18 Packable Rain Jackets For Staying Dry On The Trail

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There’s a difference between a good rain jacket and a great rain jacket, and that often means there’s a difference between both the performance and construction you’re getting from said jacket, in addition to the type of durability — and packability. Yes, that’s right — packability. That’s where our list of the best packable rain jackets comes into play; made to deliver in matters of form and function, plenty of brands are taking major steps to accommodate the new rain jacket that the modern man (like yourself) needs.

These aren’t the sort of rain jackets worn back in the day, the kind that can easily get too bulky, too hard to pack, or too ostentatious — say goodbye to the bright windbreakers you wore in middle school, and say hello to a new crop of lightweight, performance-ready rain gear.

What does that entail? Think of a decidedly more streamlined shape and structure, plus all the features you know, love and expect from your rain jacket. In this instance, that means sturdy zippers, true waterproof capabilities and of course, stylish, engaging colors and a design that’s easy to layer. Does that sound like a long checklist? Well, yes … because it is. But that’s where a quality packable rain jacket delivers. They define grab-and-go adventure, and they’re as ready to fight off the rain as they are to be crammed into your getaway bag on an impromptu road trip. See the best of the best for yourself.

Aether Storm All-Weather Jacket

Aether Storm All-Weather Jacket

Waterproof, wind-resistant, and tough as nails—that’s what the Aether Storm All-Weather Jacket promises. This featherweight windbreaker is made using a sturdy polyester and nylon exterior that has been seam-sealed to keep out water, and finished with a triple-layer interior membrane that allows for excellent breathability so you stay cool even on those warmer days.

It’s designed for temperatures ranging from 40 to 60 F, with a bungee cord hood that slides up easily to keep your head dry in heavy rainfall or sleet. Thanks to its hidden chest and zippered hand pockets, you’ve got storage space enough for all your daily essentials. Best of all, it stuffs down into its own carry pouch to be an ultra-portable top layer.

Price: $395

Topo Designs Global Ultralight Packable Jacket

Topo Designs Global Ultralight Packable Jacket

Runners and athletes, this one’s for you. The straight fit hugs your frame nicely so it doesn’t blow or flap in heavy winds, but it’s got room enough that you can move comfortably whether you’re running, swinging a kettlebell, or climbing a mountain.

The recycled nylon fabric is insanely light—so light you’ll hardly even notice you’re wearing it—but sturdy enough with a wind-repellent and water-repellent finish to keep you dry. When not wearing it, stuff the jacket into its own chest pocket and tuck it away for easy carrying.

Price: $99

Salomon Bonatti Waterproof Jacket

Salomon Bonatti Waterproof Jacket

Looking for something stiffer and with a bit more structure? The Salomon Bonatti Waterproof Jacket is just the thing for you. Though it’s ultralight, it’s got a nice, solid feel reflective of its sturdy construction and quality polyamide fabric.

The AdvancedSkin Dry Technology is incorporated into the fabric to maximize waterproofing and windproofing, with a 10,000 mm waterproofness and breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24h. Details like a stow pocket, a zipped chest pocket, reflective inserts, and a perfectly fitting “smart hood” make it a fast-moving man’s best friend.

Price: $180

Fjallraven High Coast Hydratic Trail Jacket

Fjallraven High Coast Hydratic Trail Jacket

The Fjallraven High Coast Hydratic Trail Jacket may be light, but it’s capable of standing up to harsher weather. With a bit more structure and thickness than the other ultralight options on this list, it can handle cooler climates and colder weather more effectively.

The interior PU membrane keeps it breathable while the PFC-free water repellent finish ensures it can shrug off even the heaviest downpour. When the weather warms up, just pull down the ventilation zips on the side and let your body heat escape.

Price: $275

Forloh Airalite Rain Jacket

Forloh Airalite Rain Jacket

Pack the Forloh Airalite Rain Jacket for your next fishing or hunting trip, and you’ll be glad you did. It weighs so little you’ll hardly notice it, and the fit is roomy and flexible without being bulky—perfect for shouldering a hunting rifle or whipping a fly fishing rod.

