Best 15 Backpacking Rain Jackets Of 2024

In order to protect yourself from the weather, it is important to have a very good backpacking rain jacket. A rain jacket can definitely keep your upper body dry even in the worst type of rain storm. However, not all jackets are made the same and some are very expensive. So I listed a few that are very affordable that you can get. These rain jackets are good enough for a day hike and should provide adequate weather protection. These jackets have lots of positive reviews so I know one of them will be to your liking.

Best Backpacking Rain Jackets – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Rain Jacket

Understanding The Protection That A Jacket Offers

Waterproof

When the jacket does not let water inside and protects the user from rain then it is considered waterproof. Unfortunately, there is really no standard way to test for how good the waterproofing of a jacket is. Companies can claim that their jacket is waterproof even if it barely repels water. There is no standard way that companies agreed on to test how waterproof a fabric or jacket is.

Water Resistant

If the jacket repels water and not absorb it then it is water resistant. Most jackets made out of polyester and nylon will be water resistant. Water resistant does not mean that it is waterproof. The jacket can still let water inside. Since there is no standard way to test how waterproof a jacket is, most companies will just say that their jackets are waterproof instead of water resistant.

Windproof

Windproof jackets provide wind resistance and prevents the cold winds from hitting the body of the user. Just like waterproofing, there is really no standard way to test these jackets. It is best to read reviews and see how well the jacket protects the user from wind. Usually, the popular jackets are very good.

Different Types Of Technology Use To Waterproof A Jacket

Coatings

Coatings are chemicals that make the fabric waterproof. The chemicals or substances are smeared all over the fabric of the jacket and the company will then cure the jacket to make the chemicals stick. The drawback with coatings is that certain spots are going to be thick with waterproofing chemicals while other spots will only have a thin layer.

Coatings tend to last for a very long time though which means that the jacket will be usable for years to come. Normal wear and tear will in time fade and diminish the waterproof coatings on the jacket but it is going to be a very slow process.

Jackets that use coatings are very lightweight and often lighter than laminated jackets. These jackets are great for people that love to hike and need a rain jacket that is not that heavy to carry. The more weight that the user carries, the more energy that he or she has to spend. With a lightweight jacket, the user does not have to worry too much about the energy that he is using to carry the jacket.

Laminations

If you want to be very well protected against rain and bad weather, then getting a laminated jacket would be ideal. Laminated jackets use 2-3 layers of fabric which is why these jackets are often more expensive. The extra layers provide better protection and better waterproofing than jackets that are coated.

These jackets will often have an outer layer of fabric that repels water while the inner layer will be very soft and comfortable to the skin. These jackets are very durable. The fabrics somewhat protect each other which is why these jackets tend to lasts for a very long time.

Three Types Of Laminations To Consider

2 Layers

Two layer laminated jackets will have two fabrics that are combined together. There will be an outer fabric and an inner fabric. The outer fabric will be water repellent or waterproof while the inner fabric will be gentle and soft to the skin. The inner fabric is meant to provide comfort while the outer fabric is meant to protect the user from rain and other types of bad weather. 2 layer laminated jackets are often a little bit heavier than most jackets.

2.5 Layers

The outer layer is made up of a very low weight face fabric. The middle layer is made out of a polyurethane-based Waterproof breathable laminate or coating. This will then prevent the water from reaching the body or inner layer of the jacket. The inner layer is a bare minimum protective layer (this is more like a sheen than an actual layer which is why it is considered half layer). The inner layer provides decent amount of abrasion resistance. Not as durable as the 2 layer though. This usually cost the lowest amount out of the 3 types of layers. This will often be very lightweight as well.

3 Layers

It is very surprising that three layer laminated jackets are lighter in weight when compared to two layer jackets. Three layer jackets consist of a membrane bonded between a face fabric and a liner fabric. These jackets provide a lot of breathability and allow sweat to evaporate. Unfortunately, these jackets tend to be very expensive as well.

Things To Consider

Style

The style is most likely the most important thing you need to look for when it comes to a jacket. I love jackets though. I always look for the best possible style and look. There are just some jackets that look so awesome that I had to get them. So pick the style that works for you. There are lots of jackets to choose from. Usually, if it looks good, I buy it. Everything else is secondary.

Waterproof

A lot of the backpacking jackets are waterproof or at least water repellent. When you get your jacket, zip it up and ask someone to throw a glass of water at you. Just test it out if it is waterproof. Sometimes, the jacket that you bought could be so old that the coating already diminished. The item is no longer waterproof or water repellent. So test it out. If it does not protect you then return it.

