Rain gets clothes wet and dirty. To stay dry, buy a rain jacket. This protection made of microscopic material is more effective than an umbrella and less bulky than a raincoat. According to our research, the Höhenhorn Rigi is the best rain jacket. It is waterproof and breathable, and offers excellent value for money.
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Our selection
"This long waterproof jacket for women is both elegant and stylish. Ultra thin, it has drawstrings that allow you to adjust the waist and hood…"
"This rain jacket is made of polyester with a synthetic exterior. It has two lower pockets and elastic cuffs."
"This is a windproof rain jacket perfectly suited for stormy weather. Thanks to GORE-TEX technology, this jacket is exceptionally compressible and lightweight."
"Signed by Marmot, this rain jacket for men is made of a nylon outer fabric. Its windproof design, its high collar and its removable hood…"
This long waterproof jacket for women is both elegant and stylish. Ultra thin, it has drawstrings that allow you to adjust the waist and hood as you wish.
47,99 £ on AmazonTo look good even in the rain, choose this jacket from Swampland with a polyurethane outer lining. The main advantages of this material are its permanent waterproofness and its great durability. In addition, it gives the jacket an infinite lightness, which is very practical for everyday use.
Also, drawstrings will allow you to adjust the hood and waist, to make the jacket more fitted and thus highlight your curves. When it comes to practicality, this jacket has nothing to envy to other clothes. It has two large pockets with snap closures to store everyday items. Finally, Swampland offers four colors, each of which, except for black, has a model with and without fleece.
This rain jacket is made of polyester with a synthetic exterior. It has two lower pockets and elastic cuffs.
27,82 £ on AmazonIt is a rain jacket for men available in 6 colors, including navy blue and army green. Very light, it is made of 100% polyester. It has a waterproof exterior, 2 lower zippered welt pockets, elastic cuffs and adjustable drawstrings on the hood.
The Höhenhorn Rigi rain jacket comes in different sizes: S, M, L, XL and XXL. We like the well-made cut and the size that fits well. For better maintenance, it is recommended to wash it in the machine.
This is a windproof rain jacket perfectly suited for stormy weather. Thanks to GORE-TEX technology, this jacket is exceptionally compressible and lightweight.
176 £ on AmazonIf you're the type of person who doesn't like to bulk up, this minimalist rain jacket is what you need. A GORE-TEX Paclite membrane is laminated to its outer material, which reduces its weight and makes it more compressible. This way, you'll be able to enjoy optimal comfort during your rainy adventures. In addition, thanks to the water-repellent property of its fabric, this jacket does not let any drops of water penetrate inside.
It's also worth mentioning that it has two large zippered pockets to store your small items or to keep your hands warm, as well as a hood with a high collar to better protect you against the cold. When the temperatures are extremely low, you can put on a sweater or an insulating jacket underneath.
Signed by Marmot, this rain jacket for men is made of a nylon outer fabric. Its windproof design, its high collar and its removable hood will protect you from bad weather.
96 £ on AmazonThe Marmot PreCip Eco Rain Jacket is a great ally that will see you through the rainy season. With a PFC-free nylon exterior, this jacket has the advantage of being soft, stretchy, durable, and 100% eco-friendly. Nylon is also known to be waterproof.
Moreover, a high collar and a retractable hood provide additional protection against rain and cold. The PreCip Eco jacket is available in several colors to suit your taste, including lemon yellow and brick red. In addition, it has side pockets and an adjustable hem for added comfort. But still, this model is extremely practical, because it is compressible and can be stored in its own pocket. As for maintenance, machine washing is recommended.
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The best entry-level rain jacket
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| OUR SELECTION |
Women's rain jacket Swampland
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Höhenhorn Rigi
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Marmot Minimalist Waterproof Jacket
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Marmot PreCip Eco Rain Jacket
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This long waterproof jacket for women is both elegant and stylish. Ultra thin, it has drawstrings that allow you to adjust the waist and hood as you wish.
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This rain jacket is made of polyester with a synthetic exterior. It has two lower pockets and elastic cuffs.
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This is a windproof rain jacket perfectly suited for stormy weather. Thanks to GORE-TEX technology, this jacket is exceptionally compressible and lightweight.
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Signed by Marmot, this rain jacket for men is made of a nylon outer fabric. Its windproof design, its high collar and its removable hood will protect you from bad weather.
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Waterproofing
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Material
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100% polyester, 100% polyurethane outer lining, 100% cotton hood lining
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Polyester
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100% recycled polyester
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100% recycled nylon
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Colors available
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Blue, yellow, black, red
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Black, black/white, white, blue, navy, green
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Arctic Navy, Black, Navy, Steel Onyx, Sleet, Team Red
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Black, ArcticNavy, Brick, Citronelle, Classic Blue, Maroccan Blue, Nori, Picante, Slate Grey, Sleet, Stargazer, Surf, Team Red, Victory Red, Royal Night, Solar, Enamel Blue, Cavern, Steel Onyx, Burgundy, Crocodile, Transparent Blue
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Closeability
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Snaps, zipper and drawstring
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Zipper and drawstring closure
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Zipper, Velcro and snap closure
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Zipper and Velcro closure
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Robustness
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The most important point is the waterproofness of the material with which the rain jacket is made. Gore-Tex is one of the most recommended because it is waterproof, windproof and breathable. The waxed one, as for him, consists of a cotton fabric soaked in dried linen oil which makes the material waterproof. Some rain jackets are made of nylon, a very plastic material. However, it sticks and doesn't let any water through.
