Both offer great functionality and will keep you dry in most rainy conditions. The Zeta is one of the more breathable models in our test, yet it doesn't feature any pit zips and only has a main front zipper to dump heat. While these two fabrics scored the best overall, there were several proprietary air-permeable models and fabrics, like the Rab Kinetic using Proflex and Outdoor Research MicroGravity using Ascentshell, which allows for exceptional breathability and were nearly as breathable. 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. While we know everyone would like their rain jacket to last an eternity, in reality, many people might be better off going with a lighter weight model that they will use infrequently and carry around a good chunk of the time. For many, light is right, and weight is a crucial factor for any piece of gear used on human-powered adventures. First and foremost, we researched and tested each fabric's breathability, and it should be noted that this is undoubtedly where waterproof-breathable fabric technologies distinguish themselves the greatest from one another even more so than weather protection. Here Graham McDowell tests the range of motion of the Patagonia Torrentshell while climbing the Southwest Rib of South Early Winter Spire near Washington Pass in an early season snowstorm. outdoor clothing brands pricing The Torrentshell's hand pockets are lined with waterproof fabric. Editor's Note: This review was updated on May 24, 2022, to include newly added products, like the updated Rab Kinetic 2.0, the Patagonia Storm10, and The North Face Flight Lightriser FUTURELIGHT. Our water resistance metric measures and compares how well each contender kept its wearer dry from the outside; in contrast, our breathability and ventilation metric quantifies how well each model kept its wearer dry from the inside by allowing sweat, moisture, and heat to escape. gearjunkie No ads. Remember that nearly everyone can drench even a t-shirt if they're working hard enough. This model, The North Face Lightriser (in green) is shown next to some of the other more packable models in our review. outdoor cool gear gadgets stuff awesome awesomestuff365 OutdoorGearLab then bought these products at the same retail outlets available to you and sent them to Ian's house, where he immediately got to work putting each product through its paces. Nearly all of our reviewers love pockets that are slightly higher and out of the way of a pack's hip-belt or a climbing harness, so we can still access items, and more importantly, so the zipper doesn't cause us pain under heavy loads. The Kinetic was no different but was in the upper third of air-permeable models. If you're wearing your jacket around town, having room in the pockets for a pair of gloves and a warm hat or a phone and keys can be nice. All of these jackets do a good job keeping you dry in your average rainstorm. When it is storming hard and you want to batten down the hatches by closing pit-zips and cinching the hood, a breathable fabric is paramount. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. If you are getting into more burly weather, you might consider a hardshell jacket. We find this is a significant advantage and a reason that the majority of outdoor products utilize it. A rain jacket needs to stand up to the demands its user places on it. Shuksan, with Phil Wadlow shown on the summit. We weighed all the models in our review on a postal scale. For example, a 50D nylon jacket is likely to be more robust than a 30D polyester one even though Polyester is "generally" tougher. Obviously, the waterproof material itself is important, but with nearly all manufacturers offering a material that is more than adequate, those jackets with features that kept the rain out and move moisture scored the best. Even the most breathable models have a limit on the amount of moisture they are able to pass through. A number of high-end materials like Gore-Tex Paclite, normal Gore-Tex, or eVent all have a fluctuating level of breathability. If you plan to use your jacket off-trail or while bushwhacking, choose a model with a higher denier and ripstop face fabric, and at least consider a polyester model. hiking jackets rain 2021 He has guided nearly 1,000 clients and helped them select gear for climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, and ski trips. They are a little more expensive than the lowest-priced models in our review but provide a significant step up in performance. We considered two main factors when awarding scores for this metric. Our team focuses on each product's face fabric when assessing its overall durability, as this is the layer that has the most impact on a given product's tear and abrasion resistance, as well as how well its DWR might hold up. Pitted against each other in rigorous side-by-side and real-world tests, we've identified the pros and cons of each model, what applications they are best suited for, and the best overall. We hope you enjoyed the review and that it helped you make your selection, until next time GearLab is reader-supported. Again