Best Running Rain Jackets of 2024

Ben Kilbourne runs away from the rain while testing rain jackets in Colorado. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

As far as athletes go, we runners aren’t usually known for our fair-weather tendencies, and many of us are in constant search for the best running rain jacket to help us deal with bad weather. Weight, packability, and, of course, waterproofness are all considerations when choosing this important piece of gear. While splashing through some puddles or weathering a drizzle on a short run may not be a big deal, extended wet weather on a long run can range from simply uncomfortable to downright dangerous in cooler temperatures. A solid rain jacket is a must for anyone looking to train through all weather conditions.

After researching the seemingly endless list of rain jackets on the market, we took the most promising out for testing to narrow our final list to what we found to be the best rain jackets for running. The team at iRunFar tested these running rain jackets in some seriously wet — and snowy — conditions, from desert downpours to drizzle in the Pacific Northwest to summertime storms in Colorado’s San Juan mountains to atmospheric river events in California to the notoriously wet and wild weather of New Zealand. We were determined to find the best options for rainy adventures. Our team consists of professional and recreational ultra and trail runners who aren’t afraid to get out when others stay inside. We took these jackets through the worst weather conditions to see which ones kept us dry and which ones left us soaked and sprinting for home, shivering. After extensive testing, we chose the Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket as our top rain jacket for its combination of performance, light weight, and fit. The gram-counters on our team went to the Inov8 Raceshell HZ when trying to minimize pack weight.

See our buying advice, testing methodology, and frequently asked questions below for more information. If you’re looking for a windbreaker jacket instead, check out our best windbreaker jackets guide.

The Best Running Rain Jackets

• Best Overall Running Rain Jacket: Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket
• Best Running Rain Jacket — Runner-Up: Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket
• Best of the Rest Running Rain Jackets: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight Jacket and Montbell Versalite Jacket
• Best Ultralight Running Rain Jacket: Inov8 Raceshell HZ
• Best of the Rest Ultralight Running Rain Jacket: Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket and Montane Unisex Minimus Nano Pull-On Waterproof Jacket

Rain jackets can add extra warmth on cold morning runs. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Best Overall Running Rain Jacket: Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket ($300)

Pros:

• Excellent waterproofing
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Excellent fit

Cons:

• Little tough to fit in the built-in stuff pocket

The Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket checked many boxes for the requirements for a good running rain shell. Lightweight? Check. Solid rain protection? Yes. Durable material? You bet. Breathable? As much as can be expected for a fully waterproof shell. We loved the previous version of this jacket but had one major qualm with it: We didn’t love the pullover style with the side zips. With this newer version, we get everything we loved about the original but with a traditional front zipper that we like more than the previous design.

First, we noticed the fit continues to be a slim, athletic cut, which we also love. While some brands have boxier cuts that offer more room for generous layering underneath, we prefer a cut that fits closer to the body. We also appreciate how well this jacket blocked out the rain during many runs through some atmospheric river events in California. We took it to higher elevations, and it held up well in some wet snowfall in the San Bernardino Mountains. Could this jacket be more breathable? Of course. Pretty much any solid rainshell could be. But we’ll take the tradeoff for confidence in a fully waterproof, lightweight, and comfortable shell.

Beyond its performance, we have to commend Patagonia for being one of the leaders in planet-friendly gear manufacturing. For this jacket, Patagonia employs 100% recycled nylon ripstop fabric with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating free of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs/PFAS). We’re here for it, and we also included this jacket in our best running jackets guide.

Claimed Weight (men’s): 204 grams (7.2 ounces) | Material: 2.2-oz 20-denier 100% recycled nylon ripstop face with a 7-denier tricot backer, a waterproof/breathable barrier and a PFC-free DWR finish | Construction: Three-layer construction

Shop the Patagonia Men's Storm Racer JacketShop the Patagonia Women's Storm Racer Jacket

Best Running Rain Jacket — Runner-Up: Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket ($230)

Pros:

• Quiet fabric
• Waterproof yet reasonably breathable
• Fewer seams for potential moisture entry

Cons:

• Separate stuff sack could be easy to misplace
• Not as breathable as some other jackets tested

The Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket is a feature-filled jacket that earned high marks from our testers for its waterproofness and breathability. Montbell built this jacket using a single piece of fabric. This unique K-Mono Cut design reduces both weight of the jacket and the number of seams for improved protection from the elements. Montbell bases many of its designs on the Japanese concept of “Ki-no-bi,” which essentially translates to “Function is Beauty,” something the company takes to heart with their designs. The fully sealed seams prevent moisture from seeping in.

The Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper waterproof membrane is paired with a 20-denier nylon outer with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating to create a lightweight yet protective two-layer jacket that our testers found functions well on both rainy days and in winter snowstorms. Multiple adjustment points on the hood, cuffs, and hem allow for a customizable fit to optimize comfort and better protect from wet weather.

Additional features include a water-resistant zipper, hook-and-loop closures to secure the hood when not in use, and a cut that allows for full arm range of motion without pulling on the jacket body. We found this fabric to be quiet while moving, a bonus for those who get annoyed by the incessant crinkling and swishing sounds that many rain jackets make during a run.

We found the sizing adequate for layering and wearing a small pack underneath, but you will likely need to size up if you want to wear bulkier layers or a larger loaded pack. Two waterproof external pockets on the chest can accommodate small items for easy access. The jacket also has a separate stuff sack for storing it on the go.

Actual Weight (men’s medium): 201 grams (7 ounces) | Material: Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper | Construction: 2-layer construction

Shop the Men's Montbell Rain Trekker JacketShop the Women's Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket

Best of the Rest Running Rain Jacket: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight Jacket ($170)

Pros:

• Lightweight and easily packable
• Excellent features for the price make it a good value
• Best hood

Cons:

• Can feel muggy in warmer temperatures due to less breathability
• The zipper can be fragile
• Will soak through in heavy and continuous rain

The Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight Jacket is a lightweight, waterproof jacket that packs a lot of punch for its price point and weight. While it certainly isn’t inexpensive, the number of features and protection it offers make it well worth the investment. This is a 2.5-layer jacket featuring a Pertex Shield waterproof membrane coupled with a 30-denier nylon outer to provide water protection in a very lightweight package. It has fully taped seams, a water-resistant zipper, and an adjustable hem and hood. The zipper is tiny — zip it carefully so as not to damage it. We loved the hood of this jacket and found that it easily fit a winter or brimmed hat underneath it. It also provides plenty of room for a ponytail. An adjustable bungee kept it in place when the rain and wind hit.

The single zip pocket on this jacket also serves as a stuff sack for storing the jacket when not in use. The somewhat relaxed fit allows for some layering, but it’s not so loose that it flaps around while on the move. We recommend sizing up to accommodate thicker layers or a hydration pack underneath. The jacket is less breathable than others we tested and felt a little muggy on warmer runs. That said, we appreciated the extra warmth when it got cold, and we named it our top rain jacket in our best cold weather running gear guide. Our long-term testers found the jacket became less waterproof with extended use and would start soaking through during longer stints in heavy rain. That said, it’s a great jacket to stash in a pack as a just-in-case option.

Actual Weight (men’s medium): 178 grams (6.3 ounces) | Material: Pertex Shield | Construction: 2.5 layers

Shop the Men's Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight JacketShop the Women's Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight Jacket

Best of the Rest Running Rain Jacket: Montbell Versalite Jacket ($260)

Pros:

• Pit zips provide ventilation for heat management
• Lightweight with excellent waterproofness
• Reduced number of seams

Cons:

• Lighter-weight nylon outer may prove less durable
• Outer material is louder than others tested

The Montbell Versalite Jacket is another excellent offering from the Japanese company. This jacket shares many features with the Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket reviewed above. Similarly, it has fully sealed seams, an adjustable hood, hem, and cuffs, an articulated arm design, water-resistant zippers, zippered pockets, a stuff sack, and the seam-reducing K-Mono Cut design.

While the two jackets share many similarities, several features make this one significantly different. The jacket uses the same Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper waterproof membrane for the inner layer but a lighter 10-denier durable water repellent (DWR)-coated nylon outer. This reduces the weight, but we did notice that the outer material was a little louder and crinklier. The 10-denier nylon does raise a question about long-term durability, but our testers have not yet encountered any issues after months of testing.

The large pit zips make this jacket stand out from others that we tested and are a feature that seems to be rare amongst running jackets. The zips offer a lot of venting for dumping excess heat, making it easier to control body temperature while wearing the jacket. This jacket is an excellent option for runners needing full waterproof coverage in warmer climates or who run hot.

