PROS: Affordable, lightweight, pockets, pit-zips, CONS: Less durable than others, flap instead of waterproof zipper. It should also fit snug enough so you dont have too much extra fabric getting in the way as you are hiking. 
To learn more tips for hiking and backpacking in the rain, check out the following links: The Arcteryx Beta AR is both lightweight and durable for everyday wear or severe conditions. This leads many people to think that their rain gear is failing even though its still waterproof and doing its job. I have a nice REI Goretex rain jacket, it works great, but sadly there arent any pit vents , Kristen (or anyone else reading) The Patagonia Torrentshell has the 2 way hood adjuster but the pull tabs near the chin to cinch the hood dont stay put like the Arcteryx do. The following rain jackets didnt make our final list, but theyve still got a lot of good things going for them. The Rainier Rain Jacket is lightweight and does a great job at repelling rain and blocking out wind. If youre on a budget, choose a quality mid-priced raincoat the REI Rainier Rain Jacket is a great option that has the features you need and use most often. HOW TO STAY COOL & DRY IN A RAIN JACKET - Getting hot and sweating when youre working hard in a rain jacket is inevitable. There are plenty of great options that are designed with fit, movement, and next-to-skin comfort in mind. BOTTOM LINE: The Marmot Bantamweight (mens / womens) is the ultimate weight-saver for those who want to carry rain and wind protection without adding weight or bulk to their backpack. New videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring stories and more. 
As long as youre moving, youll still be relatively dry and comfortable. But if youre willing to be a bit careful to avoid snags, youll love how unencumbered you feel in it. Then right before my Alaska backpacking trip where I needed to be prepared for the elements, I found theArcteryx Beta AR rain jacketfor 30% off at REI and decided to try it out. Follow CleverHiker on Facebook to catch our latest updates & shares. It kept me completely dry, the jacket itself dried quickly, and the pit zips were essential for avoiding feeling sweaty and clammy. Start cold - only wearing a lightweight wool or synthetic t-shirt or base layer top under your rain jacket if you expect to hike fast or uphill right away, Ventilate - dump heat through the pit zips, bottom hem, wrist cuffs, and front zipper, Slow down - moderating your pace will slow your heart rate, Drink water - staying hydrated and drinking cold water will cool you from the inside-out, Shed layers - take off your hat and gloves, Consider using a hiking umbrella in addition to an ultralight rain jacket, USING A rain jacket TO STAY WARM on A summer backpacking trip IN pATAGONIA. Overall, it's a highly functional and attractive jacket. Check out our full review of the Helium Jacket and Pants. Has anyone found a hack or clip or something to jerryrig it so they stay and dont lose tension? 
Check out our full review of the Zeta SL. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. If you liked this list, youll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. BOTTOM LINE: The Black Diamond Stormline Stretch jacket (mens / womens) hits the nail on the head with a great balance of everything - affordable price, high quality construction, and useful features. The XeroDry is also less fitted than some jackets, so its more comfortable and flattering for those who prefer a relaxed fit or want a little extra room to accommodate insulation layers. NUMBER OF LAYERS - The number of layers in a jacket determines how waterproof and breathable it will be. You'll be turned on to new videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring outdoor stories and much more. This lightweight rain jacket is made with sustainable, eco-friendly materials, has an adjustable hood, and comes in a variety of colors. All of the rain jackets we tested are reasonably lightweight and packable, but some really excel. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Best Womens Lightweight Rain Jackets for Hiking in 2022, Outdoor Research Womens Helium Rain Jacket, Patagonia Torrentshell Womens Rain Jacket, Eddie Bauer Womens Cloud Cap Rain Jacket, Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Womens Rain Shell, North Face Venture 2 Womens Rain Jacket, Eddie Bauer Womens Cloud Cap Rain Jacket, Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Womens Rain Shell, the REI Rainier Rain Jacket is a great option, Winter Hiking Clothes & Cold Weather Layering Basics, Complete John Muir Trail Gear List for 2022, What to Wear Hiking: Womens Guide to Outdoor Apparel, Hiking for Beginners: Essential Hiking 101 Tips, Highly waterproof and windproof with 3-layer Gortex protection, Adjustable hem cord to keep chilly air out on cold, windy days. NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund In more fair-weather conditions, an ultralight jacket that hardly takes up any room in your pack is all you need to provide emergency protection. Keep up with our latest tutorials and gear reviews on YouTube. Layering clothing for wet conditions with the Outdoor Research Helium. A few of our favorite features are the high collar, precise hood adjustments, and wide visor that keep even the most sideways rain at bay. PROS: Comfortable (stretchy), quiet, pockets, pit-zips. At less than $90, its one of the best rain jackets for women on a budget and is the rain jacket that Linda, Bearfoot Theorys Director of Operations, currently sports on rainy day adventures. PROS: Affordable, ultralight, highly packable, CONS: Less durable than others, no pit zips, no hand pockets, runs a bit small - size up to accommodate layers. 