it isn't that the Kinectic doesn't offer solid weather resistance; there are just a handful of burlier models that perform even better for straight-up hanging out in the rain. You might have even assumed that most materials breathed at a fairly static level but the truth is that just isn't the case. The Storm10 reverses into a chest pocket to help stow it. Josh Brewer (in a green Patagonia Torrentshell) and Alex Chew enjoy the fruits of their labor in camp, Jones Island State Park, WA. Often times, it's a "just in case" layer, brought along in the event of an afternoon thunderstorm, strong winds, or a drizzle that is not in the forecast. Quite close in weight is the The North Face Flight Lightriser at seven ounces which while around half an ounce heavier is more breathable and stretchier while providing very comparable weather protection. Without question, a rain jacket's most important job is to keep its wearer dry, whether hiking, backpacking, ski-touring, or simply taking the dog out for a walk on a rainy day. It's just easier to forget about until you need it. A rain jacket needs to stand up to the demands of your activities - if it becomes ripped or shredded, no amount of features or special designs will keep you dry. waterproof tactical jackets outdoor Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. Compared to several higher-end models, we found the XeroDry had a slightly clammier interior and a tendency to wet out faster than spendier 3-layer models. westcomb lt sweating serious Hood designs varied considerably between jackets. For users who run warmer in lighter drizzle or in the time between cloudbursts when you want to continue wearing your jacket for wind protection, or as you suspect the next storm is just minutes away, then venting your jacket can prove incredibly useful. While most of these models are available in men's and women's versions, we've found that they don't always perform the same. It is built for layering; we don't find you need to downsize unless you are truly between sizes, but you'll want to consider that it does run roomier. Besides examining how effectively each model's ventilation options could dump heat and moisture, we also evaluated how much the vents could actually be left open in a downpour. The Outdoor Research Helium Rain weighs in at 6.5 ounces and can be stuffed into a built-in reversible chest pocket with a clip-in loop, which is a nice feature for climbers carrying it on their harness. For whatever activities you have planned, you'll want a jacket that moves comfortably with you and doesn't inhibit your movement. Even on multi-day trips with perfect or less than perfect forecasts, packed size should be high on most outdoor enthusiasts' priority list. This is generally accomplished by your body generating a fair amount of heat, thus warming the inside of your jacket. This review results from over 350 field hours hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and just plain hanging out in wet conditions around the Pacific Northwest. Chris Simrell crossing the upper Elwah River in the Olympic Mountains, WA. All the models we tested are technically waterproof but not all offered the same level of storm protection or resisted "wetting out" in similar amounts of time. It's more versatile than we originally gave it credit for and is an excellent option for folks who will likely carry their jacket in their pack more often than they wear it. A downside of many of the new air-permeable models can't even come close to matching the weather protection for extended, low activity days as the top-performing models and tend to wet out much faster. Simply put, the Zeta's design is well thought out and provides an unmatched balance of weight, breathability, and an unmatched ability to ward off weather, even during the stormiest of circumstances. Spanning the range of a decade, GearLab has tested a variety of products, including hiking gear and backpacking gear reviews. Secondly, we examined and studied how well each model's ventilation features performed. Each is evaluated across several important metrics to determine which models are the best overall and which are best at specific applications or for specific user types. It could also be useful for anyone who might want to clip their jacket to something. John Yarnall testing and checking the wind resistance of his air-permeable Rab Kinetic on a six day traverse of the Northern Picket Range, WA. We love the Foray. Another essential component of a jacket's water resistance is its Durable Water Repellent or DWR treatment. Which jacket has the best range of motion? The most breathable materials in our review were the Gore-Tex and Gore Paclite Plus. As for packed volume, the Outdoor Research Helium Rain is the most compact. