• With the right rain jacket, your outdoor activities need not be limited because of light rain or a torrential downpour, nor does your sense of style need to suffer in the name of practicality.
  • Our top picks for the best men’s rain jackets come from Wantdo, The North Face, Patagonia, Gioberti, Shower Pass, and Hart Schaffner Marx.

Human beings have been wearing some form of rain-resistant clothing for thousands of years. From water- and snow-resistant parkas made from skins worn by hunters in polar regions to garments fabricated using woven straw, such as the ancient Japanese mino, people have long sought ways to remain dry while outside in wet weather. Which makes sense, because getting cold and wet is really not much fun.

Protective rain gear entered the modern era in the 1820s when Scottish chemist Charles Mackintosh created the first practical waterproof fabric. His creation involved the bonding together of two layers of cloth using a layer of rubber, thus producing a material that could be used to make clothing, tents, tarps for wagons, and myriad other purposes. His surname was lent to the Mackintosh Raincoat, a garment still popular today more than 170 years after his death.

When selecting the right rain jacket for your needs, put function in front of style. If your jacket can’t help you properly perform the tasks at hand, it doesn’t serve you well even if it looks great. Consider whether you’ll need to stay dry while jogging, commuting, working outdoors, traveling, or when out for a night on the town.

Once you know the demands that will be placed on your rain gear based on location and circumstance, then you should be all means start to think about style. After all, while a rain jacket’s primary purpose is to keep everything underneath it dry, as the outer layer, it’s the most visible thing you’ll be wearing, so it might as well look good.

In our guide, you’ll find rain jackets suited for everything from hiking in the sultry jungle to trekking through freezing mountain rains to strolling down Fifth Avenue in a cool September drizzle. We selected coats from across the price spectrum and in a variety of different styles, but all share one key characteristic: They will keep you dry.

Some of these jackets are also available in a women's version, but for the best rain jackets for women, check out our guide.

Here are the best rain jackets for men:

Updated on 10/29/2019 by Amir Ismael: Updated links, formatting, and prices. We are currently testing new rain jackets for men and will be updating this guide when we have new options to recommend.

The best rain jacket for cold weather

The Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket is warm enough for use while on a snowy mountain, buy it doesn't have the bulky look of most ski parkas.

As you can rightly expect from a raincoat, the Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket is waterproof. Its exterior is coated with water-repellent and is also an excellent windbreaker, taking the chill out of the frosty breeze. But it's what you'll find inside this coat that makes it a rain jacket of note.

The Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket features a fleece-lined interior that is soft and cozy against your body and cotton padding stitched in behind the fleece. The layers of the jacket combined with the cinch-tight sleeves, hood, and hem will help keep you warm even on cold days, while the reflective strips on the shoulders help keep you visible in low light.

If you do use this coat for skiing or snowboarding, you'll be glad for the snug powder skirt that keeps snow from getting up underneath the garment. On or off the slopes, you will appreciate the affordable price point.

One customer who bought the Wantdo Fleece Ski Rain Jacket for her husband said he found the coat "warm and not too heavy or too light" and was overall a huge hit, even including the jacket's stylish looks.

Norway Geographical called the fleece lining "warm, highly insulating, and yet breathable." TopGuidePro.com said the Wantdo jacket was "windproof, waterproof, and breathable" and was a great way to "save big" while still getting a quality coat.

Pros: Excellent insulation, great low price, multiple pockets

Cons: Not comfortable for wear over a blazer or thicker sweaters

The best budget rain jacket

Foto: sourceGioberti

The Gioberti Waterproof Lightweight Rain Jacket is lightweight, flexible, and comes in a dozen different colors for a low price.

That's right, twenty-five dollars. For the same price as an entree and appetizer at a casual dining restaurant, you can get a rain jacket that will last for years even if subjected to frequent downpours. The Gioberti Waterproof Lightweight Rain Jacket is well made, comfortable, and even rather stylish.

Its looks are assisted by the fact that you can choose colors ranging from black to red to blue to orange. There are a dozen colors in all, some of which are bright and bold, others of which are more refined and demure.

The Gioberti raincoat is made from 100% polyester that is treated with a waterproof coating, so water slides right off it while, inside, a mesh lining helps wick sweat and moisture away from your skin. A flap secures over the zipper using Velcro patches, while the cuffs and hood can be cinched tight to keep out precipitation.

This is a fine raincoat for everyday use, but a great choice for the traveler. Thanks to its light weight, it won't add much burden to your luggage, and it can also be folded up tight and packed down small, fitting into just about any bag you bring along, even including a briefcase or backpack.

