9 Best Rain Jackets (2025): Cheap, Eco-Friendly, Hiking, and Running

Every time I put on your raincoat, I thank you that we will no longer have to wrap ourselves in thick, stinking sealskin to stay dry. The best rain jackets today are more comfortable and waterproof than ever, thanks to advances in weather-resistant textiles and clothing design. 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 winter. I walk, bike, run, and walk my dogs—sometimes I even stand in the shower with my clothes on when the weather doesn't cooperate. I also got advice from Amber Williams, a Brigham Young University professor and expert in outdoor product design. All to find rain gear that's worth your time and money.

Don't forget to check out the rest of our outer coveringincluding The best down jackets, The best merino wool clothingAnd The best hoodies. If you want a more detailed explanation of what these terms mean (eg, what is hydrostatic head?), we have fabric explanation here.

Updated November 2025: We've added the Arc'teryx Beta SL, Lolë Piper 2.0, Páramo Velez Adventure Suit, Helly Hansen Practical Rain Jacket, North Face Antora, North Face Mountain Parka, Finisterre Stormbird and Rab Firewall Alpine and Phantom.

Best overall

Every year I try to find another jacket that beats the Arc'teryx Beta SL in terms of roominess and dryness, but it's just not possible. Despite the extravagant price, I always grab this jacket when the atmospheric river starts flowing through Portland. This is Arc'teryx's lightest rain shell. It uses the latest innovative Gore-Tex fabric called ePE (expanded polyethylene). breathable, waterproof membrane laminated to a nylon surface, which also does not contain carcinogenic perfluorocarbons (PFC) and has a hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 28,000, which is pretty incredible (the standard is around 10,000). When it comes to rain gear, I sacrifice sustainability for the sake of staying dry: being cold and wet really sucks and can be life-threatening in the wrong situation. But this jacket did not allow me to get wet in the pouring rain pouring from side to side.

In terms of features, the hood is large enough to accommodate my hair (or a helmet if your hair is smaller than mine), with adjustable cuffs and zippers (very important for activity!). And unlike many other jackets, the women's version has enough room to allow my shoulders and arms to move freely while biking, hiking, and carrying heavy objects. If you only have one rain jacket, it's this one.

Best raincoat for women

I love this raincoat. I was walking around the city with a friend (in the rain) when a truck suddenly drove through a puddle right next to us on the road and covered me from head to toe, Sex and the City-style. This jacket kept me dry. Its waterproof performance is average—it uses durable carbon-based water-repellent material and is rated HH 10K, which is about half as waterproof as some of our other models—but I really like its design features.

I'm 5'2″ and it's long enough to cover my shins. You can button the cuffs to prevent water from running down the sleeves. It has several (huge) pockets for all your occasional needs, both of which are zippered. And open options. The fit is incredibly loose for layering—why don't other outdoor brands do this? I'm very short on the human height curve, but I don't need to size up to a men's average to get a size loose enough for layering! Best of all, it packs into its own little self-contained backpack with straps so you can hang it on the wall when you get to the party instead of leaving a huge wet robe hanging on a hook and dripping all over everything.

★ Alternative: If you're not trying to stay dry for hours outside and you also like a multi-functional rain jacket with large pockets, this is fine for me practical Helly Hansen raincoat ($200), which also covers most of your body and has many pocket options.

Best rubber rain jacket

Photo: Adrienne So

Since the 1960s, modern rainwear has used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). “eternal chemicals”for waterproof clothing. Today's durable water repellent (DWR) materials are manufactured using PFAS, which then leach from your clothing into soil and streams when you walk outdoors. Today, many companies are reducing the levels of PFAS in their products, likely because states ban these chemicals.

The best way to ensure there are no PFAS in your coat is to wear a classic rubber raincoat, such as Stutterheim's Stockholm Raincoat. Manufacturers of technical raincoats tend to avoid using polyurethane because it is flexible. But the material is strong, durable, windproof, waterproof and PFAS-free. I also prefer rubber rain boots in humid coastal climates like the Pacific Northwest. Breathability is not a sticking point when the air is already humid.