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. By prioritizing real-world venting functionality, our review team noticed some of the more significant differences between models and ventilation designs. Conversely, because they don't breathe as well once the user has stopped and cooled down, the pressure difference will be lower. Got feedback? Base layer T-shirt? This treatment is factory applied to the fabric's exterior and makes the water bead when it lands on the surface of the jacket, allowing it to shed the precipitation. This isn't a big deal; however, for those who run hot or are commonly hiking in warmer rain (where this model's breathability will be reduced), something with pit zips might be better. Approximately half of these models stuff into one of their own pockets and others can be rolled and stuffed into their hoods. With this in mind, we publish a detailed review of women's specific models performed by our female review team. While one pound might be a benchmark, the average weight in our review is closer to 12-14 ounces, with some models dipping down to an impressive 6-7 ounces an unfathomable weight even just five years ago. Our review team conducted our tests several times, comparing models with lots of ventilation options and compared and contrasted performance keeping vents completely closed, partially open, and completely open to best get a sense of how each model performed. Photo: Testing and comparing the breathability of different layers while making a one-day ascent of Mt. Author Ian Nicholson is a professional internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide who has spent over 2,000 days guiding in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, the Andes, European Alps, and beyond. Not surprisingly, this is one of the least durable models in our review, as it uses the thinnest fabrics and the tiniest zippers, meaning you need to exercise a little more care with it depending on the terrain you are traveling in. Besides a model's front primary zipper, pit zips are the next most effective ventilation tool for dumping heat and moving moisture, with the advantage of not letting much moisture in. On the less expensive end are various products that use coated membrane fabrics, which generally aren't as long-lasting or as breathable as laminated membranes. These models all do an excellent job of sealing out precipitation in all of its forms and have well-designed wrist cuffs and hoods that can be cinched down to help seal out the elements, keeping us dry. Depending on what you like to do, mobility can play a pretty large roll in your purchasing decisions. A number of models in this review, like the Outdoor Research Microgravity, are air permeable. Rain creates three pounds per square inch of pressure being applied to the fabric; however, most waterproof breathable fabrics can withstand a lot more than that. Sounds great right? The most expensive options represent those built with the best materials and have years of engineering behind them. Set yourself up for success and wear the minimum layers you can get away with to minimize overheating unnecessarily. Many of the contenders in our review weigh less than a pound, which is the unofficial benchmark for what is considered a lighter weight jacket. The exterior material (also known as the face fabric) is either nylon or polyester, and this material plays a huge role in the overall durability. More price-pointed models use proprietary fabrics, often with coated waterproof membranes that'll do the trick but most frequently won't perform as well as a higher-end option. This is a columniation of a number of factors but generally refers to several design aspects of the jacket, particularly each model's hood, cuffs, pocket(s) front/primary zipper, pit zips, or other vents, and how well they keep water out. This review features 15 of the market's top contenders. backcountry rain hiking jacket jackets backpacking hoody westcomb lt focus While minimal weight and respectable storm protection are why you buy this model, durability and true all-around versatility aren't. When well-designed, you should forget you're wearing it. Even though both nylon and polyester are hydrophobic, if they aren't treated with a DWR (or after the treatment wears off), they will "wet out"or become covered with a thin but continuous film of water and will frequently appear wet, hence the term wetting out. Here, wet skinning with intermediate sun-breaks and heavy snow flurries up the Southwest Face of Lichtenberg Mountain near Stevens Pass, WA. The insanely light and compact The North Face Flight Lightriser FUTURELIGHT practically disappears in your pack. No sponsored content. jacket rain hiking Photo: Phil Wadlow on the Upper Curtis Glacier. As a result, we found the Stormbolt slightly less steamy inside than other high-end performers during high-energy activities and way more breathable than models that feature coated waterproof-breathable fabrics. Not all pockets are created equal, and their size and location can have a huge impact on their overall usefulness, depending on the user. We also conducted a series of side-by-side tests to help us quantify performance and better understand why and how each model directly compared to one another. As the weather can change quickly and at times unexpectedly, it's these just-in-case packing scenarios when having a light, compact rain shell is useful, and there is