9 Best Rain Jackets (2025): Cheap, Eco-Friendly, Hiking, Running
By Adrienne So | Published: 2025-11-01 13:30:00 | Source: WIRED
Every time I I put on my rain jacket, thankful that we no longer have to wrap ourselves in thick, smelly sealskin to stay dry. Today’s best rain jackets are more comfortable and waterproof than ever before, thanks to advances in the design of weather-resistant textiles and clothing. But depending on the climate and your activity level, sorting through the different styles, technologies, and waterproof ratings can be confusing.
Every year, I test dozens of rain jackets during the wet Pacific Northwest winters. “I hike, bike, run, walk my dogs, and sometimes stand in the shower with my gear on when the weather isn’t cooperating. I also received advice from Amber Williams, a professor at Brigham Young University who was an expert in outdoor product design. All 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 puffer jackets, best merino wool clothing, and best jackets. If you want a more in-depth explanation of what these terms mean (eg, what is hydrostatic head?) we have a texture explanation here.
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Updated November 2025: We added the Arc’teryx Beta SL, Lolë Piper 2.0, Páramo Velez Adventure Smock, Helly Hansen Raincoat, North Face Antora, North Face Mountain Parka, Finisterre Stormbird, Rab Firewall Alpine and Phantom.
Better overall
Photo: Adrian So
Every year I try to find another jacket that beats the Arc’teryx Beta SL in terms of roominess and dryness, and it’s impossible. Despite its hefty price tag, this is the jacket I always end up reaching for when an atmospheric river starts flowing through Portland. This is Arc’teryx’s lightest rain shell. Contains Gore-Tex’s latest fabric innovation, called ePE (expanded polyethylene) – it Breathable and waterproof membrane It is coated with a nylon face and is also free of cancer-causing perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and has a hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 28,000, which is pretty incredible (the standard is about 10,000). When it comes to rainwear, I sacrifice sustainability for the sake of not getting wet — the cold and wet are really bad and can be life-threatening in the wrong situation. But this jacket kept me dry through the rain dripping from the sides.
In terms of features, the hood is large enough for my hair (or helmet, if your hair is smaller than mine), with adjustable cuffs and zippers (very important for activity!). Unlike many other jackets, the women’s version has plenty of room for my shoulders and arms to move freely for cycling, hiking, and moving heavy objects. If you’re only going to have one rain jacket, it should be this one.
Best rain jacket for women
Photo: Adrian So
Photo: Adrian So
I love this rain jacket. I was walking in the city with my friend (in the rain) when suddenly a truck passed through a puddle next to us on the road and covered me from head to toe, Sex and the City-style. This jacket kept me dry. Its waterproofing specs are average — it uses a durable carbon-based water repellent and has an HH rating of 10K, which is about half the waterproofing of some of our other picks — but I really like its design features.
I’m 5’2″ tall, so it’s long enough to cover my legs. You can button the cuffs to prevent water from running down the sleeves. It has multiple (huge) pockets for all your random necessities, with a zipper and Open options. “The fit is incredibly loose for layering—why aren’t more outdoor brands doing this? I’m a little too small on humanity’s bell curve, but I wouldn’t have to wear up to a men’s average size to get a fit that’s loose enough for layering!” Most importantly, it packs into a small, self-contained backpack with straps so you can hang it on the wall when you get to the party instead of leaving giant, wet clothes hanging from a hook and dripping all over it.
… Alternative: If you’re not trying to stay dry for hours while outside and also love a feature-rich rain jacket with large pockets, I’d love Helly Hansen raincoat ($200) Which also covers a large portion of your body and has plenty of pocket options.
Best rubber rain jacket
Photo: Adrian So
Since the 1960s, modern rainwear has relied on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” for waterproof clothing. Modern water repellents (DWRs) use PFAS in manufacturing, which then transfer from your clothing into the soil and streams as you walk around outside. Today, many companies are reducing the levels of PFAS in their products, perhaps because states ban these chemicals.
The best way to make sure there are no PFAS in your coat is to wear a classic rubber raincoat, like this raincoat from Stutterheim in Stockholm. Technical rain jacket manufacturers tend to stay away from polyurethane because it is stretchy. But the material is durable, long-lasting, windproof, waterproof, and PFAS-free. I also prefer rubber rain jackets in humid coastal climates, like the Pacific Northwest. Being able to breathe is less difficult when the air is already humid.
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