If you reside in the Northwest of the Atlantic, you’re already conversant with how to survive the rains. Our region experiences months of daily drizzle, and sometimes, torrential downpour. Being active during such times requires you to be well equipped with the right gear. A quality breathable and waterproof jacket comes in handy during such seasons. The majority of stores sell rain jackets from $30 to over $300. But, the best lightweight rain jacket is that which has efficient seam sealing, waterproof DWR coating, an adjustable hood and zippered pockets. So, which are the best brands? See below!

Review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jacket

Best Rain Jacket For Women

1. Columbia Women’s Switchback II Jacket

A rain jacket is not just a piece of clothing to shield you from the rain. Instead, it should also promote elegance and portability. Thus, it is essential to look out for the best colors and designs. Columbia Women’s Switchback II Jacket is one of the best lightweight rain jackets that fit the bill. Read on for more details.

First, the jacket is compact and comfortable. It measures 0.4 by 0.4 by 0.4 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces. The fact that the coat is portable makes it appropriate for hiking, camping and office work, especially during unpredictable weathers. The sizes vary from XS, S, M, L to XL. Well, determine your size by measuring the chest, hips, waist, and sleeves.

Second, it has a durable and flexible material. It is made of hydroplus and fine mesh. The hydroplus is 100 percent nylon, and the fine mesh is 100 percent polyester. The two materials are both lightweight and easy to wash. Then, the nylon is water resistant and ideal for walking in the rain. The fine inner mesh is comfortable and flexible enough to make you fit inside the coat. Again, the fabrics allow for machine wash.

Other features include a zipper closure, omni-shield water, and stain repellent. Below are things we like and those we don’t like about it.

 

 

 

 

2. Columbia Women’s Arcadia Ii Jacket

 

Columbia is one of the most formidable companies that stitch up some of the best rain jackets. Women’s Arcadia II is one of them. Its color selection is ideal for ladies- you can choose the night shadow, blue heron, black, iceberg, red camellia, white flint grey as well as purple among others. So, you can match the jacket with blue jeans or black skirts. Actually, the large selection of colors gives you the freedom to be elegant in any outfit!

Then, the jacket is one of the few brands that have the omni-tech coated fabric. This makes it weather resistant. The coating also keeps water and stains away. Of course, it’d be harsh to wear the jacket during the sunny weathers. Yet, it’d still reflect the sun away.

Oh, plus the outer shell is made of 100 percent nylon, and the fine mesh has 100 percent polyester. This makes it easy to wash as you can use laundry machines. Thanks to the fabric, you can fold and use the jacket for hiking and camping.

The jacket also has a zipper closure. Well, the on-seam zippered pockets protect your items both from the rainwater and from getting lost. You see, when you’re hiking in the rain, you will need this feature. At least, it will keep your phone, keys or money safe and dry.

Women’s Arcadia Ii has an adjustable pancake storm hood with a drawcord hem. This gives enthusiast a comfortable and fitting experience. Besides, the hood protects your head from the storm.

 

 

3. Wantdo Women’s Mountain Waterproof Fleece Ski Jacket Windproof Rain Jacket

Hello, what’s your favorite color? Well, I am sure that your ideal rain jacket is warm, comfortable and waterproof. Let’s put things straight here. Wantdo has the best lightweight rain jacket in the world for both men and women. You see, unlike the other brands that only place an inner mesh lining inside a nylon or polyester material, Wantdo goes a step further. Their jackets have a warm fur or cotton-soft material which allows you to stay warm in the snow or rain. Of course, this makes their jackets a little heavy, but; they are definitely worth it.

There’s a reason why the Wantdo Mountain Rain Jacket has high ratings at the local stores. And, it owes this to its quality, durability, and affordability.

Wantdo’s jacket is warm, too. The inner soft and fleece lining makes the jacket warm. It’s also capable of retaining body heat. This allows you to stay warm even during the winter or cold storms. Again, the high-quality cotton padding fabric shields you from the cold.

