Rain jackets are a necessity for many outdoor activities. This list compiles the best rain jackets that will be available in 2021, ranked by type of activity. The categories include hiking, backpacking and other outdoor sports such as running.
The “best heavy duty rain jacket” is a type of clothing that is meant to be worn during wet weather. It is important to have protection when it rains because the rain can cause damage to your clothes.
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A dependable rain jacket can keep you sheltered from even the harshest downpours, whether you’re camping, commuting, or simply doing errands around town. To identify the best choice, we evaluated 14 top-rated jackets from prominent brands like The North Face, Patagonia, and Arc’teryx for waterproofness, breathability, durability, and so much more. There was one rain jacket that stood out above the others after more than three months of testing.
Overall, the best rain jacket
In critical areas, the Patagonia Torrentshell beat all of the other jackets we tested. It’s extraordinarily waterproof and will keep you dry even in the hardest downpour, plus it’s very breathable, robust, and backed by Patagonia’s lifetime Ironclad Guarantee.
CNN/Kai Burkhardt
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L rain jacket is the one rain jacket you should get, whether you’re an experienced hiker or simply need protection from the rain during your commute.
We got in the shower for 10 minutes with each jacket to check whether we would remain dry because we couldn’t depend on regular severe rainstorms to test the waterproofness of our coats. Showers, which drop 2.1 gallons per minute on average, turn out to be very excellent at imitating some rather intense rainfall.
The Patagonia kept us completely dry during our indoor monsoon, with only a small amount of water trickling in from the gap at the neck when we looked up and from the cuffs when we raised our arms (which was typical of all the jackets we tested, though some were worse and let tons of water in through the neck — more on that below). We owe our dryness to the Torrentshell’s three-layer H2No Performance Standard shell, which performed just as well as GORE-TEX, the most well-known and trusted waterproof material in the outdoor business.
The Patagonia’s DWR (durable water repellent) coating performed well, forcing any water that came into contact with the shell to bead and flow away, preventing water from seeping into the jacket and collecting (which happened with a few of the other jackets we tested). Plus, since the water drains immediately off, we were able to quickly shake the Torrentshell dry after our test, ensuring that you’ll never have to show up to work with a soaked jacket.
Even when we focused the shower’s spray straight at the Torrentshell’s zippers, they were all shielded by a flap that didn’t let a drop of water through. Unlike most of the jackets we tried, which didn’t have completely waterproofed zippers, enabling water to slowly (and sometimes not so slowly) flow through both the main zipper and the pockets, the Torrentshell keeps your phone and other valuables dry.
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The Patagonia’s hood was the only part of the waterproofness test where it fell short. The Torrentshell’s storm hood was not as huge or rigid as those on many of the other coats. The powerful spray from the shower caused the hood to bend slightly, allowing water to flow down our faces on occasion. The Arc’teryx Beta LT, on the other hand, had our favorite hood, which held its form in the shower and kept the water away from our face.
The Patagonia Torrentshell is very compact (albeit not as compact as the Outdoor Research Helium – see below for additional information) and fits into its own pocket. We found it to be one of the most breathable coats we tested. So you won’t feel as hot and sticky as you might with other coats, whether you’re trekking through the mountains or rushing late for work. Furthermore, the pit vents provide a simple method to release heat if you start to sweat.
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Despite the fact that several of the other jackets we tried felt sticky, damp, or even uncomfortable on our skin, the Torrentshell featured one of the most pleasant internal fabrics, behind only The North Face’s Dryzzle and the Arc’teryx Beta LT. It was also incredibly durable, leaving just a few minor scars on our brick structure when we brushed it against it. If you do some tough trekking and your jacket is damaged, Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee covers it, which means you can send it in at any time and have it repaired (in most instances for free).
We adore the Torrentshell’s multiple color possibilities since outdoor gear isn’t usually the most appealing. Men’s sizes are available in 11 colors at Backcountry and 12 at Patagonia, while women’s sizes are available in nine colors at Backcountry and 13 at Patagonia. It also comes in six men’s sizes ranging from XS to XXL and seven women’s sizes ranging from XXS to XXL.
CNN/Kai Burkhardt
Rain coats are a surprisingly intricate issue, so knowing what you’re getting into before purchasing one is a smart idea. The first thing to know about these jackets is what they’re made of. Brands have been developing waterproof fabrics that are both breathable and soft, making them pleasant to wear for years. If all you want is rain protection, a plastic poncho will suffice, but if you want to move about and avoid sweating, you’ll want to invest in a breathable rain jacket.
GORE-TEX is the most well-known of these fabrics, and you’ve definitely seen it in a variety of brands and items, including jackets, shoes, and even gloves. Other companies, including as Patagonia and The North Face, have developed their own waterproof textiles that perform in a similar manner. These materials are both waterproof and breathable because they feature microscopic minuscule holes that are too small for water droplets to get through yet large enough for your body’s air and vapor to escape.
