How to Choose a Rain Jacket

Rain jackets span $25 to $500 and the expensive ones are not twenty times drier. What you buy with money is breathability, durability, and features — not waterproofing, which even cheap shells do adequately for a while.

1. 1

   Assess how much rain you actually hike in

   Occasional showers on day hikes need very little — a Frogg Toggs at $25 handles them. Regular multi-hour rain, especially in cold, is where cheap shells fail: they wet out, stop breathing, and you get soaked from inside. Be honest about which describes your hiking.

2. 2

   Match breathability to your output

   A hard-working hiker generates more moisture than any membrane can pass, which is why pit zips matter more than the membrane rating. If you climb hard, prioritize ventilation features — pit zips, mesh pockets that vent, an adjustable hem — over a higher waterproof number.

   Waterproof ratings explainedWhat the mm and g/m² numbers mean

   Read Guide →
3. 3

   Decide how long you want it to last

   Cheap 2-layer shells with a hanging liner delaminate in two or three seasons of regular use. 2.5-layer shells like the Torrentshell last longer. 3-layer shells like the Beta AR are built for many years of hard use, which is most of the justification for their price.

4. 4

   Set a packed weight limit

   Ultralight shells around 6-8oz pack tiny and abrade easily. Midweight shells at 12-16oz survive bushwhacking and pack straps. Heavy 3-layer shells at 16oz-plus are for sustained hard conditions. Match this to how often the jacket is in your pack versus on your body.

5. 5

   Plan for DWR maintenance from the start

   Every waterproof-breathable jacket relies on a surface treatment that wears off, and when it does the fabric wets out and stops breathing. Most people conclude the jacket has failed. It has not — it needs rewashing and reproofing, which takes an hour.

   Reproofing guideRestoring DWR so the jacket breathes again

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