Use the jacket for downhill skiing, snowboarding, climbing, snow sports and other winter-related outdoor sports. Well, I’d not advise anyone to use the jacket for running, hiking or doing strenuous activities due to its high warmth retention.

You can wash it by hand, but it also supports washing by machine. You shouldn’t iron, wring or expose it to strong sunlight. Instead, hang it to dry in the shade. When cleaning, soak in less than 30 degrees warm water for about five minutes then brush gently.

 

 

4. Lanbaosi Women’s Lightweight Jacket UV Protect+Quick Dry Windproof Skin Coat

Women are attracted to color- and it makes them attractive too! Well, Lanbaosi Women’s Lightweight Jacket has among other features the ability to reflect UV light away. It comes in more than ten female-friendly colors. Then, it’s easy to wash and dries quickly. Besides, it has a windproof skin coating, and it comes in several colors. Let’s see the other features. This has to be the best lightweight rain jacket for women.

The jacket is for all women, literally. It doesn’t matter what size you are. You can have the sizes XS, S, M, M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL. This lets you choose the most fitting and comfortable jacket.

It’s a 100 percent nylon jacket. You know what this means? Well, the rain jacket is waterproof, windproof, UV-proof, weatherproof, hygroscopic and dries up quickly.

The lightweight jacket is multifunctional. For instance, you can use it for shooting, fishing, hiking, riding, hunting, mountaineering and rock climbing.

It has an attached which zips at the collar. This lets you keep your head and hair safe. The advantages of a jacket with an adjustable hood are too many to list here.

Again, the jacket is fitting, comfortable and skin friendly. This means you can enjoy wearing the jacket. At least, it is ergonomic as it is gentle on your skin.

 

5. Charles River Apparel Women’s New Englander Waterproof Rain Jacket 

 

Every woman wants to be colorful and still want the best lightweight rain jacket. It’s just for ladies to be exquisite and Charles River Apparel is helping women to be exactly that. Below, see why this is one of the best rain jackets for women!

First, it comes in 13 women-friendly colors. These include buttercup, aqua, black, red, coral, periwinkle, pink, violet, wave, mint and true navy reflective colors. Such colors are not only cute for ladies but also conspicuous and reflects light.

Second, the jacket is made of 100 percent polyurethane fabrics. This not only makes it light but also water and stain resistant. It weighs one pound, which is good for anyone who is carrying a large backpack for hiking. Then, the material allows it to fold up to 1 by 1 by 1 inches.

Third, the polyurethane fabrics are also efficient in shielding you from harsh weather. It is wind and waterproof, which makes the jacket handy for walking in the rain. The jacket also has a mesh lining that enhances comfort and warmth. The fabrics are long lasting unless you want to expose them to fire.

Forth, the pockets are zippered to ensure you don’t, at any time, lose or wet your treasured items.

Fifth, the A-line fitting and inner mesh lining enforce how comfortable you feel in the jacket. The full-length zipper lets you adjust the size. Then, it has an adjustable hood and collar.

 

 

Best Rain Jacket For Men

6. Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Front-Zip Rain Jacket with Hideaway Hood

 

If you’re looking for a highly rated men’s rain jacket with an adjustable hood and wide color choice, try this! Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake comes in several colors. These include grill, navy, red, boulder, yellow, green and brown among others.

It’s made of 100 percent nylon material. This supports machine wash, which makes simple to clean. Again, the nylon material is water and stain repellant. Thus, it is ideal for use during heavy rains. The nylon material also makes the jacket light. In fact, it weighs 12.8 ounces during shipping. You can fold it up to 1 by 1 by one 1. This makes it compact and thus ideal for hiking and camping.

It has a hideaway hood to shield your head during drizzles or in the rain. This serves you right especially when you want to protect your hair from being soaked in rainwater. When you are using the hood, you may not need an umbrella.

