see, there are a lot of great choices on offer for sure.

Whether you’re a weekend day hiker or a multi-day backpacker, there should be something here on the list to meet your needs. So, if you’re on the hunt for a new rain jacket for the trail, definitely check some of these options out.

As mentioned above, always remember to know your requirements before buying a new rain jacket. In the rain jacket area, it is easy to get more functionality than you may need, and the price difference can be significant.

I think for most average hikers, a basic rain shell jacket, like the ones listed here, combined with layering should more than meet requirements.

I really hope you found this post useful, if you did please like and share it around your networks!

Best Hiking Rain Jackets for Men In 2020

This article lays out the best hiking rain jackets for men in 2020, that are currently available on the market today.

Best Hiking Rain Jackets for Men

They all, more or less, have all the functionality and features that you, as a day hiker or shorter term backpacker, should be looking for in a rain shell jacket.

They all also score well across multiple review sites and multiple user review’s, so if you’re in the market for a new waterproof jacket, this will give you plenty of options to choose from.

Note that any mention of prices referenced here are only range guide prices. Prices chop and change all the time, and so these are only meant to give you a ballpark idea of the actual cost. Click on the links to get live and up to date pricing.

If you don’t have time to go through the list, then we can tell you that our top pick is the Arc’teryx Zeta SL, an excellent rain jacket that will keep you good on the trail.

OK, with that done and dusted, let’s continue on and take a look at some more of the best hiking rain jackets for men.

1. Arc’teryx Zeta SL

Check out the Arc'teryx Zeta SL at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Very lightweight and comfortable fit
  • Waterproof, windproof and breathable using Gore-tex technology; these capabilities perform well
  • Easy to pack away so efficient for carrying
  • Jacket is specifically designed for hiking and trekking

Cons:

  • No additional venting options e.g. pit zips
  • Hood not helmet compatible
  • At the higher end of the range in terms of price

Arc’teryx Zeta SL Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Waterproof and breathable
  • Ultralight compact construction
  • Taped seams for added weatherproofness
  • Laminated high-strength hanger loop
  • 2L GORE-TEX with NEW PACLITE Plus product technology
  • Articulated patterning and gusseted underarms for mobility and comfort
  • Storm Hood with laminated brim and halo adjuster
  • Not helmet compatible
  • Chin guard collar with brushed microsuede facing for added comfort
  • Watertight full length front zippers and fly
  • Die-cut Velcro cuff adjusters
  • Adjustable hem draw-cord with slight drop hem
  • Two hand pockets with watertight zippers and RS zipper sliders
  • Weight: 310 g / 10.9 oz

Best Uses: Versatile jacket for hiking, backpacking, general use and a host of other outdoor activities

The Zeta SL Jacket is a best in class offering from Arc’teryx. It is designed with the hiker in mind, so perfect for day hiking and longer trekking adventures.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The first overall point of note is the streamlined design, which is achieved through the efficient use of functional materials without skimping on functional capability.

The Jacket utilizes Gore-tex with PACLITE® Plus product technology to enable its protection capabilities from the elements on the outside, while still allowing decent breathability.

The zips are highly water resistant but not fully waterproof. The jacket seams are also taped to further protect you from rain, sleet, etc.

The jacket is packable and the material feels good against the skin. The one downside in terms of breathability is that there are no additional venting features e.g. pit zips.

The Zeta SL features a storm hood, but it should be noted that it is not helmet compatible, so you can’t utilize this jacket for certain other outdoor activities e.g. rock climbing.

There are two hand warmer pockets and both the hem and the cuffs are fully adjustable, so you can adjust the fit to suit your body shape as needed.

The Zeta SL is designed as an emergency shell for when the skies open up while you are out on the trail, and the jacket achieves that aim very well. A top performing rain jacket for a hiker!

2. REI Co-op DryPoint

Check Availability at REI.

Pros:

  • Excellent storm protection with 3 layer Gore-tex Active laminate
  • Accessible, even with a pack, mesh-lined pockets double as core vents
  • Lightweight minimalist design is sleek and looks great
  • Bluesign® approved fabric meaning low environmental impact in its manufacture

Cons:

  • No additional ventilation options
  • At the higher end in terms of price

REI Co-op DryPoint Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Lightweight GORE-TEX Active 3-layer; 20-denier ripstop nylon (bluesign® approved) fabric
  • Fully seam taped ensuring waterproof protection
  • 3-point adjustable hood with built-in visor preserves your field of view and blocks wind and rain
  • Mesh-lined hand pockets double as core vents to dump excess body heat
  • The zippered hand pockets are set high to enable access with a pack and are coated for water resistance
  • Minimalist hook-and-loop cuff tabs adjust to keep out wind and rain without adding excess weight
  • Adjustable hem drawcord seals in warmth
  • Weight: 298 g / 10.5 oz

Best Uses: Day hiking, backpacking, outdoor activities, general day-to-day use

The DryPoint jacket from REI is another rain jacket specifically designed with the hiker in mind.

Check Availability at REI.

Like all good rain jackets, it offers excellent protection from moisture and rain, it does this via its lightweight GORE-TEX Active 3-layer fabric which performs well.

The same material make-up offers good breathability, however the jacket does not come with additional ventilation features such as pit zips. The jacket does however utilize mesh vent pockets to provide additional ventilation.

The two hand warmer pockets in the jacket are designed to sit high, so you can access them even with a hip-belt from a backpack securely fastened, that’s a nice feature to have for sure.

In terms of price, this jacket is at the higher end of the range for a jacket in this class, but you get a lot of excellent quality and functionality for the price you pay.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the material used for the DryPoint is bluesign® approved. This standard marking means that all efforts were made to ensure no damage to the environment or exploitation of workers was done in the manufacturing process.