It has pit-zips for ventilation and an adjustable hood two features we consider essential for any rain jacket, and it folds up small into the right-hand pocket making it easy to bring along on any adventure. Great for: hiking in downpours, people living in rainy climates, Pros: most waterproof jacket on the list, Lifetime of product warranty, very durable, Cons: expensive investment, heavier and bulkier than other jackets. She also wore this rain jacket in Hawaii and loves that it is chic enough to wear around town as well as on the hiking trails. If you found this guide helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five! We're Dave & Annie, the outdoor adventurers behind CleverHiker. We love backpacking, international travel, useful gear, and all things nature. This Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket is great for backpackers and hikers who want to shed weight from their pack. For drier climates, lugging this jacket around might be a bit overkill, depending on the season. 
Wind river part three. The Kinetic Plus is great for times when you need a little warmth and wind protection while youre active in mildly rainy conditions. So we put our decades of knowledge and experience to good use to narrow down this list of the very best rain jackets. Im leaning toward the Patagonia TorrentShell but Im hunting for any info from backpackers about rain shells that hold up over time after regular wear with a heavy pack. If you have more questions or a suggestion, wed love to hear from you! Itll likely evaporate with body heat as long as youre wearing appropriate wicking layers underneath. We fully understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and thats one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. The Zetas price is a bit steep, but the durability and thoughtful design make it well worth the cost. The Helium does just that - its simple but high-quality, and an excellent value. The stretch fabric is soft to the touch and gives the jacket a relaxed, unrestricted feel thats easy to move in. Tell us in the comments below! We also love how quiet the material is - you can actually hear with the hood up! 
BOTTOM LINE: The Montbell Versalite (mens / womens) quickly became our favorite rain jacket for ultralight adventures because its incredibly lightweight, but doesnt compromise on essentials like hand pockets and pit zips. Heather Eldridge is an accomplished backpacker and camping aficionado. We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends. Most comfortable rain jackets: Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Mens/Womens, Marmot Bantamweight Mens/Womens & Rab Kinetic 2.0 Mens/Womens, The Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Mens/Womens has a great balance of weight, comfort & weather protection. Over the years Ive done my share of hiking in the rain. MEASURED WEIGHT (WOMENS MEDIUM): 5.6 oz. It costs a bit more than some of our more basic picks, but the materials feel more durable and comfortable against the skin. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. Check price: REI | Backcountry | Moosejaw, Pros: a tried and tested model that has been around for over a decade, great value for price, Cons: can feel sticky if hiking for extended periods of time in it. I caught this fellow hiker coming around a bend and boy does he make a great prop! If you feel wetness forming inside your jacket, dont worry too much about it and keep truckin. Campaign Zero BOTTOM LINE: If youre looking for a technical jacket that can stand up to the rigors of everyday wear and blasting storms, the Arcteryx Beta AR (mens / womens) is the jacket you want. The airy stretch fabric makes it comfortable to move in, and weve been pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to stay relatively cool while wearing it during aerobic activity. Great for: travel, summer use, lightweight backpacking, Pros: one of the most lightweight jacket options, adjustable hood, Cons: fabric makes a crinkly noise when wearing. 
This jacket holds up extremely well in the wind, keeping you not only dry but warm. Because its so versatile and such an awesome value, the Torrentshell is the number one rain jacket we recommend for all-around use. 
But we dont just compare specs - we physically wear and test dozens of jackets to see how they perform for ourselves. * You can not add any links to your comment as was previously mentioned above. Because of the thoughtful design and the affordable price point, we find the Stormline to be one of the most well-rounded rain jackets on the market. 
The price of a rain jacket does make a difference because youll get higher quality products that have gone through more testing, research, and development to ensure they work well. 
