Hood sizes and cinches are a small feature that can make a big difference on a rain jacket. One exception is ultralight jackets, which cost more than cheap lightweight models but ventilate approximately the same in most cases. Get a friend you trust, close your eyes, and experiment.) You might also like: The Best Rain Jackets Under $50 Material and Other Details. And we gotta say, it looks sleek too - yet another reason it landed as our winner. Three of our five picks have armpit zips (we decided to split the difference with the name), which are great for keeping you cool in warmer weather. Also of note, the 3L is less clammy than its 2.5-layer counterpart. Most noticeably, it causes water droplets to bead up and roll off. Not just yet. Category: Hiking/daily useWeight: 12.5 oz.Waterproofing: 2L Gore-Tex PacliteWhat we like: Great price for a Gore-Tex shell.What we dont: Step down in material quality from OR Foray above. 4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars (36) $196.42 $ 196. Category: Daily useWeight: 16 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5LWhat we like: Fun styling and sustainable materials.What we dont: Will not hold up to heavy rain; more expensive than other budget designs. For more of our Outdoor Apparel recommendations, see our most popular Gear Guide stories: Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. The North Face Antora - Women's. $89. The best estimates we could find are external lab tests measuring it up against other brands of waterproof-breathable material at 16190 mm/24 hours. The Patagonia Torrentshell jacket offers top-quality performance. Fabric: 50D ripstop . After washing, follow the manufacturers drying instructions, whether youre on that air dry or tumble dry low train. Rain jackets dont offer as much variation in features as some other types of outdoor gear, but there are notable differences between models. Itll protect you from the elements better than most competitorsbut youll pay extra for the technology that helps you skip that half-layer. While our personal experiences are mostly backpacking experiences, were confident that these rain jackets will weather wet weather, whether youre hiking, traveling, mountain biking, trail running, fishing, or commuting. Look to weight as a great indicator of how packable a jacket truly is. 686 Paclite Jacket. While the XeroDry GTX is the most premium rain jacket made by the REI-Coop brand for in both men's and women's models, its still well below $200. Combining 3-layer Gore-Tex construction with a host of technical features (including a helmet-compatible hood and pit zips), the Beta LT blurs the line between rain jacket and hardshell and delivers trustworthy performance for four-season hiking and backcountry exploring. Everything from the REIs hood design to pocket layout and even smaller touches like mesh pockets and the Velcro covering the center zipper reminded us of the Marmot shell. Your jacket isn't as waterproof or breathable as it should be. Overlay - 3 Column; Overlay - 4 Column; Default - 2 Column Whats more, the feature set is on par with what we look for in an everyday rain jacket, including taped seams, Velcro cuffs, a hem adjustment, three pockets (two hand and one chest), and a water-resistant front zip. The Marmot Minimalist and the Outdoor Research Foray have a design that is almost identical. If youre thinking about your environmental impact, the Torrentshell 3L is one of the best jackets you can buy. Heavy downpours can overwhelm the thin build, causing the fabric to absorb moisture and feel wet against your skin. In testing, material quality has been a common theme: Everything from the thick-toothed main zipper to the pit zips and three-way adjustable hood have a solid and reliable feel. There are two types of hand pockets: mesh pockets and fully-lined pockets. One criterion that guided us was a commitment to finding a lightweight jacket (as compared to a raincoat) that we felt was on the more affordable end of the gear buying spectrum. The Montbell Versalite is on the more expensive side of rain jackets we considered for this guide (we set the maximum price limit for this piece at $300). As a result, the interior fabrics are also much less prone to clamming up, and often have a premium, soft feel. We create reader-supported, objective gear reviews independently selected by our editors. Category: Hiking/daily useWeight: 10.9 oz.Waterproofing: 3L AscentShellWhat we like: Lightweight, breathable, and a good price.What we dont: Missing some useful features like wrist cinches and hipbelt-friendly pockets. When saving weight is critical to your mission, choose the Marmot Minimalist jacket. This coating is applied to the exterior of most rain jackets to prevent moisture from absorbing into the face fabric by beading up the droplets. But what sets the Foray apart is its full-length side zips (called TorsoFlo) that extend from the armpit