We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Fashion Clothing Jackets & Outerwear The 6 Best Men’s Rain Jackets That Are Actually Waterproof, Tested by Us Stay dry with one of our top picks By Olivia Avitt Olivia Avitt Olivia is a writer and content creator that has written about a wide range of subjects, including health, beauty, relationships, culture, and music. When she's not working, you can find her perusing coffee shops, reading, or catching up on reality TV. People Editorial Guidelines and Michelle Rostamian Michelle Rostamian Michelle Rostamian is a freelance beauty, wellness, and lifestyle writer with nearly 10 years of experience in the beauty industry and bylines at PEOPLE, Byrdie, Real Simple, InStyle, and more. She began her career in the beauty industry as a publicist and content writer representing makeup and skincare brands as well as industry professionals. She formerly was a social media marketer. Michelle graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a B.A. in Communications. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 16, 2024 05:04PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Tried What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Jhett Thompson Rain jackets can be a total bust: They're often too bulky, unbreathable, or simply not waterproof. We believe a good rain jacket is essential, so we set out to find the best rain jackets for men that will actually keep you dry. We tested 17 highly rated rain jackets for men, scoring each jacket on water resistance, breathability, and comfort. We tested the jackets in our PEOPLE Tested lab (yes, we sprayed water on our testers), and we wore the jackets on rainy days over a period of six months. Read on for the best rain jackets, according to our tests. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Marmot Precip Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket at Amazon $120 $100 Jump to Review Best Overall (Cheaper): Giisam Windproof Waterproof Jacket at Amazon $36 Jump to Review Best Material: SALE Outdoor Research MicroGravity Jacket at Amazon $279 $196 Jump to Review Most Versatile: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket at Patagonia.com Jump to Review Best Long: Rains Long Jacket at Rains.com Jump to Review Best Investment: Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch Jacket at Amazon $210 Jump to Review Best Overall Marmot Precip Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket PHOTO: Amazon $120 $100 at Amazon $100 at Zappos View on Marmot.com Star Qualities Oversized hood keeps your head and face protected Large vents in the armpits keep things breathable and comfortable Packable and storable thanks to the extremely lightweight fabric Red Flags Only has a drawstring on one side so not the most adjustable fit The Marmot Precip rain jacket kept us completely dry during testing. Water droplets rolled right off the fabric and we were able to shake off any excess water once we were out of the wet. That means the jacket was almost completely dry within moments and we could fold it up and plop it into a backpack without worry of getting our stuff wet. Our tester loved the oversized hood, which kept their head and face dry. There was some leakage at the neckline which we attribute to accidentally ordering a size too big. Despite the jacket's waterproof capabilities, it was still remarkably lightweight. The nylon fabric felt soft, almost like cotton, and was super comfortable to wear (in fact, we would even be comfortable jogging in this jacket). We appreciated the ample-sized vents at the armpits, which kept things airy. While there is an adjustable drawstring on one side, we wish there was a second drawstring at the jacket's edge to further customize the fit. Even with that single nitpick, we found the $90 price reasonable, especially considering that there are much more expensive jackets on the market that are much less comfortable. Material: 100% Nylon | Sizes: S-XXXL | Colors: 8 PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Joy Kim Best Overall (Cheaper) Giisam Windproof Waterproof Jacket PHOTO: Amazon $36 at Amazon Star Qualities Lightweight enough to allow full range of motion Layer of mesh on the inside helps retain body heat in chilly temperatures Drawstrings on either side of the hood allow you to get a customized fit that will keep your head and face dry Red Flags Lack of ventilation could lead to overheating in hotter, humid rains The Giisam men's rain jacket keeps you dry at a fraction of the price of other high-quality rain jackets. During our tests, we found that water beaded off the jacket's surface, though after a few minutes, a small amount of water tended to absorb into the fabric. Still, no water ever soaked through to the interior and we were left completely dry. Drawstrings on the hood keep it securely drawn over the head even during windy storms. We were shocked at the $50 price tag, since the jacket is well-constructed with hefty fabric, water-resistant zippers, inner mesh for warmth, and a removable hood. This jacket does lack in ventilation, though, so it may get a little hot in humid weather. Material: Polyester | Sizes: S-XXL | Colors: 14 PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson Best Material Outdoor Research MicroGravity Jacket PHOTO: Outdoor Research $279 $196 at Amazon $168 at Backcountry.com $279 at Outdoorresearch.com Star Qualities Ideal for packing or storing in a closet without taking up much space Rubber seams on the zippers make them watertight and keep the torso, arms, and pockets dry Zips up all the way to your nose for extra protection from wind and rain Red Flags Hood’s drawstrings are on the inside of the hood, so you have to unzip the jacket to adjust them Outdoor Research's rain jacket is simultaneously lightweight, soft, and highly waterproof. During our testing, water rolled right off the jacket. When we shook the jacket after wear, it was left completely dry. We also loved how foldable and packable it is, making it great to take on a camping trip and ideal for anybody with limited storage space. Although it doesn’t have obvious air vents, the jacket does have subtle perforations on the seams that keep you cool without letting rain in, which we appreciated. The