Every time I put on a raincoat, thank you we no longer have to wrap ourselves in thick, smelly seal skin to stay dry. Today’s best rain jackets are more comfortable and waterproof than ever, thanks to advances in weather-resistant textile and clothing design. But depending on the climate and your activity level, sorting through different styles, technologies, and waterproof ratings can be confusing.
Every year I test dozens of rain jackets during the soggy Pacific Northwest winter. I hike, bike, run, and walk my dogs. Sometimes I even stand in the shower with my clothes on when the weather doesn’t cooperate. I also received advice from Amber Williams, a professor at Brigham Young University and an expert in outdoor product design. All this to find rain jackets that are worth your time and money.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our outdoor coverage, including the best down jackets, best merino wool clothing, and best hoodies. If you’d like a more in-depth explanation of what these terms mean (e.g., what is water column?), we have a fabric explanation here.
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Updated November 2025: We’ve added the Arc’teryx Beta SL, Lolë Piper 2.0, Páramo Velez Adventure Smock, Helly Hansen Utility Rain Coat, North Face Antora, North Face Mountain Parka, Finisterre Stormbird, and Rab Firewall Alpine and Phantom.
Best overall
Every year I try to find another jacket that beats the Arc’teryx Beta SL in space and dryness, and it’s just impossible. Despite its outrageous price tag, this is the jacket I always end up reaching for when an atmospheric river begins to surge through Portland. This is Arc’teryx’s lightest rain shell. It features the latest innovation in Gore-Tex fabric, called ePE (expanded polyethylene): it’s a breathable, waterproof membrane laminated to a nylon face that’s also free of carcinogenic perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and has a hydrostatic head (HH) of 28,000, which is pretty incredible (the standard is around 10,000). When it comes to rain gear, I sacrifice durability to not get wet: being cold and wet really sucks and can be life threatening in a bad situation. But this jacket kept me dry despite the pouring and sideways rain.
Features-wise, the hood is big enough for my hair (or a helmet, if your hair is smaller than my hair), with adjustable cuffs and zippers (very important for activity!). And unlike many other jackets, the women’s version has enough room for my shoulders and arms to move freely for biking, hiking, and moving heavy objects. If you only buy one rain jacket, this should be it.
Best rain jacket for women
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Photography: Adrienne So
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Photography: Adrienne So
I love this rain jacket. I was walking around town with my friend (in the rain) when a truck suddenly drove through a puddle right next to us on the road and covered me from head to toe, Sex and the city-style. This jacket kept me dry. Its waterproof specs are average – it uses a durable carbon-based water repellent and has an HH rating of 10K, about half the waterproofing of some of our other picks – but I really like its design features.
I’m 1.70m tall and it’s long enough to cover my shins. You can button the cuffs to prevent water from running down the sleeves. It has several (huge) pockets for all your random needs, both of which are zippered. And open options. The fit is incredibly roomy for layering – why don’t more outdoor brands do this? I’m very short on humanity’s bell curve, but I shouldn’t need to size up to a men’s M to get a size loose enough for layering! Most importantly, it packs into its own little self-contained backpack that has straps so you can hang it on the wall when you get to the party instead of leaving a giant, soggy piece of clothing hanging on a hook and leaking everywhere.
★ Alternative: If you’re not trying to stay dry for hours outdoors and also like a feature-rich rain jacket with big pockets, I like the Helly Hansen Utility Rain Coat ($200), which also covers a lot of your body and has lots of pocket options.
Best Rubber Rain Jacket
Photography: Adrienne So
Since the 1960s, modern rain gear has used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” to waterproof clothing. Modern durable water repellent (DWR) products use PFAS in manufacturing, which then migrate from your clothing into the ground and streams as you walk outside. Today, many companies are reducing the levels of PFAS in their products, likely because states are banning these chemicals.
The best way to ensure your coat is PFAS-free is to opt for a classic rubber raincoat, like the Stockholm Raincoat from Stutterheim. Manufacturers of technical rain jackets tend to avoid polyurethane because it is rubbery. But the material is durable, windproof, waterproof and PFAS-free. I also prefer rubber rain jackets in humid coastal climates, like the Pacific Northwest. Breathability is less of an issue when the air is already humid.
