Best Rain Gear for Hiking - My Pro Scooter

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Rain Gear For Hiking Buyers Guide

If you’re a hiker, you’re well aware that things can get a little bit soggy. You could be enjoying the sunny rays of the big yellow ball in the sky, and then very quickly you could be caught in a shower.

Even if you can see it coming, sometimes when you’re midway through a hike, there is nowhere to find shelter from the rain. Campsites can also get pretty wet, and it is important to have the necessary rain gear to keep you dry and to stave off sickness.

There are plenty of rain gear components for hiking that will keep you comfortable and dry. From your waterproof shoes to your rain poncho, depending on the level of intensity you want, you’re going to need to stock up on the best rain gear for hiking. Here is our top ten list of things you need to keep dry when you are hiking in 2020.

Related; Best Hiking Boots Review.

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1. Frogg Toggs All Sport Rain Suit

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Simply put, you will need to be covered from head to toe with waterproof gear. If you leave a piece of skin showing, you will inevitably end up getting a soaker, and having a pair of pants and a raincoat is the number one way to prevent wetness on the trail. This rain suit is made out of waterproof non-woven fabric which keeps out moisture and offers a breathable barrier for your skin. No need to worry about sweating so much you might as well not wear any rain gear.

The fabric is both lightweight and wind resistant. The jacket has an adjustable and removable hood, and the coat and the pants are both adjustable using drawstrings to keep a tight seal. The arms provide a tight fit with the elastic cuffs and the zippers are snapped in and protected with buttons. A perfect starter for our list of the best rain gear for hiking.

Pros:
+ Waterproof
+ Lightweight and wind resistant
+ Adjustable
+ Tight Seals
+ Breathable fabric

Why we like it – You’ll be comfortable wearing this waterproof rain suit. Throw the suit over the top of your regular hiking attire. It is really easy to put on in a pinch and make sure you don’t get soaked.

2. OTO CellPhone Dry Bag Pouch

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You certainly need to make sure that your phone is protected from the rain in the woods. Your phone is many things as a hiker. It is your navigation, your music, your camera, and sometimes your connection to help if something goes wrong. If you’ve ever tried to navigate your touch screen when it’s wet, you know that it is a futile endeavor.

Also, phones are basically not designed to perform as all once they are a certain degree of immersed. Keep your phone dry with this dry bag pouch that protects your phone through all types of weather.

The bag will allow a 6″ smartphone inside, which is enough for most pocket computers these days. You can still operate the phone while it is in the bag and take pictures with it too. It comes with a neck strap to hold it securely close to your heart, and has an IPX8 waterproof rating and can be submerged up to 10 feet deep. Perfect for any outdoor activity to protect your phone.

Pros:
+ Total phone protection
+ Clear window for “in the bag” navigation
+ IPX8 waterproof rating
+ Large enough to fit a 6″ smartphone

Why we like it – This is one of the most simple and useful pieces of raingear that you will have in your bag. Using your phone is easy with it and you will have the peace of mind you need in order to get off the beaten path. This product is especially useful if you rely on your cellphone for GPS.

3. Columbia Women’s Storm Surge Pant

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No matter if you’re a woman or a man, you need to keep your legs dry. You may find yourself walking through some deep puddles and taking heavy rain on the trail. When you do, you want to make sure your legs are covered. Even if you’re using an umbrella, your legs tend to get wet so having pants is super important.

The Storm Surge Women’s pants provide solid rain protection with 100% nylon fabric. It keeps the rain out, but also offers breathability that doesn’t over-heat your legs. The pants are fully seam sealed and come with an adjustable waistband to fit snuggly around any figure. A variety of sizes are available to fit anyone who needs to stay dry.

Pros:
+ Fully seam sealed
+ Comfortable fit
+ Breathable fabric
+ 100% Nylon fabric
+ Made of 50% recycled polyester

Why we like it – These pants are all you will need to keep dry. They are breathable, lightweight, and waterproof. You’ll absolutely love them.

4. Frogg Toggs All Purpose Rain Suit, Women’s

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This all-purpose rain suit is very similar to our first pick on the list, except that it is specifically designed to conform to a woman’s frame. It also is lightweight, waterproof, breathable and easy to put on. The fabric is nonwoven nylon and allows moisture to wick easily while giving your skin the freedom to breathe.

it is easy to adjust the drawstrings on both the cuffs and the waist opening to give you a tight seal. The suit is super easy to throw on when the rain starts to fall so you can cover up and stay dry. The design fits nicely around the body without a lot of extra fabric hanging around.

Pros:
+ Lightweight and easy to carry
+ Waterproof
+ Adjustable
+ Easy to slide on
+ Conforms to a women’s frame

Why we like it – This fits super well and does the job you need it to. It is light enough and allows a breeze to pass through without trapping in sweat or unwanted moisture in the suit. Match with some waterproof hiking boots!