zipper seams are made of rubber on both the jacket itself and the pockets, which adds an extra level of waterproofing (this lets you keep a phone in your pocket without worrying it will get wet). We loved that the jacket zips up all the way to your nose for extra protection from wind and rain, but the hood drawstrings being on the inside makes them hard to access. Material: 100% nylon 20Dx45D ripstop with 100% polyester 30D knit backer | Sizes: S-XXXL | Colors: 3 PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim Most Versatile Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket PHOTO: REI View on Patagonia.com $125 at REI $179 at Backcountry.com Star Qualities Fabric has a nice weight that feels high quality Roomy hood shields your head and face Hand-warmer pockets and zippable armpit ventilation offer warming and cooling options Red Flags Elastic pull tabs on the collar tended to pop out of place If you live in an area that tends to have unpredictable weather or need something for transitional seasons, this jacket would be a great addition to your closet. It's a chameleon when it comes to the kinds of weather you can wear it in and it's airy enough to give you full range of motion. It has features that will keep you warm on a chilly day, like hand-warmer pockets, and zippable vents in the armpits to keep you cool during humid summer rains. While we appreciated the Patagonia rain jacket's spacious hood, the elastic pull tabs at the collar for adjusting its tightness were surprisingly flimsy. As soon as you set them at the desired tightness and let go they popped out of place. During rain tests we noticed that water tends to get into the collar because of this. Material: 3.5 oz. 50-Denier Econyl recycled ripstop nylon/tricot | Sizes: XS-XXXL | Colors: 8 PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson The Best Walking Shoes of 2024, According to Podiatrists, Fitness Instructors, and Our Own Tests Best Long Rains Long Jacket PHOTO: Madewell View on Rains.com View on Bloomingdales Star Qualities Vents in armpits and back interior keep you cool in humidity Soft rubber fabric feels comfortable and high quality, but still lightweight Brimmed hood offers extra protection from the rain Red Flags Buttons instead of zippers could lead to leakage in heavier rains While a longer rain jacket allows for extra protection from the rain, you may be worried that it would be easier to overheat in. That's not the case with this one. Its ventilation and lightweight material keep things breathable despite the extra coverage. Not only does it have ventilation in the armpits but also on the back interior. (Note: Although the jacket is breathable, we'd say it's still best for cooler weather.) Water rolls right off the soft, rubbery fabric, and the hood does a good job of shielding the head and face from the rain. We love that the minimalist, lowkey design isn't as sporty as many rain jackets, making this one great for a variety of settings. All that said, we do wish it had a zipper closure instead of buttons. The button closure allows for extra gapping that could cause leakage. Gap-sealing is especially important in rain jackets, so we were kind of disappointed by this design choice. Material: 100% polyester with polyurethane coating | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 12 PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson Best Investment Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch Jacket PHOTO: Amazon $210 $200 at Amazon $300 at Outdoorresearch.com $210 at REI Star Qualities High-quality waterproof fabric allowed the fabric itself to stay dry Lightweight enough that you can move freely while wearing it Lined zippers allow for extra water protection Red Flags Brim on the hood collapsed against more intense water exposure, which wouldn’t be ideal in heavier rainstorms We found that waterproofing comes in different degrees during our tests — and this jacket was extremely waterproof. While most jackets we tried were relatively permeable and allowed water to gently bead on the surface, this one completely wicked off all moisture and the fabric itself stayed dry throughout our tests. Even though the fabric is high-performing, it’s still lightweight enough that you can totally move freely in it, even when doing more intense physical activity. While many zippers inevitably allow some water leakage, this one has extra lining that adds another level of waterproofing. A unique feature we noticed is that there are zippable vents all the way up both sides of the torso, which is a big plus for hot and humid weather. During more intense water flow, the hood's brim started to collapse which allowed water to get in around the neck and collar. This isn’t a huge deal in most weather but could be a problem in heavy storms. Material: Gore-Tex | Sizes: S-XXXL | Colors: 4 PHOTO: People / Jhett Thompson PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim PHOTO: People / Joy Kim Other Rain Jackets We Tried 33,000ft Packable Rain Jacket Men's Lightweight Waterproof Rain Shell: If you’re looking for something affordable, lightweight, and functional, this $37 men's rain jacket is a solid choice. You’re definitely getting what you pay for, though. We found the zippers were not made of water-resistant material, the wrists have elastic adjustments notorious for giving out over extended use, and there’s no ventilation. Merrell Men's Whisper Rain Shell: This jacket certainly feels high in quality and is an ideal pick for someone who lives in a colder climate. It keeps you nice and warm, largely because of the extra bulk of the material. However, it has a two-way zip, which means the zippers easily get caught on each other. Also, there is zero ventilation, which makes this an uncomfortable wear in hot, humid climates. Columbia Men's Glennaker Rain Jacket: If you want something simple and stylish, the Columbia Glennaker men's rain jacket is a good option. The hood has a generous brim that keeps water out of your eyes and adjustable drawstrings on either side for customized fit and comfort. But our main issue with this one, and why it didn’t make our final list, is the zipper. It repeatedly got caught on the inside fabric during testing, which we imagine would only get worse with