Actual Weight (men’s medium): 188 grams (6.6 ounces) | Material: Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper | Construction: 2 layers

Shop the Men's Montbell Versalite JacketShop the Women's Montbell Versalite Jacket

Best Ultralight Running Rain Jacket: Inov8 Raceshell HZ ($140)

Pros:

• Very lightweight and packable
• Can fit a pack underneath

Cons:

• Lower weight means less adjustability and features
• Zipper is stiff and slow

For gram-counting runners who want a trusted jacket that weighs as little as possible, the Inov8 Raceshell HZ ticks all the boxes. It is an anorak-style jacket that provides full waterproof protection at nearly half the weight of most other jackets in this guide. This 2.5-layer, half-zip jacket features fully taped seams inside a polyester outer with a polyurethane waterproof membrane. This extremely light and packable jacket meets the mandatory kit requirements for most races — but always double-check your race’s requirements and jacket specs to be sure!

We appreciate that the lightweight material is quiet when running. It is also translucent, which means your race number will be visible underneath the jacket. Wearing it will also mean you are wearing the fashion equivalent of a highly technical plastic bag — functional but not exactly stylish.

The ultralight construction comes at a cost. Reducing weight means that there are some compromises in the jacket’s features. The hood, cuffs, and hem are not adjustable, so there is very little flexibility in adjusting the jacket for your specific body shape. The jacket has a wider profile that provides some room for a pack underneath, making the pullover style easy to get on and off. Additionally, the zipper on this jacket can be stiff and slow, so we had to be a bit more careful to avoid pulling on it too aggressively out of fear of breaking the zipper or tearing the material.

You can also read our in-depth Inov8 Raceshell HZ review.

Actual Weight (men’s medium): 94 grams (3.3 oz.) | Material: Polyurethane membrane | Construction: 2.5 layers

Best of the Rest Ultralight Running Rain Jacket: Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket ($215)

Pros:

• Very lightweight and packable
• Material has some stretch for comfort and ease of movement
• Stuff sack included for packing

Cons:

• Slim fit is more challenging to get on and off and does not accommodate many layers or a pack underneath
• Material is noisy when moving

The Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket is an anorak-style waterproof jacket that topped our list for its impressively light weight and breathability. The jacket features a 2.5-layer construction with a Pertex Shield waterproof membrane and fully taped seams for maximum protection. To save weight, this ultralight jacket skips bungees on the hood, cuffs, and hem, which makes it less adjustable than some of the other options in this guide. It also doesn’t have any pockets. But it’s light!

The water-resistant zipper was smooth and moved well with no catching. The material has some stretch, making it comfortable on the move, but it is louder than some of the other jackets on the list, which can be distracting on the trail. It has a slimmer profile and tighter fit, which is useful for keeping the jacket from shifting or flapping while on the move or in the wind, but it does make it more challenging to take on and off quickly while running. You’ll want to size up if you’re going to wear heavier layers or a pack underneath it.

Read more in our in-depth Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket review.

Actual Weight (men’s medium): 96 grams (3.4 ounces) | Material: Pertex Shield | Construction: 2.5 layers

Shop the Men's Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On JacketShop the Women's Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket

Best of the Rest Ultralight Running Rain Jacket: Montane Unisex Minimus Nano Pull-On Waterproof Jacket ($170)

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Highly waterproof
• Decently breathable
• Packs down very small

Cons:

• Not everyone will love the slim fit and pullover style

If weight is of the essence when choosing a rain jacket, it’s hard to go wrong with the Montane Unisex Minimus Nano Pull-On Waterproof Jacket. Weighing just 3.9 ounces (100 grams), it really is a jacket that you can always have in your pack in case the weather takes a turn for the worse — we regularly swap it from running vests to day packs to fly fishing hip packs. It comes with its own stuff sack, making it easy to keep in your pack whenever you head out. But a rain jacket needs to be more than just light; it has to keep you dry as well, and this jacket does just that. Made of Montane’s waterproof and breathable Aqua Pro Light fabric, it’ll keep you protected from wind and rain while minimizing any sweat buildup. It’s been one of our go-to shells for multiple years.

While not adjustable, the hood has elastic in the back to help it stay on your head. It also has a bit of a peak to help shed water off the sides and keep it from dripping into your face. When the jacket is fully zipped up with the hood up, it provides a lot of coverage around the head and face. The hem and the cuffs are both elastic, an easy way for the jacket to save weight without compromising functionality or comfort. Our one nitpick — like many other rain shells — is it could be more breathable.