5. Frogg Toggs Waterproof Breathable Bucket Hat

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Bucket hats are a perfectly suitable accessory for any hiker. They have almost become a staple in the backpacks of many adventure seekers. They provide excellent coverage of your head whether its rain, snow, or sun coming down.

This hat is 100% waterproof and is made out of polypropylene. The hat is also totally crushable. Meaning, you can flatten it right down and stow it conveniently in your bag when you’re not in protection mode. The top is breathable to give you some relief from sweat and odor. The 3″ brim will keep your face, neck, and shoulders dry from the rain and protected from the sun on a particularly hot day. A must have for any long term hiker.

Pros:
+ Waterproof
+ Crushable
+ Breathable
+ Offers sun protection as well as rain coating

Why we like it – Can you even call yourself a true hiker if you don’t have a bucket hat? This hat keeps you dry while allowing you to be comfortable on hot days as well. An absolute staple for a backpackers trail pack – don’t forget your gaiters in the wet weather!

6. Columbia Men’s Watertight II Front-Zip Hooded Rain Jacket

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You’re definitely going to need a rain jacket if you plan on hitting the trails. A rain jacket is even more important than a bucket hat. If you can believe that. It is always useful to have a jacket that can seal out the water that is lightweight and easy to pack into your bag. The watertight hooded rain jackets for running from Columbia hit the mark in terms of quality and durability.

The front zip design is easy to put on, and it comes with a hood to keep your noggin dry. It is constructed of nylon and polyester, with seam sealed technology and a breathable shell liner. It is also a great jacket to have around and you can use it as a windbreaker on gusty days. Adjustable cuffs and waistbands allow you to easily size it to keep the seams close to home.

It has an abrasion resistant chin guard to keep you from chafing on the fabric and has two hand pockets as well as an inside pocket to keep some of your more delicate belongings safe. As far as a rain jacket goes, with Columbia, you can’t go wrong.

Pros:
+ High-quality durability
+ Lightweight
+ Watertight
+ Chin abrasion guard
+ Seam sealed

Why we like it – This rain jacket from Columbia is a heavy hitter on our list of the best rain gear for hiking. It is a must-have in order to keep you dry or to just add an extra layer to your hiking outfit.

7. Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Front-Zip Rain Jacket

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This is another fantastic rain jacket from Columba with a few noticeable adjustments. It is also totally waterproof and has seam sealed tightness with a 100% nylon fabrication. It is a zipper closure jacket and is machine washable to give you an added layer of convenience.

The jacket has a unique design with a contrast yoke and various color coding available for you to match to your hiking attire. It has a hideaway hood which you can pull out when the rain falls and stuff back inside when you don’t want to have a hood dangling behind your head. It has two zipper enclosed pockets at hip level for you to store things or to keep your hands dry and warm. Also, the cuffs are adjustable to fit your wrists specifically.

Pros:
+ Stylish design
+ Watertight rain jacket
+ Seam sealed
+ Lightweight
+ Hideaway hood

Why we like it – This jacket does everything you need it to and has a bit of a unique look to it. The hideaway hood is really nice if you don’t always want to have the hood poking out the back of the jacket.

8. Waterfly Fanny Pack Slim Soft Water Resistant

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Fanny packs are cool, no matter what anyone tells you. they are one of the safest and most convenient ways to store your important belongings. Pockets have things fall out of them all the time and are easy to get picked. A fanny pack, on the other hand, keeps everything nicely stored right where you can keep your eye on it.

Waterfly offers a fanny pack that is water-resistant and made of a nylon material. It is noted that you should not expect this pack to keep your effects totally dry if you submerge the pack in water. It is suitable for where with women, men, and children.

It has a versatile design that goes well with any hiking outfit. It comes with four total pockets. Three on the front, and a hidden zipper pocket facing your stomach. The waistband is adjustable and will fit a waist up to 50″.

Pros:
+ Water resistant
+ Fits up to 50″
+ Lightweight
+ 3 pockets plus a hidden zipper pocket
+ Stylish look

Why we like it – The perfect way to keep all of your most important belongings safe. Whether you’re on a trail or in the city. It has a stylish enough look to be worn in urban areas too.

9. Result Mens Heavyweight Waterproof Rain Suit

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Our final rain suit is a great option for a budget-friendly traveler. It is waterproof and lightweight, not weighing enough to need to keep it off the packing list. It is waterproof up to 2000mm, and also acts as a reliable windbreaker. It has an elastic, integrated hood that will help you keep your head dry and warm.

It has mesh ventilation on the back to allow your skin to breathe easily. The front enclosure is fixated with a zipper and there are two large pockets for you to store your items or hands. The waistband and the cuffs are adjustable and will allow you to fit the openings specifically to your needs.

