By Michael Lanza
Shop for a rain jacket for dayhiking, backpacking, trail running, or climbing in the backcountry and you’ll see shells for adults ranging in price from under $100 to over $500 and in weight from less than half a pound/227 grams to over a pound/454 grams—with just as huge and confusing a range of opinions on them from reviewers and consumers. Look no further. This review spotlights the best rain jackets for the backcountry and provides expert tips on how to select the right one for your adventures.
My picks are based on extensive field testing of all of these shells dayhiking, backpacking, climbing, backcountry skiing, and/or hut trekking—and on testing dozens of rain shells while hiking through soaking rains all over the world over more than a quarter-century of testing and reviewing gear, including the 10 years I spent as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine and even longer running this blog. I’ve learned how to distinguish the mediocre from the excellent.
Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-books to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.
I think you’ll find one of them is just right for your dayhikes, backpacking trips, and climbing and other outdoor adventures—and you’ll often find great deals on some of them (see the links below).
Please share your thoughts on any of them or recommend your favorite backcountry rain shell in the comments section at the bottom of this review; I try to respond to all comments.
Testing the Rab Men’s Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket along the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado.
Waterproof-breathable means that a membrane or fabric coating allows the moisture built up from sweating to escape through the fabric while it repels precipitation. Membranes generally offer better weather protection, breathability, and durability than a coating. Jackets with coatings are typically less expensive and lighter.
Quality definitely varies a lot. Membranes like Gore-Tex outperform many proprietary waterproof-breathable fabrics from jacket makers. However, some brands, like Outdoor Research (see below), have jackets that challenge the performance of Gore-Tex.
Never get cold again (well, almost never).
Testing the Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket on Iceland’s Fimmvörðuháls Trail.
Three different types of construction are used in waterproof-breathable rain shells:
Testing the Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket on the Continental Divide Trail in Glacier National Park.
How do I choose a rain jacket for the backcountry? I follow four simple criteria:
• Don’t spend more than necessary for what you’re doing—i.e., your activity level (how much you sweat) and where you go (how much rain you’ll see). Think about how often you’ll actually wear that jacket.
• There’s no reason a three-season shell for the backcountry should weigh more than a pound/454 grams, period. And at least four of the jackets reviewed here—none weighing more than a pound—can handle winter conditions.
• At a bare minimum, any waterproof-breathable shell, whatever the price, should fit you, shed steady rain, have a hood that keeps precipitation off your face, and breathe at least well enough that you’re not just as wet from perspiring in it as you would be not wearing it. Otherwise, you’re wasting your money.
• If you’re spending upwards of $250 or more, don’t settle for anything less than a jacket with great fit and exactly the performance and features you want.
With those criteria in mind, I’ve put together this list of the best jackets I’ve tested and reviewed at this blog, arranged by weight. The chart below lists the jackets from lightest to heaviest and provides some direct comparisons between these models. The short reviews below have include to complete reviews of each jacket.
The Rab Men’s Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket.
Rab Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket
$165, 7.7 oz./219g
backcountry.com
This ultralight rain shell kept me dry while backpacking through wind-driven rain and hail in a thunderstorm on the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. At just 7.7 ounces/219 grams and packing down to the size of a softball, it was also a perfect choice for wind protection and just in case of rain (which only fell early one morning, before we got up) while backpacking the Grand Canyon’s Gems Route.
Rab’s 20-denier, 2.5-layer Proflex stretch-woven waterproof nylon fabric also breathes well, and the adjustable hood offers decent face protection. If you generally avoid severe weather, the Downpour Light delivers all the protection you need in a lighter, more packable design that’s far less expensive than that high-end rain shell that’s overbuilt for your needs.
Read my complete review of the Rab Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Rab Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket at backcountry.com or rei.com.
The Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell and Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants.
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell
$180, 10 oz./284g
blackdiamondequipment.com
Trekking through some of the heaviest rain I’ve encountered over four decades of hiking and backpacking, on the Milford Track in New Zealand’s chronically rainy Fiordland National Park (lead photo at top of story), BD’s Fineline Stretch Shell and Full-Zip Pants performed about as well as pricier shells that my companions wore—as this jacket did on fall hikes in more “normal” inclement weather in Utah’s High Uintas and New Hampshire.
