Rain Jackets

A rain jacket's job is keeping storm water out while letting your sweat vapor escape, a contradiction every shell manages imperfectly. The specs that matter are the membrane or coating (2-layer, 2.5-layer, or 3-layer construction), waterproof and breathability ratings, seam taping, and mechanical venting like pit zips, which no membrane outperforms.

The ten jackets below cover ultralight emergency shells under 7 oz, durable 3-layer workhorses for all-day rain, and budget jackets that keep families dry. Weights are manufacturer figures for men's medium unless noted; every jacket here is fully seam-taped unless stated.