The half-length zipper is enough for shedding heat when needed and is lighter than a full-length zipper.

Claimed Weight (men’s medium): 100 grams (3.9 ounces) | Material: Aqua Pro Light fabric

Comparing the Best Rain Jackets for Running

Running Rain Jackets Glossary

The technology that goes into high-quality waterproof outdoor gear, such as running rain jackets, is impressive — and can get confusing! We share some definitions for common waterproof gear terms to help clarify their meanings.

• Durable Water Repellent (DWR) Coating: DWR is a coating applied to fabric that causes water to bead up on the surface and roll off, keeping it from soaking into the material. DWR coatings are historically fluoropolymer-based, and their manufacturing produces many environmentally harmful by-products. Because of this, many companies are working toward using non-perfluorinated chemicals (non-PFC) in their DWR coatings.
• Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR): MVTR is a laboratory testing method to measure a material’s breathability by the amount of moisture vapor (our sweat) that can pass through the fabric. It is measured in grams of vapor per square meter of fabric per 24 hours. The higher the number, the more breathable the material. A moderate breathability rating starts at around 10,000 g/m².
• Resistance to Evaporative Heat Loss (RET): RET is another measure of a material’s breathability that measures its resistance to water vapor. The lower the resistance, the more vapor can pass through; thus, the lower the RET, the more breathable the material. A rating of less than 13 is considered good breathability for running.
• Hydrostatic Head Test: A laboratory test to quantify the waterproofness of a material. Material is stretched over the end of a one-inch diameter tube, and a column of water whose height is measured in millimeters is added to the tube and observed for 24 hours. The rating measures how many millimeters of water a fabric can hold before it soaks through. The water height at which the water seeps through the fabric is called the hydrostatic head, and the final rating is given in millimeters of water. The higher the number, the more waterproof the material, with the lower end of waterproof jackets starting at around 10,000 millimeters.
• Schmerber Unit: This is another name for the hydrostatic head waterproofness measure. It’s named for Charles Edouard Schmerber, who created the test.
• Waterproof Membrane: A waterproof membrane is a synthetic material membrane that blocks and repels water. It is usually bonded or layered with an outer material layer and/or inner liner to create a waterproof jacket. Common brands include Gore-Tex, eVent, Polartec Neoshell, and Pertex.
• Denier: Measurement of the thickness of a material’s fiber. A higher denier denotes a thicker and often heavier and more durable fiber.
• Wetting Out: The point at which water overwhelms the waterproof capability of a jacket material.

The Montbell Versalite Jacket is an excellent running rain jacket. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Running Rain Jacket

Fit

Just like any other piece of clothing, fit is the most important aspect of a jacket and is subjective from person to person. Do you want something that fits a bit tighter or a jacket that you can wear with layers underneath? The fit and coverage of rain jackets should prevent moisture from getting in, even if you are bending over or moving your head around.

Another consideration when choosing your jacket is it’s ability to accommodate a pack. Some runners prefer to wear a jacket under their pack, while others would rather wear it over their pack to keep gear dry and make it quicker and easier to take on and off. Some jackets intentionally fit a pack underneath, but most will require sizing up to do this.

The best rain jacket for running will cover your wrists well, and the hem will stay below your waistline when you raise your arms. Some jackets, such as the Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket, have elastic cords that allow for some cinching of the hem, cuffs, and hood to keep them securely in place and help provide a more custom fit. A jacket should also have enough room in the shoulders or adequate stretch in the material to allow for a full range of arm motion when running, including reaching for things in your pack, scrambling on technical terrain, or just bending over to tie your shoe.

An important thing to remember when considering fit for a rain jacket is that some waterproof options, like the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight Jacket, don’t have much stretch or give to the materials, so this is an item of clothing you may want to size up on to allow for freedom of movement and layering.

We love the pit zips on the Montbell Versalite Jacket, which is an excellent running rain jacket. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Waterproof Versus Water-Resistant

The waterproof protection offered by running jackets varies from repelling a few sprinkles to keeping out a monsoon. A water-resistant jacket will protect from a brief shower with the help of a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating. While water-resistant jackets are lightweight and packable, they will not keep you dry in extended wet weather, as the underlying materials are not waterproof themselves, and persistent rain will overwhelm the DWR. You can check out our best windbreaker jacket guide for some great examples of lightweight, water-resistant running jackets.