The zippered back vent is ideal for when the rainy days turn to warm, sunny skies, but the secured front will still ensure you’re protected from ocean spray. The military-grade ripstop nylon fabric is insanely durable and capable of handling hard wear and long treks through forests and marshes. Thanks to the adjustable hood and “wrist hood” cuffs, you can adapt the rain protection however it feels most comfortable.

Price: $399 $269

Showers Pass Elements Jacket

Showers Pass Elements Jacket

Worried those rainy days are going to be a bit chilly as well as damp? The Showers Pass Elements Jacket is just the thing for you. It’s fully waterproof and seam-sealed, but the interior is lined with a highly breathable performance fabric that’ll keep you from overheating when hiking, running, or cycling. The addition of the carbon print lining on the interior adds odor-resistance but also a little extra insulation to keep out the chill.

The removable hood is a great feature for cyclists who want to wear a helmet without worrying about any extra fabric flapping around behind them as they ride, while the reinforced shoulders provide sturdy structure and support to keep the jacket from straining or fraying over long days spent hunched over your bike handles. Thanks to the hint of Spandex incorporated into the nylon shell, it’s got just the right amount of stretch to move and flex with you no matter what you’re doing.

Price: $219

Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket

Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket

Although it’s slightly more expensive than other options on this list, you know you can count on Outdoor Research to deliver one heck of a functional rain jacket that’s been, well, thoroughly researched and vetted. The Helium II Rain Jacket is as good as it gets, featuring proprietary Pertex Shield fabric and tough nylon for the ultimate in durability and ease of transport.

Price: $170 $128

Columbia Men’s Watertight II Rain Jacket

Columbia Men’s Watertight II Rain Jacket

Like many of our other picks when it comes to the best packable rain jackets, Columbia is a brand that stands on its own, especially when it comes to pieces like the Watertight II Jacket, a heck of a dependable jacket that retails for under $60.

But what are you getting when it comes to that wallet-friendly price tag? A heck of a lot, from the Omni-Tech fully seam-sealed design to your choice of an array of dependably stylish colors.

Price: $100 $75

Orvis Ultralight Storm Jacket

Orvis Ultralight Storm Jacket

Have you ever had a rain jacket that kept you dry everywhere except your zipper? Even with a flap overlay, I’ve had jackets fail to keep my torso dry. That’s why I was particularly happy with Orvis’ Ultralight Storm Jacket — because their attention to detail is so on point, they even use a water-resistant YKK zipper. It’s a snazzy jacket that rolls into its own hood, too, so you never have to look around for a separate pack to stow it away.

Price: $189

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Packable Waterproof Jacket

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Packable Waterproof Jacket

Even mild April showers can get cold in a hurry, but most packable rain jackets don’t offer much in the way of insulation. Patagonia’s Torrentshell takes the opposite approach, integrating warm microfleece trim around the neck with a 3-layer shell that really keeps your body heat in.

Once you’re properly warmed up, just open the venting armpit zips to regulate your temperature. Oh, and it’s fair trade certified too, so you can feel great about your purchase.

Price: $179

L.L. Bean Ultralight Packable Wading Jacket

L.L. Bean Ultralight Packable Wading Jacket

Made with the avid fisherman in mind, L.L. Bean’s Packable Wading Jacket is a slim and trim jacket with a big range of motion. Whereas other rain jackets can be cumbersome when you’re moving your arms anywhere above shoulder level, this jacket is equipped with gussets in the armpits that give you a full range of motion. We like the ripstop nylon here too, as it gives this jacket a rugged durability that’s great for outdoor adventures.

Price: $129

On Weather Jacket

On Weather Jacket

Weighing in at well below three hundred grams, this is one of the lightest yet toughest packable rain jackets on our list. Thanks to the triple-layered construction, the jacket shrugs off water like a boss, keeps the wind from slicing through, but still is breathable enough to keep you from overheating.

