The 7 Best Rain Jackets for Men in 2024

The Granite Crest is a rain jacket goes easily from the city streets to remote trails and performs exceptionally in both. The outer shell is DWR treated and the three-layer construction keeps rain out. Watertight zippers keep you and your belongings dry—the chest and hip pockets zip closed.

It has a drawcord hem and velcro cuffs to cinch up and seal out bad weather or wind. The hood is also adjustable to accommodate a bike helmet and has a laminated visor to shed water. When skies clear, it packs down into the chest pocket for easy toting.

I’m admittedly not a fan of shell rain jackets, opting instead for waterproof coats, but after getting caught in unexpected downpours walking around the city I had to get hip to them. While the Granite Crest is a rain shell, it has a more subdued style that doesn’t limit it to just outdoor adventures. Most importantly (to me), it doesn’t have the loud swish sound with movement that a lot of rain shells have, but it protects you from water just as well.

This rain coat has a PU layer and welded seams to keep water out. The pockets have a flap that buttons closed over the zipper for added weatherproofing, and adjustable button cuffs cinch the arms closed. The length is just past the hip so it gives you more coverage than a rain shell.

Since the waterproof component is a layer of polyurethane, this jacket doesn’t breathe so opt for something else if you’re looking for a warm weather rain jacket or something you can sweat in. Customers report this kept them dry in downpours and the adjustable hood has a good fit, though it won’t accommodate a helmet. The classic style suits city commuting as well as a light hike in colder months.

The Whisper is the most comfortable shell I’ve ever tried. Its polyester material is soft, airy, and feels good against the skin; there’s also a good amount of stretch to the material so it feels like the jacket moves with me, which is incredibly unusual in a rain jacket. It’s cut larger and can accommodate layering a sweatshirt underneath, but if you only plan to layer it over a tee or you prefer a more tailored fit, you should size down.

The pocket style varies depending on which color you go with—some have a button-flap pocket while others have zip pockets. I like the button flap on mine, which kept my phone and wallet dry in rain and the flap sheds water really well despite the lack of a waterproof seal. There’s also an interior dump pocket if you want to further protect your belongings.

The hem isn’t adjustable, though, and the hood is huge—but neither of these are a deal breaker, especially if you intend on putting a helmet underneath the hood. The hood can be cinched forward but you can't change the actual volume of it.

The Beta LT is Arc’teryx’s lightweight shell that’s technical, versatile, and effective. It has a slew of waterproof features like sealed seams and a Gore-Tex membrane and layers well over a hoodie or sweatshirt. The adjustable cuffs and hem seal out weather along with the helmet-compatible hood.

This rain jacket fits true to size, though it’s long—but the adjustable hem means you can shorten it a bit if you want to. I’ve worn it in downpours in the city and stayed dry, and the hood fits well with only minor adjustments. There’s also a chin guard of soft fabric on the high collar, which is comfortable against the skin when I zip it all the way up.

It’s a stylish and versatile jacket I use when I know it’ll be a wet commute—my only gripe is that it has a loud swishy sound with every movement. (The sound reminds me of 90s parachute pants—up to you if that’s good or bad.) Still, the jacket is super effective and the loud sound is much preferred to drenched work clothes.

This extremely lightweight parka is a sleek silhouette that is suited to city commutes. The parka’s extended length provides more coverage than other options we recommend, and there’s a pleat at the bottom hem for mobility—I’m able to comfortably wear this biking thanks to the two-way zippers.

The hood isn’t adjustable so it turns into a balloon in the wind, but it can fit a helmet underneath, which is a plus. The fit is relaxed without being oversized, so you can easily layer—a must when it’s cold out given that this jacket does a good job repelling water but provides very little warmth.

I’ve had a Barbour for over a decade now and it is by far my most used jacket for both rain and winter in general. It first came out in the 80s for equestrians and gained popularity from the English countryside to American preps.

It relies on waxed cotton to repel water instead of nylon or polyester. Waxed cotton sails were used by 18th-century mariners to repel wind and rain. It’s an OG textile used in outerwear and workwear thanks to its durability and weather resistance, and it can be re-waxed virtually forever.

The Beaufort is hip length and provides ample coverage, and has a snap-button flap over the two-way zipper—also called a storm placket—that adds protection against wind and cold. The cotton lining is substantial enough to give a good amount of warmth and the relaxed fit lets you layer bulky sweaters underneath. You can buy a detachable hood separately if you want to use this as a true rain jacket.

This a great classic rain jacket for those who appreciate some old-school weatherproofing and want a dressier look. I’ve had a Barbour jacket for almost 11 years now and seen me through unexpected showers in London, Brussels, and New York, too.

The shell of the Explorer has strategically placed weatherproof panels to keep you dry, but it’s as breathable as rain jackets get. Waterproof panels on the hood, shoulders, and upper chest give extra protection where rain hits first, while the more forgiving water-resistant panels sit under the arms and at the sides for added airflow.

Some of the seams are sealed on waterproof panels but not on the water-resistant ones. The mix of construction techniques may seem odd, but it makes for a jacket that repels water efficiently while providing more breathability than a full waterproof membrane.

There’s plenty of storage thanks to the flap chest pockets, hip pockets, large zip pocket on the back hem, and an interior zip chest pocket gives you a place to keep valuables. The adjustable hood also stows into a pocket on the high collar.

The polyester fabric is similar to our stretchiest, most flexible pick and is comfortable against the skin—more so than most shells. It’s cut close to the body so it doesn’t layer well, but it suits this jacket since it’s best for high-level activity.