3. Marmot Minimalist

Check out the Marmot Minimalist jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Very durable construction using 2.5 layer Gore-Tex
  • Excellent breathability and ventilation options, pits zips work well
  • Excellent protection from the rain and the elements
  • Very functional peaked / brimmed hood

Cons:

  • Definitely heavier than a standard and basic rain shell

Marmot Minimalist Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • GORE-TEX® products with Paclite® technology 100% polyester 3.6 oz/yd
  • 100% seam taped
  • Attached adjustable hood
  • Chest pocket with water-resistant zipper
  • Zippered hand pockets
  • Storm flap over zipper with Snap/Velcro® closure
  • Elastic drawcord hem
  • Angel-wing movement™

Best Uses: Backpacking, hiking, biking, camping, skiing

The Marmot Minimalist jacket is a very functional jacket from Marmot. The first thing to note is that this jacket uses Gore-Tex in its construction, a tried and trusted waterproof material technology.

Check Availability at Amazon.

I’ve personally had a lot of good experience with the Marmot Minimalist Rain Jacket. It’s a tougher jacket for tougher conditions, that performs well in varying conditions.

As everyone knows, Gore-Tex is an industry standard in terms of waterproof protection and breathability, so we’re off to a great start with that. The jacket scores high in the waterproof and breathability departments out in the field.

The next stand out feature is the hood. It has a stiffened brim which is always a good thing to have, and it is fully adjustable via two elastic cinch cords; one to adjust the hood on the face and one to adjust the brow.

The toggles are all usable with gloves on. The style and cut are athletic, and it provides the user with a good fit as mentioned by many who have purchased this rain jacket. The Minimalist also has pit zips for extra ventilation, one chest pocket, and two hand pockets.

The Minimalist is, in fact, a bit more like a hard shell jacket but in the price range of a rain shell jacket, so it is definitely one you should add to your review list!

Read the full review.

4. Outdoor Research Interstellar

Check out the Outdoor Research Interstellar jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Versatile stretch material used in the jacket design
  • Lightweight and fits comfortably
  • Waterproof, windproof and breathable
  • Helmet compatible hood

Cons:

  • Pocket access tricky while wearing a pack

Outdoor Research Interstellar Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Fabric: Ascentshell™ 3L, 100% nylon, 20D mechanical stretch ripstop face with 100% polyester 12D backer
  • Waterproof, windproof and breathable
  • Lightweight and air permeable
  • Fully seam-taped electrospun membrane
  • Movement-mirroring stretch
  • Fully adjustable helmet compatible hood; Wire-brimmed halo-hood with Hood Lock™
  • YKK® AquaGuard® Zippers; YKK® AquaGuard® Vislon Center front zipper
  • Internal front stormflap
  • Zip chest pocket; Zip hand pockets; jacket stuffs into left hand pocket
  • Carabiner loop and key clip
  • Dynamic Reach™ underarm panels
  • Elastic cuffs with hook/loop cuff closures
  • Elastic Drawcord Hem
  • Weight: 335 g / 11.8 oz

Best Uses: Day hiking, backpacking, climbing, general day-to-day outdoor use

The Interstellar jacket from Outdoor Research is another excellent rain jacket option which is suitable for all types of hiking and various outdoor activities.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The fabric is ‘Ascentshell™ 3L, 100% nylon, 20D mechanical stretch ripstop face with 100% polyester 12D backer’. This provides a tough layer of protection through a sturdy design and construction.

The material is also breathable and this feature performs particularly well in this jacket.

The Interstellar features movement-mirroring stretch fabric which means that this jacket has exceptional mobility. Excellent if you like to do a bit of scrambling while wearing a pack.

The hood is fully adjustable and helmet compatible and features a wire-brimmed halo-hood with a Hood Lock™. This provides extra strength in the hood in heavier winds, ensuring you can still see.

The jacket features two zipper hand pockets and one chest pocket with YKK® AquaGuard® zippers. The chest pocket is ideal for storing a compass or a mobile phone. This is good, as the hand pockets are tricky to access while wearing a pack.

In summary, the Outdoor Research Interstellar is a top notch rain jacket that performs well on the trail under a wide range of challenging conditions.

5. Columbia Watertight II

Check out the Columbia Watertight II Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Comfortable design and construction with an athletic fit
  • Very accessible in terms of price and good value
  • Waterproof DWR and breathable capability

Cons:

  • Bulkier / heavier than some of its peers
  • No additional ventilation options, e.g. pit zips, which would be nice to have
  • Minimal hood fixing and adjustment options

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Fabric: 100% Nylon 2 layer Full Dull plain weave
  • Omni-Tech™ waterproof/breathable fully seam sealed
  • Attached, adjustable storm hood
  • Drawcord adjustable hem
  • Zippered hand pockets
  • Abrasion-resistant chin guard
  • Packable into hand pocket
  • Drop tail

Best Uses: Day hiking, general day-to-day use

The Columbia Watertight II is a top seller and with good reason. It’s a great all around rain jacket that will keep you dry while you are out on the hills. It is also excellent for casual use as well.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The Columbia Watertight II is probably at the lower end of the price scale department when it comes to a basic rain shell jacket. It is very accessible in terms of price, which is certainly a very attractive point of note.

Constructed using two layers and a mesh lining, the Watertight II offers a reasonable level of water resistance, and the DWR coating will keep you good in a rain shower.

The breathability is limited because it has two-layer construction, and there are no pit zips for quick ventilation. However, the two hand pockets are mesh, so when left open, they do serve as ventilation ducts.

Overall, the general report back is that the Watertight II is a comfortable enough fit. The hood is roomy and fits comfortably enough, but it isn’t brimmed, so it tends to flap about in the wind.

In terms of weight, the Watertight is heavier than many of its peers listed on this page, and it won’t be as durable either. The Watertight II has two hand pockets and does stuff into one of them by design.

Overall, the Watertight II is perfect for someone who wants to give hiking a go and have the option to utilize their rain shell elsewhere, e.g. heading to the shops, etc.

It’s a basic but functional enough 3 season entry level rain shell hiking jacket but not much more than that. However, at it’s very affordable price point, you could do a lot worse!

Read the full review.