The outer layer of most waterproof jackets repels water from its surface using a DWR coating, and the bottom layers protect against higher moisture levels. The best running rain jackets will keep you dry during prolonged wet conditions, such as long, soaking rain or wet snowfall.

Waterproof jackets are often composed of multiple layers of materials that repel and shed moisture and often include a DWR coating. A fully waterproof jacket will provide true protection from the elements. All of the features of Patagonia’s Storm Racer Jacket, including its waterproof qualities, led us to name it the best running rain jacket.

PFAS Chemicals

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals, which are also known as perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are highly toxic fluorinated materials that recently made headlines when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced local water systems must remove them from tap water. While these harmful chemicals have become more widely known recently, manufacturers have utilized them in many products, including waterproof fabrics, for decades. Nowadays, many brands — like Patagonia — are creating proprietary waterproof fabrics and treatments without PFAS chemicals. The best way to ensure you’re purchasing a PFAS-free piece of clothing or gear is to read the manufacturing details. Most running and outdoor brands tout their PFAS/PFC-free materials and water-repellent treatments, so it should be easy to identify.

Breathability

The primary purpose of a rain jacket is to keep you dry. However, the tradeoff for this is often breathability. Most people have put on a rain jacket in a light sprinkle and gotten more wet from sweat than they would have just left the jacket off. The best running rain jackets have come a long way from plastic bag-like ponchos, and many offer both excellent moisture protection and breathability. The conditions in which you will be using your jacket can inform the balance of these two features you choose. For brief showers in warm climates, you can sacrifice a little waterproof capability for more breathability, whereas you may want to prioritize waterproofness in an all-day soaker or when temperatures are hovering just above freezing. The Montbell Versalite Jacket has pit zips to increase its breathability without sacrificing the waterproofness of the jacket material and is an excellent option for running in changing or warmer but wet conditions. An anorak-style jacket with only a half-zipper, like the Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket or the Inov8 Raceshell HZ, makes it harder to regulate temperature than a jacket with a full zipper.

Hallie Taylor, Ben Kilbourne, and Easy the Dog test rain jackets on a stormy spring day in Colorado. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Waterproof jackets are made of fabrics that have permeable membranes that have microscopic holes big enough to let water vapor from your body escape but small enough to block water droplets from the outside. This allows them to be both waterproof and breathable. This technology comes at a premium, though. Generally, the more lightweight and breathable a waterproof jacket is, the higher the price tag. A pricey jacket with all the bells and whistles may not make sense for everyone, but if you are spending hours running in a cold and soaking rain, the combination of good breathability and waterproof capability can quite literally be a lifesaver.

Some laboratory values quantify a jacket’s breathability, including its MVRT or RET (see our glossary of terms above). These measures give a reference point for the objective breathability of a material, but as with many types of technology analyzed in a lab, real-world performance doesn’t always agree. Real-world breathability can depend on several external factors, like temperature, humidity, or a person’s sweat rate.

Protection

Staying dry when the wet weather rolls in is why you are looking for the best running rain jacket in the first place. As we mentioned above, how a rain jacket provides waterproof protection will vary from brand to brand, but generally, it is a waterproof membrane — such as Gore-Tex, eVent, or Pertex — that layers with other fabrics.

A rain jacket is generally made of either two, 2.5, or three layers. In a two-layer jacket, such as the Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket and Montbell Versalite Jacket, an outer layer of DWR-coated nylon is layered or bonded to a waterproof membrane, such as Gore-Tex or similar.

A 2.5-layer jacket, such as our ultralight winner, the Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket, adds a coating on the innermost layer to protect it from body oils, sweat, and other substances that can degrade the material. This coating is a half layer because it’s not an entirely separate layer of material.

A three-layer jacket features the outer layer bonded to the waterproof membrane, with an additional full inner layer of material. A three-layer jacket will, in theory, give you the most protection from the elements but at an increased weight and with reduced breathability.

When choosing a running jacket, more is not always more when it comes to layers. Most of our top choices for this guide are two- or 2.5-layer jackets, and that’s because we have found them to have the balance of waterproofness and breathability that runners want.

