How We Tested Rain Jackets

We hope you enjoyed the review and that it helped you make your selection, until next time...

Where We Test

Testing rain jackets requires a healthy dose of rain, snow, and drizzle, and the Pacific Northwest gave us plenty for the past four years. We took these models up glaciated peaks, on rainforest hikes, on ski tours and fall hikes and backpacking trips in the sleet and rain. We also wore them around town, biking and walking through November Farmers Markets. We've been testing these jacket for many years and our objective approach to testing is what sets us apart from any other review you'll find online.

Testing Metrics

Nine of the top rain jackets, ready for our testing. There are three distinct types of jackets here, and one will meet your needs best.

Water Resistance

Each jacket has seen its fair share of water, as our testing primarily takes place in the rainy Pacific Northwest. For each jacket, we note features that add water resistance, like a stand-out hood or protected zippers. If we can't find a good rainstorm, we spray each jacket down with water - with us inside! What a better way to see which performs and which doesn't?

Garden hose to the face and wrists? Check. The Foray can handle it. All of these jackets do a good job keeping you dry in your average rainstorm. But models with adjustable cuffs and well-designed hood adjustments are superior in howling rainstorms or when working with your hands overhead in the rain.

Breathability & Venting

To see how well each breath and vents, we hike, ski, and backpack in cool conditions in each. We also note features that allow off-loading of heat such as pit zips.

Comfort & Mobility

Which feels soft and pliable? Which moves with the body? To test this, we take each jacket on adventures that require full body use. Climbing, hiking, skiing, and more. Those with thoughtful features and softer, more flexible fabrics typically do better here.

Weight

We great shell should feel light and airy. For this metric, we simply measured each on a scale.

Durability

After our period of use (ranging from three months to years), we note and continually update our findings on the relative durability of the fabrics. We search for wear and tear, fly-aways, and other issues that might present and become an issue down the road.

Packed Size

We stuff, pull and push to see how small these jackets can get. We also note if any model comes with a stowable stuff sack. Those that stuff better, score higher in this metric.

Tester Ian Nicholson out for a fall hiking in the Pacific Northwest