This article lays out the best hiking rain jackets for men in 2021, 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 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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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!
4. Outdoor Research Interstellar
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.
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
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.
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!
6. Marmot Precip Eco
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 Eco 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.
The Precip Eco rain jacket is also 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.
7. Outdoor Research Helium II
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.
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
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.
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.
9. Outdoor Research Foray
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.
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
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.
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!
11. Columbia Glennaker Lake
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.
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
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.
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 Hybrid
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 Hybrid Rain Jacket for Men Features Summary:
- Fabric: Compact, lightweight 2-layer GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Plus is reinforced with 3-layer GORE-TEX in high-wear areas, providing breathable, waterproof protection
- Adjustable, helmet-compatible StormHood™ provides coverage and full visibility
- #3 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: Medium = 349 g / 12.3 oz
Best Uses: Hiking, backpacking, multisport, general day-to-day use
The Beta SL Hybrid 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.
The Beta SL Jacket is lightweight, compressible, waterproof and breathable, weighing in at a very pack friendly 349 grams (12.3 oz).
Made from 2-layer GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Plus reinforced with 3-layer GORE-TEX in high-wear areas, 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
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.
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 2021. 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!
