The best men's rain jackets you can buy

Advertisement
The best men's rain jackets you can buy

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Advertisement

the best rainjackets for men

Columbia/Business Insider

  • With the right rain jacket, your outdoor activities need not be limited because of light rain or a torrential downpour, nor does your sense of style need to suffer in the name of practicality.
  • The Columbia Outdry Ex Gold Jacket is our top pick because it's 100% waterproof and very breathable, so you won't be soaked by rain or sweat.

Human beings have been wearing some form of rain-resistant clothing for thousands of years. From water- and snow-resistant parkas made from skins worn by hunters in polar regions to garments fabricated using woven straw, such as the ancient Japanese mino, people have long sought ways to remain dry while outside in wet weather. Which makes sense, because getting cold and wet is really not much fun.

Protective rain gear entered the modern era in the 1820s when Scottish chemist Charles Mackintosh created the first practical waterproof fabric. His creation involved the bonding together of two layers of cloth using a layer of rubber, thus producing a material that could be used to make clothing, tents, tarps for wagons, and myriad other purposes. His surname was lent to the Mackintosh Raincoat, a garment still popular today more than 170 years after his death.

When selecting the right rain jacket for your needs, put function in front of style. If your jacket can't help you properly perform the tasks at hand, it doesn't serve you well even if it looks great. Consider whether you'll need to stay dry while jogging, commuting, working outdoors, traveling, or when out for a night on the town.

Advertisement

Once you know the demands that will be placed on your rain gear based on location and circumstance, then you should be all means start to think about style. After all, while a rain jacket's primary purpose is to keep everything underneath it dry, as the outer layer, it's the most visible thing you'll be wearing, so it might as well look good.

In our guide, you'll find rain jackets suited for everything from hiking in the sultry jungle to trekking through freezing mountain rains to strolling down Fifth Avenue in a cool September drizzle. We selected coats from across the price spectrum and in a variety of different styles, but all share one key characteristic: They will keep you dry.

For the best rain jackets for women, check out our guide.

Here are the best rain jackets for men you can buy:

Updated on 05/02/2019 by Les Shu: Updated links, formatting, and prices.

Keep scrolling to read more details about our top picks.

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Find all the best offers at our Coupons page.

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

Advertisement
{{}}

The best rain jacket overall

The best rain jacket overall
Why you'll love it: The advanced design of the Columbia Outdry Ex Gold Jacket keeps you cool in hot weather, warm when it's cold, and protected from rain, sleet, or snow.

Full disclosure, I own and have used this jacket many times, and often in decidedly trying conditions. I like to think that makes me informed rather than biased, but I fully admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for the Columbia Outdry Ex Gold Jacket. And you will too once the same garment has kept you cool and dry when worn with nothing more than a t-shirt under it during summer downpours as well as warm and dry when worn with thermal base layers during winter sleet and even snow.

The exterior of this jacket is 100% waterproof, which is not to be confused with water-resistant. You could spray your Outdry Ex Gold Jacket with a hose and still not get anything underneath it wet. Yet that watertight shell still manages to be breathable enough to help keep you comfortable by allowing sweat to evaporate from underneath, which is, in fact, critical both for staying cool when it's hot and warm when it's cold.

The coat's adjustable cuffs, hem, and hood further allow for ideal temperature control. You can loosen each of these adjustment points to maximize airflow and venting to stay cooler or cinch them tight to preserve maximum warmth.

Side zip pockets can keep your hands warm and dry or protect a phone, wallet, and other important sundries. The durable and highly flexible jacket is suitable for use hiking, jogging, biking, or as your everyday raincoat worn during the daily commute or as you wander about town.

One customer called it "definitely more durable than other typical rain jackets out there," while an owner named Paula said it was a "great product" made using "nice materials."

Professional gear testers also give this jacket high marks essentially across the boards. A writer from Gear Institute explained how the "OutDry membrane eliminates the protective outer layer of the typical 3-layer construction," adding "instead the more durable membrane sits exposed, [so] breathability is less restricted."

