Your rain jacket might not be the most thrilling piece of your hiking kit but it is quite important. It might stay stuffed in your backpack during the dry periods of your trail but once the rain hits, you will observe that it is a critical piece of gear. You, therefore, have to make buying a rain jacket a top priority.
The best rain jackets for your hiking experiences should be able to protect you from the rain and wind and do a great job of keeping you warm. In this guide, therefore, we will be covering some of the best rain jackets for hiking in the market to help you stay prepared for the rain.
So, let’s get started.
10 Best Rain Jacket for Hiking on The Market In 2022
Rain jackets come with special fabrics that are water-resistant, breathable, and yet windproof. Most brands use different layers to create such effects. We will therefore be covering the ten best rain jackets that you can use for hiking in 2022.
Let’s dive in.
1. Columbia Watertight Li Jacket
This jacket comes in reliable as it is made from 100% recycled nylon fabric. It is also durable and you can be certain that it will shield you from bad weather as you go about your hiking endeavours. It comes in suitable for light outdoor activities.
You can easily pack the Watertight Li jacket into one of its pockets. This means that you can pack them with ease for hiking experiences where you expect light showers. It comes with a protective fabric and DWR finish that makes it waterproof.
This jacket features a hood and wrists that come in adjustable. This means that they will help you ensure that no water gets under the jacket so you are well protected from rain. It also comes with pit zips that aid its ventilation.
This jacket comes in as a great budget option for people that want to use it for light hiking and casual outdoor activities. The durability of this Columbia jacket makes them wearable for a couple of years if it is well managed.
Highlighted Features:
- Adjustable hood with protective visor.
- Pit zips for ventilation.
- Packs away neatly.
- Micro-fleece lined neck for comfort.
2. North Face Apex Flex GTX Jacket
This North Face Jacket features Gore-Tex fabric and DWR finish that makes them deliver excellent protection from outdoor elements. It comes with a softshell design that makes them durable and will keep you warm and dry.
The stretch-woven outer layer of this jacket allows for freedom in movement and the soft-knit on the inside helps to keep you safe. This jacket comes in perfect for everyday winter use and casual outdoor activities.
In addition to keeping you dry; this jacket comes with a soft interior that provides extra warmth and comfort. It also comes with a good level of breathability even though it comes with a pretty heavy fit.
This North Face jacket comes with pit zips that help to dissipate excess body heat. This means that even though you will be doing activities that will make you perspire a lot, this jacket will ensure that you won’t overheat.
Highlighted Features:
- Adjustable hood to provide extra coverage.
- Pit zips to dissipate excess body heat.
- Large hand pockets.
- Excellent waterproofing features.
3. Arc’teryx Zeta LT Jacket
This Arc’teryx jacket comes in designed as a lightweight, emergency, and compact jacket for any situation and emergency condition. It comes in lightweight which means you can easily tuck them away during the dry period of your trail.
This jacket features a Gore-Tex fabric that makes it windproof, waterproof, and exceptionally breathable. It has been designed to come with all the basic features of a rain jacket. This jacket is quite comfortable and unrestrictive in its movements.
Alongside protecting you from the rain, this jacket features a good level of durability. This means that no matter the condition you put this through and whatever hiking activity you have planned, this jacket will come in capable.
This Arc’teryx jacket comes with a hood that features a stiff brim to ensure that your face is well protected from the rain. It also features a Velcro cuff around the wrists to ensure that water has no way to get in.
Highlighted Features:
- Adjustable hood for protection from the rain.
- Velcro cuffs to prevent water from seeping in.
- Lightweight and durable.
- Great range of motion as there is no restriction in movements.
4. Outdoor Research Foray Jacket
This jacket comes in very versatile and all-encompassing. It comes with several features that make this jacket very efficient and useful. It is quite comfortable and features a good level of breathability.
This Foray Jacket comes with Gore-Tex fabric technology to make them waterproof and windproof to ensure that you are well protected from any weather conditions. This jacket comes in a lightweight and can be packed away easily into its pockets for convenience.
Instead of featuring the typical pit zips, it comes with two large side vents that you can unzip from the bottom to the armpit. This means that there will be proper airflow so you don’t have a clammy feel in the jacket.
This Foray Jacket is also very comfortable and it allows a good degree of movement. The zippers have some plastic tag that makes them easy to use even if you are putting on gloves. The elastic wristbands of this jacket come with a Velcro tab so water does not get through.
Highlighted Features:
- Three ventilated pockets.
- Velcro wristbands to prevent water from entering.
- Large side vents for good airflow.
- Gore-Tex fabric for wind and water resistance.
5. Outdoor Research Helium II Men’s Rain Jacket
If you are looking for a great piece of rain jacket for good protection from the rain as you go about your hiking adventures, then, this lightweight jacket is the perfect fit for you. It comes in ultralight which means that you can pack it down to any size.