Then, the zip closed pockets ensure that your items stay protected when you’re walking in the rain. You see, hiking involves rough terrains and doing activities that can make you lose stuff. The zippered pockets, in such situations, ensure that you not only keep your items intact but also protect them from the rainwater.

The rain jacket is also fitting and comfortable. You can even adjust the sleeves in case you need a tighter or looser experience. Oh, plus there are sizes for anyone- you can pick yours.

 

7. Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket

 

Color and elegance are not a preserve of the ladies. If you are a man with a taste for exquisite designs, you should look for the best rain jackets. Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket is one of the most colorful and best-designed rain attires in the market today. Read on for some of the features.

The jacket has several colors for you to choose from. These include super blue, gray, green, red, orange, gravel, nightshade, and cypress. This allows you to match with the rest of your attire.

Then, the jacket’s shell is made of 100 percent nylon, while the lining is 100 percent polyester. The materials let you use machine laundry services. Plus, the jacket repels stains and water. A nylon and polyester jacket is light, and the Watertight II is not exceptional.

The jacket is compact and lightweight. For instance, it measures 2 inches high by 16 inches wide. During shipping, it measures 22 by 16 by 2 inches and weighs a pound. The lightweight nature means you can fold and use it for your hiking and camping adventures.

The zipped pockets protect your phone and other items from getting soaked up. The stowaway hood protects your head.

 

 

8. Wantdo Men’s Mountain Waterproof Fleece Ski Jacket Windproof Rain Jacket

 

Hello, what’s your favorite color? Well, I am sure that your ideal rain jacket is warm, comfortable and waterproof. Let’s put things straight here. Wantdo has the best rain jackets in the world for both men and women. You see, unlike the other brands that only place an inner mesh lining inside a nylon or polyester material, Wantdo goes a step further. Their jackets have a warm fur or cotton-soft material which allows you to stay warm in the snow or rain. Of course, this makes their jackets a little heavy, but; they are definitely worth it.

There’s a reason why the Wantdo Mountain Rain Jacket has high ratings at the local stores. And, it owes this to its quality, durability, and affordability.

The 100 percent polyester jacket weighs about 1200g, with a resistance pressure head of over 10000mm. The inner lining is soft and warm fleece.

The jacket is also fitting and comfortable to wear. It has adjustable cuffs and a stretchable glove with the thumb hole which helps to seal in warmth. Then, the soft shell is durable and resistant to wind.

The pockets are zippered. Wantdo Mountain Rain Jacket has several pockets for you to use. It has two zippered hand pockets, one internal pocket, and another internal media pocket. These pockets are safe from both free fall and weather. The earphone line is fastening supports fixture inside the jacket.

 

9. Gioberti Men’s Waterproof Lightweight Rain Jacket

 

Gioberti is one of the best rain jackets you can find on the market today. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes. As far as dimensions are concerned, you can choose S, M, L, XL, and XXL. Well, you can know your size by measuring your shoulders, chest, waist, center back and sleeves.

This men’s rain jacket has several colors from which you can choose from. These include manly selections such as; charcoal, red, brown, olive, gray, green, navy, orange, blue, neon green, and turquoise.

The jacket’s shell is 100 percent polyester and developed with the latest waterproof technology. This material is lightweight and waterproof. In fact, the jacket weighs so low that you can use it as part of your backpacking checklist. It also wicks away all moisture, and; thus, it leaves your body dry during wet and rainy weathers.

It has a protective adjustable hood. Adjust the hat through pull string locks as well as Velcro sealing cuffs.

The two zippered pockets have flap overlap and a well-designed drawstring right at the hemline. Then, the Velcro seal flap overlaps at the front zipper to ensure that your dryness is secured. Thus, you don’t have to worry about angled rainfall.

From the list of the men’s category, I am sure they will get an option for the best lightweight rain jacket.