Pros:
+ Adjustable hood, cuffs, waist
+ Fully rainproof
+ Budget-friendly
+ Mesh ventilation
+ Large front pockets

Why we like it – It fits the bill and comes in at a great price. You will not be disappointed with the durability and reliability of this rain suit.

10. MARCHWAY Floating Waterproof Dry Bag

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Waterproof floating dry bags are a super useful part of any hikers rain gear list. It will allow you to store anything important inside and not worry about losing it to soaking or having it sink to the bottom of the lake. It is constructed of ripstop tarpaulin and has welded seams to keep the water out and your valuables in.

The rolltop enclosure system offers a perfectly watertight seal. The rolltop cover also works as a handle which makes the bag easy to pick up and transport. You can get the waterproof dry bag in either a 10 or 20L capacity. That will be more than enough for your important documents and anything you can’t get wet. It also works great to store your food in the dry bag.

Pros:
+ Multiple Sizes
+ Welded Seams
+ Floating waterproof [rotection
+ Versatile uses
+ Easy to carry

Why we like it – This is one of the best pieces of rain gear that allow you to make sure you won’t lose any of your valuables to the bottom of a lake, or have them ruined by the rain.

Rain Gear For Hiking Buyers Guide

What to look for in the best rain gear for Hiking

It is pretty self-explanatory when it comes to the purpose of hiking rain gear. It’s got to keep you dry. So if it doesn’t, then you’re not getting the bang for your buck. We’ve featured a variety of different types of rain gear on this list and there are many more possible options to choose from. So, how do you know what to look for in the best rain gear for hiking? Read on to hear our thoughts.

What is waterproof raingear made of?

All of the best rain gear for hiking will be waterproof but also breathable. Why? Because if you are able to keep the water out, that’s one thing, but if that also means your sweat is locked inside the jacket, you’ll be mightily uncomfortable.

Generally, rain gear is made up of three layers all laminated together to create a waterproof lining. The technology is kept under wraps by the governing bodies as to not have their products copied, but we do know a little bit about it. The outer layer is often built from nylon or polyester. A water repellant coating is then applied to the outside to give the gear its resistance. The inner layer is a type of fabric that keeps water from seeping in, while also allowing air to pass through. How? With science.

The best waterproof rain gear will be three layered but some are two layered. This will simply not provide the same type of overage that you want and you may want to check on the manufacturing at this point to make sure it’s the highest quality.

What is DWR?

A term you may see thrown around a bit in the rain gear market is DWR. This stands for Durable Water Repellant. This is a microscopic application to fabric that causes water molecules to form beads and roll off the fabric easier. A DWR coating can wear off after long enough time but you can always have it reapplied later on.

Versatility

Your rain gear should be super easy to put on. You want to have it handy for whenever the rain comes and you want to be able to put it on quickly and take it off just as easily. Having rain gear on when it’s hot out can be a little sticky.

Although most of the best hiking rain gear pieces are breathable, the hot air doesn’t need those extra layers and you’ll want to have the breeze on your skin instead of a nylon coat. Make sure the waistbands, the wrist cuffs, the hoods all have drawstrings which let you tighten the grip of the gear around your skin to keep out any moisture.

If you can find something with a removable hood, you will be all the better. It can be a little bit uncomfortable to always have a hood hanging off your back, and being able to remove it will be a plus. You do want to make sure you have a hood though because it will go a long way in making sure that the rain doesn’t seep down your back or get into your face.

Weight

Most rain gear is really light. Which is a good thing? Honestly, most of the time you won’t even be wearing your rain gear. You want it to be easy to carry in your bag without taking up too much space or having too much weight. If your rain gear is too heavy it will weigh you down or will be heavier on your back, causing you to be more fatigued than necessary. When possible, always go with a lightweight option.

Style

Remember that the style of your rain gear may need to be as versatile as possible. Rain gear is a fantastic investment, and being able to wear your gear in numerous situations will make you all the more grateful for picking a versatile piece style-wise. Some rain jackets and ants can be super unflattering. Luckily, all of the options on our list will do just fine and you can wear them in multiple spots. But it is something to keep in mind as you are looking for your hiking rain gear.

Conclusion

Now you’re ready to stay dry for endless hours and days on the trail. Having a wet torso or getting your whole body went on a hike can really dampen your spirits. Follow our buying guide to make sure you aren’t left out in the rain. Happy Hiking!

Expert Tip

The manufacturers of rain gear will provide information on how to maintain your waterproofing on your rain gear. Be sure to purchase the correct formulas in order to take the best care of your gear and ensure that it will last for years to come.

Did you know?

The most rainfall ever recorded in a single day happened on January 7, 1966, in La Reunion. It is a small island in the southern Indian Ocean. A disturbing 71 inches of rain fell in a 24 hour period. Talk about needing waterproofing.