What is the difference between windbreakers and rain jackets?

Rain jackets tend to be thicker and are made of waterproof materials that wick moisture. They can also protect the wearer from wind. Windbreakers are lightweight and as the name suggests, shield the wearer from harsh winds. Typically, windbreakers are water-resistant, meaning they are able to protect the wearer from light rain or splashes of water. So if you're anticipating heavy rain or being drenched in water, you should opt for a rain jacket as opposed to a windbreaker, as rain jackets provide a greater defense against tough weather conditions.

How should I wash my rain jacket?

Most rain jackets can be hand-washed or tossed into the washing machine. If you're washing by hand, wet your jacket with cool water, gently scrub with a mild detergent and then rinse. If you're going to be using a washer, wash your jacket with cool water and mild detergent on the machine's delicate setting. Allow to air dry after washing by hand or by machine. It's especially important not to put rain jackets made of plastic or similar materials into the dryer, as that could cause serious damage. Be sure to check the product's tags or the retailer's website to see if there are more specific instructions.

How can I re-waterproof my rain jacket?

With time, your rain jacket may become less waterproof from use and cleaning. To restore your jacket, begin by washing and air-drying your jacket. Then, apply a durable water repellent according to the product's instructions. Alternatively, you can purchase a wash-in durable water repellent that you put into the washing machine with your jacket. Again, be sure to check the product's instructions before use.

The 9 Best Men's Rain Jackets of 2022

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Even the most detail-obsessed planner can’t control everything while traveling—which is why a rain jacket qualifies as an essential element of your go-to travel gear. And while there are models suitable to every type of traveler, from hikers and cyclists to stylish men and urban explorers, the one overarching piece of advice is: don’t go cheap. Lesser-quality rain jackets should keep you dry if the skies open, but chances are they won’t breathe well, which just makes things clammy and uncomfortable inside the jacket. This can result in your clothes becoming sweaty and wet, effectively defeating the whole purpose of wearing a rain jacket.

Instead, opt for ones that boast breathable membranes and wicking inner liners, which will help regulate the internal temperature. Some even use armpit zippers to help ventilate excess heat while you're doing high-octane activities like backpacking or running.

With that in mind, here are the best men's rain jackets available.

The Rundown

Best Overall: Arc’teryx Fraser Jacket at Amazon

Suitable for urban travelers as well as outdoor lovers, this rain jacket gets everything right.

Best Value: Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket at Amazon

It’s easily one of the most affordable high-performance rain shells on the market.

Best Lightweight: Mission Workshop The Orion at Mission Workshop

Boasts protection from both wind and rain, and is made of a durable, lightweight textile.

Most Versatile: Patagonia Calcite Jacket at Backcountry

This lightweight jacket has a helmet-compatible hood and offers the right amount of storage.

Best Packable: REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket at REI

Its removable hood can be stowed away when the weather clears.

Best for Backpacking: Columbia OutDry Ex Stretch Hooded Shell Jacket at Backcountry

Has forgiving stretch fabric, so you never have to worry about losing protection while moving.

Best for Biking: Chrome Industries Storm Salute Commute Jacket at Chrome Industries

The three-panel hood can be worn over a bike helmet to lock out the elements.

Best Tall: The North Face Venture 2 Rain Jacket at Amazon

Is crafted specifically for taller men, with a longer 31-inch length and a relaxed fit.

Best Trench: Helly Hansen Utility Rain Parka at Amazon

Hits at the mid-thigh for added protection against the elements without restricting your movement.

Best Overall: Arc’teryx Fraser Jacket

Arc'teryx Fraser Jacket Men's — Courtesy of Backcountry

Inspired by the harsh weather of Arc’teryx’s home city of Vancouver, the Fraser gets just about everything right when it comes to a rain jacket. Suitable for urban travelers as well as outdoor lovers, the Fraser employs a high-quality Gore-Tex waterproof membrane in its three-layer construction to keep you dry even in the most intense of deluges without getting hot and clammy on the inside. Its slim profile is also a refreshing change from your typical baggy rain jacket, with a slightly dropped rear hem, articulated patterning for unrestricted movement, gusseted underarms, and angled sleeves with internal gaskets to block cold, wet drafts. The hood is easily adjustable to deliver the optimal fit, and an adjustable hem drawcord helps seal out the elements even more. The pocket configuration keeps things simple, with two hand pockets and two side-entry chest pockets with concealed zippers. And Arc’teryx also nails the colorway—black, a rich blue, or a burnt orange—that will be at home in even the most posh of rain-soaked locales. The price tag is high, but if you think of it less as an impulse purchase and more as an investment, you’ll understand why the Fraser rises to the top.