In addition to the jacket’s materials and layer structure, additional features such as taped seams and water-resistant zippers add extra protection to keep you dry.

Meghan Hicks testing the original Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Features

Several features enhance the fit and function of a quality waterproof jacket. While companies may tout a whole host of bells and whistles to set their jackets apart from the rest, we think a few key features are the most important to consider when shopping for the best running rain jacket.

• Hood: First, a well-fitting hood is necessary for keeping rain and snow out. At the very least, the hood should include some elastic edging, like on one of our top ultralight jackets, the Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket, to allow it to stretch around your head and face and stay in place while moving. A more full-featured jacket, such as the Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket, will have additional adjustment points, usually in the form of elastic draw cords, on the front and back of a hood that will help to cinch it in place, adjust the brim, and allow the hood to follow your head movements. A built-in brim on a hood, like the one on the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight Jacket, will help to shed water and protect your face from the rain.
• Taped Seams: Seams are an unavoidable weakness in any jacket’s waterproofness that can allow moisture to get in. Fully waterproof jackets remedy this problem with a layer of material, usually thermoplastic tape, that is bonded and heat-sealed over the seams on the jacket’s interior. The Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket and Montbell Versalite Jacket are made of a single piece of material to minimize the number of seams on the jacket.
• Zipper: The zipper is another potential moisture entry point on a jacket. All the jackets featured in this buyer’s guide use water-resistant zippers that help seal out the elements. The technology in these zippers can cause some to move slower than a traditional fabric zipper, and some of the smaller zippers are delicate. We found that we had to be especially careful with the ultralight Inov8 Raceshell HZ zipper.
• Adjustment Points: In addition to the elastic adjustments on the hood discussed above, many jackets will also include an elastic cord on the hem or waist to allow the wearer to cinch the bottom of the jacket and dial in a secure fit. Cuffs are another adjustment point, with some jackets including an elastic cinch, thumb loop, or Velcro strap to tighten or secure the cuffs to keep the sleeves from slipping or riding up with arm motion.
• Pockets: Several of our top pick jackets have at least one pocket that can stash smaller items for easy access on the move. Using the jacket for extended periods versus a just-in-case packable layer for short rains will help guide your desire for an outer pocket. Bear in mind that pockets add zippers, create more seams, and add extra weight, and the lightest of light jackets, like the Inov8 Raceshell HZ, skip them altogether. You’ll want to forego pockets if you are looking for a lightweight jacket. Included pockets often serve as a built-in stuff sack for packing the jacket away.

A rain jacket like the Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket can provide wind protection on cold peaks. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Weight

As material technology advances, so does the ability to have ultralight clothing. Men’s jackets, just by the nature of sizing and body mechanics, will be slightly heavier than women’s, but we can now measure that difference in grams rather than ounces. The more durable the material and the more bells and whistles included, like pockets, zippers, and hoods, the heavier the jacket will be.

Our heaviest pick was the Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket, which weighs around 200 grams. For a real-life reference, this is about the weight of a cup of sugar. The ultralight Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket came in at around half that at 100 grams, but that lightweight package means you are giving up some convenience factors like adjustable bungees on the hood and hem.

Storage

We trail runners aren’t always known for traveling light. We often have keys, snacks, or a headlamp to stash away, and we like our pockets! But as we’ve said, there’s a tradeoff: more storage results in a heavier jacket. If you’re on an adventure where you want a jacket with many pockets, you’re likely wearing something else with pockets, too, like a running pack, running shorts, or running belt.

Your rain jacket may be the one item where sacrificing storage and pockets is a wise choice. Storing items in a jacket will increase the bounce factor considerably and can create some issues with the fit, potentially creating gaps for water seepage. The Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket, Inov8 Raceshell HZ, and Montane Unisex Minimus Nano Pull-On Waterproof Jacket skip having pockets completely to alleviate the extra weight and potential problems caused by adding them.

iRunFar Meghan Hicks wears a rain jacket for warmth while filtering water. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Packability

Often, a rain jacket is more of a just-in-case layer during a long event or is put on during a rain shower and taken off once things dry out. It is also part of the mandatory kit for several events. Your rain jacket will frequently just be taking a ride in your pack or waistbelt during a run, so it needs to be — you guessed it — packable.

