How to Choose the Best Rain Jacket

You need a waterproof jacket of some sort if you spend any time playing outside. In this year's review of the best rain jackets, we tested both entry-level models and cutting-edge ultralight jackets that are all the rage.


Here in our Buying Advice, we will discuss several topics to help you choose the jacket best suited for you. First, for you gearheads out there, a quick history of waterproof/breathable fabrics from the 70s til present, and a few links to further reading. Scroll on past this if chemical names and temperature gradients don't catch your interest. The jackets we evaluated in this review represent both cutting-edge technologies and affordable, tried-and-true versions that get the job done well without breaking the bank.

Next, we will discuss the three types of rain shells we tested and summarize the advantages and best usages for each, including weather and activity level suitability. We will also touch upon the other category of waterproof/breathable jackets we test here at OutdoorGearLab - hardshells - and how they fit into the waterproof jacket spectrum.

And finally, you've been waiting for it… Care & Feeding of Rain Jackets.

History

The world changed for waterproof clothing in 1976 when W.L. Gore and Associates introduced Gore-Tex fabrics to the market. Gore discovered and patented the process for creating ePTFE, or expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene. This thin film contains millions of small pores, too small for liquid water, but large enough for water vapor to pass through. Laminate this thin membrane to a synthetic face fabric and voila!! the first waterproof and breathable fabrics. Today's waterproof/breathable layered fabrics include face fabrics that are laminated to membranes like Gore-Tex and face fabrics that are coated.


Gore-Tex rainwear quickly conquered the market or, in one sense, created the waterproof/breathable market. Competing waterproof fabrics coated with Polyurethane (PU) or Polyvinylchloride (PVC) couldn't compete. The first Gore-Tex fabrics were 2-layer construction; the ePTFE membrane laminated to a nylon or polyester face fabric and a mesh or thin fabric liner hung inside this layered fabric to protect it and provide comfort next to your skin. Gore quickly discovered the ePTFE membrane's pores could easily become clogged with oils and dirt though, and added another layer to the laminated sandwich, covering the ePTFE membrane with an oil resistant PU layer. This PU layer protects the pores from contamination, but stops all airflow through the membrane's pores. Three-layer construction was the next big advance and mesh or scrim was laminated to the interior of the layered fabric. This innermost layer protects the membrane and provides better transfer of water through to the outside. As the "light is right" ethos took over the outdoor world in the 90s, 2.5-layer technology did as well. This construction incorporates, instead of laminated mesh, a texturized "half layer" printed on the inner face of the layered sandwich.

So does traditional Gore-Tex breathe? No, in the sense that air does not pass through. Yes, in the sense that liquid water passes through the inner most PU layer, and then is wicked to the face fabric through the ePTFE's pores, where it evaporates. This wicking process works best with a large temperature gradient. Water always wants to move from warmer to colder zones. A fabric that does a great job "breathing" when it's cool outside, will not wick nearly as much sweat away from your body when it's hot out.


Gore's original patents for ePTFE expired in the mid 90s, and competitors, many of whom had been developing PU membranes and advanced PU coatings began to experiment with PTFE technology. Options multiplied for manufacturers of outdoor performance clothing, but Gore-Tex has maintained its dominating market share for high-end waterproof/breathable fabrics. Polartec NeoShell, eVent, and Mountain Hardwear's Dry.Q are the latest ePTFE laminates. None of these technologies uses a PU layer, and as a result all are air permeable. High performing PU membranes are popular today as well, examples include Patagonia's H2No and Marmot's air permeable NanoPro laminate. As these newer, truly breathable, or air permeable, membranes gain traction, Gore has gotten on board as well. Gore's latest version of Gore-Tex Pro is its first to eliminate the PU layer, creating the first air permeable Gore-Tex fabric. In our review of hardshell jackets, you'll find jackets intended for serious mountain activities, constructed with these advanced three-layer laminates.

Further Reading

Here is a good summary of many of the top of the line waterproof/breathable fabrics. Marmot's new NanoPro fabrics are rightly garnering much attention. Here is a good article comparing NanoPro to the new air permeable Gore-Tex Pro. For those of you interested in the history of Gore-Tex, and how W.L. Gore revolutionized the outerwear market, and perhaps discouraged further innovation, read Insane in the Membraine.

Rain Jackets

Only two of the products we tested in this review uses a Gore-Tex fabric. The Outdoor Research Foray and Marmot Minimalist, which we rated the most durable products in the review, use Gore-Tex Paclite, an advanced 2.5-layer laminate. Three other jackets tested utilize a laminated fabric: the Patagonia Torrentshell, REI Crestrail, and Marmot Essence use proprietary 2.5-layer laminates. The remainder of the models we tested use advanced PU coated fabrics. Marmot's NanoPro PU coating, used in the PreCip, is air permeable; and the light Pertex Shield+ fabric used for the Montane Minimus and Outdoor Research Helium II is more breathable than most PU coated fabrics. The budget-friendly Columbia and The North Face models use a PU coating as well.

Two-Layer Jackets

Two-layer jackets are at the low end of the cost continuum. A hanging mesh liner protects the outer fabric of these three jackets and none have pit zips for ventilation. These jackets are best suited for around-town use, and lack the ventilation necessary for high energy activity. All perform best in cool to cold weather, are great jackets if your budget is less than $100, and they handle occasional hikes and short trips just fine.