all the way to the bottom hem. Velcro adjustable cuffs can be made wider than your wrist, allowing most of that rain to drip onto the ground instead of your hands. While this is great, its doesnt necessarily mean the jacket is that packable. On a budget? This is the outer layer you turn to for ultimate protection while backcountry and resort Seattle-based Outdoor Research is no stranger to creating quality rain jackets that can fend off the elements, and we like what they've come up with in the Foray. Wash your rain jacket according to the manufacturers instructionsmost prefer it if you avoid using detergent, though something like NikWax Tech Wash helps to restore the fabric. It is a great jacket to have if you are going to be in persistent wind or rain. It has all of the features most-often sought after in a rain jacket - including armpit zips, fully-lined hand pockets, and the ability to pack down into a pocket. The Montbell Versalite is similarly rated for 30,000+ mm/24 hours, but comes at a premium. This serves to protect the jacket from dirt when you are not using it. For fast-and-light alpine trips when the forecast looks favorable, the Highline certainly can do the trick. But if youre looking for ways to make running in the rain more comfortableand live some place where it rains a lot this might be the jacket for you. What we don't: A bit crinkly and stiff; no chest pocket. . People sometimes have a hard time distinguishing between things that are cold and things that are wet. (Sensing a trend?) Of note: This article includes picks for both men and women, but weve also written a dedicated round-up on the best womens rain jackets. Category: HikingWeight: 6.3 oz.Waterproofing: 2.5L Pertex Shield Diamond FuseWhat we like: Ultralight yet reasonably tough.What we dont: Too streamlined for around-town use; doesnt breathe very well. Released last year, the Arcteryx Beta offers a nice middle ground for those who want the premium weather protection of the Beta LT above alongside a more casual feature set. The Torrentshell 3L is indeed a 3-layer jacket that uses Patagonia's own H2No waterproofing. Weve got more to say on that than can fit in this space, so see our full section below. 3. This jacket is protective, well made, and has the zealous flair for aesthetic style that makes Patagonia more than just an outdoor brand. On hikes, we stayed safe from the wind and fully dry. If you want a little more warmth, we found the Futurelight fabric is similar to a softshell, but with better protection against rain. Traditional softshell jackets are not fully waterproof. From its performance to its features, from its impact to its price, we think the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is the best rain jacket for most people. It was our previous overall winner, but given the value of the newer 3-layer more-waterproof Patagonia Torrentshell, we think it's a better choice for most folks who are ok living without the additional stretch of this Black Diamond jacket. Weather doesnt just mean rain. This measurement tests both general water repellency as well as performance under pressure. What We Like: Great Features, Lightweight. Weight: 11.3 oz (mens)/ 9.5 oz (womens), What we liked: mobility, sleek look, ventilation, pockets, packability, What we didn't like: not as waterproof or breathable as other jackets. For more background information, see our rain jacket comparison table and buying advice below the picks. 100% seam taping, a DWR (Durable Water-Repellent) finish, an attached adjustable hood, and a . We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. The mens and womens Outdoor Research Helium is our winner for Best Packable Rain Jacket. Marmot Precip Eco: 10.1 oz : NanoPro Eco: Yes: 2 zippered pocket: $100: Frogg Toggs: 4.8 oz : . Patagonia shook up the rain jacket market with the release of its Torrentshell 3L a few years ago. Premium: Columbia Watertight II. Weight - 13.6 oz (mens medium) Material - Synthetic Blend. Offered in a wide range of colors and backed by the brands impressive warranty, the Venture 2 is worth having on your radar. We recommend sleeves that are slightly longer than youd try to get for a normal shirt, to give some weather protection to your hands. We get down into the step-by-step of caring for waterproof shells in our article on How to Clean and Repair Gore-Tex and Other Shells. The Patagonia Torrentshell was updated to 3L this year (2020) so the 2020 version should be an improvement over the previous 2.5L models. 