Featuring the brand’s proprietary, 2.5-layer BD.dry waterproof-breathable and windproof fabric, an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood with a flexible brim, and pit zippers—and at 10 ounces, weighing less than many high-end, three-season shells—Black Diamond’s Fineline offers good rain protection for hikers, backpackers, climbers, and other users at a price that leaves you gas money to reach the trailhead.
Read my complete review of the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell and Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com; a women’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com; the men’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com; or the women’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com.
The Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket.
Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket
$449, 11.5 oz./326g
rei.com
For two weeks in Iceland—trekking the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails and on dayhikes along the Ring Road—I lived in this lightweight shell for hours daily, through cool temps with wind and rain most days and some hard, wind-driven deluges. And it met the challenge of the hardest conditions most hikers, backpackers, and climbers will face.
It combines durable Pertex Diamond Fuse fabric and OR’s waterproof-breathable AscentShell membrane for reliable weather protection and superior breathability and comfort. The adjustable, helmet-compatible hood kept rain off my face when hiking into heavy, wind-driven mist. With four zippered pockets, two mesh stuff pockets inside, hook-and-loop cuffs and an adjustable hem, it delivers excellent performance for a packable shell weighing under 12 ounces.
Read my complete review of the Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at not cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket at rei.com, backcountry.com, or outdoorresearch.com.
The Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket.
Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket
$500, 13 oz./369g
arcteryx.com
Backpacking in the Canadian Rockies, Wind River Range, and Glacier National Park, I walked countless hours through rain showers, steady rain, intense thunderstorms, and very strong, chilly wind in the Beta Lightweight Jacket—convincing myself that it’s one of today’s most weather-proof and comfortable all-season shells.
The three-layer Gore-Tex delivers excellent weather protection and breathability adequate for hiking in temperatures below around 60° F/15° C. The C-KNIT backer gives the fabric a softer feel. Few rain jackets sport such a full feature set, from the adjustable hood with a sturdy brim and the front zipper and collar covering the chin, to three zippered pockets, highly durable, 40-denier fabric, an adjustable hem and cuffs, and more rarely, pit zips.
Read my complete review of the Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket at arcteryx.com or rei.com, or a women’s Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket at arcteryx.com or rei.com. .
The Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket.
Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket
$279, 14 oz./397g
backcountry.com
Whether hiking steep hills in steady rain or backcountry skiing in heavily falling, wet snow, OR’s Microgravity AscentShell Jacket kept me dry going both uphill and downhill, thanks to solid waterproofing and exceptional breathability. Credit OR’s proprietary, three-layer, waterproof-breathable AscentShell fabric for how well it manages moisture.
Supple and packable, it sports the features you want in an all-season shell, including a fully adjustable, helmet-compatible hood; a comfortable fit with very good mobility; four roomy, zippered pockets; weatherproofing features like hook-and-loop cuffs and waterproof zippers; and solid durability—all at a good price, although it’s heavier than other jackets reviewed here. It lacks pit zips, but many users won’t miss them, given the Microgravity’s breathability.
Read my complete review of the Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket at backcountry.com or rei.com, the men’s Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket at outdoorresearch.com, or the women’s Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket at outdoorresearch.com.
See my “5 Pro Tips For Buying the Right Rain Jacket For the Backcountry,” and all reviews of rain jackets, ultralight wind shells, outdoor apparel, backpacking gear, and hiking gear at The Big Outside.
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my stories “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be,” “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-book versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”
NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.
Shop for a rain jacket for dayhiking, backpacking, trail running, or climbing in the backcountry and you’ll see shells for adults ranging in price from under $100 to over $500 and in weight from less than half a pound/227 grams to over a pound/454 grams—with just as huge and confusing a range of opinions on them from reviewers and consumers. Look no further. This review spotlights the best rain jackets for the backcountry and provides expert tips on how to select the right one for your adventures.
My picks are based on extensive field testing of all of these shells dayhiking, backpacking, climbing, backcountry skiing, and/or hut trekking—and on testing dozens of rain shells while hiking through soaking rains all over the world over more than a quarter-century of testing and reviewing gear, including the 10 years I spent as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine and even longer running this blog. I’ve learned how to distinguish the mediocre from the excellent.
I think you’ll find one of them is just right for your dayhikes, backpacking trips, and climbing and other outdoor adventures—and you’ll often find great deals on some of them (see the links below).
Please share your thoughts on any of them or recommend your favorite backcountry rain shell in the comments section at the bottom of this review; I try to respond to all comments.