Linda, BFTs Director, wore the Eddie Bauer Womens Cloud Cap Rain Jacket on a trip to Yosemite National Park and had a chance to test it out on the Mist Trail and in a summer thunderstorm. 
PROS: Affordable, lightweight, highly packable, high-quality construction, pockets, pit-zips, lots of colors to choose from, CONS: High collar & helmet compatible hood isnt for everyone. I discovered the power of the outdoors in my 20s, at the time I needed it most. Any thoughts? She loves this rain jacket so much that she also bought one for her husband for Christmas. The Beta isnt the lightest option, but its the jacket we trust most in severe rain and snow conditions. BOTTOM LINE: The Outdoor Research Helium (mens / womens) is one of the most affordable ultralight rain jackets on the market. 
BREATHABILITY - Many rain jackets advertise that theyve got the latest most breathable vapor barrier on the market, but the truth is, youll get hot and sweaty if you do vigorous exercise in any of them. Link in bio, Crisp rushing water and distant snowy peaks in the Wind River Range. Thanks guy . It can be difficult to find the perfect rain jacket in such a saturated market. Another budget-friendly shell on this list of the best rain jackets for women is the North Face Venture 2. You can leave a comment, but you wont be able to add any links. Both are great budget jackets, but we slightly prefer the PreCip since it weighs a couple of ounces less. 
The Bantamweight is a great choice for those who prioritize low weight, breathability, and freedom of movement. 
Act Blue - Bail Funds Check out this quick list of the best rain jackets if youre in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews. The Versalite has a very competitive price for a premium ultralight jacket and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for ways to cut pack weight. CleverHiker.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. A good raincoat will help keep you dry by keeping moisture out from the outside while also allowing sweat or other water vapors from the inside to evaporate. BOTTOM LINE: The Rab Kinetic 2.0 (mens / womens) is one of the most comfortable and quiet rain jackets weve ever worn. The Kinetic Plus isnt the most technical jacket on our list since it lacks hood and hem adjustments, but we like the simplicity of the design and it has a snug, flattering fit. MEASURED WEIGHT (WOMENS MEDIUM): 5.9 oz. My goal at Bearfoot Theory is to empower you with the tools and advice you need to responsibly get outside. Heres a quick breakdown of the 3 kinds that will help you navigate the product description and the price when you are choosing a hiking raincoat. We hope the information here helps you get the most for your money while ensuring you stay dry while you hike. Check Price: Patagonia | REI | Backcountry, Great for: people looking to buy eco-friendly gear, windy conditions, hiking in downpours, Pros: deep pockets, Bluesign approved fabric made from recycled nylon waste, good wind resistance, Cons: stiff material, runs small (recommended to order a size up). You never know, one of these jackets might be perfect for you: Montbell Torrent Flier (mens / womens) - a slightly more durable version of the Versalite, but without hand pockets, Zpacks Vertice (mens / womens) - an ultralight, parka-length jacket for backpacking, The Montbell Versalite is our favorite ultralight jacket for backpacking. A light windbreaker is a good example of a water-resistant jacket and you can imagine how that would fare if you get caught in an unexpected thunderstorm on the trail (spoiler: not well). Built with some of the highest technology with Pertex Shield+ 2.5-layer nylon. 