6. Marmot Precip Eco

Check out the Marmot Precip Eco Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • The jacket performs pretty well in the breathability department, as well as being waterproof
  • Additional ventilation can be accessed via pit zips, and while they aren’t as big as some of their peers, they still perform well
  • Although the hood is basic enough, it is functional which is the main requirement for a rain jacket
  • The Marmot Precip Eco is very accessible in terms of price, and you get good value for money

Cons:

  • No additional chest pocket or additional extra pockets outside of the standard hand pockets

Marmot Precip Eco Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Fabric: Marmot® NanoPro™ 2.5 layer waterproof and breathable
  • 100% seam taped
  • Attached adjustable hood that rolls into collar
  • DriClime® lined chin guard
  • PitZips underarm zip extends into the body for optimal venting
  • Packs into an integrated pack pocket
  • Double storm flap over zipper with snap/Velcro closure
  • Elastic drawcord hem for adjustability in serious weather
  • Angel-Wing Movement allows full range of motion in arms without jacket riding up
  • Full visibility, roll-up hood with integral collar

Best Uses: Day hiking, general outdoor use, day-to-day use

The Marmot Precip is another top seller on Amazon and with good reason. It’s a nice all around rain jacket for men that will keep you dry while enjoying the great outdoors. It is perfect for casual use, as well.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The Marmot Precip Eco rain jacket is a top performer all across the web. From gear review sites to user reviews, it performs consistently well and has lots of great reports on its functional capability.

It looks sleek and provides a comfortable fit allowing angel wing movement, i.e., it doesn’t ride up your back when you swing your arms. It’s waterproof and breathable and performs well in both of these key areas.

The Precip is a lightweight rain jacket that is durable and packs away in its own pocket to be easily stowed away. The hood is fully adjustable, performs well, and offers a stiff brim, which is always handy to help maintain visibility in bad weather.

Some other features of note are the DriClime® chin guard, the Velcro cuffs and the storm flap which all lend themselves to keeping you secure and dry. The Precip also features two zippered hand pockets.

Read the full review.

7. Outdoor Research Helium II

Check out the Outdoor Research Helium II at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • As you can probably guess, a jacket with the name Helium is going to be very light
  • Jacket packs away easily into its own pocket, and it is, of course, easy to carry along in a pack
  • The jacket offers a very good range of mobility and works well for layering, wearing a helmet for climbing, etc.
  • The Helium is a 2.5 layer jacket with a waterproof membrane and breathable capabilities that work well

Cons:

  • No hand pockets in the jacket so nowhere to put a few things away for easy access, which can be viewed as a pro or a con

Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Pertex® Shield+ 2.5 layers built for flash-storm protection
  • Super-breathable Helium II weighs an incredibly light 6.4 ounces
  • Fully seam taped
  • Stuff pocket (very compressible) with webbing loop
  • Zippered chest pocket
  • Reflective trim on the hood
  • Adjustable hood

Best Uses: Running, climbing, fastpacking, emergency rain protection on the trail

This offering from Outdoor Research is a super lightweight rain jacket that will pack up easily into your day pack or travel bag. It’s a no frills and no nonsense common sense rain jacket.

Check Availability at Amazon.

A jacket with the name Helium more or less tells you from the start what the main purpose of the design is. Yes indeed, the Outdoor Research Helium II comes up trumps in the lightweight department while offering a decent amount of rain and wind protection.

The Helium II is a standard 2.5 layer construction and offers breathability via its ‘Pertex Shield+ technology’ which by all accounts performs very well. There are no other venting features on the jacket though except for the cuffs.

Water resistance is offered via a DWR coating on the outside of the jacket, which performs well. The Helium II has a stiffened hood than also is noted by users to perform well and is easy to adjust.

The Helium features only two pockets, one inside stuff pocket and one on the chest, with the internal pocket being where the jacket can be packed away.

Overall, the Helium II is probably more suited to a runner than a hiker, but if weight is a big issue, it could be a great option for emergency rain protection in a heavy pack.

8. The North Face Venture 2

Check out The North Face Venture 2 Jacket on Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • While not in the same ballpark as the Helium II in terms of weight, the Venture 2 is still a very lightweight and comfortable jacket
  • The Venture provides good breathability with the extra ventilation option of pit zips which are easy to use on the move
  • The jacket comes in at a good price with a very long history of satisfied customers for this and its previous iteration

Cons:

  • The Hood is basic enough and with some simple additions, could offer more; not a showstopper though

The North Face Venture 2 Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • 100% DryVent™ nylon ripstop 2.5 layer shell
  • Waterproof and breathable rain jacket for year-round use
  • Seam-sealed
  • 100% windproof fabric
  • Packable into its own pocket
  • Adjustable hood
  • Pit-zip venting for added breathability
  • Covered secure-zip hand pockets
  • Velcro® adjustable cuff tabs
  • Hem cinch-cord

Best Uses: Day hiking, general outdoor use, day-to-day use

The North Face Venture 2 is the next generation of the older Venture jacket, which was a tried and trusted favorite for many. You get all you need in the Venture in terms of function, as well as a long history of happy customers.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The North Face Venture jacket has been around for a long time, and the Venture 2 is the latest iteration of it. It’s been a bestselling rain jacket from North Face for a long time and has even won an award from Backpacker magazine in the past.

Made from 100% nylon 40D ripstop, the Venture 2 ticks most of the boxes you would want it to in terms of a rain shell jacket.

It is waterproof and breathable and has the extra feature of pit zips to help ensure good ventilation in and around the chest and torso area. The hood is fully adjustable, and while it is not peaked or stiff-brimmed, it does close up well.

The Venture is lightweight and stows away in its own pocket, of which there are two hand pockets. The Venture scores well in terms of price offering good quality for a hiking rain jacket.

Read the full review.

9. Outdoor Research Foray

Check out the Outdoor Research Foray Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • The Foray is a lightweight 2 layer jacket and utilizes GORE-TEX® with Paclite® product technology
  • Waterproof and breathable, the jacket gives a comfortable fit which offers good mobility
  • Durable construction and a nice option for trail hiking or backpacking for most of the year round with nice ventilation options

Cons:

  • A bit on the heavier side for a hiking rain jacket and moving into the higher end of the scale in terms of price

The Outdoor Research Foray Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Fabric: GORE-TEX® with Paclite® product technology 2 layers, 100% polyester 50D plain weave
  • Weight: 16.3oz / 463g Avg. Weight for size L
  • Fully seam-Taped laminated construction
  • Waterproof, breathable and windproof
  • Fully adjustable hood
  • YKK® AquaGuard® zippers
  • Internal front storm flap
  • TorsoFlo™ venting – Hem-To-Bicep
  • Zip chest pocket and zip hand pockets
  • Left-Hand pocket doubles as a stuff sack
  • Elastic cuffs , hook / loop cuff closures, Elastic drawcord hem

Best Uses: Hiking, backpacking, general use

The Foray is another popular and very functional rain jacket from Outdoor Research. While not quite as lightweight as the Helium II, it’s an excellent all-around rain jacket for men.