Testing the Rab Men’s Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket along the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado.
Understand the Terminology
Waterproof-breathable means that a membrane or fabric coating allows the moisture built up from sweating to escape through the fabric while it repels precipitation. Membranes generally offer better weather protection, breathability, and durability than a coating. Jackets with coatings are typically less expensive and lighter.
Quality definitely varies a lot. Membranes like Gore-Tex outperform many proprietary waterproof-breathable fabrics from jacket makers. However, some brands, like Outdoor Research (see below), have jackets that challenge the performance of Gore-Tex.
Never get cold again (well, almost never).
See my “5 Tips For Staying Warm and Dry While Hiking.”
Testing the Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket on Iceland’s Fimmvörðuháls Trail.
Three different types of construction are used in waterproof-breathable rain shells:
- Two-layer consists of a membrane or coating applied to the inside of a protective, outer fabric layer. The second layer is a liner that hangs loosely. Two-layer jackets are quiet and relatively inexpensive, but offer only modest breathability.
- 2.5-layer construction marries a polyurethane laminate or coating to a durable outer layer, which is backed by a protective “half layer.” These shells are less breathable and durable than others, and sometimes more clammy-feeling, but also lighter and less expensive.
- Three-layer jackets, in which a membrane is sandwiched between a tough outer fabric and a protective liner, offer the best weather protection, breathability, and durability in waterproof jackets.
Find your next adventure in your Inbox. Sign up for my FREE email newsletter now.
Testing the Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket on the Continental Divide Trail in Glacier National Park.
How to Choose a Rain Jacket
How do I choose a rain jacket for the backcountry? I follow four simple criteria:
• Don’t spend more than necessary for what you’re doing—i.e., your activity level (how much you sweat) and where you go (how much rain you’ll see). Think about how often you’ll actually wear that jacket.
• There’s no reason a three-season shell for the backcountry should weigh more than a pound/454 grams, period. And at least four of the jackets reviewed here—none weighing more than a pound—can handle winter conditions.
• At a bare minimum, any waterproof-breathable shell, whatever the price, should fit you, shed steady rain, have a hood that keeps precipitation off your face, and breathe at least well enough that you’re not just as wet from perspiring in it as you would be not wearing it. Otherwise, you’re wasting your money.
• If you’re spending upwards of $250 or more, don’t settle for anything less than a jacket with great fit and exactly the performance and features you want.
With those criteria in mind, I’ve put together this list of the best jackets I’ve tested and reviewed at this blog, arranged by weight. The chart below lists the jackets from lightest to heaviest and provides some direct comparisons between these models. The short reviews below have include to complete reviews of each jacket.
See my “5 Expert Tips For Buying a Rain Jacket for Hiking.”
| Jacket | Score | Price | Weight | Weather Protection | Breathability | Weight-to-Performance | Packability | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rab Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket | 4.1 | $165 | 7.7 oz./ 219g | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell | 4.3 | $180 | 10 oz./ 284g | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket | 4.6 | $449 | 11.5 oz./ 326g | 5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 |
| Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket | 4.5 | $500 | 13 oz./ 369g | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3.5 | 5 |
| Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket | 4.3 | $279 | 14 oz./ 397g | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4.5 |
The Best Rain Jackets for Hiking and Backpacking
The Rab Men’s Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket.
Rab Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket
$165, 7.7 oz./219g
backcountry.com
This ultralight rain shell kept me dry while backpacking through wind-driven rain and hail in a thunderstorm on the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. At just 7.7 ounces/219 grams and packing down to the size of a softball, it was also a perfect choice for wind protection and just in case of rain (which only fell early one morning, before we got up) while backpacking the Grand Canyon’s Gems Route.
Rab’s 20-denier, 2.5-layer Proflex stretch-woven waterproof nylon fabric also breathes well, and the adjustable hood offers decent face protection. If you generally avoid severe weather, the Downpour Light delivers all the protection you need in a lighter, more packable design that’s far less expensive than that high-end rain shell that’s overbuilt for your needs.
Read my complete review of the Rab Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Rab Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket at backcountry.com or rei.com.
For high-speed workouts in windy, damp weather, get a breathable, ultralight shell.
See my review of “The Best Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking Jackets.”
See my review of “The Best Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking Jackets.”
The Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell and Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants.