Pros: Excellent breathability, durable materials, wicks away sweat, flexible design

Cons: Some users dislike the exterior's plasticky feel

Buy the Columbia Outdry Ex Gold Jacket at Columbia for $99.90 (originally $175)

The best rain jacket for cold weather

The best rain jacket for cold weather
Why you'll love it: The Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket is warm enough for use while on a snowy mountain, buy it doesn't have the bulky look of most ski parkas.

As you can rightly expect from a raincoat, the Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket is waterproof. Its exterior is coated with water-repellent and is also an excellent windbreaker, taking the chill out of the frosty breeze. But it's what you'll find inside this coat that makes it a rain jacket of note.

The Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket features a fleece-lined interior that is soft and cozy against your body and cotton padding stitched in behind the fleece. The layers of the jacket combined with the cinch-tight sleeves, hood, and hem will help keep you warm even on cold days, while the reflective strips on the shoulders help keep you visible in low light.

If you do use this coat for skiing or snowboarding, you'll be glad for the snug powder skirt that keeps snow from getting up underneath the garment. On or off the slopes, you will appreciate the affordable price point.

One customer who bought the Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket for her husband said he found the coat "warm and not too heavy or too light" and was overall a huge hit, even including the jacket's stylish looks.

A Norway Geographical review of the jacket called the fleece lining "warm, highly insulating, and yet breathable." A TopGuidePro.com write up said the Wantdo jacket was "windproof, waterproof, and breathable" and was a great way to "save big" while still getting a quality coat.

Pros: Excellent insulation, great low price, multiple pockets

Cons: Not comfortable for wear over a blazer or thicker sweaters

Buy the Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket on Amazon for $78.89
Advertisement

The best low cost rain jacket

The best low cost rain jacket
Why you'll love it: The Gioberti Waterproof Lightweight Rain Jacket is lightweight, flexible, and comes in a dozen different colors for a mere $25.

That's right, twenty-five dollars. For the same price as an entree and appetizer at a casual dining restaurant, you can get a rain jacket that will last for years even if subjected to frequent downpours. The Gioberti Waterproof Lightweight Rain Jacket is well made, comfortable, and even rather stylish.

Its looks are assisted by the fact that you can choose colors ranging from black to red to blue to orange. There are a dozen colors in all, some of which are bright and bold, others of which are more refined and demure.

The Gioberti raincoat is made from 100% polyester that is treated with a waterproof coating, so water slides right off it while, inside, a mesh lining helps wick sweat and moisture away from your skin. A flap secures over the zipper using Velcro patches, while the cuffs and hood can be cinched tight to keep out precipitation.

This is a fine raincoat for everyday use, but a great choice for the traveler. Thanks to its light weight, it won't add much burden to your luggage, and it can also be folded up tight and packed down small, fitting into just about any bag you bring along, even including a briefcase or backpack.

And again ... that price. If you can't decide which color you like best, just get two. You'll still be paying less than half the cost of the next most affordable rain jacket on our list.

With hundreds of reviews logged on Amazon, the Gioberti rain jacket enjoys a solid 4-star average rating. Not surprisingly, many reviews follow a theme of a customer being pleasantly surprised by the coat's high quality given its low price. One buyer said the jacket is "comfortable" and "definitely keeps out the rain" as confirmed by its use "in the aftermath downpour of a small tornado."

A writer with VBestReviews.com praises the Gioberti raincoat's "moisture wicking" abilities.

Pros: Very low cost, available in many colors, lightweight and packable

Cons: Water can seep in through unzipped pockets

Buy the Gioberti Waterproof Lightweight Rain Jacket on Amazon for $24.99

The best high visibility rain jacket

The best high visibility rain jacket
Why you'll love it: The Shower Pass Waterproof Club Pro Jacket will keep you dry and easy to see in low visibility conditions.

