Plus, you miss out on pit zips or core vents in the design, which are useful features when working hard on the trail. Despite the nitpicks, the Zeta is undeniably a special piece of gear with top-notch weatherproofing, a standout fit, and the best hood design on this list. For hiking and everyday use, the combination of comfort and good looks are simply hard to beat Waterproofing: 2.
How do they differ? Most notably, we found the fit of the Rainier to be very large depending on how you plan to layer underneath, it may be best to go down a full size. In addition, the REI has a slightly more substantial face fabric and improved comfort with a fleece-like lining covering the collar weight goes up a bit as a result.
Black Diamond took the plunge into the rain shell market with their StormLine. The big news is the stretchy 2. Category: Hiking Weight: 6. Moreover, Outdoor Research updated the fit to a trimmer cut, and the jacket now stuffs into its exterior chest pocket. What are the compromises in choosing the Helium? Heavy downpours can overwhelm the thin build, causing the fabric to absorb moisture and feel wet against your skin. Further, you miss out on hand pockets, which means the only storage option is the single chest pocket.
The shell has a premium look and feel that immediately sets it apart from entry-level designs. The hood is nice and thick and comes with a substantial bill that can withstand heavy rain and wind. And just about all of the features are reliable and trustworthy, from the burly and confidence-inspiring zippers to the thick cinch cord and easy-to-use toggles at the hem and hood.
What you get with the Minimalist is a tough, outdoor-ready jacket that wears well every day of the week Featuring the only 3-layer Gore-Tex construction on our list, the jacket delivers trustworthy all-around protection for 4-season hiking and backcountry exploring.
But with a trimmed-down and relatively thin denier face fabric, small packed size, and useful features like pit zips, the jacket can pull double duty for hiking, travel, and even around town especially in a rainy area like the Pacific Northwest. But the Beta does undeniably offer a number of performance-related benefits and useful extras like pit zips and a helmet-compatible hood.
With a substantial 5. And for those that dabble in climbing or mountain sports, the shell is well-equipped thanks to a helmet-compatible hood, hand pockets that are accessible over a harness or hipbelt, and a slim fit.
Whereas the Zeta is purpose-built for hiking and prioritizes a stylish aesthetic that translates well to daily use, the Storm10 is more suitable for alpine environments.
In the end, the Zeta SL is the more well-rounded pick for most hikers, but the Storm10 is worth a look for those focused more on weight and packability In the world of rain jackets, Marmot just seems to get it, delivering good fit and performance at reasonable price points. For years, the formula has stayed largely the same: proven 2.
You also get useful backcountry features like pit zips and a stuff pocket, and its adjustable hood provides full coverage in a rainstorm. Marmot gave the PreCip a light revamp recently. What changed? Waterproofing: 3L Proflex What we like: Stretchy, breathable, and comfortable. Our favorite from their collection is the Kinetic Alpine 2. This softshell-like build gives the jacket fantastic comfort and mobility for active uses like hiking and climbing.
In general, you can expect the face fabric to wet out sooner than a standard hardshell—especially when compared to a 3-layer Gore-Tex alternative like the Beta LT above—making it less reliable in sustained and heavy downpours. In the end, it comes down to priorities, and if all-day comfort outweighs bombproof protection, the Rab is a great option.
We love what Outdoor Research has done with the Foray: a do-it-all rain jacket that can even work as a lightweight shell for spring skiing. Like the Marmot Minimalist above, it has a Gore-Tex Paclite waterproof laminate and smooth interior, but the Foray ditches the center flap in lieu of a water-resistant zipper.
When fully unzipped, this creates a poncho-like opening for awesome venting on the trail—a great way to dump excess heat while still retaining a mostly waterproof coverage. Our overall impressions of the Foray were very positive. Its venting system makes it desirable in a number of outdoor activities, and while only weighing a little more than the Marmot Minimalist, it feels a bit more nimble and multi-sport-ready.
Weighing just 6. As with many Montbell products, where the Versalite comes up short is everyday wear. That said, the Versalite checks a lot of boxes from a performance standpoint and deserves consideration from ultralight backpackers and minimalist summer-time adventurers. Category: Daily use Weight: Waterproofing: 2L laminate What we like: Surprisingly well-made given the budget-friendly price.
All in all, the Groundbreaker is a solid emergency rain shell that excels for around-town use in mild conditions. We think REI did a pretty good job balancing price and features with the Groundbreaker, but there are a couple notable downsides. First off, the jacket is only partially seam-sealed, so moisture will make its way through in an extended downpour. However, based on our testing of the prior-generation model, we can attest that its simple 2-layer construction and DWR coating do effectively shed light rainfall.
It has a highly impressive hydrostatic head of 20,, and is extremely breathable, with a moisture vapour transfer rate of 20K.
The only difficult decision in choosing the Torrentshell as a waterproof jacket is picking a colour — there are 10 available for men and nine for women. Velcro cuffs and a hem drawcord provide a seal against sideways rain, as do the internal and external storm flaps on either side of the front zip, while the hood adjusts for a close, face-hugging fit. When the weather is more benign the hood folds and hooks down, and pit zips help you let off steam.
This new American-made anorak offers hardshell-levels of waterproofing performance with a vastly reduced weight penalty, thanks to the three-layer Pertex construction. It has pockets all over the place, from the sleeves to a large pouch across the gut, which is useful for stashing a paper map in.
