The 7 Best Rain Jackets of 2026: Tested

No matter what you’re getting up to outdoors, the budget-friendly and best-selling Rainier Rain Jacket from REI Co-op has you covered—literally—from all angles. Its 100% recycled ripstop nylon fabric features a 2.5-layer HydroWall™ membrane with a dual-sided waterproof TPU coating that’s powerfully water repellent, highly breathable, and abrasion- and stain-resistant. The exterior fabric is flexible and soft, not stiff, which means it’s also quieter than some shells. 

Just as importantly, it performs as well as spendier jackets, with bells and whistles to boot: pit zips, a drawcord in the hood and hem, two zippered hand pockets and internal drop pockets. It packs into its own pocket for easy portability and, for you gram counters, it’s one of the lighter options on this list. Christine Connelly, manager of SEO for REI, has stayed dry in hers for over a year and a half in the wet Pacific Northwest weather during chores, gardening and outdoor adventures. “I love the simple design, the silhouette is flattering without being too tight in any particular area,” Connelly says. While the Rainier is watertight in normal rainy conditions, some reviewers note it can wet out in a downpour. 

The Rainier is available in inclusive sizing up to 3X for women and men (plus tall versions for men and a longline version for women) and it comes in multiple colors, including brights and neutrals, so everyone can find an option that suits them. Buy women’s. Buy women’s long line. Buy men’s. Buy kids’. Buy infants’/toddlers’.

Hard-wearing, dependable and sleek, the Torrentshell from Patagonia has impressed REI Co-op Members, staff and gear testers for years. Erica Schiller, an REI store specialist in Colorado, keeps turning to hers after six years of rainy-weather adventures. “This is my go-to rain jacket for backpacking,” she says. “The one critical piece you need for comfort and protection.”

The Torrentshell features a two-way adjustable hood that can be stored away when not needed, bungee in the hem to lock in the fit and pit zips to quickly dump heat. Plus, it packs into its own zippered hand pocket. The 3-layer PFC-free H2No® Performance Standard shell is made from 100% recycled ripstop nylon, which can take the heat (and the rain) in more rugged conditions, and the breathable membrane contains 13% bio-based material.

In addition to protection, the Torrentshell earns high marks for comfort, especially the supersoft tricot shell backer and microfleece neck liner. In fact, Schiller finds it cozy enough to wear as a light top layer even when it’s not raining: “I enjoy wearing it just as a jacket with only a T-shirt under it. [It’s] not sticky or plastic-y.” Testers also praise its flattering fit and sleek, understated look. “Because of the simple style, I don't feel out of place wearing it for all occasions,” Schiller says. I don't feel like, ‘Look at that girl who wore her jacket thinking it would rain tonight.’" For extra style points, the Torrentshell comes in a variety of colors, from basic black to rich blue, forest green or a pop of purple. Buy women’s. Buy men’s. Buy kids’.

If you’re looking for a performance-driven layer that can handle wet weather no matter the activity, look no further than the Beta SL from Arc’teryx. More of a shell jacket than casual everyday rainwear, it’s designed for high activity, from climbing and hiking to snowboarding and biking. The Beta SL is decked out with everything you’d expect from a jacket at this price (the highest on our list): adjustable hem, heavy-duty hook-and-loop adjustable cuffs, pit zips, an internal chest pocket, even a built-in RECCO® reflector to aid search-and-rescue operations when necessary.

REI Co-op digital product manager Maddie Gregg has worn this jacket regularly for four years on soggy Washington outings. She calls it “a tank,” thanks to the PFAS-free GORE-TEX waterproof membrane and durable recycled nylon. “The water beads right off of it and it performs outstandingly in very wet conditions. I wore it for several days straight in the pouring rain and it never felt soggy or soaked-through.”

Not only does it shed water like a boss, but it’s tolerably breathable, too, according to multiple testers. “I have never been wet in this coat! I've been in every kind of environment and it’s always dry and breathable (not clammy) inside,” says Analeise Dowd, an assistant category merchant at REI Co-op. “It’s not the lightest out there or the most packable and definitely the most expensive, but worth every penny. I know the value I am getting with this one.”

Unlike other options, the Beta SL’s extra large hood is helmet compatible, making it a great option for climbers or cyclists who regularly recreate in the rain. For those who want a hiking or everyday rain layer, the hood might feel oversize (Gregg says it has a tendency to fall in front of her eyes), but it’s two-way adjustable so you can cinch it down when going sans helmet. Testers also noted the women’s version does have a more fitted and slim cut, so those with broader chests and hips will want to size up. That may make layering difficult for some body types, but long-armed hikers rejoice: There’s plenty of length in the sleeves. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.

With a burlier design specifically geared toward backpacking, the XeroCloud rain jacket from REI Co-op flexes in tougher conditions than its more everyday counterpart, the Rainier. A durable 3-layer HydroWall™ shell and a touch of stretch means extra durability—the XeroCloud is built to go the distance on-trail or off, especially under a heavier pack. 

This highly protective, breathable layer comprises a recycled polyester outer with a fine jersey backer and enough stretch for full range of motion, making it a standout with testers. Brooke B., an ​​REI Co-op Member and hiking/adventure guide based in Florida, says, “That little bit of stretch made it very comfortable to have a variety of layers underneath it”—especially useful in places with variable weather conditions. After a year of fairly rigorous and regular use—daily rain showers are common from May to November in Florida—everything from the lining to zipper pulls were still in excellent shape, she says. Fully seam-taped construction means no seepage through the stitching.