Packability goes hand in hand with weight — usually, the lighter the jacket, the smaller it will pack down. Many of our top jacket picks have an internal pocket that the body of the jacket can roll into, producing a package no bigger than your fist that you can easily stuff into a hydration pack. Others are a bit bulkier but provide increased insulation, waterproofing, and storage capacity. Those looking to shave as much weight and volume possible with a jacket will gravitate toward a lighter jacket, like the Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket or the Montane Unisex Minimus Nano Pull-On Waterproof Jacket. The Inov8 Raceshell HZ was the lightest jacket we tested at 94 grams. But, if you know the conditions will be wet, you might want to take the weight penalty and take a more robust jacket, such as our top pick, Patagonia’s Storm Racer Jacket.

Even Easy the Dog needs a good rain jacket. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Layering

You’ll likely have to layer your jacket over a shirt, possibly an insulating layer, a hydration pack, or another jacket. In many situations, it often makes sense to size up on your outermost layer to give you room to fit everything underneath. A little more breathing room also means you might be able to put your jacket on right over your pack, keeping your other gear dry, and making donning and doffing your outer layer quicker and easier. Slimmer-fitting jackets, like the Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket, must be sized up to add thicker layers underneath.

Why You Should Trust Us

Many members of the iRunFar team are based in the mountains, such as the San Juans of Colorado, or play in the high peaks of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, where some of the most unpredictable weather can occur. We’re used to sunny days turning to rain or a soft snowfall suddenly turning to a screaming sleet storm. We understand the importance of having a waterproof rain jacket that we can trust to perform when the weather worsens. We are committed to testing products out there in a variety of conditions so that you don’t have to suffer through the same trial and error that we do in order to find the best options out there.

We started our testing process with market research: Who is making the best product? We then polled our readers and iRunFar team members and chose more than 20 rain jackets to test. What you see in this guide is the result of several years of testing for all those jackets, and new ones as they come on the market, where we ran them through winter snowstorms, cold dousers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and high-altitude mountain west, humid rainstorms, desert soakers where wet sand coats all surfaces, atmospheric river events in California, and everything in between to find the best running rain jacket for any type of weather condition.

iRunFar’s Meghan Hicks tests jackets on a cold desert run. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Frequently Asked Questions About Running Rain Jackets

Do I need a fully waterproof rain jacket for running, or will a water-resistant one be good enough?

This will largely depend on the climate in which you typically run. A warm-weather runner who might encounter an occasional shower can certainly get by with a lightweight, water-resistant jacket for those just-in-case moments.

For trail runners heading into the mountains or out for hours in constant rain and chilly temperatures, we recommend a fully waterproof jacket like the Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket for comfort and safety. The combination of cold air temperatures and wet skin creates a high-risk scenario for hypothermia, which can quickly become life-threatening. Having the proper layers to protect against these elements means you can comfortably enjoy your adventure — and make it home to talk about it.

In addition, many races, particularly those in mountainous terrain or in cold, wet climates, have mandatory kit lists that require participants to carry a waterproof jacket for the duration of the event.

How are waterproof ratings measured on rain jackets?

While performance in real-life conditions best determines a jacket’s waterproofness, laboratory testing helps establish a baseline rating for the materials used in the construction of waterproof clothing.

The most used measurement of waterproofness is the hydrostatic head, which determines the amount of water a material can withstand before it starts to saturate and leak through. In this test, the fabric is secured over a one-inch diameter tube underneath a column of water of a certain height, and the material is observed for 24 hours. The height of the water column at which the water starts to saturate the fabric and leak is the hydrostatic head, measured in millimeters. A hydrostatic head measurement of 10,000 millimeters is considered the baseline for waterproof jackets.

Please note that while many manufacturers will list hydrostatic head numbers in the specifications for their jackets, not all materials use this rating. Gore-Tex, which the Montbell Versalite Jacket and the Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket use, employs its own rain room to test its garments using specially designed rain nozzles and wind simulators to better approximate actual weather conditions.

iRunFar’s Meghan Hicks wearing the Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket during a fastpacking trip in Utah. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

How is breathability measured in a rain jacket?

Two types of laboratory-bestowed ratings quantify breathability. The first and most seen is Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR). MVTR measures the rate at which water vapor (your sweat) permeates through the fabric. The higher the MVTR rating, the better. Good values of MVTR start around 10,000.

The second is Resistance to Evaporative Heat Loss (RET), which measures the material’s resistance to water vapor. The lower the RET, the better the breathability.