Check Availability at Amazon.

This offering from Outdoor Research on the men’s rain jacket front, is a best seller and for a good reason.

The Foray is a waterproof, breathable, and lightweight jacket made using ‘GORE-TEX® with Paclite® product technology 2L, 100% polyester 50D plain weave’.

It has a fully adjustable hood and a storm flap to help keep the elements out when you need to baton down the hatches in tough conditions.

The jacket also features a zip chest pocket, handy for a compass and 2 zip hand pockets with the left-hand pocket doubling as a stuff sack. It weighs in at 463g / 16.3 oz (average weight for size L), so it is a little on the heavier side in comparison to some of its competitors.

The Foray is a best seller for Outdoor Research and with good reason. It performs well in side by side tests with its peers and so is a good addition to any hikers kit for protection from the elements.

10. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Check Availability at REI.

Pros:

  • A waterproof jacket that performs well against the elements
  • Durable design with a very functional hood
  • Good breathability with very functional venting options

Cons:

  • Zipper pulls, and cord locks are a bit small and fiddly

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Material: H2No® Performance Standard shell: 3-layer, 3.3-oz 50-denier ECONYL® 100% recycled nylon ripstop face, polycarbonate PU membrane with 13% bio-based content, a tricot backer and a DWR (durable water repellent) finish
  • Face fabric is constructed from post-consumer recycled materials
  • Underarm pit zips let cool air in when you’re on the move
  • Two-way-adjustable hood with a laminated visor rolls down and stows with a simplified cord-and-hook design
  • Microfleece-lined neck provides comfort and protects with a waterproof/breathable barrier
  • Two zippered handwarmer pockets and venting pit zips; all with welted exterior storm flaps and DWR (durable water repellent)-treated zippers
  • Snag-free center-front zipper with external and internal storm flaps and zipper-garage chin guard
  • Self-fabric hook-and-loop cuff closures and adjustable drawcord hem seal out precipitation
  • Drawcord adjustable hem keeps warmth in and wetness out
  • Jacket self-stuffs into left handwarmer pocket with carabiner clip-in loop
  • Weight: 394 g (13.9 oz) – Approximate, depending on size etc.

Best Uses: Day hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, general outdoor use, day-to-day use

The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L rain jacket is an enhanced 3 layer version of the 2.5 Patagonia Torrentshell and it sits at the higher end of the price range. It’s a top rain jacket though, and it will keep you good in the tougher conditions while on the trail.

Check Availability at REI.

The Torrentshell jacket is a very popular option from Patagonia with lots of great reviews across the web. Its 3 layer construction is tough using 50D nylon ripstop, and it performs very well in the ‘protecting from the elements’ department.

It is very water resistant and user reports are that the jacket performs well in this functional area. The waterproof abilities of the jacket are further enhanced with DWR treated zippers, a storm flap, and waterproof pockets.

The breathability factor of the Torrentshell performs pretty well according to user accounts, and the pit zips add an additional quick venting option which works well.

One of the best features of the Torrentshell 3L is the hood with various reports that it fits well, and its laminated visor holds up exceptionally well under tough conditions enabling a good line of sight.

The Patagonia Torrentshell has two hand pockets, and overall, the fit of the jacket reports back as true to size and comfortable. In terms of weight, the Torrentshell is about average in relation to its peers.

The tougher construction in the 3L means it is very durable. It is also packable in its own pocket with a handy clip-in loop to attach to a pack. Overall, a very fitting option for every kind of hiking!

Read the full review.

11. Columbia Glennaker Lake

Check out the Columbia Glennaker Rain Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Lightweight budget rain shell
  • Functional for lighter rain showers
  • Easily packable
  • Roomy and comfortable fit

Cons:

  • Not the best option for tougher hiking conditions e.g. heavy rain

Columbia Glennaker Lake Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Waterproof fabric shell: Hydroplus 100% nylon
  • Stow-away hood
  • Zippered hand pockets
  • Adjustable sleeve cuffs
  • Drawcord adjustable hem
  • Packable into chest pocket

Best Uses: Hiking, backpacking, general use

The Glennaker Lake jacket from Columbia is what could be described as a budget level rain shell jacket from a top gear provider. It’s design ticks most of the standard boxes for a basic rain shell jacket and it meets those well, but it isn’t the best option for tougher conditions.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The jacket is constructed using ‘Hydroplus 100% nylon’ material. This is the main design aspect that gives the jacket its water resistance. Now, it is important to make a distinction between water resistance and waterproof.

No hiking jacket is truly waterproof, it will eventually wet out at some point. However, some no doubt provide you with more rain protection than others. The Glennaker Lake jacket is on the lighter end of this scale.

To try and give an illustration of this, if you need a jacket to protect you from a light rain shower or quick downpour in the spring / summer, then this is a good fit.

If however, you are heading into the Highlands in Scotland on a typically very soft November day, then you would need something else that offers significantly more waterproof protection.

This doesn’t take from this jacket though, as its price point and construction do precisely what they aim to do i.e. provide reasonable rain protection in easier conditions.

The Glennaker Lake rain jacket provides a reasonably functional level of breathability too. This is provided through the jackets shell material combined with the soft mesh lining on the inside of the jacket.

The jacket comes with a stowaway hood and two zippered hand pockets. The jacket also stuffs into its own chest pocket, so perfect to carry in a daypack for a day out on the trail or exploring a city on a weekend break.

The cuffs are adjustable, which combined with the drawcord hem means you can adjust the jacket to seal in warmth or let more air circulate as you required.