1. Back Length. But if backcountry weight is a factor for you, and youre looking for a versatile jacket that lives in your hiking pack, the Outdoor Research Helium is your best bet among the rain jackets in our guide. A packable rain jacket also keeps the waterproofing clean of dirt and oils, keeping your handy it nice and breathable. Building on the success of the StormLine above, Black Diamond took that expertise upmarket with the Highline Stretch. Now I know the Marmot is a GTX PacLite 2.5 which means it's very reliant on its DWR performance. Yes: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L: $149: 12.5 oz. So the jacket that you soaked through, is not the same jacket OP is looking at. CNN has a fairly detailed article on many rain jackets it tested recently. Its a 20D 81 g/m face fabric, fully recycled polyester with a soft, tacky feel unlike most slick and swishy rain jacket fabrics. Its versatility in a number of conditions--rain, wind, and hanging out--make it a smart choice if you only own one rain jacket. Marmot Minimalist. Whereas the Beta LT features a burly shell that's purpose-built to handle winter weather and sustained wet conditions, the Storm10 is more suitable for summer alpine environments. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L. (Of course, you can always put it in a stuffsack or ziplock bag to get a similar effect). Its not quite as durable as the Torrentshell, but the Downpour is the sleeker and more packable design and more fine-tuned for performance use. Luckily, REI has an easy return policy so if the sizing isnt right for you, you can easily replace it with something that works. 22 February 2021 by nadia. On the other hand, more feature-rich shells, such as our hiking/daily use options, hit a better sweet spot for the everyday user. Even so, the Marmot Minimalist is a good fit for budget-conscious travellers. The helmet-compatible hood fits a climbing or bike helmetor those of us with larger hairstylesand stows away when you dont need it. Many companies dont shell out for the Gore-Tex, but rather offer rain shells built with their own proprietary materials. The hardwearing 3-layer build offers . Youll feel damp, clammy, and likely a little peeved at your rain jacket. These are made from a special spandex & nylon fabric that features a 4-way stretch, and, as such, provides wearers with increased freedom of movement. Hardshell jackets, in contrast to the hiking rain jackets weve listed above, are made for truly extreme conditions. They also can be used to store snacks and your phone. Readers write in to tell us how much they have enjoyed it over the years that we've recommended it as a winner. Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking isdearest to our hearts. The Flight Lightriser Futurelight manages running in the rain and wet weather rather effectively. That final point wasnt a deal breaker for us but is a downside for everyday wear.See the Men's Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 See the Women's Rab Downpour Plus 2.0. And while, sure, some fabrics and some jacket builds do better than others, its important to know that if youre exerting a lotparticularly in warm weatheryoure likely going to sweat at least a little bit. Most rain jackets fold down into their zippered hand warming pocket. The Patagonia Storm10 gives the Arcteryx Beta LT above a run for its money as our top performance pick, but in the end, the two jackets have slightly different intentions. One of the most sought-after features in a waterproof rain jacket is breathability: the ability for perspiration and other moisture to exit the jacket without outside water coming in. An affordable women's raincoat: Columbia Women's Arcadia II Rain Jacket. Further, you miss out on hand pockets, which means the only storage option is the single chest pocket. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Customer Service Hours: Mon-Fri, 9AM - 5PM EST. (And, if youre looking for a sale, our links reflect hours of searching for the best deals on our recommended picks and prices that include shipping and returns.). Arm pit zips allow for extra ventilation for staying cool in warmer weather. The only thing its missing compared to the Minimalist is a chest pocket and the Minimalist offers womens plus size options, whereas Patagonia has yet to do so. Plus, it's made out of the super ultralight Pertex shield 2.5 L fabric, with Outdoor Research reporting that the new 2023 fabric is 7 times more tear resistant than previous models. Comparing the Marmot Precip vs Patagonia Torrentshell is a must.These are 2 of the best rain jackets for the money. Just about every major outdoor brand offers a budget-oriented rain shell for about $100, and The North Faces entry is the popular Venture. A notable downside of the Torrentshells durable construction is that its stiffer and crinklier than competitors like the Marmot Minimalist and Black Diamond StormLine below (it does break in and loosen up a bit over time). In cool weather, ventilation is less necessary for moisture management. We found that the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L managed to earn a rating of 9.2 from divein.com, whereas . Arc'teryx Beta LT). Travel Rewards Credit Cards; . In fact, they are both made of Gore-Tex and function in much the same way to make them waterproof.