This Helium Jacket comes in with good water and wind resistance as it features ripstop nylon and Pertex waterproof breathable laminate material. This jacket also comes in very breathable and it features different colours.
This Helium jacket comes with an adjustable hood and sealed seams to make it more waterproof. It also features a draw-cord hem and elastic cuffs to ensure that you are well protected from outdoor elements.
Highlighted Features:
- Pertex waterproof breathable laminate material.
- Ripstop nylon for water and wind resistance.
- It features different colours.
- Draw cord hem and elastic cuffs for protection.
6. Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell Jacket
If you are looking for something that holds up nicely as they will protect you well from either urban downpours or alpine squalls. This Black Diamond jacket is a top choice for men’s rain jackets for your hiking endeavours.
This jacket might not be flashy but comes in really functional. It offers you the protection that you will need during the rainy period of your trails. This means that they will certainly keep you dry.
This Black Diamond jacket comes with a slimline fit that ensures that you are comfortable for your hiking adventures. It features a material made of nylon and elastane with a waterproof membrane. It also packs down well so you can easily fold it.
This jacket comes with a clip that you can easily attach to your belt after folding it so you can have easy access to the jacket. It also features a hood that is adjustable and wearable with a climbing helmet.
Highlighted Features:
- Slimline fit for comfort.
- Made with nylon and elastane material for waterproofing abilities.
- Can be easily folded and attached to your belt for easy access.
- Adjustable and protective hood.
7. Mountain Hardwear Exposure Paclite Stretch Jacket
When you need affordable protection from wet conditions, then this Mountain Hardwear Jacket comes in as a great fit. This jacket will come in to ensure that you are well protected. It is also easily foldable into your backpack.
This Mountain Hardwear jacket comes with a lightweight fabric material that allows you good freedom of movement. This will come in handy when you are hiking on tough terrain. The standard fit of this jacket makes it not too tight or too loose.
The water-resistant abilities of this rain jacket are reinforced by the presence of features like the drop-tail hem, waterproof YKK zippers, the bottom hem, and the brimmed hood. So, you can stay rest assured that you are well protected from the rain.
Highlighted Features:
- Lightweight fabric material for ease of movement.
- Standard fit that is not too tight or loose.
- Waterproof YKK zippers and brimmed hood.
- Bottom and drop-tail hem.
8. Outdoor Research Helium II Women’s Rain Jacket
This top women’s rain jacket will keep you protected during your hiking or backpacking adventures. They come waterproof and are incredibly lightweight. This means that you will barely feel the weight of this jacket in your backpack.
This jacket works well as a shell layer with enough room beneath for light layering. The best option will be to go for a size up so that you can wear a thicker mid-layer. This jacket is also quite light which means that you can roll it into any size.
Even though this jacket is lightweight, it does not compromise durability. It comes with a Pertex shield layer waterproof breathable laminate material and YKK zippers so you can rest assured you are getting a very durable jacket
This Helium women’s jacket differs from the men’s own for some reasons. The cuffs and the hems are smaller in this jacket than in the men’s fit. This jacket is very easy to use and it will be a great addition to your hiking gear.
Highlighted Features:
- Lightweight and durable.
- Can be rolled up into any portable size.
- Pertex shield layer waterproof breathable laminate material.
- YKK zippers.
9. Outdoor Research Interstellar Women’s Rain Jacket
This jacket has been built to withstand harsh weather conditions. It comes in thick and heavy to deliver warmth to you as you go about hiking. Yet this Interstellar jacket is still incredibly lightweight.
This jacket comes in with great mobility as it features underarm panels for a good degree of movement as you are climbing or hiking. This jacket also comes with the Ascent Shell technology to deliver breathability and waterproofing abilities.
It comes with a handy pocket just above where the harness should be so you can have easy access as you are climbing. This jacket also comes with a reflective strip for easy visibility and safety during your adventures.
Highlighted Features:
- Underarm panels for a good degree of movement.
- Ascent Shell technology for breathability and waterproofing abilities.
- Reflective strip for visibility.
10. Marmot Minimalist Women’s Rain Jacket
This is a lightweight and reliable jacket featuring a simple look that makes it perfect for all occasions. It comes with a Gore-Tex layer membrane which means that this jacket is breathable and durable. Yet, it is still compact and lightweight.
This rain jacket also comes with great resistance to wind and water elements. It also comes with seam-sealed construction to ensure that you are well protected against these outdoor elements. It also comes with an adjustable hood that features an elastic drawcord hem and chin guard to keep you warm.
Highlighted Features:
- Gore-Tex layer membrane for breathability and durability.
- Adjustable hood with draw-cord hem and chin guard.
- Compact and lightweight.
Conclusion
To find the best rain jacket that will suit your needs, you have to consider the features and how useful those features will be for your adventures. We have covered some of the best rain jackets that you can use for your hiking adventures.
So, look through, make your pick, and enjoy your trail movements even in the rain.