The hood features a “cap” design that shields your face from rain as you run, but still folds down very small when not in use. All of your important EDC items will stay fully dry when tucked in the zippered waterproof pockets, so you can run for hours in the rain without worry about your wallet, keys, or phone.

Price: $140

Mont-Bell Versalite Jacket

Mont-Bell Versalite Jacket

Built with hikers and backpackers in mind, the Mont-Bell Versalite Jacket is made for high winds and cold temperatures as well as heavy rains. The GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER membrane adds wind-resistance to the natural waterproofing of the 10-denier Ballistic Airlight ripstop nylon fabric, and the Aqua-Tect Zippers double down on the protection to ensure that the jacket is waterproof up to 30,000 nm.

You’ll love the integrated zippers that let you ventilate the jacket when the weather warms up, and the adjustable alpine cuffs that help to shield you from any wind and cold. Plus, the articulated arm will flex and move with you, making it a more comfortable jacket to wear when long-distance trekking and scrambling up mountains.

Price: $260

Patagonia Houdini Jacket

Patagonia Houdini Jacket

If you want a jacket that makes a difference for the environment as well as your comfort, the Patagonia Houdini Jacket is a good choice to consider. It’s made using 100% recycled nylon and Fair Trade Certified sewn, and even the Durable Water Repellent coating is made without the use of PFCs so it’s just that much more eco-friendly.

Notable features of this jacket include a drop-tail drawcord hem for better lower back protection, one-pull adjustable hood, half-elastic cuffs, reflective logo for safety in low-light environments, and a zippered chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, complete with reinforced carabiner clip-in loop so you can store it hands-free when not in use.

Price: $109

Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell

Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell

You’ll find few coats more water-resistant than Black Diamond’s StormLine Stretch Rain Shell. As the rain comes down, you can literally watch the water droplets bead up and slide off the durable water repellent-coated fabric, say you never feel a drop no matter how hard the rain’s coming down. The BD.dry laminated material delivers excellent protection but at such a light weight you’ll barely notice you’re wearing a coat.

Price: $180

Rab Kinetic 2.0 Jacket

Rab Kinetic 2.0 Jacket

Rainy day adventures just got a whole lot more comfortable thanks to this coat. Crafted using an ultra-light fabric, it offers the protection of a hard-shell jacket but barely weighs a thing and can be packed down beautifully small.

Excellent features include an adjustable hood sized to fit under a helmet or cap, waterproof AquaGuard YKK zippers, adjustable hem and cuffs, and a fit that makes it ideal as a top layer both over multiple layers (long-sleeved shirts or hoodie) or just a loose-fitting T-shirt. Roomy and flexible, it’s an amazingly comfy choice for a day in the rain.

Price: $195

Marmot Minimalist Jacket

Marmot Minimalist Jacket

Though this Marmot jacket is called “minimalist”, you can expect maximum protection from the elements. The GORE-TEX laminate fabric uses multiple layers of recycled polyester to keep water and wind out and body heat in on those cold, blustery days.

However, if you ever start overheating, you can unzip the armpit openings to let in the breeze, cool down, and dry out. Not only is the fabric abrasion-resistant, but the seams have been reinforced to ensure it never leaks.

Price: $220 $165

Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket

Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket

Marmot makes it wonderfully easy—and comfortable—to stay dry when camping, hiking, or fishing in the rain. The PreCip Eco Jacket is environmentally conscious, made using NanoPro recycled ripstop nylon, and weighs just over ten ounces (less than three hundred grams). Between the hood and chin guard, you can keep your head dry and neck warm when the sky’s dumping buckets.

You also get plenty of storage space for your phone, keys, wallet, and other EDC items. Or, just roll the jacket up and stuff it into its own pocket to make it easy to carry everywhere you go.

Price: $120 $90

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