In conclusion, the Glennaker Rain jacket is a very popular rain jacket with lots of very satisfied users! It’s a basic rain shell, best suited for breaking out of your pack for protection from light rain showers on a day out on the trail.

12. The North Face Resolve 2

Check out the Resolve Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • Another jacket from The North Face, which is comfortable in terms of design and fit, for the trail of general use
  • Accessible in terms of price, sitting in the high low to mid-range price for a rain shell jacket
  • Durable construction means it’s a good fit for light trail hiking most of the year round

Cons:

  • Reports that the breathability could perform better and it can get a bit stuffy around the torso for heavier hiking

The North Face Resolve 2 Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Seam-sealed DryVent™ nylon 2 layer shell with mesh liner
  • Waterproof, breathable and windproof rain jacket
  • Adjustable and stowable hood
  • Velcro® storm flap covers front zipper
  • Covered, secure-zip hand pockets
  • Elastic-bound cuffs
  • Hem cinch-cord

Best Uses: Light trail hiking, general use

The second of two excellent rain jackets featured from North Face, the Resolve 2 is a very popular rain jacket with many folks.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The Resolve 2 jacket is one that sits toward the lower end of the price range for a rain shell. It’s a two-layered construction jacket. The Resolve offers pretty good waterproof protection but not as much as some of its peers.

As this jacket is at the lower end of the price range though so you can naturally expect a bit less in it’s overall performance via-à-vis its peers.

In terms of breathability, the Resolve’s 2 layer construction with mesh drop liner utilizes North Face Dry-vent technology. This offers a basic enough solution and so again isn’t as functional as some if its peers.

There are no extra venting options like pit zips. The jacket is one of the heavier options listed here and isn’t stowable in its pocket by design. The hood is adjustable and performs well, and the handcuffs are elastic. Now, this may sound a bit so-so, but it isn’t really the case.

The Resolve comes in at a very accessible price point, and it will offer a sturdy enough option for day hiking and general day-to-day use.

For someone just testing the waters with hiking or who just enjoys a good hike in the hills with their dog at the weekend, the Resolve should suit them just fine without breaking the bank!

13. Arc’teryx Beta SL

Check out the Arc'teryx Beta SL at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • A quality hard shell jacket that is a great choice for year-round hiking
  • Not bad in terms of weight for the functionality you get
  • Good waterproof capabilities provide adequate protection from the elements
  • Excellent mobility and a very functional hood

Cons:

  • Sits at the higher end of the price scale for a Gore-Tex jacket of this kind

Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Fabric: membrane/laminate: Gore-Tex Paclite; shell: 40D nylon Fabric
  • Guaranteed waterproof and breathable fabric
  • Fully seam taped
  • Fully adjustable hood
  • Athletic fit
  • 2 hand pockets, accessible with a pack
  • Weight: Medium = 310 g / 11oz

Best Uses: Hiking, Backpacking, general day-to-day use

The Beta SL is a highly functional rain jacket from Arc’teryx. Ideal for tougher conditions on the trail, it could be worth a look if you have a bigger budget.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The Beta SL Jacket is super lightweight, compressible, waterproof and breathable, weighing in at a very pack friendly 310 grams (11 oz).

Made from N40r GORE-TEX® fabric with Paclite® product technology, you can expect excellent performance in tough conditions, great weather protection with a high level of breathability.

There are two generous hand pockets, which are accessible with a pack on, and the StormHood™ provides coverage while allowing peripheral vision.

We are looking at the higher end of the scale in terms of price with this jacket. The Arc’Teryx Men’s Beta SL Jacket offers excellent versatility in a hard shell for what you need from a good rain jacket for the trail, so it is worth taking a closer look at it for sure.

14. Montane Minimus

Check out the Montane Minimus Jacket at Amazon

Check Availability at Amazon.

Pros:

  • The jacket has good breathability and ventilation
  • Designed with 360 ‘reflectivities’, useful for biking, hiking on roads at night, etc.
  • A very lightweight jacket that is easy to wear and carry
  • Only one chest pocket but it is sizable

Cons:

  • No hand pockets which isn’t ideal for various types of hiking
  • Stuff sack for stowing is separate to the jacket

Montane Minimus Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:

  • Fabric: PERTEX Shield +, delivers exceptional waterproofness and breathability
  • Ultra-lightweight waterproof jacket
  • Articulated arms for high reach movement
  • Tailored specifically to reduce hem lift
  • The hood can be rolled down and stowed away while not in use
  • Internal D-ring inside chest pocket for secure key storage
  • Roll over beard guard to prevent the zip from contacting the chin or mouth
  • Shaped cuffs with adjustable hook and loop tabs for ease of use with gloves or mitts
  • Adjustable hem to prevent weather entry and heat loss
  • Montane stuff sac perfect for storage on the move

Best Uses: Hiking, backpacking, fastpacking, running, cycling

The Montane Minimus is a bit of an outside bet in this list. It’s a very functional rain jacket that has most of everything you need in a good rain jacket. It sits at the higher end of the price range for a hiking rain jacket but again, well worth a look.

Check Availability at Amazon.

The Minimus is an ultra-light rain shell jacket. It performs very well in terms of ventilation, and its waterproof capabilities are also listed by users to work very well.

Some notable features on the Minimus are the moldable hood that comes in very handy i.e. it can be shaped to fit. The hood also performs well in terms of rain protection, keeping it away from your face.

Some other features that work well on this jacket are the Velcro cuffs that can be sealed tight to help provide a secure internal area.

The zippers and a lot of the features on the jacket are workable with gloves on which, I think, is a major plus for colder conditions. The jacket is designed to be very lightweight while remaining incredibly functional.

There is only one large chest pocket on the chest, so no hand pockets. Personally, I like having hand pockets, but if weight is a key factor in your hiking, then you may be happy to lose them.

The Minimus is stowable but in a separate stuff sack. The jacket has lots of reflective bits all over it so great in terms of visibility. I see this jacket as meeting the needs of a more specialist hiker or runner, e.g. backpacking, fast packing. Still a pretty cool rain shell though.