And again, that price. If you can't decide which color you like best, just get two. You'll still be paying less than half the cost of the next most affordable rain jacket on our list.

With hundreds of reviews logged on Amazon, the Gioberti rain jacket has a 4-star average rating. Many customers said they were pleasantly surprised by the coat's high quality given its low price. One buyer said the jacket is "comfortable" and "definitely keeps out the rain" as confirmed by its use "in the aftermath downpour of a small tornado."

Pros: Very low cost, available in many colors, lightweight and packable

Cons: Water can seep in through unzipped pockets

The best classic raincoat

Foto: sourceHart Schaffner Marx

When you picture a classic raincoat, chances are good that it looks exactly like the Burnett Trench Coat from Hart Schaffner Marx.

The Hart Schaffner Marx Burnett Trench Coat would not have looked the least bit out of place when worn by a stylish gentleman strolling down a rainy Chicago street back in the 1940s. It would not have looked out of place worn on New York's Madison Avenue in the 1960s. Or on the National Mall in Washington DC in the 1980s.

And far from being a vintage or retro garment today, this timeless raincoat still won't look out of place when worn by a contemporary gentleman. Quite the contrary - Its stylish cut and fine materials will still draw admiration and approval.

Looks aside, the Burnett trench coat will also keep you dry, protecting that fine suit jacket (or hoodie) you're wearing underneath and keeping your trousers largely dry as well thanks to the ample coverage of this knee-length garment.

The coat comes in four classic colors, including tan, navy, black, and a shade of gray. It has dual side-slash pockets on the exterior and several interior pockets as well, and the jacket can be secured by buttons as well as by an included belt.

Removable epaulets, a zip-out liner, and adjustable cuffs allow excellent customization of this coat, which is a great value considering its top-quality construction. With proper care - which does include dry cleaning, ironically - this will be a lifelong purchase.

The Hart Schaffner Marx Burnett Trench Coat has a 4.5-star average rating on Amazon. One owner said his Burnett is "well-made and fits perfectly," adding that the "styling is elegant and classic." Another said this is a "classic coat, made the way it should be."

A BeingLike.com blogger called the Hart Schaffner Marx Burnett trench "classy" and "authentic" and praised the "long lasting" durability of its construction.

Pros: Classic and timeless style, covers from neck to knees, perfect for work

Cons: Dry-cleaning required, will eventually soak through in downpour

The best stylish rain jacket

Foto: sourceThe North Face

The North Face Millerton Hooded Waterproof Jacket is stylish enough to wear during a date, casual enough to stay dry during a dog walk, and durable enough to last.

If you value versatility, durability, and affordable prices, you'll like The North Face Millerton Hooded Waterproof Jacket. The Millerton works with jeans or dress pants, shorts or running tights, and it won't look out of place worn during a summertime afternoon rainstorm or a late autumn drizzle. This jacket really is that versatile, thanks to its elegant, simple styling.

As for construction, anyone who has ever owned a North Face jacket knows these things last and last. I've bought several over the years, and all are still in great shape, including a fleece that has been dragged up and down mountains all over the country.

The North Face Millerton Hooded Waterproof Jacket is made entirely out of polyester and features sealed seams that block rain and wind. Its adjustable cuffs and cinch-cord hood let you trap in extra warmth when needed, while a soft interior liner keeps you comfortable and cozy.

Pros: Stylish design, great price point, durable construction

Cons: Runs large compared to most coats

The best rain jacket for travel

Foto: sourcePatagonia

The Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket can keep you dry in serious rainstorms, but it can also fit into a briefcase, backpack, or glove compartment.

The experienced traveler is always prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions, yet is also committed to traveling as light as possible. With the Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket, you add just 12.2 ounces of weight to your gear or luggage and get a jacket the can be rolled or folded into a small enough package to fit in just about any bag.

Yet when zipped onto your person and with the hood up, this waterproof coat will keep your torso, arms, and head dry even when it's raining cats and dogs. Perhaps even more impressive than the Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket's ability to keep you dry when needed and then pack away so easily when not, is the fact that this coat is actually pretty good looking, too.

It comes in several colors and works well with a pair of jeans. Also, at just under $130, it's a fine price for the quality. The 100% nylon jacket has an adjustable hem and cuffs and zippered pockets that can keep your hands warm and dry or your phone and wallet protected.

In a review, Outdoor Gear Lab called the Patagonia Torrentshell Packable Rain Jacket a "budget-friendly, pedigreed rain layer" that performs on par with products donning a much higher price tag.

Pros: Packs down small, available in multiple colors, comfortable and warm

Cons: Sizing runs large