Best Value: Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket

Marmot has made variations on its classic PreCip jacket for decades—and with good reason. It’s easily one of the most affordable high-performance rain shells on the market. This eco-friendly version of the PFC-free rain jacket was introduced in honor of PreCip's 20th anniversary. It features a face fabric made of recycled ripstop nylon that blocks out the rain and honors the environment. All the seams have been taped to assure waterproofness, and twin armpit zippers make this breathable jacket even more airy.

The adjustable hood rolls and stores in the jacket collar when you don’t need it and the whole jacket packs into one of the two hand pockets for easy storage. An elastic drawcord sits at the hem, while the chin guard is lined with moisture-wicking DriClime fabric.

Best Lightweight: Mission Workshop The Orion

The Achille’s heel of most lightweight jackets is that they often sacrifice features to shave ounces off its overall weight. Thankfully, that’s not the case with the Orion from San Francisco-based brand Mission Workshop. This high-performing jacket boasts protection from the wind and rain and is made of durable, stretchy Toray Entrant textile sourced from Japan. All the seams are fully taped, and the snap-off hood has a three-point adjustment construction. The jacket also includes a variety of travel-friendly pockets, including a chest pocket, hand warmers, an internal ported media pocket, and a rear stow pocket. It's available in black or navy.

Most Versatile: Patagonia Calcite Jacket

The Calcite rain jacket illustrates Patagonia’s commitment to adventure gear and their pro-environment philosophy. Crafted with 100-percent recycled polyester, the jacket uses Gore Tex’s Paclight Plus waterproof fabric that will keep you dry and comfortable even during the steamiest of rainstorms. The lightweight jacket has a front zipper that repels water, two DWR-treated venting armpit zippers to help dial in the optimal airflow, and a dual-adjust drawcord at the hem and Velcro closures at the cuffs so you can get the perfect fit.

It also features an alpine helmet-compatible hood and a single-pull adjustment to tighten the fabric down if you’re not wearing any headgear. The jacket offers just the right amount of storage, including a water-tight zippered left chest pocket on the outside and two zippered side pockets. Patagonia offers this rain jacket in several stylish colors including andes blue, supply green, and fire red.

Best Packable: REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket

The Rainier from REI is strong enough to provide wind-proof protection in gusts of up to 60 miles per hour—conditions we wouldn’t wish on anyone—but it's also packable enough to fit into its own left pocket. A DWR finish will shed light rain, while seamed seals and breathable laminate protection provides complete waterproofing. The hip-length jacket is made from recycled ripstop nylon and contains materials that meet bluesign’s eco-friendly standards. Seal out the elements via the drawcord at the hem, the weatherproof center-front zipper, and the hook-and-loop cuffs. The removable hood also has dual adjustments to fine-tune the fit over a hat, helmet, or your head—and can be stowed away when the weather clears. It's available in more than ten colors, including solids and two-tone designs.

Best for Backpacking: Columbia OutDry Ex Stretch Hooded Shell Jacket

When Columbia developed their OutDry technology, they revolutionized waterproof protection. This technology helps the waterproof coating that sits on the outer shell last longer than other rain jackets. It also keeps moisture out and amplifies the jacket's breathability, which is essential for high-octane activities like hiking, camping, and backpacking. The OutDry Ex Hooded Jacket further compliments active outings with forgiving stretch fabric, so you never have to worry about losing any protection while moving. Multiple zippered pockets allow for a variety of gear storage, and drawcords at the hem and hood, as well as adjustable sleeve cuffs, make it easy to dial the optimal fit. The only potential drawback? The OutDry treatment gives the jacket a reflective quality. A modest critique, but it might be a deal-breaker for those who want a more subdued overall look.

Best for Biking: Chrome Industries Storm Salute Commute Jacket

What may keep you dry when walking in the rain often doesn’t hold up the variables associated with wet-weather cycling. You want a jacket that stretches with your movements and has a hem that drops lower than average to protect your backside from the water that’ll inevitably be kicked up by the rear tire. And the Storm Salute Commute Jacket from cycling-centric brand Chrome Industries delivers on all these essentials, providing a more streamlined fit that won’t balloon up as you’re ripping down a steep hill.

The 100 percent poly jacket employs a traditional two and a half-layer construction that’s both waterproof and breathable. The three-panel hood can be worn over a bike helmet to lock out the elements, and reflective details throughout will keep you visible even under the darkest of clouds. Rather than putting Velcro at the cuffs, the jacket uses elastic that will pair nicely with a variety of cycling gloves. You also get loads of pockets, including a rear zippered pouch, a zippered chest pocket ideal for your smartphone, and hand-warmer pockets on the front.