less of a personal debate on whether to throw it in your running vest or the bottom of your pack. Related: How to Choose the Right Rain Jacket. As crazy as this sounds, and trust us, most of our review team was skeptical, it turned out to be comfortable and effective, maintaining top-notch peripheral vision. How can we improve GearLab? Some models have mesh-lined pockets for additional ventilation. leki explorers trailspace How long they last, how well they keep water out, and overall design have a major impact on their ability to keep you dry. Simply put, no other model can match the Zeta's across-the-board performance. If we could only choose one rain jacket for a wide range of activities, from backpacking to mountaineering or simply strolling through the farmers market on a rainy Sunday, the Arc'teryx Zeta SL would be it. In these ideal conditions and scenarios these types of materials, like Gore-Tex, will likely breathe better than most air-permeable models, as they have a higher ceiling of potential breathability that is likely reached with some excursion in a cold environment. "Wets" out slightly quicker than comparable models, Mesh stuff pocket leaves something to be desired, Wets out slightly faster than others in prolonged downpours. Or some people might simply think, "I'm just hiking, I'm not climbing." In addition to staying up to date on the latest and greatest innovations in weather protection, Ian spent over 20 hours meticulously inspecting and considering over 80 contenders before selecting the best products for our review. While on adventures that require wearing a pack, a majority of the jacket's pocket is under a weighted hip-belt strap and is frequently uncomfortable due to the zippers being pinched under the waistbelt (or harness) and the pockets themselves unusable. There are three distinct types of jackets here, and one will meet your needs best. There are many waterproof fabrics and treatments that manufacturers use in the various models we tested. After almost a decade of hands-on testing, we offer you unbiased and honest recommendations to help you get the best possible option for your needs. These models feature mobility-oriented designs and offer a functional range of motion that is just a small notch below the Rab Kinetic, though all scoring well for different reasons. In every aspect, from the hood to its storm protection, to its low weight and top-tier breathability. The jackets we evaluated that do not stuff into one of their pockets can be rolled into their hood as shown here. There are a vast number of hardshell jackets available Overview Enjoying the mountains to the fullest extent detailed review of women's specific models, The North Face Flight Lightriser FUTURELIGHT, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Top-tier stormworthiness, mobility and range of motion, hood design, long-lasting DWR, exceptional breathability, harness and hip-belt friendly pockets, Great weather resistance, long-lasting DWR, breathable, pack-friendly pockets, helmet-compatible hood maintains good peripheral vision, Super light, ultra compact, trim fit, great breathability, weather protection compared to others in its weight class, stuffs into a pocket, hood moves very well with its user, Great storm protection, above average breathability, no clammy feeling, packs tightly into reversible stuff pocket, helmet-compatible hood, less crinkly, Incredible price, Gore-Tex, solid weather protection, excellent hood design, weight and packed volume, No ventilation options, expensive, no easy way to clip to a harness, Average weight and compressed size, bulky cut, Average weather protection overall, no pockets, no clip in point on stuff sack, elastic wrist loops are basic, trim/athletic cut doesn't facilitate layering, Average freedom of movement, less stretchy than most other air-permeable models, fit, low handwarmer pockets could be more functional, Wets out quicker than other Gore-Tex models, two layer design isn't as long-lasting, clammy interior, This stormworthy and function focused model is exceptionally versatile and offers some of the best performance in our review, Top tier weather protection and breathability, coupled with an excellent set of outdoor oriented features make this one of our favorite models for soggy excursions into the backcountry, If you participate in activities where every ounce matters and you also need excellent weather protection and breathability, few can match this model for its weight, This jack-of-all-trades jacket offers some of the best weather protection and durability for an air-permeable model, One of the best values you can get for a piece of rain gear, this Gore-Tex model is packed full of functional features, 2-layer Gore-Tex Paclite Plus waterproof breathable laminate, 40-D ripstop (N40r) Gore-Tex Paclite Plus, Excelling across our board of metrics, it's versatile enough for outdoor activities and is lightweight and stormworthy, If days, weeks, or months of potentially damp time in the backcountry are possible in your future, then this notable stormyworthy model should be on your