Waterproofness is measured in Schmerber. Usually stated on the label of rain jackets, it corresponds to the pressure exerted by a one-millimeter column of water. A rain jacket is considered waterproof when it withstands a 1,300-millimeter water column, or 1,300 Schmerber corresponding to a medium-intensity downpour.
Many confuse this term with "waterproofing," which is the ability to prevent water penetration. A fabric is said to be "water repellent" when it can hold rainwater in the form of a drop, which will then slide off the surface more easily without getting inside the jacket.
Measured
in TER (Thermal Evaporative Resistance), breathability expresses the amount of water vapor that can pass through the fabric. A fabric has good breathability when the value of this resistance is less than 12. The breathability value is usually marked on rain jacket labels.
Well-chosen rain jackets mean knowing in advance what they will be used for so you can determine what features they will need to have. For hiking, jackets with welded linings are recommended for their great freedom of movement. For travel, waterproof jackets with floating lining and several pockets are recommended, because they are practical and comfortable.
Choosing the right rain jacket means knowing in advance what it will be used for, so you can determine what features it should have.
Internal linings
For many reasons, rain jacket models are made with different linings: the floating inner lining and the welded inner lining. In the case of models with a floating inner lining, only the outer protective fabric and the waterproof-breathable membrane are welded. On the other hand, rain jackets with a welded (3 layers) or coated (2.5 layers) lining over the waterproof-breathable membrane are less insulating.
The couple waterproofing and breathability
Waterproofing is the ability of the jacket to prevent water from passing through the component it is made of. As important as waterproofness, breathability is a factor defining the garment's capacity to let water vapor generated by the user's body escape during effort. Thus, the lower the evaporative resistance of a component, the more breathable it is.
Hoods and their layout
The hood is one of the main protections of a rain jacket. Some models have a depth-adjustable hood with two tightening points at the collar and one at the back. Other models include a pre-formed visor that provides better protection. There are also retractable or "removable" hoods, a solution that can be practical for a 4-season use for example.
Generally, the more waterproof an item is, the less breathable it is. This should be taken into account when making your choice.
Several manufacturers market different models of rain jackets. Depending on the type of lining, these models are classified into two.
The jacket with welded lining or "2.5 and 3" is a model that sells well on the market. Because it gives a great ease of movement, it is highly recommended for sports use. It is also more practical to choose this model for sunny weather. In addition, it is more compact.
Unlike the floating liner rain jacket, the welded liner rain jacket is less suggested for multi-purpose uses like traveling or hiking. Due to the fact that it is thin, its sometimes lower waterproofness presents a drawback.
A jacket is said to have a floating liner when only the outer protective fabric and the waterproof-breathable membrane are welded. There are two types of floating liner: the "3-layer" and the "2.5-layer". The floating liner models are very popular for the comfort they offer. They are generally more comfortable to wear.
This type of jacket has, however, some disadvantages such as the space it occupies. Indeed, it is not only thicker, but also heavier. Unlike the welded liner, most jackets with floating liners are not recommended for high temperatures or intense efforts (except in the case of floating mesh liners).
Also called "hardshell", the rain jacket is a very necessary garment during the rainy season. Indeed, its main role is to protect its owner. Depending on the model, it can also warm up or protect from the wind.
Very different from the rain jacket, the 3-in-1 jacket is a garment that has 3 virtues. It is equipped with a waterproof and breathable membrane. In addition, it has the advantage of offering thermal protection thanks to a second removable intermediate layer grafted to the whole garment.
The choice depends mainly on the needs of the future user and the use he wishes to make of it. While there are several types and models of rain jackets for different uses (hiking, etc.), the 3-in-1 jacket is still at a disadvantage.
Weather conditions
Weather conditions should be considered before purchasing a jacket. While good breathability is paramount for high temperatures, adjustable protection should be included for variable weather. On the other hand, lined jackets, 3-in-1 jackets or rain + fleece jackets are ideal for low temperatures.
The difference between "waterproofing" and "water repellency
A
fabric is said to be "water repellent" when it causes water to slide down its length in droplets. On the other hand, a fabric is waterproof when it prevents water penetration. A water-repellent but not waterproof fabric lets water pass through in case of prolonged exposure to rain while a waterproof but not water-repellent fabric gets waterlogged in case of a heavy shower.
The importance of pores
Rain jackets have pores that allow perspiration to escape, but are far too small to let raindrops through. It is indeed important to know how to choose a model that is suitable for both high temperatures and the body temperature of its future owner.
An essential point about nylon
The
material with which the garment is made is a very important point when buying. Rain jackets are made of different materials depending on the model. However, nylon is not very recommended during the warm seasons. Indeed, it does not let any moisture from outside, but makes you sweat and sticks to the skin.
The choice of color
On the
color side, the choice remains very wide. When in doubt, rain jackets in neutral, all-over colors are recommended. Not only do they blend more easily with different types of clothing, but they also give a more discreet look.
The best rain jacket depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.
For short day hikes, 2,000 mm of waterproofing may be sufficient, but for a multi-day hike, a minimum of 10,000 mm is recommended. A jacket will be perfectly waterproof at 20,000 mm and clothing up to 30,000 mm is reserved for extreme use.
A hardshell is a waterproof-breathable protective jacket, i.e. waterproof and breathable. It is designed to protect you from bad weather. It offers reinforced protection against rain, snow, hail and wind.
Patented by W.L. Gore & Associates in 1970, Gore-Tex, or Goretex, is a brand of membrane that is waterproof but allows water vapor to pass through. It is made of stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon.
Waterproof jackets can have many pockets. Just remember that one more pocket means more weight and less comfort. If you are looking for a jacket for hiking, many pockets can be useful, but for mountaineering, a jacket with more than 3 pockets is useless.
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