8 Best Rain Jackets in 2021

Last updated 04. January 2021

With the rainy seasons right around the corner, it’s about time that we all start finding our next best rain jacket. You should stay dry and warm, but that old cotton hoodie simply won’t do. It absorbs the water, which is quite the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve. Don’t worry though, we have a list that’s stacked with top of the line rain jackets to make sure that you’re prepared for the worst and dressed for the best.

Instead of asking you to do all the work yourself, we went ahead and put together this list after searching through every corner of the web. From countless article reviews to unboxing videos, we wanted to get the clearest perspective of each of them before they were rated near among the greatest valued jackets. If you’re in the market for a new one, check out our list below!

You might find it difficult to pick out which one is right for you. Look over the selection and follow our buyer’s guide and breakdown at the end if you have any further questions!

View The Best Rain Jacket Below

1. Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Front-Zip

Columbia Men's Glennaker Lake Front-Zip Rain Jacket

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First on the list is the Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Front-Zip Rain Jacket. Made up entirely of nylon, it’s great for keeping water from penetrating the lining. The whole point of a rain jacket is obviously to stay dry, making this jacket a top-notch solution for simplicity paired with longevity. Not to mention the high collar and hood that keeps you warm throughout the day.

Since jackets are such an important part of the style, we figured it’d be a good idea to break down a few of the options that are available to you. Boulder & Pine Green, Hyper Blue & Marine Blue, Fuse Green & Shark, and Delta & Black are just a handful of the wide variety that they have. Columbia always does a wonderful job at providing a unique twist to the appearance of their rain jackets.

The interior mesh lining is also a welcome addition to this coat because it promotes breathability through a material that might otherwise cause excess perspiration. It’s a softshell jacket, which allows you to move whichever way you want to without being restricted as you might be with other jackets.

Pros:
+ Includes a big selection of unique color combinations
+ Comes with a high collar and a hood to keep you warm
+ Uses nylon and mesh for a breathable, water-resistant mix

Why We Like It – We like this Columbia jacket because it meets the high standards that we’ve set for such a well-known brand. It’s comfortable, stylish, and fairly budget-friendly in exchange for a multi-year rain jacket for cycling, hiking, camping, and other activities.


2. The North Face Women’s Venture 2

The North Face Women's Venture 2 Jacket

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The North Face is another very well-trusted company that continues to find its way onto several of our lists thanks to the consistency in high-quality outdoor gear. Their Women’s Venture 2 Jacket looks fantastic with any outfit that you could put together due to the variety of solid colors. If you want a straight-to-the-point hiking rain gear, this is your match!

The aforementioned solid colors with the Venture 2 Jacket are Turquoise Blue, Fiery Red, Heather Grey, Four Leaf Clover Heather, as well as a plethora of other choices that you can view before purchasing. All colors come in plenty of sizes, ranging from Extra Small all the way to 3X Large. They even provide a sizing chart if you want to be exact.

This rain jacket for women uses a single zipper down the center to keep it closed, while an overlapping flap prevents wind and rain from entering. It also has a hood with a drawstring to let you adjust it, as well as two hand-warming pockets that double as small storage compartments for items you might bring with you.

Pros:
+ Crafted by one of the best brands in the outdoor industry
+ Simple solid colors to match with any outfit or wardrobe
+ Perfect for keeping out wind and rain, even in the worst scenarios

Why We Like It – We like this women’s rain jacket because it takes a minimalist approach which allows it to match with everything. You never know when it might rain, so having this lightweight jacket by North Face handy is a priority!


3. Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket

3. Columbia Men's Watertight II Jacket

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Another worthy option for people who enjoy Columbia products is the Men’s Watertight II Jacket. It fits much looser than other entries on the list, which might be of preference for people who don’t like the ultra-snug feeling when wearing a jacket. The 100% Polyester exterior is excellent at wicking moisture right off without letting in a drop.

The center zipper on this jacket goes right up to the chin on the collar. It’s reinforced with a series of Velcro patches to keep it shut, double-sealing it for rain or wind. You’ll also enjoy the drawstring hood that closes tightly to the face or loosely hanging depending on your personal preferences. Paired with the two side zipper pockets, you’ll have everything you need all in one product.