While this heavier backpacking rain jacket might not be best for humid and hot environments (Brooke B. reports the XeroCloud’s breathability is sometimes lacking in Florida’s spring and summer), it’s a soft, easy-to-pack layer that’s easy to carry along for those quick-change weather days. Pit zips do make it easy to dump heat quickly and efficiently, too. Available in sizes up to 3X for women and XXXL for men. Other versions: Available in longer sizes in women’s and men’s. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.

One jacket, two names: The sleek, dependable Aspire (for women) and the Foray (for men) shells from Outdoor Research are ready when you are to take on wet-weather hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or backpacking. My husband and I tested this jacket ourselves for a month in both Utah and Montana, on long walks in the rain, as a shell when snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and when out and about when it was actively snowing. 

Seam-taped, windproof AscentShell™ Dry 3-layer fabric offered excellent protection, shedding moisture in everything from sprinkles to downpours. From the very first wear, we could both tell these layers are built to last. Durable, 100% recycled nylon has just enough stretch to provide good range of motion and resist popped seams, both the Foray and Aspire offer enough wiggle room underneath for light layering, even fitting a light puffy underneath. That said, the women’s jacket is cut a bit on the slim side, so you might size up if you’re larger chested or have wider hips. Both jackets are available in extended sizes: women’s to 4XL and men’s to XXXL.

The Aspire and Foray have classic top-shelf rain jacket features including a two-way adjustable helmet-compatible hood, adjustable hem, zippered hand pockets, and a zippered chest pocket. But the design goes above and beyond with the “core” vents. Not content with simple pit zips, Outdoor Research designers extended the two-way underarm zippers to the hem, meaning testers could vent the armpits alone, the shell’s bottom half or both. This came in handy during a taxing uphill cross-country ski session. I half-zipped the front zipper and pits down, then zipped up the lower zippers to meet them, creating the ultimate in flexible ventilation. That meant I never had to stop to remove layers from overheating. What’s more, in rainy weather, both of us could unzip the side zips from the bottom and drape the jacket front over backpack hipbelt pockets to protect their contents. Other versions: Available as a trench in women’s. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.

Expert Advice gear tester and avid Kentucky Red River Gorge hiker Rachel Stottmann is familiar with the adage, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.” She always carries a packable just-in-case rain layer, and calls the Ridgelite waterproof jacket from The North Face “a lifesaver.” “Putting the jacket on for the first time, I immediately noticed how lightweight it is. I don’t think I own any other jacket as light as the waterproof Ridgelite, which is a major plus when I’m planning longer hikes,” she says. 

This lightweight, breathable rain layer is designed for high-output activities like hiking, trail and road running, and outdoor fitness. Its 2.5-layer DryVent™ fabric is coated in a semipermeable material designed with pores small enough to keep water from getting in while still letting perspiration escape. The shell’s outer layer also features a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that repels precipitation and helps droplets bead up and fall away instead of clinging. As an added bonus, the shell comprises 100% recycled nylon, and its DWR coating doesn’t contain PFC. Seam-taped construction means no water will seep in through stitched areas. The material, Rachel S. says, “reminds me of camping tent material, in a good way. It feels very durable … yet I never feel like it constricts my movement.”

Despite being less durable than 3-layer outerwear, 2.5-layer DryVent™ construction is the lightest and most packable available from The North Face, and the Ridgelite packs into its own hand pocket when not in use. Packed, it’s roughly the size of a Dopp kit or travel toiletry bag. Though it stuffs small, it layers comfortably over a hoodie, and it’s made to move with you thanks to underarm gussets and an adjustable, lockable bungee hood. One note for very active wearers: Even with highly breathable fabric, a waterproof jacket without pit zips can become hot during extended strenuous activity. Other versions: Also available lined with FUTUREFLEECE™ as a wind jacket in women’s and men’s. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.

If there’s one brand that’s known far and wide for crafting beautiful, colorful gear for travel and daily life, it’s Cotopaxi. The brand’s bright, color-blocked Cielo rain jacket is no exception. But let’s be clear: It’s better suited for drizzly day hikes and flaunting your style around town than epic mountain adventures. 

According to Brooke B., an Expert Advice gear tester and hike/adventure guide based in Florida, the Cielo’s 10K/10K waterproof membrane and PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) finish fared well during hikes in light to moderate rain, but isn’t quite robust enough for extended downpours or soggy multiday adventures. Less-breathable fabric and the lack of pit zips means Brooke wasn’t able to dump heat when the trail got tough, and she swamped-out during an uphill hike on a 40° or 50°F day. “It is a beautiful rain jacket,” Brooke says, but it’s better suited to around-town journeys than off-road ones. 

The jacket’s roomy, boxy shape leaves plenty of space for layering, and sectional hem elastic allows the wearer to ace the fit. A one-handed hood adjustment at the back of the head means dialed-in protection in a flash when you need it, and hook-and-loop cuff closures add another layer of security from precip. Other versions: Available as a rain trench coat in women’s and rain parka in men’s. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.