REI’s in-house line of rain shells continues to impress us when it comes to bang for your buck, and the popular Rainier is no exception. What we don’t: Fits very big, so we ended up sizing down. What we like: Great price for a solid all-around design wide range of colors and sizes. See the Men's Arc'teryx Beta LT See the Women's Arc'teryx Beta LTīest Budget Rain Jacket 3. 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. But for skiing, climbing, or bike commuting, we appreciate the LT’s more hardwearing 40-denier shell (the Beta is 30D), and the helmet-compatible hood and pit zips are an undeniable benefit for those really getting after it. The Beta below will save you over 3 ounces and $50, and many users will appreciate the more simplified feature set. What’s not to like with the Beta LT? Most significant is the price: At a whopping $450, it’s the most expensive rain jacket here and arguably overkill for summer backpacking or around-town use. And as we’ve come to expect from the brand, all of the Beta LT’s details are nicely sorted, with premium seam taping, streamlined seams, and a fit that is reasonably trim but roomy enough for layering. Combining 3-layer Gore-Tex construction with a host of technical features (including a helmet-compatible hood and pit zips), the Beta LT blurs the line between rain jacket and hardshell and delivers trustworthy performance for four-season hiking and backcountry exploring. With a recent reconfiguration of their lineup, they’ve moved their rain shells away from the Zeta collection into the versatile Beta series. What we don’t: The priciest rain jacket on our list at $450.Īrc’teryx is known for top-of-the-line quality and prices to match, and the British Columbia-based brand has long been our go-to for premium weather protection. What we like: Strong combination of weight-savings, protection, and performance-oriented features. See the Men's Patagonia Torrentshell 3L See the Women's Patagonia Torrentshell 3Līest Performance Rain Jacket 2. For its reasonable $179 MSRP, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better-made, better-looking, or more protective shell. But we think the vast majority of folks will find the Torrentshell to be a near-perfect match for everyday and light backcountry use. In the end, if you want a high-performance piece for serious outdoor use, you may want to up your budget to an alternative like the Arc’teryx Beta LT below. Additionally, you miss out on a chest pocket, and the shell isn’t a weight or packed size leader. Tack on sleek Patagonia styling, wide variety of available colorways, new-for-2023 PFC-free DWR coating (to go along with the 100%-recycled face fabric), and excellent $179 price tag, and the versatile Torrentshell 3L currently is our favorite overall rain jacket.Ī notable downside of the Torrentshell’s durable construction is that it’s stiffer and crinklier than competitors like the Marmot Minimalist and Black Diamond StormLine below (it does break in and loosen up a bit over time). In testing, material quality has been a common theme: Everything from the thick-toothed main zipper to the pit zips and three-way adjustable hood have a solid and reliable feel. The jacket’s hardshell-like 3-layer construction (hence the “3L” in the name) is highly protective and durable, plus the interior’s soft-touch tricot lining boosts comfort and limits the clammy feeling that’s typical among sub-$200 rain jackets. Patagonia shook up the rain jacket market with the release of its Torrentshell 3L a few years ago. What we don’t: A bit crinkly and stiff no chest pocket. What we like: 3-layer performance, quality materials, and good looks at an excellent price. Waterproofing: 3L H2No Performance Standard Best Ultralight/Emergency Rain Jacket: Outdoor Research Helium Rainīest Overall Rain Jacket 1.Best Stretchy Rain Jacket: Black Diamond StormLine Stretch.Best Budget Rain Jacket: REI Co-op Rainier.Best Performance Rain Jacket: Arc'teryx Beta LT.Best Overall Rain Jacket: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L.Of note: This article includes picks for both men and women, but we’ve also written a dedicated round-up on the best women’s rain jackets. For more background information, see our rain jacket comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Below we break down the best rain jackets of 2023, from entry-level models for hiking and daily use to performance pieces for backpacking and climbing. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, we’re acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we know a thing or two about rain.
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