Some mention that the fit is good, with room for a chunky jumper and dungarees underneath, while others say that it was a bit tight and much much smaller than the size stated. As the name suggests, it’s as lightweight as they come, weighing just 355g so you can stuff it in a rucksack when the rain passes (you might have to venture abroad for that miracle). Velcro closure with storm flap, push buttons and and adjustable elastic with Velcro makes it easy and quick to take the AGU waterproof shoe covers on and off. The packed sizes can vary widely for these “packable” shells, with the ultralights resembling a small envelope and others, like the cheaper Columbia Watertight, measuring about 3x the size.

It doesn’t irritate my skin when I do the zip right up, in fact, it’s soft enough to be worn with a t-shirt, next to my skin.It certainly performed up to billing during a blustery, beach walk in February and kept the sweat at bay during my running test. This feminine, but also functional raincoat, has YKK zipper under storm flap, adjustable hood and waist with drawstring, two slanted pockets, adjustable cuffs, ventilation under the arms and extra back. Some rain jackets offer pit zips and/or full side vents, while basic models do not (as well as taped seams on more expensive rain jackets for extra protection from the elements). You also get pit zips for dumping heat and a higher-quality hood with better adjustability, which are worthwhile upgrades for most hikers.

And for a shell that’s intended for hiking and backpacking, we’d prefer the hand pockets sit a little higher to be accessible when wearing a hipbelt (the interior chest pocket is generously sized, however). To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. In the “HH” test, the water-resistant fabric is stretched taut and a tall open-ended tube placed top. AGU "Original" YELLOW rain suit for cycling is two times winner of "BEST IN TEST" in Holland - bicycle rainwear in a class of its own. Other clever bits: the cuffs of the sleeves extend over the hands - nice on a cold day - and the rear hem extends down over your backside, so the rain runs away harmlessly.

A long raincoat in best quality that works in both the city and nature - and when zip open the slits in both sides you have a bicycle raincoat and lots of freedom of movement. By opening up the jacket under the arms, you can release a lot of air without sacrificing the jacket’s waterproof design. If you don’t need full-on winter protection, however, the Highline is a comfortable and well-designed shell that costs significantly less than the Gore-Tex-equipped alternatives.

All told, if you’re looking for versatile rain and snow protection but don’t want to spring for a full-on Gore-Tex Pro hardshell, the Beta LT is hard to beat. In this country, finding the best waterproof jacket is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make (along with choosing a pair of wellington boots). Brighten the rainiest days wearing the 'Sea Water' women's lightweight waterproof jacket with a stylish, striped hood. But we think the vast majority of folks will find the Torrentshell to be a near-perfect match for everyday and light backcountry use.The two side pockets are deep enough to cover your hands and the mid-thigh length is perfect for a city-dweller. They are qualities that can work in opposition to each other, so it’s finding the right balance that’s key and Rab seem to have found it here.

On a recent testing trip in Southern Patagonia, we fell in love with the Falketind Gore-Tex Paclite jacket, which offered reliable waterproofing alongside a fantastic fit and finish. But for slower-moving pursuits, it’s a reasonable compromise, and we found ourselves reaching for the Falketind over our Storm10 (below) while alpine climbing in Patagonia—the longer cut functions better under a harness, the chest pocket provides more storage, and the soft fabric and Paclite membrane offers better freedom of movement than the Storm10’s 3-layer design. A: When looking for heavy-duty rain gear for men, you need to ensure that you select the most effective waterproof materials. dry membrane, has a light amount of stretch incorporated into the nylon build, and keeps things pretty light at 12. Borrowing more than you can afford or paying late may negatively impact your financial status and ability to obtain credit.All three jackets check in around 13 to 14 ounces and come with pit zips, but the Rab stands out with its smooth-operating coated zippers (the aforementioned jackets instead feature storm flaps) and trimmer fit. Below we break down the best rain jackets of 2024, from entry-level models for hiking and daily use to performance pieces for backpacking and climbing. Offered in a wide range of colors and backed by the brand’s impressive warranty, the Venture 2 is worth having on your radar.