Best Tall: The North Face Venture 2 Rain Jacket

Available in large, extra-large, and extra-extra-large, The North Face’s Venture 2 is crafted specifically for taller men. It features a longer 31-inch length and a relaxed fit that emphasizes comfort as much as it does weather protection. Made of windproof ripstop nylon and polyester and treated with The North Face’s DryVent membrane, the jacket is both breathable and waterproof with armpit zippers for added ventilation. A Velcro storm flap covers the front zipper to really lock out water, and you can adjust the cuffs, hem, and hood for an optimal fit. The two zippered hand pockets also benefit from a bit of fabric integrated over the seam, and the whole thing packs down into one of them for easy storage. It's available in navy, grey, and black.

Best Trench: Helly Hansen Utility Rain Parka

The modern trench coat features a streamlined design that offers the added protection you need without all that excess fabric. Helly Hansen’s Utility Rain Parka hits at the mid-thigh for more protection against the elements without restricting your movement. The fabric is also an upgrade, using two layers of proprietary waterproof protection and fully taped seams to keep you dry and comfortable. The hood, waist, and cuffs can all be adjusted, and there are a variety of pockets—zippered high-up front hand pockets as well as lower pockets with snap flaps—that will carry everything you need for a day of exploration. But keep in mind, as with most trench styles, the Utility isn’t as breathable as lighter-weight rain shells, and is best suited for cooler rainy days.

Final Verdict

We think the Arc’teryx Fraser Jacket (view at Amazon) deserves the top spot because it has everything you need in a rain jacket. With an adjustable hood and hem, and two hand and chest pockets with concealed zippers, you can be sure that this jacket will keep you dry in any weather condition. If you're looking for a jacket that boasts versatility, try the Patagonia Calcite Jacket (view at Backcountry). This rain jacket is lightweight, provides a great amount of storage, and features a helmet-compatible hood.

What to Look for in Men's Rain Jackets

Fabric

There are two types of rain jackets on the market: hardshell and softshell. Hardshell jackets are made up of firm waterproof fabrics that will stand up to harsh wind, rain, and even snow. Since they're stiffer in nature, it's best to size them up so you have better movement in them. On the other hand, soft shell rain jackets are generally more lightweight and water-resistant and are great for areas with lighter weather conditions. No matter what fabric you're choosing, you want to choose one that will be breathable and have a moisture-wicking lining to prevent any sweat from building up on the inside.

Fit

You'll want your rain jacket to fit comfortably but also provide adequate coverage. Your jacket should accommodate your size and movements. You'll want it to have a slightly stretchy fit so you can move comfortably whether you're walking, running, or even biking through the rain. Many rain jackets also come with adjustable cords to tighten the jackets at the hems to help seal out the elements even further.

Features

From pockets to zippers to seam taping, you'll want to make sure your jacket is equipped with enough features to keep you and your accessories safe. Exterior pockets should be big enough to hold your keys, phone, wallet, or any other accessories you plan to carry. They should also be able to keep your hands warm. Zippers are also an important consideration. They should have panels to help stop water and other elements from squeezing through their teeth. Seam taping is a great feature to have, too, as it offers an extra layer of protection from leaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between windbreakers and rain jackets?

Rain jackets tend to be thicker and are made of waterproof materials that wick moisture. They can also protect the wearer from wind. Windbreakers are lightweight and as the name suggests, shield the wearer from harsh winds. Typically, windbreakers are water-resistant, meaning they are able to protect the wearer from light rain or splashes of water. So if you're anticipating heavy rain or being drenched in water, you should opt for a rain jacket as opposed to a windbreaker, as rain jackets provide a greater defense against tough weather conditions.
How should I wash my rain jacket?

Most rain jackets can be hand-washed or tossed into the washing machine. If you're washing by hand, wet your jacket with cool water, gently scrub with a mild detergent and then rinse. If you're going to be using a washer, wash your jacket with cool water and mild detergent on the machine's delicate setting. Allow to air dry after washing by hand or by machine. It's especially important not to put rain jackets made of plastic or similar materials into the dryer, as that could cause serious damage. Be sure to check the product's tags or the retailer's website to see if there are more specific instructions.
How can I re-waterproof my rain jacket?

With time, your rain jacket may become less waterproof from use and cleaning. To restore your jacket, begin by washing and air-drying your jacket. Then, apply a durable water repellent according to the product's instructions. Alternatively, you can purchase a wash-in durable water repellent that you put into the washing machine with your jacket. Again, be sure to check the product's instructions before use.

Why Trust TripSavvy

As an outdoor and travel enthusiast for his entire life, Nathan Borchelt has hiked, biked, backpacked, and explored some of the wettest locales in the world, from rain forests to monsoon-drenched streets in Southeast Asia. The humidity and unpredictable weather of his native Mid-Atlantic home has also trapped him in more sudden downpours than he can count, which has been great when he’s tested high-end rain jackets from all the leading brands for two decades.

The 10 Best Rain Suits of 2022