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Years ago, I used to shop for raincoats with one question in mind: Will this coat keep me dry? As long as the answer was yes, I overlooked features like breathability, fit, or how it looked. (The men’s raincoats with that fancy tech were often pricier, anyways.) But nowadays, there’s more to consider when shopping for a raincoat, because they’ve gotten better in every way. There are greater options than ever to choose from, and plenty that are more waterproof, lighter weight, and packable than their predecessors. Some fashion-forward brands have even embraced the new fabric technology to create raincoats that have classic, retro looks, but are just as waterproof — if not more so — than the ones you’d use for a hike in the PNW. And all this variety means there are now many more affordable options that perform just as well as some that cost $100 more.
To help you find the best men’s raincoats, I wrote about the jackets I’ve been testing for close to a decade, as well as some newer models and coats that have the Strategist staffer stamp of approval. Plus, I rounded up all of our experts’ favorite coats that keep them dry, whether in a drizzle or a downpour. Here, you’ll find coats that stand up to everything from rainy hikes to errands in thunderstorms. And if you’re looking for more men’s basics, check out our guides to long-sleeved shirts, winter boots, and gym shorts.
What we’re looking for
Fabric type
A jacket’s fabric will determine how waterproof it is. The only truly waterproof materials are vinyl, plastic, and rubber, which are impenetrable by water. You’ll find these materials in some traditional (and often heavier) raincoats, but nowadays, most raincoats have a polyester or nylon shell, which are water-resistant and not fully waterproof. These shells are often treated with a durable water-resistant (DWR) coating, which gives them plenty of water resistance, but over time, that coating fades, and then it’s time to reapply it with a spray or wash-in treatment.
Breathability
As a general rule of thumb, the more waterproof a jacket is, the less breathable it will be, because truly waterproof materials have less pores for moisture and air to travel through than fabrics like nylon and polyester. (If you’ve ever felt your skin get clammy when wearing a rain shell, it’s because there’s moisture trapped between your skin and the jacket with nowhere to go.) But some jackets have features that make them more breathable, like underarm zip vents and pores in places where you might overheat. The most recognizable waterproof breathable technology is a Gore-Tex membrane, which is a layer in the fabric below the jacket’s outer shell that keeps water out but allows heat and air to escape. (Keep in mind: Gore-Tex jackets are notably pricier.) I’ll note how breathable each raincoat is on a scale of low (not very breathable) to high (very breathable).
Weight and length
Some raincoats will have a longer hem that goes down past your waist, while others fit like a regular jacket over the waist. That extra coverage will help protect your waist and parts of your legs from getting wet, but these jackets tend to be bulkier and heavier. You might want to consider weight depending on the activity: You’ll want a lighter raincoat for hiking or backpacking, but if weight doesn’t matter that much to you, you’ll likely prefer the heavier weight (and waterproofing) of a long coat.
Best men’s raincoat overall
Fabric: Polyester with polyurethane coating | Breathability: Low/medium | Weight and length: Light weight, short length (also available in long version)
The Rains jacket is my top recommendation because it’s the ideal blend of the fully waterproof, retro-looking raincoats of decades past, with the lighter, more breathable jackets you’d use for hiking. It’s made with polyester and has a slick polyurethane coating that beads off water. This combo makes it plenty waterproof, but the tradeoff is breathability: There aren’t any features that allow you to vent heat, so this will be your best bet for weather in the 50s and below. If you run hot, like me, you’ll likely work up a sweat in this if you’re commuting in temperatures warmer than that. But for $110, this is your best bet for an everyday raincoat because it doesn’t scream “outdoorsy” and it doesn’t feel overly bulky like other rubbery rain jackets. It’s also one of Strategist writer Katherine Gillespie’s top picks for women’s raincoats.
Best (less-expensive) raincoat overall
Fabric: Polyester | Breathability: Medium | Weight and length: Light weight, short length
I’ve been testing the Blocktech for the past two months for commutes, bike rides, and walks around town, and I can confidently say this is my top pick for anyone who doesn’t want to think much about their raincoat and just wants something basic to stay dry. Uniqlo calls this a parka, but I think it’s best described as a simple, lightweight rain jacket. As with so many men’s basics, Uniqlo not surprisingly makes a raincoat that performs well, is still stylish, and is affordable. Although fit is relative, I found the men’s medium (my usual size) to be on the money: It’s slightly slimmer than other medium cuts, but it doesn’t drape in a baggy way, which is often the case with rain shells. It’s made with polyester with a DWR finish that lets water bead off, and its inner fabric doesn’t feel clammy against my skin when wearing a T-shirt. It also comes recommended by Nicolas Lazaro, an editorial manager at Buck Mason. The jacket’s Blocktech fabric, he explains, is both weatherproof and durable — and offers “a flattering structure, with just enough stretch for comfort.”