Starting the Process of Picking a Rain Jacket

When you’re heading out on the trail, one thing you always need to have in your pack is rain gear. At some point, you will get caught in a downpour and / or rain showers. A key part of keeping you good in terms of rain gear is, of course, a hiking rain jacket.

Now, this is one of the areas I think there can be a lot of confusion because when you go to the outdoor store, or you look online, you will see a massive price differential between different types of waterproof jackets.

There are a lot of reasons for that, but if I were to summarize it in a sentence, people often buy much more than they probably need, and they would be fine with a basic rain shell jacket.

This is one of the good news stories in terms of hiking gear as it can be quite expensive getting good gear. For most average hikers, a rain shell jacket made using 2 or 2.5 Layer construction combined with good layering will more than meet their needs for rain and wet protection.

You can go all out and get a tougher hard shell jacket, but in truth, that isn’t necessary for most.

The ‘good news’ is in terms of waterproof protection. Rain shells are probably the most accessible in terms of price, and you can get a reasonable one from anywhere between $50.00 at the lower end to $300.00 at the higher end.

As always, you need to be clear about your needs for your rain jacket. In some cases, maybe a more expensive hard shell is the right option. To learn more about what to be thinking about when buying a rain jacket, check out the article on how to buy a waterproof hiking jacket.

If you don’t have time to read that, below we touch on some of the key things to be thinking about when buying a good hiking rain jacket.

Consider the Best Features

When finding the perfect rain jacket for men in 2020, you want to do your research and take a closer look and consider all the best features of each. Some of these features include:

  • Exceptional hood design
  • Allows for a good range of motion and mobility
  • Waterproof, breathable, and storm worthy
  • Small packed volume – packable rain jacket
  • Long-lasting DWR
  • Hip belt and harness-friendly pockets
  • Affordable
  • Comfortable

While you look for some of these functional and beneficial features, you may also want to steer clear of men’s rain jackets that don’t have the chest pocket, aren’t as breathable as membrane models, and those that have an interior that feels clammy.

What about durability? Do you think the rain jacket should be abrasion resistant as well as water-resistant? This is largely dependent on the type of hiking you will be doing and the environment you will be in.

What else should you consider when purchasing your new men’s rain jacket?

Value

This is one of the consumer’s top priorities and concerns when making a purchase. We all want to spend our hard earned money on products that are well worth the price we are paying for them.

So, while you look through these rain jacket selections, take a look at the price range for each and the features you can get within those price brackets. Again, you do get what you pay for. If you want more features and better quality, then you can expect to pay a bit more.

The higher priced and higher end rain jackets all are equipped with the latest and greatest technological advances when it comes to their construction and the materials being used.

For this reason, they will be on the higher end of the price spectrum because you are also paying for high-quality, guaranteed performance.

Water Resistance

Of course, when you look for a new rain jacket, you definitely want it to have some kind of water resistance, right? After all, this really is the primary reason for purchasing a RAIN jacket, is it not?

So, you can pay for all those premium features, but if the rain jacket doesn’t perform well in terms of being waterproof or water-resistant, then you have definitely wasted your time and money.

So you of course need to pay attention to that as an obvious key criteria when making a buying decision.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this quick look at the best hiking rain jackets for men in 2020. There is no shortage of great options to choose from. If you’re on the hunt for a new rain jacket for the trail, definitely check some of these options out.

Always remember to know your requirements clearly before buying new men’s rain jackets. It is very possible to get more functionality than you require, and there’s no point in spending more to buy more capability than you really need.

For most average hikers, a basic rain shell jacket, like the ones listed here, combined with layering, should more than meet their needs.

Finally, most importantly, we hope you found this post useful, please link to and share it around your networks if you did!

Columbia Watertight II Jacket For Men Review

Today I want to look at a super rain jacket from a very well known and respected brand. Please let me introduce the Columbia Watertight II jacket. With oodles of great reviews and user experience all over the net, I thought it might warrant a closer look. When I saw the very reasonable price, that sealed the deal and so I had to learn more.

Columbia Watertight II Jacket For Men


Columbia Men's Watertight II Jacket

A neat little rain shell jacket at a very good price. Very functional and easy to pack away, the Columbia Watertight II is a great little rain shell that should cover most of your hiking needs.





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Brand and Model

Columbia Watertight II Jacket

Retail Price

Check price on Amazon

Average User Rating

Pros

Excellent price for such a well respected and popular jacket; Great all round performance; Easy double up from the trail to the town

Cons

No Napoleon breast pocket (Yes, I am nit picking 🙂 I love my pockets)

Best Uses

Day hiking, day-to-day casual use

Review

A lot of times, when it comes to outdoor gear, you can end up paying a lot of money for pieces of kit when something simple will do the trick. That's why the Columbia Watertight II rain Jacket for men caught my eye.

From looking all over the net and checking out loads of reviews and user reviews on this jacket, it gets the mark as a quality rain jacket. It's simple in it's look but does what it is supposed to do. What's very attractive about this jacket in this context, is it's price. A very reachable price for most budding hikers and, as with nearly all hiking gear, will double-up nicely for day-to-day use.


Columbia Technologies

Moving on, Columbia's Omni-Tech® technology provides the waterproof protection. It keeps the bad stuff out while at the same time lets the sweat and vapor from your hard slog on the trail, out.

Another technology employed in this jacket is something called Omni-Shield®. This helps you stay clean and dry by resisting liquids from absorbing into the yarns and so prevents staining of the garment. Sounds pretty cool to me. Why is this so?

Well, as you know, a rain jacket can't be treated like any other garment. When you wash it, you need to wash it appropriately following very specific care and protection instructions using very specialized detergent.

In brief, washes should be infrequent, I try to get away with twice a year maximum, and so anything that helps keep your jacket stain free in between times can only be a good thing. This rain jacket , as with any decent one, is also windproof so should keep you protected from any nasty gusts.

Now it can't all be sweetness and light for this jacket now can it 🙂 There are definitely some more features, that I would normally look for in a hiking rain jacket, missing and I have to be honest and say that I was a little dubious when I first saw the price. However, the very high level of good customer experience speaks for itself so I think for a basic rain jacket, this ticks most of the boxes.