In theory, these numbers correlate to the jacket’s breathability. In practice, many other factors impact a jacket’s comfort and breathability, and we prefer comparing performance in real-life conditions to making a purchase based on a lab value. Patagonia’s Storm Racer Jacket’s relatively good breathability was one factor that led us to name it our best rain jacket for running.

How long will a rain jacket’s waterproofing last?

Sadly, nothing lasts forever, but with proper care and maintenance, you should enjoy many dry and comfortable years with your waterproof jacket. Several factors will impact your waterproof jacket’s lifespan. Repeated exposure to rain and sweat or body oils will start to wear away at the material’s waterproof coating and membrane over time. Jackets with 2.5-layer construction, like the Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket, have an inner layer to protect the rest of the jacket from sweat and body oils and can extend the life expectancy of a jacket.

To prevent material degradation, all jackets will come with specific care recommendations, most often avoiding standard detergents and high heat exposure, such as a dryer. That doesn’t mean you should never wash your jacket. Occasional washing with a laundry soap specifically formulated for waterproof materials will remove dirt and body oils that wear out waterproof fabrics, extending the life of your jacket.

An easy way to extend the life of a waterproof jacket is to refresh the durable water-repellent (DWR) coating. Apply a few drops of water to the exterior of your DWR-coated jacket. If the water soaks in instead of beading up and rolling off, your jacket has lost its water-resistant outer coating.

You can reapply a DWR coating using a spray-on or wash-in product, such as Nikwax, that will bond to the outer material and refresh the jacket’s water-shedding capabilities. Always check your jacket’s care instructions and the instructions on the DWR-replenishment product before applying to be sure it is safe to use.

Rain jackets can provide extra warmth on chilly morning runs. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Is there a big difference between men’s and women’s rain jackets for running?

Along with other clothing items, jackets feature designs for men’s and women’s specific body shapes. Wide versus narrow shoulders, a straight cut versus a waist taper, and wider and narrower hips are only a few differences between jackets made for different body types. Of course, we always recommend wearing the best jacket that fits your body, regardless of who it was intended for! The Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket is slimmer than many other jackets we tested, while the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight Jacket has a much looser overall fit.

Most brands make equivalent models in both men’s and women’s jackets.

Do I need to size up when buying a rain jacket?

While the overall sizing of different rain jackets is fairly standard, they all have various cuts and fit an array of body types differently. If you generally only toss a rain jacket on over a single layer, or maybe a thin insulating layer, you can probably get away with the same sized rain jacket as the rest of your running wardrobe. But it’s probably worth sizing up if you’re running in environments where you have to layer up underneath a rain jacket. If you want to be able to wear a small pack under your rain jacket, you’ll probably need to size up as well. While the material in many rain jackets has some stretch to it, a jacket like the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight Jacket doesn’t have a lot of give and can inhibit your range of motion if it’s too small. Choosing the larger size is often worth it if you’re between sizes.

Should I prioritize weight or protection in a rain jacket?

This comes down to personal preference and how much you can spend. Generally, the highest-priced items will offer both minimal weight and maximal protection. But if you’re looking to save a bit of money, you’ll likely have to sacrifice one or the other. If weight is your biggest concern, the Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket is a great option, as are the Montane Unisex Minimus Nano Pull-On Waterproof Jacket and the Inov8 Raceshell HZ. In the end, the best running rain jacket is one you’re willing to carry, even if it’s not the most protective one available, so you’ll want to get one you’re not averse to putting in your pack for any run.

Is it worth paying more for an expensive rain jacket?

While technically, you can run in a trash bag or an inexpensive $3 poncho and stay relatively dry, investing in a high-quality rain jacket is a good idea in the long run (pun intended). A good rain jacket can protect you from the rain while allowing moisture from sweat to escape from the inside. A breathable and waterproof jacket isn’t inexpensive, but it can make running in the rain much more comfortable and safer. Well-constructed rain jackets can also last for a long time and be considered an important investment in your running gear. Proper care of a 2.5-layer jacket like the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Ultralight Jacket can keep it waterproof for a long time, as can adding a new DWR coating when it loses its outer layer of waterproofness.

Call for Comments

• What is your favorite running rain jacket, and why?
• What features have you found to be the most practical and useful in your waterproof running jacket?
• What conditions or terrain do you most often reach for a waterproof layer?