This porous membrane is essential for waterproofing and is also an element of the layering structure that you’ll notice in rain jacket titles and descriptions. Two-layer, 2.5-layer, and three-layer jackets are available, indicating the jacket’s construction. The waterproof membrane is on the inside of a two-layer jacket, whereas a 2.5 has the same structure but with a sprayed or printed material on the inside to protect the membrane. Finally, a three-layer jacket has an exterior layer, a waterproof membrane, and an additional layer on the inside. There are changes in weight and feel between the three, but nothing surpasses a three-layer jacket for waterproofness and longevity since the additional material totally shields the inside membrane, preventing dirt and oils from your skin from clogging the pores and making it less breathable. All of the coats we examined had two or three layers.
The durable water repellent, or DWR, of a garment is also important for waterproofness. This is a protective coating that is placed on the exterior of a rain jacket to cause water to bead up and flow off. After a time, DWR coatings cease functioning, allowing water to permeate into the outer layer of your garment. The interior membrane will keep you dry, but since the outside layer is saturated with water, perspiration vapor will have a tougher time escaping, making your jacket less breathable. However, with solutions like Nikwax, you can quickly renew your DWR coating.
It’s common to see waterproofness ratings expressed in millimeters, which might be a bit misleading. Waterproofness is measured using the static-column test, which involves placing the material at the bottom of a 1-inch-diameter tube and filling it with water until the material leaks. The millimeter measurement indicates how high this water column may rise before the materials fail and water seeps through; the higher the value, the more waterproof the system is.
You’ll want to search for various attributes based on what you want to accomplish, apart from waterproofness and breathability. A storm hood is useful if you are caught in a storm while hiking, weight and packability are important for hikers, and if you’re a climber or cyclist, you’ll want a helmet-compatible hood.
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We evaluated everything from waterproofness and breathability to size, feel, and packability to identify the finest rain jacket. We divided our testing into three categories: performance, durability, and flexibility, so that we could directly compare the varied qualities of each jacket. Here’s a complete list of all the tests we performed.
Performance
- We tested each jacket’s waterproofness by putting it in the shower for 10 minutes with all zippers closed and the hood up. We rotated around and directed the shower water towards various portions of the coats, including the zippers, shoulders, and hood. After ten minutes, we removed the jacket and noted how wet and where our shirt below had become. We also placed tissues in all of the jacket’s pockets to see whether they became wet during the shower.
- Breathability: We wore each garment for 10 minutes while riding a Peloton cycle at a steady, light exertion. We kept track of how hot or sweaty we became and how long it took us to feel suffocating.
- Fit, feel, and stretch: We stretched each jacket many times to evaluate if there were any constrictive regions. We put the jacket on and assessed its length as well as the amount of space it provided in the torso and arms. We also tested the comfort of each jacket on our flesh by wearing it on our arms.
- We used a household scale to weigh each jacket.
Durability
- Rub test: We rubbed each jacket’s shoulder and arm five times against a brick structure. Any scuffs, scratches, or wear and tear on the cloth were noted.
- We zipped the main zipper 50 times and counted how many times it snagged or broke. Throughout the testing procedure, we kept an eye out for any signs of degradation.
- Washability: We washed each jacket according to the manufacturer’s directions and assessed if it shrunk or degraded in any manner.
- Warranty: We looked into each jacket’s warranty.
Versatility
- Pockets and other features: We counted any additional features like pit vents, helmet compatibility, pockets, and so forth.
- Packability: We stuffed each jacket (if feasible) into its own pocket and compared them to determine which one was the smallest.
- Sizes and colors: For each jacket, we tallied the number of sizes and colors available in both men’s and women’s versions.
Arc’teryx Beta LT ($399; arcteryx.com) is a lightweight hiking boot by Arc’teryx.
This jacket was great, although it fell short in a few of tests. Because it didn’t blast the other jackets out of the water, along with the highest price tag in our testing pool, this jacket is difficult to justify. It had our favorite hood out of all the ones we examined, and its waterproofness and breathability were excellent. Its zippers, on the other hand, are just water-resistant, not waterproof, and our shirt as well as the tissues in our pockets became soaked. With the Patagonia Torrentshell, you can save a lot of money while getting a little better jacket.
Helium Rain Jacket ($159; outdoorresearch.com) by Outdoor Research
This jacket was another of our favorites, and although it didn’t get a perfect score, it was waterproof and breathable. Although the inner of the jacket feels a little sticky and damp on our skin, if you’re a frequent hiker or backpacker, the Helium’s extraordinary packability may be enough to convince you. Weighing just 6.26 ounces, it was the lightest jacket we tested. The next lightest was around 7.5 ounces, and the one after that was over 10 ounces. Furthermore, the Helium packs down into its lone chest pocket into a teeny-tiny package the size of our palm. The Helium is a wonderful pick if you’re looking for the lightest jacket you can carry in your bag for a thru-hike and don’t care about comfort or durability.
The North Face Dryzzle Futurelight Jacket ($230; thenorthface.com) is a lightweight jacket by The North Face.