Read user reviews on Amazon.

Columbia Men's Watertight II Features Summary

  • 100% Polyester
  • Imported
  • Zipper closure
  • Machine Wash
  • Omni-Tech waterproof/breathable fully seam sealed
  • Attached, adjustable storm hood
  • Drawcord adjustable hem
  • Zippered hand pockets
  • Packable into hand pocket

Conclusion

The Columbia Watertight II jacket is a great little jacket that I think is perfect for a beginner hiker. The main reason for that statement is it's simple but effective functionality for a very reasonable price.

It will double up nicely to be worn about the city and has all the basic features I would expect from a rain jacket. If you're just starting out or if you are an intermittent hiker, this could be the jacket for you.

If you're new to rain jackets and so not sure what you should be looking for, check out the rain jacket buying advice here. If you'd like to see more top rain jackets, check out these top rain jacket recommendations.

Have you ever used the Columbia Watertight II Jacket out on the trail? I’d love to hear about your experience with it in the comments below!

Mountain Hardwear Ampato Dry.Q Elite Jacket For Men Review

The Mountain Hardwear Ampato jacket sits at the higher end of the range on the rain jacket price scale. With that in mind you should expect that bit extra quality and some nice features. That definitely seems to be the case. I found a lot of good user experience with the Ampato and with lots of different colors to choose from, I really liked the look of it and so, wanted to learn more.

Mountain Hardwear Ampato Dry.Q Elite Jacket For Men


Mountain Hardwear Ampato Jacket - Men's Jackets SM Jungle/Duffel

The Ampato is a durable and versatile hardshell jacket. Made with Dry.Q™ Elite waterproof, breathable technology it will keep any hiker dry and comfortable in all sorts of tough weather.





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Summary

Brand and Model

Mountain Hardwear Men's Ampato Dry.Q Elite Jacket

Price

Check price on Amazon

Our Rating

Pros

Lot's of pocket storage: two hand warmer pockets, internal zip pockets and a Napoleon breast pocket; Very high scoring on the waterproof and breathability scales; Jacket just looks good and there are lots of colors to choose from

Cons

Some comments the jackets runs small so getting a bigger size may be a good idea

Best Uses

Day hiking, day-to-day casual use

Review

OK, let's start with the primary function of a rain jacket, waterproofness and breathability. This jacket employs the Dry.Q Elite waterproof breathable technologies for that purpose.

On the waterproof side this jacket is fully seam sealed for complete waterproof protection. It features an attached adjustable storm hood with touch fasten storm flaps. The waterproof rating of this jacket is a whopping 40,000 mm so staying dry should not be an issue.

Moving on to Breathability, the membrane is breathable and is air-permeable which means that moisture is moved away from the skin and is released safely out and away from your body. There is a moisture wicking mesh-lined back to further aid this process. With that in mind, it's not surprising that the breathability rating is also impressive coming in at 30,000.

If all that isn't enough to keep your upper 'bodysphere' suitably ventilated, you can utilize the pit zips for fast air ventilation access. Pit zips can be a nice addition to have in a rain jacket. There's a standard draw cord hem to tighten and loosen the fit around your waste.

I am a fan of functional pockets and this jacket really comes up trumps in that department. There are the standard two hand warmer pockets, an interior security zip pocket finished off with a diagonal chest pocket with a watertight zip. This type of chest pocket is very handy to access some stuff while carrying a pack while out on the trail, very handy for a map and compass!

Mountain Hardwear Men's Ampato Jacket Features Summary

  • Jacket features: Non-Insulated,Waterproof (All)
  • Waterproof materials: Dry.Q® Elite waterproof breathable membrane
  • Seam sealed: Full
  • Pit zips
  • Closure: Zipper,YKK®
  • Zipper: Right
  • Length: 29" (based on size large)
  • Fabric: 100% nylon
  • Lining: 100% nylon (smooth), 100% polyester (mesh)
  • Care: Machine wash/dry
  • Total weight: 1 lb. 4 oz.

Customer Reviews

Read user reviews on Amazon.

Our Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5)

Conclusion

If you're in the market for a new rain jacket for the trail, the Mountain Hardwear Ampato Dry.Q Elite Jacket is worth a look. It has all the features you would expect from a good rain jacket and, with lot's of positive user experience, should perform solidly out on the trail. Overall, it ticks all the main boxes, so for a newbie or experienced hiker, this jacket fits the bill.

If you're new to rain jackets, check out the rain jacket buying advice here. If you'd like to see more top rain jackets, check out our top rain jacket recommendations for men.

Have you tried the Mountain Hardwear Ampato Dry.Q Elite Jacket? How did you find it? I’d love to hear about your experience with it in the comments below!

Mountain Hardwear Nazca Jacket For Women Review

The Mountain Hardwear Nazca Dry.Q Elite Jacket for women is another good option to add to your review list if you’re in the market for a new waterproof hiking jacket. Mountain Hardwear Nazca Jacket

It’s at the higher end of price for a hiking rain jacket than some of the other popular ones we’ve looked at but with good reason as you can expect great quality.

Let’s take a closer look.

Mountain Hardwear Nazca Dry.Q Elite Jacket

4.5 Stars

Our Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Available Colors: Oasis Blue / Bay Blue, Black, Sangria, Emperor / Night Purple, Oasis Blue / Jewel

Price: Check price on Amazon

Review

First off, the Nazca jacket has a great look about it sporting a nice classic cut. This jacket is meant to be a little on the softer side than your average rain shell jacket so I think you can expect a little more comfort than a standard rain jacket. Although you will trade that in for a little more bulk in return. Not a big deal for most hikers. This extra comfort is achieved by a brushed tricot lining which also adds an extra element of warmth.

Functionally the jacket is waterproof and breathable. The waterproof rating comes in at a whopping 40,000 mm and breathability at 30,000 mm so it’s a high scorer in those departments. To achieve this, it utilizes a two-layer shell fabric made from dobby nylon backed by a Dry.Q Elite membrane. The jacket is also fully seam sealed and has pit zips for extra ventilation.