Other than the Columbia logo on the top-left chest area, these rain jackets use solid colors only. Your selection will include Rocket, Glacier Green, Mustard, Tapestry, and a wide range of other choices. The size chart is where things get interesting because they offer Small through XX-Large as well as multiple sizes for taller people.

Pros:
+ Comes with an array of water-proofing features
+ Includes quite a big selection of unique colors
+ You can choose from a massive range of sizes

Why We Like It – We really like this jacket because there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s a unique size or color, you’ll be able to find one that works for your everyday living situation without a doubt.


4. Gioberti Men’s Waterproof Rain Jacket

Gioberti Men's Waterproof Rain Jacket

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The Gioberti Men’s Waterproof Rain Jacket is a great alternative for people who are hiking on a budget, and who want a casual style coat without having to break the bank. Unique features like a drawstring waistline for body heat retention and a full mesh lining make it one of the best rain jackets that money can buy. Much like the previous jacket at number 3, this one is made out of polyester.

Zip up the jacket or leave it open for airflow, and you’ll also have the option of Velcro patching the collar on extra cold days. The hood comes with an adjustable drawstring as well, allowing you to prevent the rain from getting in. When you’re all done with it, you can pack it away in the provided mesh carrying bag.

The size choices include Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large, making it one of the biggest that we could find. For a closer match, try consulting their sizing chart before making your purchase. This jacket comes in Royal Blue, Black, Green, Orange, and a few other solid colors that all have a black interior.

Pros:
+ Much more budget-friendly without sacrificing durability
+ Includes a free mesh carrying bag with the purchase
+ Comes with a drawstring on the hood as well as the waistline hem

Why We Like It – We like this jacket by Gioberti because it’s very breathable, but it still manages to prevent any rain from getting in. The multiple drawstrings add a nice touch of customization to the mix as well.


5. Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket

Columbia Women's Arcadia II Jacket

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We’ve all been had those days where you don’t know if it’s going to rain or stay dry and carrying around a big rain jacket from place to place isn’t always an option. However, the Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket comes with a carrying bag, letting you pack it down into a small pouch to throw in your purse, car or hiking daypack.

It has an adjustable hem with a drawstring that tucks away so you don’t have to show it off all the time. The hood comes with a similar string, giving you complete control when you need it the most. Velcro straps on both wrists let you adjust the width, which is very useful for pairing it with gloves or simply keeping the cold out.

Using their provided sizing chart, you can determine whether you need X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, or X-Large. Once you’ve figured out what size you need, it’s time to figure out your favorite color from the available lot. Geyser, Blush Pink, Stormy Blue, and Purple Lotus are a few options, but there are plenty more.

Pros:
+ Comes with multiple adjustable features to fit as comfortably as possible
+ Includes a carrying bag to let you bring it around with ease
+ Choose from a few colors and a decent size range

Why We Like It – We like this jacket because it’s great for people who want to find a lightweight alternative for casual and emergency situations. Pack it up in the carry bag and leave it in your car for whenever you need it or match it up with your favorite outfit.


6. The North Face Men’s Resolve Jacket

The North Face Men's Resolve Jacket

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The North Face Men’s Resolve Jacket is the ultimate grab-and-go coat for any type of cold weather. Even when it’s not raining you can still wear it around thanks to the fact that the hood rolls up and tucks away behind the collar. It’s so thin that you’ll barely feel it there, but it’s completely waterproof when it’s in action.

Banded wrists give you top-quality rain protection while doubling as a great feature to keep your natural body heat inside. Although this jacket feels thin and lightweight, it’ll let you stay warmer than almost any other option you could find on the market. It even has Velcro patches as an additional layer of weatherproofing.

As with all other running rain jackets, the colors that you’ll find here are rather interesting. There are more than enough to choose from, such as Zion Orange, Tin Grey, Hyper Blue & Urban Navy, and Cargo Khaki. The sizes that you can pick out range from Extra Small all the way up to XXX-Large, so you won’t have an issue finding your fit.

Pros:
+ Made with lightweight, heavy-duty materials throughout the jacket
+ Includes a foldable rollaway hood that tucks into the collar
+ Comes with two side zipper pockets to keep your hands warm

Why We Like It – We like this North Face rain jacket because you can adjust it to your liking each time you go out. Whether it’s cold or pouring rain in every direction, you’ll be prepared when you’re wearing it.