 

 

Best Rain Jacket For Kids

10. Columbia Boys’ Glennaker Rain Jacket

 

What about your sons- will you get the best rain jackets for them, too? Well, I believe you’ll do! We won’t sign off without looking at the best lightweight rain jacket for kids. And, while at it, find those that are lightweight, comfortable, durable and stain resistant. Of course, you are not going to be there all the time to monitor how your boys play. So, pay attention to the resistance of the fabric that you purchase. Columbia Boys’ Glennaker Rain Jacket for toddlers, big and little boys is one of the best brands to take home.

For less than a hundred bucks, get a high-quality rain jacket for your kids. It is made of 100 percent nylon, and this is ideal for parents who don’t want to have a hard time washing clothes. Then, the nylon is durable and lightweight. At least, it is not going to wear out just because your child played a rough game outdoors. The nylon is also light, and this gives him the freedom to play. Nylon supports both hand and machine wash.

Then, give your children the comfort they deserve. For instance, lit let them enjoy the elastic cuffs and durable side-seam pockets. They let your son fit in the jacket seamlessly.

When walking in the rain, protect your son’s head using the zip-adjustable hood. Oh, the nylon is water and windproof, so you don’t have to worry about your kid walking in light drizzles. The jacket’s shell has bright colors and nylon material that reflect away any UV light. Choose the color you like black, hyper blue and supersonic.

 

What to Consider When Buying the Best Lightweight Rain Jacket

For first time buyers, finding the best lightweight rain jacket can be a rigorous exercise. Scouring the stores is sometimes too tedious, and if you’re busy with other activities, you’re definitely going to need some help. So, we decided to bail you out with our formulae. This is the metric through which such a list comes to be, and we believe it is going to be helpful! Read on for the features that you ought to check out.

Durability and construction

Choosing the best lightweight rain jacket will depend if its durable or not. What type or number of fabrics does the jacket have? Well, this will guide you into knowing how durable and comfortable a jacket could be. Also, it lets you know if the pricing is fair. Now, the majority of rain jackets are made of polyester and nylon material. Those that are advanced go an extra mile to include three layers of fabric. These include the outer shell, the inner membrane, and the mesh lining. Jackets with the three-layer fabrics are more expensive than the rest.

Purpose

How do you want to use the jacket? Rain jackets have several uses. For instance, you may use them for hiking, mountaineering or snowboarding. Having the best lightweight rain jacket will make you feel comfortable outdoors,  The kind of jacket you need will depend on the purpose you want to use it for. Noteworthy, a heavy and warm rain jacket may not be ideal for your morning jogs. Such exercises require light and breathable jackets.

Water resistance

The best lightweight rain jacket shields you from rainwater- that’s its primary purpose. For a jacket to achieve this, it has to have fabrics that do not allow water to penetrate. Some are hard shells, and others are plainly rain jackets. The hard shells are heavier and more expensive than the average raincoat. The rain jackets are affordable and lighter.

Color and size

My choice for the best lightweight rain jacket could differ from yours because of color and/ or size. Tastes and preferences always top the list whenever you are making a decision. Look for jackets that suit your color and design. Above all, ensure you have the right size. Sometimes, you may need to pick a size higher if you don’t want an extra tight jacket.

Maintenance

How do you wash the jacket? Or, how do you care for it? Well, this should be a determining factor when purchasing a jacket. For instance, go for those that allow both machine and hand washing. Check if you can increase a jacket’s longevity through DWR treatment.

So, the Best Lightweight Rain Jacket is…

Wantdo Mountain Rain Jacket for both men and women! Yes, this is my pick for the best lightweight rain jacket this year. And, I have a strong feeling it should be yours, too! Look, I agree that it has limited color choices and it’s a little heavy for runners and hiking enthusiasts. But, I believe it’s the kind of jacket that every couple should consider buying. It comes in both the men’s and women’s variety. It has a triple layer of polyester, cotton, and nylon. It can withstand up to 10000 mm of overhead water pressure. In short, it’s just the right pick for you! Which is your choice for the best lightweight rain jacket?