Models in this category include:
Columbia Watertight II
The North Face Resolve
Helly Hansen Seven J

Standard 2.5-Layer Jackets

In a lot of ways, 2.5-layer technology is what defines the rain jacket category. These models are lighter, more compact, and generally less expensive than the more durable three-layer hardshells. The Torrentshell and Minimalist utilize a laminated fabric, while the PreCip and Venture are built with a coated fabric. These standard jackets are the most featured we tested; all have pit zips for ventilation. They are also the most versatile models we tested; the ventilation makes them appropriate for warm weather use and high energy activity that generates lots of sweat. Sized appropriately for insulating layers underneath, they perform exceptionally in cool to cold weather. The PreCip won our Best Buy award, delivering the most bang for your buck. The Torrentshell, with its helmet-friendly hood, is a great choice for climbing and peak bagging. The Minimalist is the most durable model we tested for those less concerned about weight, and the ventilation features of the Foray earned it a Top Pick.

Models in this category include:
Marmot PreCip
Outdoor Research Foray
Patagonia Torrentshell
Marmot Minimalist
REI Crestrail
Columbia Evapouration
The North Face Venture

Ultralight 2.5-Layer Jackets

These bare bones jackets are designed primarily to be super light, forgoing hand pockets and most ventilation features. They excel during high energy activities and all three have reflective logos and patches, a great feature for running and biking. These models are best suited to very active pursuits in cool to cold weather. The ultralight weight and small packed sized makes these perfect just-in-case rain protection as well. The Minimus and Helium II both use Pertex Shield+ coated fabric, a very light and breathable option. The Editors' Choice winning Essence is built with Marmot's new NanoPro coating, an air permeable option that breathes unlike any other fabric we tested.

Models in this category include:
Marmot Essence
Outdoor Research Helium II
Montane Minimus

Hardshells aka Three-Layer Jackets

These jackets are more durable and often much more expensive. Hardshell jackets are generally heavier than rain jackets due to thicker face fabrics and burly features, but the lines are blurred; many three-layer shells are weighing in quite light these days. The laminated fabrics used in hardshells represent the top of the line waterproof/breathable technology available. Hardshells are primarily designed for the rigors of alpine and winter climbing and their features and durability reflect this.

Sizing your Jacket

Do you want your rain jacket to fit snugly or hang loose? Having a loose fitting jacket gives you more room for insulation and base layers, but does it perform better one way or the other? A snug fitting jacket will maximize breathability, that is the transfer of water through the fabric away from your body. As discussed above, water vapor always wants to move from warm to cool. A snug fitting jacket will create a more uniform warm environment inside that promotes breathability. A loose fitting jacket better promotes ventilation. Pit zips, pocket vents, open wrist cuffs…these all move more air when a loose fitting jacket moves as you move.

Care & Feeding of Rain Jackets

A well cared for and clean jacket will function better and last longer than a neglected, dirty one. First off, be kind to your jacket. Whether you stuff the jacket into its pocket or roll it away into its hood, you will prolong the performance of the DWR treatment. The less abrasion and abuse the face fabric receives, the better. Adopt this habit when stowing your jacket in your pack. Your jacket will maintain its breathability longer as well because the interior stays cleaner and the pores in the fabric stay unclogged.

Eventually, you will want to wash your jacket. Done correctly, washing and drying can have a miraculous effect restoring DWR and breathability. These jackets all can be washed in the washer. A front-load machine without a center agitator is best. All fabrics with a DWR treatment should be washed in cold or warm water using a small amount of powdered detergent. Find the manufacturers recommendation on either the jacket's label or website, and follow it. Cold water and the delicate cycle is your best bet if you have any doubts. Liquid detergents and fabric softeners should be avoided, as they have components that adhere to the fabric's fibers. Choose a double rinse cycle to remove as much soap residue as possible.


Now you have a clean jacket. Any oils, dirt, and grime soiling and clogging up the waterproof/breathable layer will have been washed away and the original breathability should be restored. Now comes the important bit. Hanging or laying your jacket to air dry is the safest technique. A freshly laundered, air dried jacket will sometimes restore a DWR that was losing its ability to bead water. Carefully applying heat can work wonders when cleaning alone doesn't restore DWR. A dryer's low heat setting is the place to start. Again, the manufacturer's care instructions should be consulted. A popular but more risky technique is using an iron, either on low heat or low steam. If the polymers that make up the DWR haven't worn off the face fabric completely, the dryer or iron can make them bead water like a champ again.

After enough use, it will be necessary to reapply a DWR treatment to your jacket's exterior. Spray-on and wash-in treatments are available. Two-layer jackets with a mesh liner should only be treated with a spray-on product, you want the mesh liner to continue to absorb sweat and get it moving towards the outside. Either is appropriate for a 2.5-layer jacket, but we prefer spray-on products.

Here is the advanced technique for spray-on application. Wash your jacket as described above and let it air dry. Briefly place the jacket in the dryer on low heat, until all the fabric is nice and warm. Remove from dryer, hang, and immediately spray on your new DWR. Use less rather than more spray-on product, and with a hair dryer you've readied, accelerate the drying of the new DWR. This technique serves to both restore the original DWR that remains on the jacket and maximize the bonding of the new polymers you are applying. Nikwax and Granger both produce a full line of fabric treatments, including spray-on and wash-in varieties.