10 Best Rain Jackets of 2023

[notable=55903]Best Women's Hardshell Rain Jacket Stand-in[/notable]

The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Light Pro shell is an excellent women's hardshell jacket that might be capable of rain jacket status in the right conditions. This jacket is easy to layer but is slim fitting, so the material doesn't hinder mobility. This design makes it versatile for different activity types and levels.

The Trollveggen is good for mountain adventures, hiking and backpacking, and urban living. It has a loose fit and is very versatile; plus, it is a surprisingly light jacket. Given its versatility, we think it is an excellent investment for most adventures and climates, including some rain.

Read more: Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Light Pro review

Why You Should Trust Us

Our women's and men's test teams spent hours wearing jackets in various activities and climates love months. Ian Nicholson, our men's rain jacket review lead, is an internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide with over 2,000 days of guiding in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, the Andes, European Alps, and more. Ian has worn a rain jacket for over 800 days in the last 20 years as he lives in the Pacific Northwest. He's had about 1,000 clients and helped them choose gear for outdoor adventures. Our women's rain jacket review lead is Jessica Albery. Jessica is no stranger to drenching rains, having worked outdoor jobs in New Zealand, Australia, and Oregon. Jessica is currently based out of Truckee, California, which has been repeatedly deluged with "atmospheric river" storms, bringing massive rain and floods to California. Jessica's gear philosophy is that having the right gear means you can stay out longer. Jessica has a degree in journalism and values scientific, unbiased hands-on research to inform her gear reviews and ratings. Senior Review Editor, Maggie Brandenburg has been part of our rain jacket testing team since 2017. Maggie is a long-time avid outdoorswoman with over 15 years of guiding others through the backcountry in rainforests and mountain ranges.

• Water Resistance

• Breathability and Ventilation

• Comfort and Mobility

• Weight and Packability

• Durability

Test leads spent more than 20 hours inspecting and researching more than 80 jackets to determine the potential contenders to purchase for real-world testing. We purchase all products from retailers just like you do to ensure an unbiased testing process and final results. Testers wore these jackets for more than 350 field hours of hiking, biking, camping, mountaineering, and more to assess breathability, mobility, water resistance, etc. Testers keep detailed notes and observations about performance across metrics and award winners were chosen after much consideration and hours of use. We tested women's jackets and men's ranging from ultra-lightweight to three-layered jackets for colder climates.

Breaking Down the Options

When it comes to rain jackets there is more to consider than just finding something to keep you dry. Things to consider before making your final selection should include waterproofing level, layers, size (weight), and the climate and activity you plan to use it for. For many, this can mean multiple activities and climates that could necessitate purchasing multiple jackets or making concessions in what you want to meet the varying needs of each activity or area with a single product.

Care and Cleaning

Every jacket no matter what company or style you choose will require care and maintenance. If you ignore your jacket and fail to clean it or reapply water repellent coatings, it will eventually fail you in the field leaving you wet when you don't want to be. Each jacket comes with its own care and cleaning guide and we recommend following these recommendations and tips to the letter to keep your gear in top condition. After spending over a hundred dollars or more, it is a small price to pay to keep the outdoor wet weather fun going.

Waterproof or Water Resistance

The goal of any great rain jacket is to keep you dry. However, to what degree and which products it uses to meet this goal varies from jacket to jacket. Some jackets are made to withstand the worst storms, while others are meant more for the occasional light rain in warmer weather. Finding the right option to meet your needs can save you money if it helps you avoid getting "more" jacket than you need or if it means finding the right jacket on the first purchase so you don't need to purchase more than one. Some products use waterproof and breathable materials, while others rely on surface treatment with more water "resistant" fabrics. Knowing the waterproofing elements and properties of each garment can help you find the one right for your goals and needs.

Waterproof Materials

• ePTFE Fabrics: Materials like Gore-Tex (the oldest) are stretched membranes with a specific dimension designed to allow the escape of water vapor but prevent liquid from entering. This sweet spot is a result of the pore size (20,000 smaller than a water drop), and the low surface tension (that prevents the absorption of liquid water without significant pressure).

• Polyester, Polyurethane, or PU Films: PU is a laminate that performs the function of a waterproof layer between the outer material and the inside layer. This is often paired with an ePTFE layer as the PU layer will be exceptionally thin when laminated to an ePTFE layer. With the PU laminate, the ePTFE needs to be thicker to reach the desired waterproofness. Products that use PU tend to be lighter weight. They also tend to be more stretchy than those that use only ePTFE fabric.