radar, Despite being one of the absolutely lightest jackets on the market, it still provides a respectable level of storm protection, mobility, and breathability, A tough, stormyworthy, versatile air-permeable model, It offers enough performance to keep almost any outdoor enthusiast happy, at a price that won't break the bank, A softshell at first glance, this ultra-stretchy, ultra-breathable model is perfect for aerobic cool weather activities, where mobility, an athletic cut, and top-tier breathability are necessary, With awesome ventilation capabilities, top-tier stormworthiness, and above average durability, this model is a great all-rounder, This is a classic, awesome do-anything piece, A decent all-around rain jacket at a respectable price, Great for those on a budget, this versatile model marries durability and stormworthiness, without being too heavy or costly, An ideal layer for fast-and-light trips, where every ounce of weight matters, While not the absolute most stormworthy, it strikes a good balance of weight, features, and performance, Satisfies the majority of outdoor enthusiasts with its excellent combination of durability and weight, With better breathability than similarly priced models, it's tough to beat, This model boasts a good price and adequate protection, but it lacks outdoor features present in other contenders. Ian estimates he has worn a rain jacket over 800 days over the last two decades because he guides AND lives in the rainy and wet Pacific Northwest. Here tester Ian Nicholson showcases the Rab Kenitic's cool "double" hood design. When poorly designed, you'll face issues like obstructed peripheral vision, discomfort, and a lack of compatibility to different headwear. Hood design is one of the most important aspects of a waterproof jacket. We tested the maximum range of motion of each jacket by seeing how well we stayed covered while reaching straight out in front of us, as well as above our heads. We considered over 90 different rain jackets before choosing the best in our review. vests vest smartwool Graham Zimmerman wearing the lightest and most compressible jacket in our review, the Outdoor Research Helium Rain. As you can see, we take testing seriously, both in the field and in our home labs, to help produce the best reviews possible. Here Mike Bowman makes an ascent of the Beckey route on Liberty Bell during a light snowstorm. With that said, the critical bit to understand is that all of the products tested are water-resistant enough to use as a rain shell and all meet the technical requirements to be referred to as waterproof. Still, in nearly all cases, the continuous film of water eliminates all breathability, and the wet-looking area will feel cold and wet, or clammy, from the inside and appear to look as if the liquid is getting through. Most of the jackets tested use between 30-50 Denier face fabric, with the 50D shells being notably more robust than the 20-30D. Nothing like starting a trip on a very, very rainy day in Washington's North Cascades to learn a lot about different models and how they compare to one another. The most durable models in our review are the Marmot Minimalist, The North Face Apex, Arc'teryx Zeta SL, and Outdoor Research Foray. Its air-permeable design is also decently breathable. The only thing that kept it from being more compact is its' mesh pocket didn't do quite as good of a job compressing it. L-R top row: Helium and Minimus, Essence, Resolve, Minimalist. We feature several air-permeable models in our review; the Rab Kinetic and Outdoor Research MicroGravity being two of our favorites. Not by lots, but enough to notice. People are often more worried about being too cold, but in our experience, we see far more people wear way too much clothing and end up too hot even when it's "cold out". If you're thru-hiking 2,650 miles, climbing technical terrain, or riding your bicycle from coast to coast, weight may (and should) be one of your primary concerns. No ventilation designs proved capable of keeping more water out than the let in during heavy rain or even walking up bushy trails after a storm. We measured how much each one pulled back from our wrists and if the hem of the jacket pulled up around our waists. In the mobility portion of this metric, our review team compares how each model moves with its use or how restrictive it may be depending on the activity required. They are unquestionably useful to help keep track of small items, keep certain things close at hand, and are a convenient place to keep your hands warm. While it takes a little more effort than most to pack it away in this pocket, we appreciate how much it compresses. Nice features include a microfleece-lined zipper and good fitting cuffs. The Stormbolt GTX's cut is less bulky than the previous Drypoint, but it is still boxer than many cuts in our review. The MicroGravity and the Storm10 are stretchy, the Zeta SL is exceptionally well-articulated, and the Stormbolt is slightly on the baggy side. The Arc'teryx Zeta SL, Marmot Minimalist, and REI Stormbolt GTX offer our group's most robust weather resistance.