Staying dry, warm, and comfortable is quite important, don't get me wrong. But staying safe is a lot more important. With the Shower Pass Waterproof Club Pro Jacket, you can do both.

First things first, as we're talking about rain jackets today: This coat will keep you dry even in a downpour. Its shell is made from a completely water-resistant coated nylon, and its taped seams and water-resistant zippers ensure no liquid seeps in anywhere else, either.

As for your safety, the Shower Pass Club Pro comes in a few different colors, all of which are extremely bright and readily visible even at a distance, and even in low light, rain, fog, or other reduced visibility circumstances.

Whether you are working alongside a highway in a rainstorm, jogging in the misty morning, or biking after dark, this jacket will help you be seen from afar, minimizing the chance for a potentially serious accident. Even beyond the bright colors, the Shower Pass Club Pro has reflective strips on the back and the sleeves, further enhancing your visibility.

This is also a good choice for use on warmer rainy nights or days, as the shell is highly breathable and as the back panel and underarm areas feature vents that help release excess heat. That will help keep you drier and more comfortable by reducing the sweat that builds up as you work, exercise, or just walk along.

One owner described using his Shower Pass rain jacket during a long bike ride in the rain, saying he "stayed dry for the entire 60 miles," while another customer keeps things simple, calling it a "great comfy waterproof jacket."

A product tester with Cycle Cross Magazine called Shower Pass jackets "weather-beating garments" that can reliably "keep you dry."

Pros: High visibility colors and reflectors, excellent ventilation, great for sportsmen

Cons: Lining wears out over time

Buy a Shower Pass Club Pro Jacket on Amazon starting at $62.50
Advertisement

The best classic raincoat

The best classic raincoat
Why you'll love it: When you picture a classic raincoat, chances are good that it looks exactly like the Burnett Trench Coat from Hart Schaffner Marx.

The Hart Schaffner Marx Burnett Trench Coat would not have looked the least bit out of place when worn by a stylish gentleman strolling down a rainy Chicago street back in the 1940s. It would not have looked out of place worn on New York's Madison Avenue in the 1960s. Or on the National Mall in Washington DC in the 1980s.

And far from being a vintage or retro garment today, this timeless raincoat still won't look out of place when worn by a contemporary gentleman. Quite the contrary — Its stylish cut and fine materials will still draw admiration and approval.

Looks aside, the Burnett trench coat will also keep you dry, protecting that fine suit jacket (or hoodie) you're wearing underneath and keeping your trousers largely dry as well thanks to the ample coverage of this knee-length garment.

The coat comes in four classic colors, including tan, navy, black, and a shade of gray. It has dual side-slash pockets on the exterior and several interior pockets as well, and the jacket can be secured by buttons as well as by an included belt.

Removable epaulets, a zip-out liner, and adjustable cuffs allow excellent customization of this coat, which is a great value considering its top-quality construction. With proper care — which does include dry cleaning, ironically — this will be a lifelong purchase.

The Hart Schaffner Marx Burnett Trench Coat has a 4.5-star average rating online, with hundreds of glowing reviews posted. One owner says his Burnett is "well-made and fits perfectly," adding that the "styling is elegant and classic." Another says this is a "classic coat, made the way it should be."

A BeingLike.com blogger called the Hart Schaffner Marx Burnett trench "classy" and "authentic" and praised the "long lasting" durability of its construction.

Pros: Classic and timeless style, covers from neck to knees, perfect for work

Cons: Dry-cleaning required, will eventually soak through in downpour

Buy the Hart Schaffner Marx Burnett Trench Coat on Amazon for $166.50-$175.75

The best rain jacket for less than $100

The best rain jacket for less than $100
Why you'll love it: The North Face Millerton Hooded Waterproof Jacket is stylish enough to wear during a date, casual enough to stay dry during a dog walk, and durable enough to last.