• Coated Fabrics: Coated fabrics are typically used in budget-friendly jackets and are usually less breathable with lower durability over time. A coated waterproof and breathable material is sandwiched between the outer fabric and interior layer. The plus of coated fabrics is they can often be used with stretchier materials offering a superior range of motion.

Durable Water Repellent

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is the chemical treatment applied to the exterior fabric (not the membrane or coated waterproof fabric in the middle). Its job is to resist and bead water on the surface to prevent the fabric from becoming saturated. Saturation is the bane of breathability and can create a feeling of dampness as a result. All waterproof fabrics use some kind of DWR; it is also common to some degree in water-resistant textiles.

Considering the Layers

You might not have noticed the layer inside a rain jacket. There is a good reason for this. Unlike other kinds of jackets they are not separate layers and you can not take off a layer if you need to. These layers are sandwiched together and often laminated together or cannot be "seen."

2 Layers

Two layers are the simplest rain jack you can buy. This type includes an outer fabric layer treated with a water repellent (most likely DWR) and an inner waterproof membrane like Gore-Tex for waterproofing and breathability. Some don't think this is the best design as the waterproof layer typically isn't super skin-friendly.

2.5 Layers

Two-point five (2.5) layers include the two layers already mentioned and an added half layer. Wait… what the heck is a half layer?? The half-layer here is a lightly sprayed or painted-on protective coating on the inner membrane. It isn't an actual layer of fabric, but it creates another layer, thus, the .5/half layer status. These designs tend to be less expensive, but are also less durable.

3 Layers

Three layers is a 2-layer jacket with a liner fused inside (some are textured). The third layer helps prevent skin oils and dirt from reaching the breathable membrane. This means less laundering to keep it breathable. The third layer lowers overall breathability, making the design more suitable for colder climates. Three-layer jackets offer the best rain protection, but the triple-layer means it is thicker and stiffer. However, 3-layer jackets offer the best most consistent protection and performance in the worst storm conditions.

Use and Climate

Choosing the right rain jacket for your needs is largely dependent on three factors, your budget, your activity plans, and the climate you'll be playing in. These factors can influence the number of layers you decide to look for and the type of waterproofing the jacket has. The colder the climate, you'll likely need more layers. The more heated the activity, the more you might consider pit vents. The more activities, the more versatility you'll need. Paying attention to features (does the hood fit a helmet) and the metrics that matter the most for your goals will give you the details you need to find the right jacket to meet your goals.

Venting

Depending on your activity, exertion level, and ambient air temperature or humidity, venting will be more or less important to you. While any jacket can use its main front zipper to dump the build-up of internal body heat, some offer the additional feature of "pit vent" zippers to better regulate the release of excess heat without creating a cold or clammy feel. If you plan to exert yourself a lot through activities like mountaineering or hiking and your wet weather climate will be relatively warm, then pit vents will feel more like a must-have. If your needs lean more toward camp sitting in colder climates, then vents might not be a mandatory feature for you. Alternatively, some folks feel it's better to have them and not need them than to need them and be without. If you plan to indulge in multiple types of outdoor adventures or your climate will vary, the lack of pit vents could be a deal-breaker.

Hoods

Hoods might seem like a nice to have but in the rain and a storm, they are a must-have. These must-have features have different designs and features you should consider as they apply to your chosen activity. If you need to wear a helmet for your outdoor fun, then a hood that is large enough for a helmet is a necessity. You also want to consider if the hood has some level of adjustability and a brim to protect your eyes and face while maintaining your peripheral vision. No one hood is perfect for everyone, but there are definitely hood designs that are better and more versatile than others.

Hardshell or Rain Jacket?

If your wet weather plans are going to be super wet or sloppy, then a hardshell might be the way to go over a rain-specific jacket. However, hardshells are typically more durable and have fancier fabric that stays weatherproof longer. Many testers and outdoor guides prefer a hardshell over other rain jackets when the weather is going to be wetter or the snow heavy and wet. Rain jackets are typically lighter weight and great at offering protection against the wet, and they are traditionally more breathable with thinner fabric. They pack small, and they have fewer features. A rain jacket can also save you some money over hardshells. However, if you want a double-use jacket or a more durable option that will last longer than the typical rain jacket, then a hardshell might save you money and frustration. If your overall adventure plans will find you in wetter weather or places where the weather changes on a dime, then purchasing a hardshell could be the better choice over a rain jacket. But if you don't plan on severe wet weather and value breathability and lighter weight over durable, or your budget is tight, the rain jacket could be your go-to. We've included a men's and women's hardshell option as notable selections in this review to help you decide.

Conclusion