Breathable

The jacket has to be breathable. I got this jacket, I used it for a day hike. It is not really meant for the outdoors but I used it anyway. What I found out was that it is not breathable. My sweat got stuck on my arms and body. I took off my jacket and I was very wet from my sweat. It just accumulated. So look for jackets that are breathable so that your sweat evaporates in time.

Hood Or No Hood

Some jackets do not have a hood. Always make sure they have a hood. Remember, you are getting a jacket for rainy weather. So a hood is definitely highly recommended. Even if you have a poncho or umbrella, or a hat or whatever it is that you bring, get a jacket with a hood. It will keep your head nice and dry.

Lightweight

Jackets for the rain should be lightweight. Most of the time, you will be hiking in the summer. It is going to be hot and not to mention that you are bringing a very heavy backpack. The weight of the jacket matters also. The heavier the jacket, the more tired you will get with each step. A lightweight jacket will be easy on the shoulders and will allow you to have more mobility.

Packable

Since whenever we go backpacking, we are not always going to be using the rain jacket, it is important that it is compact and packable. It is better if the rain jacket can be folded into a very small size. The amount of space we have in our backpacks is very limited. Having a very compact and foldable jacket can definitely help save space and room in our backpacks.

Vents

Vents allow air to go in and out of the jacket. This is very useful as you will want to allow air to circulate all over your upper body so that the air can take away sweat from your skin and clothes. There are many places where companies put vents in a jacket. A common place is under the armpits. These vents allow the air to cool this part of the area and take away perspiration at the same time.

Drawstrings

Drawstring allow the user to close and open a part of the jacket. Common places that you will find a drawstring are on the hood, and on the openings at the wrists. These drawstrings close the hood and other openings so that water will not hit the body. Be careful though because when you close an opening, you also prevent air to pass through.

Zippers

It is best that the zippers are laminated or coated so that they repel water as well. A jacket is not completely waterproof if it lets water through the zippers. The user will still get wet because there are parts on the jacket that let water through. To avoid this, companies will often coat the zippers to make them waterproof.

Pockets

Pockets are very useful. We can put a lot of items inside a pocket. We will have a place to put money, credit cards, cell phones, power banks, car keys and more. The drawback is that the more pockets the jacket has, the heavier it will be. Pockets add fabric to the jacket. So to make the jacket very light, most companies will not put a lot of pockets in their jackets.

Best Backpacking Rain Jackets

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1. Helly-Hansen Mens Team Crew Midlayer Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 1 Pounds
Material: Polartec 100g fleece lining
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Helly Tech fabric with DWR
Feature Summary: Fleece-lined jacket in a waterproof, windproof, breathable Helly Tech fabric, for all situations and weather conditions where protection from the elements, lined for comfort, Quick dry lining, Hip length, Insulated with Polartec 100g fleece lining

Short Review: I enjoy this outdoor rain jacket which explains why I am recommending it to you. One of the best things I love about Helly Hansen jackets is that they are so beautiful. They just make me look so good. I feel even bad about wearing the jacket for outdoor activities like hiking because it looks so beautiful. This one is very waterproof. Helly Hansen is famous for sailing jackets so their jackets need to be waterproof. This has a hood also. The inside has fleece also which provides warmth so this may not be a good summer jacket even if it is raining because it will be hot. Other than that, a very beautiful jacket that I love.

2. Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Front-Zip Rain Jacket with Hideaway Hood

Technical Specs
Weight: 12.8 oz
Material: 100% nylon Hydroplus
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Omni-Shield™ advanced repellency
Feature Summary: Hydroplus waterproof nylon fabric for the ultimate in lightweight, wet weather, protection and comfort, versatile waterproof jacket with an attached hood to ensure complete rain coverage

Short Review: If you’re looking for an excellent backpacking rain jacket then consider this. I am certain you will love this simply because it can keep the body dry and protects it from the weather plus the price is also very affordable. The price of this is rather inexpensive and the material feels very durable. This should last for a long time. I love that the company made this item very light so that we can use more energy having fun than carrying items. This is a pretty good rain jacket for the outdoors and this makes hiking in the rain possible. This is lightweight also so I often use it as a mosquito shield to ward away insects.

3. The North Face Men’s Venture 2 Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 15 oz
Material: 100% DryVent™ nylon ripstop
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Seam-sealed DryVent™ 2.5L shell
Feature Summary: DryVent shell with a Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) finish helps keep you dry when rain strikes,  versatile wear, this rain jacket is made with a relaxed fit with room for extra layers

Short Review: This outdoor jacket that you are going to check out is great. I’m exceptionally happy with this item. This is an incredibly good item! I love it. This is very lightweight which makes it ideal for backpacking also. This is a pretty good item for hiking that is also very affordable. North Face is an amazing company and I have plenty of their jackets with me for different kinds of weather. This looks great and very stylish. I look kind of cool whenever I wear this item. One of the coolest and stylish jacket that I have ever used.