If you value versatility, durability, and affordable prices, you'll like the North Face Millerton Hooded Waterproof Jacket. The Millerton works with jeans or dress pants, shorts or running tights, and it won't look out of place worn during a summertime afternoon rainstorm or a late autumn drizzle. This jacket really is that versatile, thanks to its elegant, simple styling.

As for construction, anyone who has ever owned a North Face jacket knows these things last and last. I've bought several over the years, and all are still in great shape, including a fleece that has been dragged up and down mountains all over the country.

The North Face Millerton Hooded Waterproof Jacket is made entirely out of polyester and features sealed seams that block rain and wind. Its adjustable cuffs and cinch-cord hood let you trap in extra warmth when needed, while a soft interior liner keeps you comfortable and cozy.

This coat has a high rating on Nordstrom's website. One customer called it an "excellent jacket [that's] very stylish and true to fit." I also have to say again that this coat is more than worth its price.

Pros: Stylish design, great price point, durable construction

Cons: Runs large compared to most coats

Buy the North Face Millerton Hooded Waterproof Jacket from Dick's Sporting Goods for $89.97-$110
Advertisement

The best rain jacket for running

The best rain jacket for running
Why you'll love it: The Columbia Sportswear OutDry Ex Caldorado Running Shell will keep you dry even when rain is blowing sideways, and it will keep you visible on the road or trail.

Alright, so, to be honest, the Columbia Caldorado Shell Jacket isn't all that stylish. I know that because I own one and I wear it every time I run in the rain. But guess what? When you're not soaked or hit by a car during your next rainy jog, you won't much care about fashion. As a pure performance piece, this jacket is superlative.

Columbia's OutDry line of apparel is so waterproof that you could spray it with a garden hose all afternoon without any drips soaking through. Yet the Caldorado still lets out heat and some of the moisture you produce yourself via sweat, keeping you comfortable when you're running in warm, wet weather. Underarm venting also helps with that. A draw-cord hem lets you cinch the jacket tightly around your waist, keeping water from blowing up under the shell, while the adjustable hood can be tightened down around your face as needed.

And like I said, the neon green Caldorado might not be a high fashion piece, but it's so bright that you will be hard to miss no matter what the weather conditions may be. My one complaint is that it has but one pocket, but frankly, most of the time, laden pockets would be a hindrance to running, not a convenience anyway.

A writer with Run Oregon called the Caldorado "super lightweight" and great for runs that forced you to "brave the rain."

Pros: Lightweight and flexible, highly visible, features air vents for cooling

Cons: Only has one pocket

Buy a Columbia Sportswear OutDry Ex Caldorado Running Shell from Columbia for $119.99

The best rain jacket for travel

The best rain jacket for travel
Why you'll love it: The Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket can keep you dry in serious rainstorms, but it can also fit into a briefcase, backpack, or glove compartment.

The experienced traveler is always prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions, yet is also committed to traveling as light as possible. With the Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket, you add just 12.2 ounces of weight to your gear or luggage and get a jacket the can be rolled or folded into a small enough package to fit in just about any bag.

Yet when zipped onto your person and with the hood up, this waterproof coat will keep your torso, arms, and head dry even when it's raining cats and dogs. Perhaps even more impressive than the Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket's ability to keep you dry when needed and then pack away so easily when not, is the fact that this coat is actually pretty good looking, too.

It comes in several colors and works well with a pair of jeans. Also, at just under $130, it's a fine price for the quality. The 100% nylon jacket has an adjustable hem and cuffs and zippered pockets that can keep your hands warm and dry or your phone and wallet protected.

One buyer says this "excellent jacket" offers "good protection against wind and rain" while another calls it "great quality and stylish," helping confirm that the Torentshell really does offer form and function.

In a review, the product testers from Outdoor Gear Lab called the Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket a "budget-friendly, pedigreed rain layer" that performs on par with products donning a much higher price tag.

Pros: Packs down small, available in multiple colors, comfortable and warm

Cons: Sizing runs large

Buy a Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket from Nordstrom for $129
Advertisement