prolonged use. People / Jhett Thompson What to Know About Men's Rain Jackets Design Looking at the design of any jacket and determining your non-negotiables — i.e., small design choices you like or dislike — is key for making a purchase that will last. According to Charlie Berg, senior product manager for Outdoor Research, you should pay close attention to the hood in rain jackets. “[It’s good to have] a hood that is nicely adjustable and big enough to wear over a bike helmet, [or not so big] that it doesn’t cover your face.” He recommends trying jackets on before buying or looking closely at product reviews to see what customers say about its fit. Another thing to think about is the climate you live in. If the area you live in has a lot of humidity, for example, you’ll want a rain jacket that has good ventilation. If you live in a colder area, something with a little more bulk and insulation will save you during cold rain showers. Universally nice features include waterproofed zippers and internal pockets. Breathability Moisture and poor ventilation are a volatile duo, which is why picking a breathable rain jacket is key for comfort. If you’re worried about vented rain jackets letting water in, there are lots of options on the market with smart designs that keep this from happening. “Pit zip vents are the gold standard for venting and comfort, especially a nice big pit vent that goes from your elbow to halfway down your torso,” Berg says, “Open that up, get a bunch of airflow, and you can cool off while maintaining protection from the rain.” Picking a rain jacket with vents that are hidden in the armpits (or even zippable) is a great way to stay dry and cool. We love the Marmot Men's Rain Jacket for this reason. Fit Depending on the intended use of your rain jacket, whether you’re planning on wearing it to run errands or go on long distance hikes, your desired fit will vary. “Some basic rain jackets might not be sized for layering, so if you want your rain jacket to work when it's cold, you're going to want to have a roomier fit so you can fit some warm clothes underneath it,” Berg says, “You also want to ensure that it's sufficiently long. Some value-priced rain jackets are pretty short, so somebody might buy a value-priced rain jacket and find out that it is shorter than some lightweight insulated jacket that they might want to wear the rain jacket over, which you can do, but it's not ideal.” The Rains TM Long Jacket is our favorite long model. People / Jhett Thompson Behind the Scenes Our editors scouted the web for the best rain jackets on the market and tested 17 different ones from a wide range of brands and prices. In our PEOPLE Tested lab, we put each rain jacket through a variety of tests that mimicked real-life weather exposure. We scored each jacket on the following: Water Resistance: We exposed each fabric to large amounts of water to test the integrity of its Durable Water Repellent treatment, also keeping in mind how the zipper, button, and hood enclosures protected against moisture.Breathability and Comfort: We also wore each jacket while doing various physical activities to see how breathable it was when met with increased body heat and how flexible the fabric was with movement.Design: After unboxing each rain jacket, We noted special features such as zippable armpit vents, extra pockets, and hoods. We then observed if those features were actually helpful throughout testing.Value: At the end of the test, we revealed the price to our testers and weighed whether the price matched the overall performance and quality. We also wore each jacket outside during rainy days. After six months, we updated this story to reflect that real-world performance. People / Jhett Thompson Frequently Asked Questions What's the difference between a raincoat and a rain jacket? Both raincoats and rain jackets are usually waterproof, zippable, and come with a hood, but the type of conditions they’re built for are a bit different. While raincoats are more lightweight and designed for protection from lighter rain and moderate outdoor exposure, rain jackets are typically heavier, longer, more durable, and built to protect from more intense showers and wind. Which fabric is best for a rain jacket? This largely depends on preference and intended use, but anything that isn’t absorbent is ideal. You are most likely to see rain jackets made of synthetic materials like Gore-Tex, eVent, polyester, nylon, or neoprene. If you want something more lightweight, you’ll probably be more comfortable in nylon. If you want something durable and protective against harsh weather, neoprene is a better choice. Are rain jackets windproof? To answer this question, it’s important to acknowledge the difference between waterproof and water-resistant jackets. While water resistant jackets can keep you dry to a certain degree they aren’t built for intense water exposure.Waterproof jackets elevate the amount of protection by being designed to withstand water and its corrosive effects altogether. As a result, it’s often safe to assume that waterproof jackets are also windproof since they have more hefty protective fabrics. Check the product description of your desired rain jacket for mentions of windproof fabric to be sure. Why Trust PEOPLE? This roundup was written by Olivia Avitt, a freelance writer for PEOPLE who specializes in thorough, honest product reviews, and Michelle Rostamian, a PEOPLE contributing freelancer who specializes in fashion and beauty. For this roundup, they evaluated the results of our tests, as well as insights from expert Charlie Berg, a senior product manager at Outdoor Research. Nobody wants to buy something that doesn’t measure up to the loft promises in the product description, so they took an unbiased and thoughtful editorial approach to providing you with straight-to-the-point reviews that will help you make an empowered purchase. Meet Our Expert Charlie Berg is the senior product manager of Outdoor Research, an outdoor gear retailer. Berg helped inform our tests by consulting our lab team on the best ways to test a rain jacket's performance, as well as what to look for in a men's rain jacket. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. 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