The Best Rain Jackets of 2024: Staff Picks

The Patagonia Torrentshell may appear minimalist, but this feature-packed rain jacket can weather even the heaviest downpours. It's suitable for most everyday outdoor pursuits, but we think the upgraded construction from 2.5-layer to 3-layer adds durability, making it a top pick for hiking in pouring rain. "My Patagonia Torrentshell is my go to rain gear for a variety of uses" says Erica Schiller, a retail sales specialist at the REI Denver store. "This is the jacket I pack for almost any trip to have protection from the elements, and works for many uses." The exterior fabric is created from post- and pre-consumer recycled materials (think: plastic bottles and fishing nets), and the jacket is treated with a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) coating that helps moisture bead up and roll off. Plus, all the zippers have storm flaps, and the hook-and-loop cuff closures and drawcord hem adjust to seal out precipitation and wind.

One Seattle REI Co-op member wore the Torrentshell rain jacket on a four-day backpacking trip through the Enchantments in Washington state and said, "We got rained on daily—sometimes torrentially—and this jacket kept me completely dry!"

Other attributes that make it a good choice for hiking: It's roomy enough to layer a puffy jacket underneath and breathable enough that you won't overheat putting in long miles, with pit zips that allow for extra ventilation while hiking up a sweat. Although not helmet-compatible, the roomy hood can be adjusted with drawcords at the back and around the face for a snug fit. The stiffened visor shields out rain when pushing through wet brush, and a cord-and-hook design tucks the hood away on the back of your neck (but doesn't completely stow it) when not in use. Several customer-reviewers disliked the crinkly noise that the fabric makes. And there's no chest pocket on the Torrentshell, but the two handwarmer pockets are large enough to store a phone, map or other small essentials. As a nice added touch, "this jacket folds nicely into a pack for emergencies, and can also look sleek enough to use in the city as well as the trail," Schiller says. Buy women's and men's or kids'.

The Janji Rainrunner 2.0 is a lightweight and ventilated jacket that allows for unrestricted movement when running in the rain, and it has a whopping 20,000 mm/20,000 g waterproof, breathable fabric rating. Customer-reviewers from Seattle, WA, and Raleigh, NC, agreed that the jacket is well suited to rainy mileage. "Construction allows for air circulation and when you're all sweaty it doesn't leave you all cold and wet."

The Rainrunner 2.0's 2.5-layer shell is waterproof and windproof, and the streamlined cut has enough stretch so as not to impede your natural stride, with a dropped back hem for added spatter protection. Water-repellent zippers and semielasticized cuffs prevent moisture from finding a way in, and open mesh paneling around the core lets heat escape so you won't feel clammy when you're putting in the long miles. You can also comfortably fit a light mid layer underneath or wear a hydration vest over top.

Read more: What to Wear Running

Zippered hand pockets and an internal pocket provide ample storage for your keys and cards, and the Rainrunner 2.0 packs down for easy stowing when the sun comes out. The elasticized hood with micro-visor offers enough mobility to turn your head and check your blind spots, and a new hood bungee toggle allows you to adjust for a more secure fit when running in gusty winds. You can also roll down the hood and cinch it out of the way in an integrated band when you don't need the protection. Small reflective logos on the front and back hem add a touch of visibility for running in low light.

The newly reintroduced Arc'teryx Beta SL (formerly the LT) is as versatile and lightweight as before, ready to handle heavy rain and gusty winds. It's our top pick for a wide range of activities, from hiking to rock climbing. The latest version uses a three-layer GORE-TEX material with an ePE membrane that forgoes PFCs for a lighter carbon footprint. While it's thinner and lighter, our staffers found that it's just as breathable, waterproof and durable as its predecessor. "My Arcteryx Beta SL is my everyday use rain jacket," says Erica Schiller, a sales specialist at the Denver REI store. "I use it not only for rainy conditions, but windy days, too, to block the wind and keep me warmer."

And yes, the Beta SL is the priciest jacket among our picks, nearly two to three times more expensive than others on this list. Still, it's an investment worth making, says Katie Smyth, a Seattle-based assistant category merchant for women's outerwear at the co-op who has had her version for at least a decade. She can't even justify replacing her current one yet because it won't wear out; Smyth credits its longevity to the abrasion-resistant face fabric, high stitch count and flat-laying taped seams.

Other features we love: Arc'teryx excels at hood design and it's arguably the most dialed-in feature on the Beta SL. The adjustable hood is helmet-compatible and allows for a customized fit that provides full coverage without impeding vision. "When you cinch the hood down, if you need to look left or right, the hood looks with you, instead of you looking into the hood," says our REI retail specialist in Raleigh, North Carolina. Two front pockets accommodate climbing harnesses, making it useful for cragging days as well.

Some customer-reviewers found the sizing on the men's jacket off or the fit too slim, so we recommend trying a few on, if possible. Others didn't have that problem: "It fits me so well that I don't mind wearing it often through the winter to keep the elements out and the warmer air trapped inside," says Schiller. "It feels like a well-tailored top." Buy the women's or men's.

It's no wonder that the Rainier is the co-op's best-selling rain jacket—ever. It's waterproof, relatively breathable and loaded with features, all for less than $100. "I keep looking for a reason to buy a second rain jacket but can't find one," says a copywriter at the co-op who bought the Rainier when she first moved to the Pacific Northwest—and she hasn't broken up with it yet.

"The Rainier has the benefit of the pit zips," says Dawn Fahlstrom, a co-op retail sales specialist in Dallas, "which are handy if you need more ventilation when being active." Sealed seams, hook-and-loop cuffs, a drawcord hem and front storm flap keep wind and water out, and the bright color options help keep you visible to city traffic. (There are men's tall sizes for those who need more length in the arms and torso.) But this isn't a super technical piece: It doesn't pack up all that small, making it a better option for everyday use. It has ample room for a phone, snacks and sundries with two exterior hand pockets and two interior drop pockets. We love that the hood adjusts and rolls away into the collar.

More options: For those who don't want to wear rain pants or just like the look of a longer silhouette, the REI Co-op Rainier Long Line Rain Jacket retains all the features members love about the classic Rainier, but in a thigh-length version that will keep your backside dry. One notable feature missing from the Rainier Long Line: pit zips.

Learn more about the differences between REI Co-op Rain Jackets to help you decide which one is right for you.

Wet weather shouldn't hinder outdoor fun, and the REI Co-op Rainwall Jacket keeps little ones dry and toasty while playing in the rain and puddle-jumping. "We were out for hours in a full downpour and my child stayed 100% dry and very happy," says one customer reviewer. The 2.5-layer shell is waterproof, windproof and blocks out the elements with sealed seams, elastic cuffs and a front storm flap. Reflective trim on the front and back help keep kids visible in low light.

Another member praised this jacket for being able to last through two toddlers' tough and repeated use at the playground, exploring nature trails and on neighborhood walks. The tricot-lined collar is soft on the neck, and the fit is generous enough to fit another layer underneath. The hood has a rain brim and elastic on the sides of the opening for a snug fit that needs no fiddling. Zippered hand pockets on the kids' version secure essentials, while the toddlers' version utilizes hook-and-loop hand pockets, making it easier for little hands to stash treasures. Added touches include a loop to hang it in a school locker and a write-on ID label.

More options: Pair the jacket with the matching REI Co-op Rainier Rain Pants for full protection (kids', toddlers'). For colder wet climates, an try the kids' REI Co-op Reversible Flash Insulated Jacket—though it's water-resistant and not waterproof, meaning it will handle light rains but not torrential downpour.