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REI Rainier - Women's Review

A simple rain jacket in which function meets value at a reasonable price point
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REI Rainier - Women's Review
Credit: Jessica Albery
Price:  $100 List
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Manufacturer:   REI Co-op
By Jessica Albery ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 4, 2022
58
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 12
  • Water Resistance - 30% 6.0
  • Breathability - 25% 5.0
  • Comfort and Mobility - 20% 6.0
  • Weight - 15% 5.8
  • Durability - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The REI Rainier is a decent buy for those seeking a functional and affordable rain jacket. This jacket may not be the most high-tech, most water resistant, or most breathable, but for the price, this is a very good rain jacket. We recommend it for outdoor enthusiasts who need a jacket for adventuring in moderate rain. Read more about the best women's rain jackets.
REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Good fit
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Hood isn't super comfortable
Fabric doesn't feel good on skin
Editor's Note: This review of the REI Rainier was added to our women's rain jacket review on October 4, 2022.

Compare to Similar Products

 
rei rainier for women
Awards  Best Buy Award
Best Budget Water Resistance
Best Buy Award
Best on a Tight Budget
  
Price $100 List
$99.95 at REI
$179.00 at REI
Compare at 4 sellers
$59.73 at REI
Compare at 4 sellers
$88.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
$59.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line An easy-to-use rain jacket that combines functionality and value at a reasonable price pointA quality rain jacket offering exceptional water resistance and performance that will hold up to the wildest weatherA reliable rain jacket that offers great value for good performance at a reasonable priceA straightforward, no-frills rain jacket with a stylish cut and decent water resistanceA good causal layer to keep you dry when you have to run errands in the rain, but lacks breathability for more active outdoor adventures
Rating Categories REI Rainier - Women's Patagonia Torrentsh... Marmot PreCip Eco -... The North Face Anto... Columbia Arcadia II...
Water Resistance (30%)
6.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
Breathability (25%)
5.0
8.0
6.0
3.0
3.0
Comfort and Mobility (20%)
6.0
7.0
8.0
4.0
4.0
Weight (15%)
5.8
5.2
7.3
5.2
5.9
Durability (10%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Specs REI Rainier - Women's Patagonia Torrentsh... Marmot PreCip Eco -... The North Face Anto... Columbia Arcadia II...
Measured Weight 11.4 oz 12.2 oz 9.2 oz 12.2 oz 11.2 oz
Waterproof Fabric Material 2.5-layer HydroWall (proprietary material) with non-PFC DWR finish 3-layer 50D H2No Performance Standard ECONYL (propriatary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish 2.5-layer PFC-free NanoPro (proprietary material) 2-layer 70D DryVent (proprietary material) with non-PFC DWR finish 2-layer Omni-Tech (proprietary material)
Pockets 2 zippered hand, 2 interior drop-in 2 zippered hand 2 zippered hand 2 zippered hand 2 zippered hand
Pit Zips Yes Yes Yes No No
Stows into Pocket Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Helmet Compatible Hood No No No No No
Additional Features Adjustable hood, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem, brushed collar lining Dual adjustable and stowable hood, microfleece-lined neck, external and internal zipper storm flaps, chin zipper guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, drawcord hem, carabiner clip-in loop Adjustable stowable hood, DriClime-lined chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem Adjustable hood, elastic cuffs, front zipper storm flap, adjustable drawcord hem Adjustable hood, chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem

Our Analysis and Test Results

The REI Rainier offers exceptional value with a low price point and excellent functionality, good breathability, and water resistance that is up to scratch with many jackets with a higher price point. The 2.5-layer bluesign approved recycled nylon ripstop fabric offers ample protection in moderate rain and provides decent breathability while on the move. We also appreciate that this jacket is manufactured in a Fair Trade certified factory.

Performance Comparison


rei rainier for women - the rei rainier offers good value at a reasonable price
The REI Rainier offers good value at a reasonable price
Credit: Jessica Albery

Water Resistance


The Rainier offers satisfactory water resistance for outdoor activities in moderate precipitation. The 2.5-layer nylon fabric held up decently well in all of our lab tests as well as field tests. The center and pocket zippers offered adequate protection from the elements in order to keep the wearer and pocket contents dry. The hood's visor provides disappointing coverage, offering minimal protection from the rain for the wearer's face.

rei rainier for women - the rainier's fabric takes up a bit of water.
The Rainier's fabric takes up a bit of water.
Credit: Jessica Albery

Breathability


The 2.5-layer fabric of the Rainier breathed pretty well while hiking, allowing the tiny molecules of sweat to escape while still keeping the outside precipitation at bay. This jacket is on the warmer side, and we found that we had to open the vents sooner when the temperature was balmy. Fortunately, the pit vents of the Rainier rapidly dump heat to prevent overheating and keep the wearer comfortable.

rei rainier for women - the rei rainier is on the warmer side, but the vents dump heat...
The REI Rainier is on the warmer side, but the vents dump heat quickly.
Credit: Jessica Albery

Comfort and Mobility


The cut of the Rainier is generous in the length of the body and sleeves, offering excellent coverage for those on the taller side. It provides a full range of motion and is easy to move in. The mesh lining of the pockets, as well as the fabric around the neck and chin, were soft, feeling pleasant against the skin. However, the inner fabric of the rest of the jacket felt plasticky against bare skin, which wasn't super comfortable. The hood was comfortable when up loosely, but when cinched down, we found it forced the head down, which was uncomfortable over an extended period of time.

rei rainier for women - the lining of the hand pockets on the rainier is soft against bare...
The lining of the hand pockets on the Rainier is soft against bare skin.
Credit: Jessica Albery

Weight


The Rainier weighs in at 11.4 ounces, on the slightly higher end of the spectrum of jackets tested. While this is not a dealbreaker if weight is not an issue, it may be on the heavy side for those looking to keep packs as light as possible.

The garment stows away in a hand pocket. Once stowed, the size is fairly compact, measuring 9" x 5" x 3". The zipper ends about two inches from the edge of the pocket, so to get it to fit the user has to fill that corner first. Because of this, it can take a bit of practice to quickly and efficiently pack it away.

rei rainier for women - the rainier packed up next to a 1-liter hydroflask.
The Rainier packed up next to a 1-liter Hydroflask.
Credit: Jessica Albery

Durability


The Rainier held up well over months of testing and frequent use. The fabric and seams are durable and well constructed. The snap at the bottom of the storm flap was sub-par and hard to snap shut. The soft mesh pocket lining also occasionally got stuck in the zipper, which was annoying.

rei rainier for women - testing all components frequently helps us evaluate durability.
Testing all components frequently helps us evaluate durability.
Credit: Jessica Albery

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Rainier?


The REI Rainier is a steal with its functionality and performance out-scoring a few other jackets in its price range. We think it is a great choice for the outdoor enthusiast looking for a budget rain jacket that performs well in a wide range of conditions. The water resistance and breathability may be up to snuff with the very top competitors, but many of those are more than twice the price.

What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?


The Marmot PreCip Eco is another rain jacket that offers exceptional value at a low price, with a bit better performance in most fields, and is worth considering for a budget rain jacket that performs well. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is another good value rain jacket with very water-resistant fabric, if you don't mind the stiffer material.

rei rainier for women - the rei rainer was tested on a spring splitboard mission.
The REI Rainer was tested on a spring splitboard mission.
Credit: Claire Lawrenson

Jessica Albery