7. Portwest Men’s Classic Rain Jacket (S440)

While it might be convenient to have banded wrists and hems on a coat, it’s not always practical for the situation. The Portwest Men’s Classic Rain Jacket is a loosely fit option that comes with open sleeves a drawstring for you to choose how you’d like the hem to sit. It’s perfect for boating, fishing, and so on.

One of the notable features on this jacket is the ventilated back. It’s important to let airflow come through any article of clothing to reduce sweating and bacterial buildup. This jacket has a mesh lining as well as a zippered front which allows you to stay dry and warm all day long. You can also use the drawstring on the hood to pull it closely or let it stay loose.

There are 6 colors all in all for you to pick out with the Portwest rain jacket. These options are Olive, Grey, Navy, Black, Orange, and Yellow. As you can probably see, they’re fairly simple and they don’t have any offsetting shades. Even the drawstrings and stitching are colored to perfectly match the jacket.

Pros:
+ Designed to fit comfortably loose on the collar and wrists
+ Choose from six different solid colors
+ Uses a mesh lining with a back vent to cool you off

Why We Like It – We like this rain jacket because it’s lightweight, breathable, and loose-fitting for people who don’t want that snug feeling. It also has elastic storm cuffs instead of a drawstring as an alternative.


8. Marmot PreCip Men’s Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket

Marmot PreCip Men's Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket

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Last but not least is the Marmot PreCip Men’s Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket. It’s definitely one of the most heavy-duty coats on the list, which a special layer of technology that lets the airflow out of it without allowing rain to permeate the exterior. You’ll even notice that it’s windproof for those stormy days.

The zipper in the center of this jacket goes all the way up to your chin, and it also has a Velcro patch to help double seal it at the top and a button to seal it at the bottom. All of the seams have a special tape that keeps it from allowing any water in, which is easily the biggest problem with the vast majority of rain jackets these days.

There’s a rain jacket for anyone who wants to get this Marmot coat since it comes in such a wide range of sizes. You can select from Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, 2X-Large, and 3X-Large. The color variety has Green Lichen, Blue Sapphire, Mars Orange, and Black among all sorts of other unique choices.

Pros:
+ Comes with a unique triple-layered coating for waterproofing
+ Includes a massive color selection and a decent size range
+ Uses a button, a Velcro patch, and a zipper for security and comfort

Why We Like It – We like this jacket because it has all the comfortable properties of most of our list’s entries, as well as a few unique additions. The color selection is also a nice added touch for those who like to match it with their style.


Rain Jacket Buyers Guide

Now that you’ve been able to narrow down the seemingly endless selection of rain jackets on the internet, it’s time for you to choose which one you like the most. The truth is that the best rain jacket for one person could be disliked by another, which is why we ended up with so many.

If you’re trying to determine which one is meant for you, or you simply have a couple of questions about rain jackets in general, read on for our buyer’s guide and breakdown section.

What should you look for in a rain jacket?

Other than the obvious ‘to stay dry’ response, there are plenty of features to look out for on a rain jacket. For example, you might want to consider adjustable wrist cuffs, a drawstring hem, or side zipper pockets. Then there’s the possibility of having a hood, or one that tucks away when you’re not using it.

The final feature you should think about having is a carrying bag. Quite a few of our list’s rain jackets have bags that come with them, which is super convenient when you’re on the go.

How long does a rain jacket last?

Generally speaking, rain jackets last around 3 to 4 years they start to wear down. That being said, some of the options listed above work for 10 or more years with good care!

Expert Tip

Although rain jackets don’t absorb moisture, they can still have a little bit of rain left on them when you are done using it. You should always hang dry it when you finish up the day to prevent bacterial growth!

Did You Know?

Wearing a high-quality polyester rain jacket prevents any rain from coming through to you. You don’t really need an umbrella at that point, which saves you money in the end! Who knew it’d solve more than one problem?

Amazon Recommends:

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FROGG TOGGS Men's Ultra-lite2 Waterproof Breathable Rain Jacket, Blue,...
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