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Must-Have Features In A Rain Jacket
Seam Taping
A jacket is only as waterproof as its seams. Look for taping or welding, and note that a water-resistant jacket can also have taped seams.
Zippers
Look for a rubberized coating or storm flap to keep water out. The zippers should also have a ‘garage’ to shield the hole at the end of the zipper track.
Hood
A jacket MUST have a hood if you plan to wear it in the rain. The hood can include a brim, an adjustable opening, and can zip or snap off, or roll up and stow away.
Pockets
More pockets equal more storage. Some packable rain jackets have so many you can leave your pack at home for a brief outing. If you need to protect a phone or other small essentials, choose a jacket with an interior pocket. Some designs pack down inside their own pocket so you can drop the entire bundle into a bag for extra convenience.
Vents
Ventilation can refer to fabric qualities like mesh sewn into strategic areas of the jacket, but rear venting and zippers in armpits are other examples. These features make the jacket more breathable to help keep you cool and comfortable in the heat.
Adjustability
Look for a rain jacket with a drawstring in the hem and hood to cinch closed for extra protection; ditto adjustable closures at the wrists. Some longer jackets also come with a drawstring waist to customize the fit.
Fit
Choose the right jacket size based on your outdoor activities. Make sure it’s comfortable for reaching, stretching, or wearing a backpack. Choose a looser jacket if you plan to wear layers under it. Remember that a looser fit is also more breathable than a snug fit.
Packability
While a heavy rain jacket can have lots of performance features, it may not pack well. But remember even a lightweight, packable jacket can function as well as a heavier one. The Orvis Pack-And-Go Jacket is a great example of a lightweight rain jacket that offers plenty of protection AND packs down into its own stuff sack.
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The Difference Between Waterproof & Water-Resistant Rain Jackets
A waterproof jacket keeps water on the outside, but its degree of ‘waterproofness’ is rated on a scale. For example, a jacket fabric that withstands 20,000 millimeters of water has a 20K rating. Other benchmarks include seam construction and the type and thickness of the fabric. Only a truly waterproof jacket will stand up to a squall.
A water-resistant jacket does exactly what its name implies—resists and sheds water in light to moderate rain. A water-resistant jacket has no waterproof membrane. While it is breathable and works well in a brief shower, it’s less ideal for steady or wind-blown rain. Treating it with a repellent will encourage water to bead up on the surface of the fabric so it works better in the rain.
Tip: If a jacket is waterproof, it is also windproof, but it is possible for a jacket to be windproof and only water-resistant.
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How Is a Rain Jacket Waterproof & Breathable?
The terms ‘waterproof’ and ‘breathable’ are not mutually exclusive—the secret’s in the fabric. A special, technically advanced waterproof membrane or laminate layer with super-small ‘pores’ keeps water from getting through from the outside, but still allows vapor to escape from the inside. The scientific term for the process is moisture vapor transfer, and it’s what keeps you comfortable when you sweat. ‘Breathability’ simply describes the jacket’s ability to do this. Old-style yellow rain slickers were definitely waterproof, but made you sweat like crazy after any kind of exertion because they were not breathable.
While today’s rain jackets can come with all kinds of fancy features, make sure the one you choose has these three at a minimum—good seam taping, a DWR coating, and a secure hood—before you head outdoors.
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