Best long raincoat
Fabric: 100% PVC rubberized coating with cotton-polyester membrane | Breathability: low | Weight and length: Heavy weight, long length (also available in medium length)
With a long hem and thick, rubberized coating, this Stutterheim raincoat is the one I recommend for downpours. It drapes well past the waist and covers parts of the thighs, so it should keep most of your upper body dry in a storm. Its rubber construction naturally won’t breathe well, so I wouldn’t recommend this jacket if you’re looking for one that can help you dump heat. Its cut is one of the most stylish in this list, too. When we spoke to stylish men about their favorite rain jackets, stylist Brandon Garr recommended the Stockholm, which they called a “universal classic,” and Gillespie says its look brings to mind “a vintage fisherman’s slicker.” It also comes in a range of muted, easy-to-wear colors, like charcoal, seafoam green, and ginger.
Best Gore-Tex raincoat
Fabric: 100% recycled polyester and Gore-Tex shell | Breathability: Medium | Weight and length: Light weight, medium length
Snow Peak is known for its high-quality outdoor gear and apparel, and this rain jacket is no exception. I’ve been testing the Gore-Tex jacket this spring on wet walks through the park and drizzly bike rides, and it’s kept me bone-dry throughout all of those excursions. Other Gore-Tex jackets can often feel like I’m draped in a crinkly Ikea bag, but not this one from Snow Peak: Its exterior fabric has a softer, brushed feel to it that I found comfortable. It also comes in earthy colors that give it a more casual look, as opposed to a shell that screams outdoorsy in highlighter colors. At $500, it might feel like an investment, but since Gore-Tex is exceptionally breathable while being fully waterproof, this jacket could easily serve as both your skiing shell and your year-round rain jacket.
Best raincoat for hiking
Fabric: 100% recycled nylon | Breathability: High | Weight and length: Light weight, medium length
The Torrentshell is the raincoat I recommend for any outdoor activity. In the past nine years, I’ve tested two different versions of the Torrentshell, and both of those jackets have been my go-to rain shells for almost every type of hike or backpacking trip I’ve gone on, from Patagonia to Nepal. In addition to its three-layered shell that repels water, it has pit zips, which are especially helpful when you’re working up a sweat on a hike, or if you’re caught in a warm summer rainstorm that can feel muggy. It’s plenty packable, too — it compresses to the size of a Nalgene bottle, so it’s great for stuffing into my carry-on. Overall, it’s a versatile jacket that will work just as well for rainy hikes as it will for wet work commutes. Plus, it gets the stamp of approval from Strategist columnist Chris Black and photographer Corey Jermaine, who told us he’s worn this in some of the “ugliest rain” you can imagine and that the jacket is as fashionable as it is functional.
Best (less-expensive) raincoat for hiking
Fabric: 100% recycled nylon | Breathability: Medium | Weight and length: Light weight, medium length
If you’re looking for a more affordable hiking raincoat, I’d point you to the Trail Model from L.L.Bean. It’s a straightforward rain shell that has a slightly baggier fit compared to the Uniqlo or Patagonia jackets, which means it can accommodate multiple layers underneath. I’ve worn this jacket through spring showers, and I was impressed with how well water simply beaded off and never saturated the outer shell, even after hours of being outside. Its similar in price to the Uniqlo jacket, but I think this one is better for hiking because of small features. It has three pockets: two front hand pockets and an exterior zip chest pocket, whereas the Uniqlo only has two pockets, and it has an adjustable hood, which can tighten around your head.
Best waxed raincoat
Fabric: Waxed cotton with cotton lining | Breathability: Medium | Weight and length: Medium/heavy weight, medium length
With its medium length, corduroy collar, and signature waxed cotton, the Bedale is a classic Barbour jacket that I love for year-round use. It won’t shed rain as well as some of the polyester and nylon options in this list, but I found that its waxed cotton does a great job of shedding light rain and drizzles — just not downpours. Its heavier weight makes this a versatile jacket for all sorts of weather: I wear it in the fall on top of button-downs, on top of sweaters in the winter, and under lighter layers during wet spring days. And because it’s made with cotton, it breathes better than other plastic materials often found in raincoats. Over time, the wax will wear off, and you’ll have to reapply it. (You can send it into Barbour for a full rewaxing, or you can do it yourself with a few materials.)
Best lightweight non-hooded raincoat
Fabric: 65% polyester, 35% cotton | Breathability: Medium | Weight and length: Light weight, long length
The Stormchaser Mackintosh is one of my favorite raincoats because it offers the coverage of a full-length raincoat and the light weight of a backpacking rain shell. And some days, all you want is that coverage without the insulation of heavier coats, like the Stutterheim or Rains coats. For those reasons, it’s a go-to raincoat for the spring, especially when it’s warmer out. There are few other reasons why I love it: It has a basic silhouette that compliments my dressier outfits (as opposed to the look of a hiking jacket that can sometimes feel odd with more formal clothing), and it has tiny magnetic pocket closures that snap shut and keep my valuables dry. It doesn’t have a hood, so if it’s really storming, make sure to bring an umbrella.
Additional reporting by David Notis and Louis Cheslaw.
Our experts
• Chris Black, Strategist style columnist
• Brandon Garr, fashion stylist
• Katherine Gillespie, Strategist writer
• Corey Jermaine, photographer
• Nicolas Lazaro, editorial manager at Buck Mason
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