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell
$180, 10 oz./284g
blackdiamondequipment.com
Trekking through some of the heaviest rain I’ve encountered over four decades of hiking and backpacking, on the Milford Track in New Zealand’s chronically rainy Fiordland National Park (lead photo at top of story), BD’s Fineline Stretch Shell and Full-Zip Pants performed about as well as pricier shells that my companions wore—as this jacket did on fall hikes in more “normal” inclement weather in Utah’s High Uintas and New Hampshire.
Featuring the brand’s proprietary, 2.5-layer BD.dry waterproof-breathable and windproof fabric, an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood with a flexible brim, and pit zippers—and at 10 ounces, weighing less than many high-end, three-season shells—Black Diamond’s Fineline offers good rain protection for hikers, backpackers, climbers, and other users at a price that leaves you gas money to reach the trailhead.
Read my complete review of the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell and Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com; a women’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com; the men’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com; or the women’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com.
Plan your next great backpacking trip in Yosemite, Grand Teton,
and other parks using my expert e-books.
and other parks using my expert e-books.
The Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket.
Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket
$449, 11.5 oz./326g
rei.com
For two weeks in Iceland—trekking the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails and on dayhikes along the Ring Road—I lived in this lightweight shell for hours daily, through cool temps with wind and rain most days and some hard, wind-driven deluges. And it met the challenge of the hardest conditions most hikers, backpackers, and climbers will face.
It combines durable Pertex Diamond Fuse fabric and OR’s waterproof-breathable AscentShell membrane for reliable weather protection and superior breathability and comfort. The adjustable, helmet-compatible hood kept rain off my face when hiking into heavy, wind-driven mist. With four zippered pockets, two mesh stuff pockets inside, hook-and-loop cuffs and an adjustable hem, it delivers excellent performance for a packable shell weighing under 12 ounces.
Read my complete review of the Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at not cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket at rei.com, backcountry.com, or outdoorresearch.com.
Which puffy should you buy? See “The 10 Best Down Jackets”
and “How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is.”
and “How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is.”
The Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket.
Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket
$500, 13 oz./369g
arcteryx.com
Backpacking in the Canadian Rockies, Wind River Range, and Glacier National Park, I walked countless hours through rain showers, steady rain, intense thunderstorms, and very strong, chilly wind in the Beta Lightweight Jacket—convincing myself that it’s one of today’s most weather-proof and comfortable all-season shells.
The three-layer Gore-Tex delivers excellent weather protection and breathability adequate for hiking in temperatures below around 60° F/15° C. The C-KNIT backer gives the fabric a softer feel. Few rain jackets sport such a full feature set, from the adjustable hood with a sturdy brim and the front zipper and collar covering the chin, to three zippered pockets, highly durable, 40-denier fabric, an adjustable hem and cuffs, and more rarely, pit zips.
Read my complete review of the Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket at arcteryx.com or rei.com, or a women’s Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket at arcteryx.com or rei.com. .
Get my expert help planning your backpacking or hiking trip
and 33% off a one-year subscription. Click here.
and 33% off a one-year subscription. Click here.
The Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket.
Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket
$279, 14 oz./397g
backcountry.com
Whether hiking steep hills in steady rain or backcountry skiing in heavily falling, wet snow, OR’s Microgravity AscentShell Jacket kept me dry going both uphill and downhill, thanks to solid waterproofing and exceptional breathability. Credit OR’s proprietary, three-layer, waterproof-breathable AscentShell fabric for how well it manages moisture.
Supple and packable, it sports the features you want in an all-season shell, including a fully adjustable, helmet-compatible hood; a comfortable fit with very good mobility; four roomy, zippered pockets; weatherproofing features like hook-and-loop cuffs and waterproof zippers; and solid durability—all at a good price, although it’s heavier than other jackets reviewed here. It lacks pit zips, but many users won’t miss them, given the Microgravity’s breathability.
Read my complete review of the Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket at backcountry.com or rei.com, the men’s Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket at outdoorresearch.com, or the women’s Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket at outdoorresearch.com.
See my “5 Pro Tips For Buying the Right Rain Jacket For the Backcountry,” and all reviews of rain jackets, ultralight wind shells, outdoor apparel, backpacking gear, and hiking gear at The Big Outside.
Don’t miss my picks for “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my stories “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be,” “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-book versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”
NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.
You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there.
Join now to read ALL stories and get a free e-book!
Join now to read ALL stories and get a free e-book!