4. Gioberti Men’s Waterproof Lightweight Rain Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: Not Available
Material: 100% Polyester
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Latest waterproof technology
Feature Summary: Fully meshed lining on the inside to provide breathability and comfort, latest waterproof technology ensure that you are left dry in wet weather, both waterproof and breathable so that you may enjoy your outdoor activity

Short Review: This is a very unbelievable rain jacket. Initially I noticed that this is really low-priced but now I know that it works very well too. I know that a great deal of people are content with this item because of the big amount of positive consumer reviews that this has. This can protect the body and keep it dry. Can be used as a windbreaker jacket as well. A great item for the outdoors that works well for a rainy weather. One of the best items to have for hiking purposes and very lightweight also. This high quality item exceeded my expectations due to the fact it has plenty of amazing characteristics. I really like this company and judging by this unbelievable item, they will have a good amount of people buying their items for countless years to come.

5. OTU Men’s Lightweight Waterproof Hooded Rain Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 10.58 oz
Material: Polyester
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Waterproof
Feature Summary: Superlight, packable, emergency waterproof jacket is made, technical hiking, trekking, durable and protective designs for remote and varied conditions

Short Review: This outdoor rain jacket is among the very best that you can get hold of. OTU jackets are amazing and they are very inexpensive. This is constructed out of 100% polyester fabric provides good breathability and is very light. The design of this is both great looking and functional simultaneously. Comes with lightweight mesh lining used in core body to wick sweat away from the body. The jacket is very durable and can be packed inside a backpack. It can be used for a rainy weather and as an emergency shell for mosquitoes also. It is so light that I hardly felt any difference in the weight of my backpack.

6. BALEAF Men’s Cycling Running Jacket Waterproof Rain

Technical Specs
Weight: 6.35 Ounces
Material: Polyester
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: 5000mm waterproofing
Feature Summary: Ventilation system in the back helps keep you cool and dry, reflective stripes and a reflective logo design, hem anti-skid prevent jacket rides up

Short Review: You will definitely like and use this cycling and running rain jacket at all times. This is very lightweight while having a 5000mm waterproofing rating. This is very stylish and very reflective which is great for running in case vehicles cannot see you. A great item to have for outdoor purposes. The usefulness this brings for hiking purposes is amazing and this is high quality as well. This is an incredible item because it is very inexpensive and it can keep the body dry and protect it from the weather. It comes with a hood also that will keep your head very dry from the rain.

7. Marmot PreCip Jacket Mens Dark Spruce

Technical Specs
Weight: 10.6 oz
Material: Precip 2.5 100% Nylon Ripstop
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: PreCip Dry Touch Technology
Feature Summary: Patented dry-touch finish, this waterproof jacket will keep you comfortable and protected, PreCip collection of pants and jackets is made with PFC-free NanoPro recycled nylon fabric

Short Review: I am lucky enough to have been in the position to try this rain jacket since it is incredible. This is one of the finest items that I have ever evaluated. This is very light and very durable as well. This has been known to provide protection from the weather due to the material it is constructed out of. One of the best items to have for outdoor purposes and this works well also. This item has a low selling price and it is made with good quality materials. It is a fantastic deal if you ask me. I love that you can usually examine the consumer reviews and you are going to discover that a lot of people really like this item.

8. Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: Shell: 100% Nylon; Lining: 100% Polyester
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Omni-Tech waterproof breathable laminate
Feature Summary: Crafted of a waterproof nylon shell durable enough to withstand anything from drizzle to downpour at a moment’s notice, rain jacket is lightweight while remaining protective

Short Review: I can easily declare that this is really great waterproof jacket. This has Omni-Tech which is a proprietary technology that provides air-permeable protection that’s waterproof and breathable. This constructed with  advanced technology materials that makes this wet-weather jacket designed to keep you incredibly comfortable and dry. This continues to be one of the best even though I have tested lots of similar items. This is very lightweight which makes carrying this very easy. This is a multipurpose hiking item that is great for a lot of things. There is no mistake about this, this item is amazing but continues to be to be low-priced.

9. Paradox Men’s Waterproof Breathable Rain Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: Not Available
Material: 80% nylon and 20% polyester
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: 2.5-layer system plus treated with a water repellent finish
Feature Summary: 2.5 layer rainjacket represent the perfect combination of style and function, jacket has a waterproof barrier, a water-repellent finish and is strategically seam-sealed to keep you dry

Short Review: This outdoor rain jacket is fantastic and I know you will like it when you try it. It is outstanding that this is incredibly high quality and extremely effective at the same time. I know that you will like this item a whole lot also. There is not much to state concerning a simple item. Very compact items such as this one will give us more room in our backpacks. A great item to have if you love the outdoors and this is made out of high quality materials. This wonderful company created another extraordinary item this is why this company is extremely popular.