That said, we found it to be pretty breathable. The hood can be adjusted via one toggle at the back, and can be tightened to some extent, but with the emphasis being on making the jacket as light as possible, there is no peak or structure to the hood to help keep the elements out when things get really wild. It can also be tightened at the waist. The Yuba is a fantastic looking piece of apparel at least until you put the hood up , well styled and available in a range of nice colorways.
The result is a super-supple jacket, ideal for high energy activities in the mountains, with a wired-brim hood large enough to accommodate a helmet. Extra protection from the elements comes in the form of waterproof zips and taped seams, while an inner chest pocket provides a safe space for a phone. Materials include recycled nylon and the jacket is impregnated with a non-PFC durable water repellent — all good news for the environment. Unusually and impressively for a jacket at this price, it uses a proprietary rather than own-brand fabric to square up to downpours.
Made from 2. Two large chest pockets sit well above rucksack belts and easily swallow an Ordnance Survey map, while pit zips bring a breath of fresh air to sweaty armpits. Regardless of their RRP or reputation, the best waterproof jackets have to be right for you personally, whether you hike in country parks, rugged moorland or up on the high flanks of unforgiving mountains.
It's all part of knowing how to stay dry while hiking. To help you find the perfect fit for you body type and needs, we've put together a list of factors to consider when buying:.
Gear manufacturers deploy different technologies to make the best waterproof jackets, er, waterproof. The first layer is durable water repellency DWR , which makes rain drops bead on the surface of the jacket. Walkers who take care of their kit can restore the DWR finish by washing a jacket with a specialist cleaning product, such as Nikwax, and then tumble-drying it.
Attached to the outer shell is a membrane, the scientific bit of the design, which stops water soaking through but lets sweat evaporate out as vapour — to deliver so-called breathability.
Gore-Tex is the best-known membrane, but many gear manufacturers have developed their own technologies along similar lines — most recently TNF with Futurelight. The membrane is typically protected by an inner mesh.
Different types of membrane provide varying degrees of waterproofing, which is usually denoted by their hydrostatic head. Our guide to breathable waterproof fabrics explains the differences between the various options.
If you've got your layering right, with a base layer and a mid layer such as a fleece jacket , there will be times when your waterproof on top of all this is just too much, even when it's raining. Strategically designed vents and arm pit zips that facilitate a flow of air through the best rain jackets and can reduce condensation and leave you feeling less sweaty. For maximum protection the hood needs to cover the whole of your head, ideally with enough space to accommodate a your best hiking hat underneath in winter.
Climbers and mountaineers need to check the hood can swallow a helmet, too. The hoods of the best waterproof jackets move with your head for unobstructed vision when crossing a road , so a cinch or ties are useful to secure a snug fit.
Finally, a stiff, wired hood will keep its shape in a gale. If you plan to walk in winter, make sure you can operate the zips while wearing hiking gloves. This jacket has recently received an eco-friendly revamp : The waterproof and breathable outer fabric is made from PFC-free and recycled nylon. The 2. Perfect for long runs or walks due to the packable design, which stuffs into a built-in mesh backpack that lets you exercise hands-free.
This pick is on the pricier side, but the brand is known for top-of-the-line quality rain products that will last. At Lightweight, with a 2-layer construction, it has a larger fit for anything you might want to wear underneath. This jacket comes in a broad range of colors and features zippered pockets, a stylish cinched waist, and an adjustable storm hood. This trench is a great option if you want something versatile, fashionable, and durable.
When the insulated lining is detached, it becomes a light jacket. And it's dressy enough to wear as a wrap for going out to dinner. The only drawbacks are limited size options, and the Polyurethane PU material makes it slightly less breathable than nylon or polyester options.
The versatile waterproof shell ensures protection from the rain despite being incredibly lightweight, making it easier to carry and wear. If the weather is testing, this jacket provides extra protection from the fully adjustable fixed hood. The breathable fabric means you can layer with a fleece underneath on a particularly cold day.
This bonded softshell jacket exhibits Omni-Shield technology, giving you advanced repellence against wind and rain. The removable hood offers extra protections in trying conditions. The Cascade Ridge II is one of the most popular jackets on the market, and with good reason.
The abundance of zipped pockets ensures your valuables will stay completely safe. The fabric is not only waterproof, but stain-proof too, ensuring you stay clean in muddy conditions. The Cadence's sleek AquaDry Membrane gives this jacket a watertight layer that will keep you dry through seasonal showers.
This jacket is lightweight and breathable, making it the ideal jacket for unpredictable British weather. The Cadence, complete with a handy hood, is not only reliable in wet weather, but looks very stylish too.
Also, this jacket is made with recyclable materials - in fact, approximately 35 plastic bottles are recycled to make each jacket. Combining weather protection and breathability, the Montane Levity Gore-Tex jacket is a lightweight and packable waterproof jacket. Boasting seamed taped construction, this jacket is completely windproof — allowing sweat vapour to escape and providing protection from cold winds.
Also, the Levity comes equipped with a fully adjustable roll away hood. Designed for all types of trekking, the Mountain Equipment Saltoro Jacket is the ideal choice for the most adventurous outdoor explorer. Despite being very tough, this jacket is also very light, making it comfortable to wear during a long-distance hike.
The Saltoro boasts Gore-Tex fabric, keeping you warm and dry in inclement mountainous conditions.
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