To help you stay dry in whatever conditions you may face, we put together this list of the best rain jackets for women that have withstood the test of the trail by the Bearfoot Theory team. We love that its sturdy enough for everyday wear, but still lightweight enough to use for backcountry trips. here are some links to popular articles: We trusted the protection of the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (mens / womens) for thousands of miles in the Rockies. If youre looking for the best rain jacket to fit your needs, youve come to the right place. What sets the Stormline apart from the other rain jackets on our list is that this jacket is tailored for outdoor sports like climbing and cycling with ultra-stretchy fabric for added mobility and a climbing-helmet-compatible hood. Best rain jacket overall: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (mens / womens), Most comfortable rain jacket: Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic (mens / womens), Best ultralight rain jacket: Montbell Versalite (mens / womens), Lightweight & affordable rain jacket: Black Diamond Stormline Stretch (mens / womens), Best budget rain jackets: Marmot PreCip (mens / womens) & REI Rainier (mens / womens), Highest quality lightweight rain jacket: Arcteryx Zeta SL (mens / womens), Best value rain jacket: REI XeroDry GTX (mens / womens), Most affordable ultralight rain jacket: Outdoor Research Helium (mens / womens), Most protective rain jacket: Arcteryx Beta AR (mens / womens), Lightest rain jacket: Marmot Bantamweight (mens / womens), Soft & comfortable rain jacket: Rab Kinetic 2.0 (mens / womens), We own and use all of the rain jackets we recommend. Best rain jackets with pit zips: Montbell Versalite Mens/Womens, Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Mens/Womens, Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Mens/Womens, Marmot PreCip Mens/Womens, REI Rainier Mens/Womens & Arcteryx Beta AR Mens/Womens, Most breathable rain jackets without pit zips: Marmot Bantamweight Mens/Womens & Outdoor Research Helium Mens/Womens, Unzipping pit-zips helps regulate your temperate in a rain jacket - the Montbell Versalite. MEASURED WEIGHT (WOMENS MEDIUM): 10.4 oz. While a lower or mid-priced hiking raincoat will still get the job done, it often comes at the cost of some comfort, whether thats a durable Gore-tex outer layer or breathability and ventilation on the inside that will minimize sweating. Were proudly donating 100% of our revenue from today to the following organizations to address social justice and policy change. MEASURED WEIGHT (WOMENS MEDIUM): 9.8 oz. PROS: Affordable, durable, high-quality construction, pockets, pit-zips, CONS: A bit heavy/bulky for backcountry trips. You might know Black Diamond from their climbing or backcountry ski gear, but they also make fantastic womens outdoor apparel. Lightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more. Overall, Im so happy to have made the investment in this rain jacket and its my go-to for hiking in the PNW and other rainy climates, but its not the rain jacket I pack for every outdoor adventure. Hey there! The Ozonic has all the key elements we look for in a rain jacket - hand pockets, pit-zips, and low weight - so its great for just about any activity. PROS: Ultralight, highly packable, comfortable (stretchy), breathable, pockets, CONS: Expensive, less durable than some, no pit zips, no cuff adjustments, hood cinch doesn't hold tight. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. MEASURED WEIGHT (WOMENS MEDIUM): 13.8 oz. BOTTOM LINE: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (mens / womens) is one of our all-time favorite rain jackets because its affordable, durable, and has a great fit. Here are the most common waterproof fabrics youll find when choosing a hiking raincoat. Bearfoot Theory / Outdoor Adventure Blog / Outdoor Apparel Blogs / Best Womens Lightweight Rain Jackets for Hiking in 2022. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Another great option to save money is to buy gently used outdoor gear. My name is Kristen, and this is my outdoor blog. After hiking through downpours 8 of 10 days on that backpacking trip, I am so happy I made the investment. Our team of seasoned backpackers and dedicated gear buffs has been analyzing rain jackets for years. In this case, its worth it. DURABILITY - Ultralight rain jackets are awesome when you want to keep weight to a minimum, just keep in mind that lightweight fabrics tend to wear out quicker. CleverHiker.com 2022 - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use, We stand in solidarity against systemic racism, discrimination, and violence. What is your favorite lightweight rain jacket for hiking? BOTTOM LINE: If comfort is a top priority, youll love the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket (mens / womens). Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Social media is great, but our bi-weekly newsletter is a much better way to stay in the know. 
You can click on the columns to sort by whats most important to you. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. If you are investing in a durable and effective rain jacket that will stand up to the wind and rain, youll want something that is waterproof. Improvements to the design have given the jacket a more streamlined fit, better waterproofing, and greater durability. The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Mens/Womens is comfortable, stretchy, and lightweight. PRICE - If you spend a lot of time outdoors in wet conditions, paying a bit more for a rain jacket with an awesome fit and high-quality materials can be well worth the cost. This was my rain jacket before I upgraded to the Arcteryx, and I found it to be effective, comfortable, and durable. Now 15 years later, prioritizing that critical connection with nature continues to improve my life. Bearfoot Theorys former community manager, Kim, packed this rain jacket on her Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike and loved how it packed down super small and held up against the elements. This jacket also has plenty of adjustments to customize the fit, and just enough stretch to make it unnoticeable when reaching or moving. 
The REI Rainier Womens Rain Jacket offers fantastic value at a budget price! The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Mens/Womens jacket has pit-zips to increase airflow when you start heating up. Be warned, this jacket does tend to run small so I recommend sizing up to ensure a roomy fit in case you want to layer with base layers underneath.
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