10. Eddie Bauer Men’s Rainfoil Packable Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: Not Available
Material: 100% polyester
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: 2-layer Weatheredge technology plus StormRepel DWR finish
Feature Summary: Lightweight waterproof jacket, 2-layer waterproof polyester shell is fully seam-sealed for complete weather protection, polyester shell incorporates our 2-layer WEATHEREDGE technology

Short Review: This waterproof jacket stands out over a great deal of other similar items. The design of this is both great looking and functional simultaneously. The company managed to add an enormous quantity of functionality without any hindrance or unwanted effects. I love that this is very lightweight and very durable as well. A great item to have if you love the outdoors with lots of positive customer testimonials. This has an exquisite design and can keep the body dry and protect it from the weather. This is very high quality and I believe that you will like this too.

11. Helly Hansen Men’s Voss Rain Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 13.6 oz
Material: 100% PU Face, 100% Polyester Back,
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: HELOX+ technology
Feature Summary: Polyurethane Waterproof Hooded Men’s Rain Jacket, total waterproof protection in wet weather, hood provides additional protection from wet and cold weather

Short Review: The way I see it is that this waterproof jacket is a very good deal. There is just something beautiful regarding the design of this item. If you would like an item that is really durable and is made from high quality materials, then this is a very good choice. Helly Hansen is a great company that has these amazingly beautiful jackets. If you want something that looks great and makes you look good, then get a jacket from Helly Hansen. The weight is very light which makes this outdoor friendly as well. The positive customer reviews that this item has should satisfy a great deal of people knowing they are getting an item that satisfied a great deal of people.

12. Carhartt Men’s Rockford Rain Defender Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Material: 100% Nylon
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Waterproof
Feature Summary: durable and dependably water repellent, moisture beads up and rolls off, fabric finish that beads water off the surface of the garment, rain Defender durable water repellent

Short Review: This hiking rain jacket is wonderful and I like it a lot. There are a lot of things that we love about this however one of them is durability. The weight is a little heavy though since it is around 2 pounds. It would have been nicer if  this is only 1 pound. Still a great item to have if you love the outdoors with lots of positive customer testimonials. This is one of the greatest and it is very high quality. The effectiveness of this item is mainly because of the superb design. Looks rugged and very durable. Very stylish and makes me look awesome. A great rain jacket that will keep you body dry.

13. Portwest Men’s Classic Rain Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: Not Available
Material: 100% Nylon PVC coated fabric
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Made out of high quality materials, very good item for the outdoors, two large hip pockets and flaps, back vent for ventilation, 100% Nylon PVC coated fabric

Short Review: I am frequently impressed because this rain jacket is very good. We all would like the selling price of a item to be incredibly low. There is no question about it, this is pretty affordable and looks great. This will keep you very dry while hiking in the rain. This brings lots of usefulness whenever you are hiking which is why I love making use of this. I appreciate that this item is incredibly durable and simple to clean. The simple truth is that the positive customer feedback of this item are correct that this is awesome.

14. Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Waterproof Breathable Hooded Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: Shell: 100% Nylon; Lining: 100% Polyester
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Feature Summary: 100% nylon shell creates gives the jacket water resistant ability,  fabric remains lightweight while still allowing for protection, jacket is made with a breathable and waterproof shell fabric

Short Review: One of the best things I have ever tried is this outdoor rain jacket. This is awesome and this can keep the body dry and protect it from the weather. I like Tommy Hilfiger clothes when I was younger and I still like them till today. There are a lot of men and women that ordered this item judging by the large amount of positive consumer reviews that this has. The material feels good and this should last for a long time. Having a great item like this is great for the outdoors and this is very high quality also.

15. Little Donkey Andy Men’s Waterproof Rain Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 14.11 Ounces
Material: 100% Polyester
Windproof: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Superior water resistant shell fabric, softshell rain jacket for men performed well, lightweight mesh lining used in core body to wick sweat away from the body

Short Review: I am constantly surprised mainly because this outdoor jacket continue to satisfy a number of people. This is constructed with PU coated membrane that offers waterproof protection and breathable performance. This is the affordable item to have. Amazing jacket that has a waterproof shell fabric with DWR Finish and full seam taped tech. I love the material this is made out of and this feels nice on the body which makes this perfect for the outdoors. Having a great item like this is great for hiking since it can protect people from a rainy weather.