The Dryzzle jacket from The North Face incorporates the brand’s most recent waterproof technology, Futurelight. GORE-TEX and Patagonia’s H2No membranes are similar in that they promise exceptional waterproofing while keeping breathability. The North Face’s jacket left a lasting impression on us, particularly the how it felt both inside and out. However, it didn’t exactly stand out among the other excellent coats we tried. The Dryzzle’s major flaw was the jacket’s DWR coating, which was of poor quality. When wet, this jacket didn’t bead up and shed like many of the other coats we tried. We could see clear patches where water had soaked through the outer layer in some places. It was one of our top-rated coats, but with a poor DWR finish and a larger price tag than our winner, we can’t recommend it.
Rainier Rain Jacket by REI Co-op ($89.95; rei.com)
This jacket was one of the most affordable we evaluated, yet it surprised us with its high ratings throughout the process. It was completely waterproof, somewhat breathable, and a terrific jacket in general. The Rainier didn’t get quite as good a rating as the Torrentshell, owing to its sticky inside, but if you’re looking for a budget jacket, it’s a great choice.
Arc’teryx Zeta SL ($299; arcteryx.com) is a high-end running shoe from Arc’teryx.
Another high-scoring jacket was Arc’teryx’s Zeta SL, which came in right around the top. It’s quite waterproof and breathable, and the inside is rather comfy. The zippers on this Arc’teryx jacket, like those on the other Arc’teryx garment we tried, aren’t entirely waterproof, simply water-resistant. It also lacks some of the additional features found on the Torrentshell, which is disappointing for a $300 jacket.
Drypoint GTX from REI ($173.93, originally $249; rei.com)
This REI Co-op jacket was another high scorer, but it wasn’t quite enough to beat out the competition. It’s also a discontinued item, so there’s just one color left and supplies will run out soon. Even at a steep discount, it costs more than our winner, so although it’s a good jacket, there are better alternatives available.
Stormline by Black Diamond ($149; rei.com)
The Stormline was the most stretchy jacket we tested, and it received a good rating. It’s bright and airy, and it felt good both inside and out. Only a little amount of water got into the pockets, therefore it was mainly waterproof. The Stormline is a wonderful choice if you require a jacket that is incredibly elastic and pliable, but it couldn’t compete with the other jackets we tried.
Minimalist by Marmot ($189; marmot.com)
Although this jacket was one of the most breathable we tested, its pockets, like many others, were not waterproof. A little amount of water made its way into the two side pockets, and the tissue within the chest pocket became fully saturated. It didn’t stand out in any way, but it’s still a reliable rain jacket. Just keep your phone out of its pockets.
Microgravity by Outdoor Research (beginning at $149.40; outdoorresearch.com)
After an unsatisfactory waterproofness test, Outdoor Research’s Microgravity was eliminated from contention. Again, the pockets were its Achilles’ heel, and in the case of the Microgravity, so much water poured through all of its pockets that our shirt was soaked below. We couldn’t rationalize paying $250 on this jacket since the internal material was irritating as well.
H2Off by L.L.Bean ($189; llbean.com)
The L.L.Bean jacket was the heaviest we tried, but it had plenty of pockets to store everything you’ll need on a night out. Those pockets, on the other hand, aren’t even close to being watertight. Every tissue we stuffed inside its pockets ended up soaked.
Columbia OutDry Ex Nanolite Shell ($300; columbia.com) is a water-resistant shell from Columbia.
This jacket received a low rating, owing to a poor waterproofness test. Its hood directed the rain away from our faces and into the jacket. We couldn’t turn our heads as we could with previous jackets, so we had to gaze squarely at the ground to keep the water out. Our garment was fully drenched by the conclusion of the experiment. Although it is very light, if you’re searching for a packable jacket, the $159 Outdoor Research Helium is a better choice.
Ex Reign by Columbia ($150; columbia.com)
The hood on this garment was the same as on the other Columbia coat, and water dripped down the neck of the jacket. It’s bulky, inconvenient to transport, uncomfortable to wear on the inside, and not particularly breathable.
Moss Hooded Raincoat by Helly-Hansen (beginning at $65; amazon.com)
This jacket didn’t wow us since it wasn’t extremely breathable, didn’t hold up well in our rub test, and was the only one we tried that couldn’t be thrown in the dryer. Although the tissues we placed in there didn’t get as wet as they did in some other coats, the hood is a touch thin, and the pockets don’t zip tight.
More from CNN Underscored’s hands-on testing may be found here:
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The “north face rain jacket” is a popular brand that has been around for years. The jackets are both stylish and functional, making them the best choice for anyone looking to buy a new rain jacket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand is best for raincoat?
A: This is a difficult question to answer. I am not sure what you mean by best brand or raincoat. You might want to ask this in another way, like asking the difference between raincoats?
What is the best rain jacket for heavy rain?
A: The best rain jacket for heavy rain is the 15-ounce Patagonia Houdini Ultralight Jacket. It includes a waterproof, breathable and windproof membrane to keep you dry and warm in any weather condition.
Which waterproof jackets are the best?
A: The best waterproof jackets are ones that have a fully sealed and watertight design. These usually offer protection against the elements, but not all will protect you from getting wet so be sure to look for this feature too.
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