The jacket has a brimmed, helmet compatible hood which means it can be used on your more adventurous hiking trips where helmet protection is required e.g. scrambling over tricky rocks.

The Nazca closes via a YKK waterproof zipper. For storage, it has two standard hand warmer pockets and a Napoleon breast pocket with brushed mesh lining.

Pros:

  • Waterproof and breathable to a very high rating
  • Durable and comfortable

Cons:

  • Some comments that the jacket can be a bit snug at the waist which might limit layering

Specs (At a glance)

  • Waterproof materials: Dry.Q Elite waterproof breathable membrane
  • Seam sealed: Full
  • Closure: YKK®,Zipper
  • Waterproof rating 40,000 mm
  • Breathability rating 30,000
  • Pit zips
  • Length: 27″ (based on size medium)
  • Fabric: 100% nylon
  • Lining: 100% nylon, 100% polyester (brushed)
  • Care: Machine wash/dry
  • Classic Fit
  • Weight: 1 lb. 2 oz.

Conclusion

The Mountain Hardwear Nazca Jacket for women is a really great hiking jacket that should cover all your needs all year round except in extreme conditions. It had a lot of very positive user feedback, looks good and does what is needs to do functionally. Definitely worth considering for all your adventures on the trail.

If you’d like to see some more rain jacket options, check out the best hiking rain jackets for women where some more options and recommendations are listed.

Have you used the Mountain Hardwear Nazca jacket? How did you find it? Let us know in the comments below.

The Marmot Precip Jacket For Women Review

Earlier this week I did a review on a very functional and popular waterproof hiking jacket from Marmot, the Aegis. While researching that I actually came across another very functional and popular option from Marmot, the Marmot Precip Jacket.

Again, the look, functionality and the amount of great reviews the jacket has received caught my eye so I thought further investigation was definitely worth it. 

The Marmot Precip Rain Jacket For Women


armot Precip Jacket For Women

Decent rain protection for average hiking and perfect for day-to-day use, the Marmot Precip is a popular option among many hikers. 





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Summary

Brand and Model

Marmot Precip Jacket For Women

Retail Price

Check price on Amazon

Average User Rating

Pros

Waterproof and breathable, Lightweight and stowable into it's own pocket, Brimmed hood with a moisture-wicking DriClime®-lined chin guard for extra protection

Cons

Jacket can be quite stiff and noisy when moving, Some women commented that the jacket can is too small in the bust area and around the hips so watch the sizing

Best Uses

Day hiking, day-to-day casual use

Review

As with the men's version of this jacket, the women's Marmot Precip jacket has a very high customer rating across a large selection of users. Scoring an average 4.5 stars out of 5 across 60+ reviews say's a lot. So as with the men's version, the Marmot Precip jacket is obviously a very popular choice when looking for a new rain shell jacket!

Moving onto the technical specifications of this jacket. Waterproof wise, the women's Precip comes in at 15,000 mm and has a breathable rating of 12,000. To learn more about what these ratings mean, check out this post about understanding waterproof fabric. These are pretty good numbers but it is worth mentioning again that there is no industry standard per se so I tend to take some of these numbers with a pinch of salt.

The proof is in the pudding though and from checking out tests on the women's Precip it does hold up well when it comes to waterproofness. The Precip is fully seam sealed and has a storm flap over the main zip to further help with it's waterproof capabilities and cinches on the cuffs. For added ventilation, the jacket also boasts pit zips which are always a nice feature to have.

The Marmot Precip women's rain jacket can accommodate angel wing movement, you can swing your arms in circles without the jacket riding up your back, and by first hand accounts it seems to work very well. Therefore the Precip offers good mobility and movement without the jacket ending up half way up your back.

The cut of the Precip is nice and seems to present a standard enough fit that should be adequate for most. However, to add to this, many user reviews mention that the Precip does leave enough room for layering which is of course a key requirement for a hiker.

The Precip is lightweight and easily stowable. It actually packs into it's own front pocket which is handy to store away in your day pack or back pack.

As with all waterproof hiking jackets, the Precip comes with a nice hood which is brimmed and boasts a moisture-wicking DriClime®-lined chin guard. This adds some extra protection for your neck and face in particularly harsh weather!

For pockets, the Precip comes with two standard hand warmer pockets and two mesh hip pockets on the inside. This is pretty reasonable storage but I would like another pocket, a Napoleon one would be a nice addition but I am probably being a bit picky 😉

This jacket will be a good companion while out on the trail. It will keep you dry and is handy to pack away and carry. It's a popular jacket that's been around for a long time which is nearly always a good supporting indicator of good quality. As with the men's Precip, the high level of positive user ratings and reviews over a long time shouldn't be ignored. If you're on this one!

Customer Reviews

Of 220+ reviews across multiple retailers, 94% gave the Precip Jacket 3 stars of more, 86% 4 stars of more and 65% full marks with 5 stars out of 5. Excellent scoring across the board!

Read user reviews on Amazon.

Our Rating 4.5 (Out of 5)

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Waterproof and breathable
  • Lightweight and stowable into it's own pocket
  • Brimmed hood with a moisture-wicking DriClime®-lined chin guard for extra protection

Cons:

  • Several users have commented that the jacket can be quite stiff and noisy when moving
  • Some women commented that the jacket can is too small in the bust area and around the hips so watch the sizing

Marmot Precip Jacket For Women Features Summary

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Waterproof materials: Waterproof breathable PreCip® Dry Touch Technology
  • Seam sealed: Full
  • Closure: YKK®,Zipper
  • Pit zips
  • Length: 28" (based on size medium)
  • Fabric: 100% nylon
  • Lining: 100% polyester

Conclusion

The Marmot Precip rain jacket for women is a functional and nice looking jacket that should be on your review list if you're on the look out for a new waterproof hiking jacket for the trail. As mentioned above, there is a lot of very positive feedback from satisfied customers over a long period of time. Ongoing improvements to the capabilities and functionality of this jacket would indicate that it will still be around for a long time to come!

If you'd like to see some more rain jacket options, check out the best hiking rain jackets for women where more options and our top recommendations are listed.

Do you have a Marmot Precip jacket? What's your experience with it? We'd love to hear about it in the comments below