You never know when the weather’s going to change and mess up your entire day. An ultralight weight rain jacket is the ideal alternative to the raincoat on the days you are unsure about the weather. It is also ideal to carry on for any excursion to save you from getting drenched because they take up minimal space in your backpack. The advantage of these rain jackets is that they are light and water-resistant to keep you dry and comfortable, while more durable than a typical rain poncho.
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What is the Best Ultralight Rain Jacket?
It can get overwhelming when shopping for a raincoat because there are many options to choose from. To come up with this list of some of the best ultralight rain jackets, I considered the materials used, construction, and waterproof abilities of the raincoats. At the end of this article, there is a Frequently Asked Question section that answers some of the questions you may have.
1. North Face Women’s Venture 2 Hooded Ultralight Rain Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.6 Pounds (0.3 kg) |
See it in your local store:
North Face Women’s Venture 2 Hooded ultralight rain jacket is my top choice, and it features a DryVent membrane with recycled Nylon and Polyester materials. This 2.5-layer shell has a DWR coating and sealed seams to help keep you dry, although it does not hold well under heavy rains. This ultra-lightweight raincoat weighs 9.3 ounces which makes it the lightest rain jacket on my list. It is ideal for backpacking and everyday use.
However, the soft shell is not as breathable as one would like, and it can get hot and sweaty inside. But, it comes with large pit zips on the underarms to help with ventilation.
The hood features a cinch toggle with straps on each side to protect your hair from the rain. Velcro cuffs secure the wrists to prevent any leaking and wind penetration, while two zippered hand pockets on the side with a flap keep your hands warm and items dry.
Pros
- Available in extended sizes,
- Adjustable hem and hood for a custom fit,
- Features 2.5-layer DryVent shell
Cons
- The baggy fit is not ideal for everyone,
- The fabric takes a long time to dry
2. Columbia Men’s Watertight II Rain Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.8 Pounds (0.4 kg) Shell Material: 100% Nylon Lining Material: 100% Polyester |
See it in your local store:
The Columbia Men’s Watertight II Rain Jacket features a lightweight Nylon fabric with a Polyester inner lining. However, the Polyester lining may not keep you as warm as a fleece lining, but it is lighter and easier to pack. The rain jacket has an Omni-shield technology that is both waterproof and breathable, although the rain jacket lacks ventilation zips.
The Columbia Watertight II rain jacket features an adjustable hood that is adjustable with a drawstring cord. It has a zippered closure for full coverage with two zippered side pockets to keep your hands warm. All zippers have flaps to prevent water from leaking through the fabric.
The velcro cuffs and adjustable drawcord hems make sure the raincoat fits well, and it is easily packable into the hand pocket. You can pair this rain jacket with any of my best rain pants for men and are ideal for any outdoor excursion.
Pros
- Features an abrasion-resistant chin guard,
- Features Omni-shield to repel water and dirt,
- Sealed hems on the jacket make it windproof,
- Available in various colors
Cons
- Sizing runs big,
- A lot of counterfeits in the market,
- Zippers often get stuck on the inner fabric
3. Columbia Womens Arcadia II Rain Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.8 Pounds (0.4 kg) Shell Material: 100% Nylon Lining Material: 100% Polyester |
See it in your local store:
Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Rain Jacket features lightweight and durable construction, similar to the Columbia Watertight II raincoat above. It has a 2-layer construction with a 100% Nylon outer fabric with Omni-Shield to prevent stains and an inner Polyester mesh lining. The Arcadia II raincoat is ideal for layering with other sweaters to keep you warm during hikes and camping trips. However, it also does not come with pit zips for ventilation, and it may be uncomfortable when you start to sweat underneath the layering.
It has an adjustable hood to cover your head and hair with a visor that guards your eyes against rain. Its two zippered side pockets keep hands warm and also come with waterproof flaps. The front zip closure also features a flap and adjustable velcro cuffs to keep the cold and wind out. This rain shell is available in more than five colors and is visible in low light.
Pros
- Waterproof and breathable,
- Hood comes with a visor for extra cover,
- Adjustable hems and elastic cuffs for a good fit
Cons
- Inner mesh lining is uncomfortable and itchy,
- No vents or pit zips
4. Marmot Men’s Ultralight Coat
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.6 Pounds (0.3 kg) Material: 100% Nylon |
See it in your local store:
The MARMOT Men’s ultralight raincoat is the premium choice on my list due to its high performance. Unlike the Columbia rain jackets with 2-layer construction and no pit zips, the Marmot features a 2.5-layer construction with a DWR coating on the outer Polyester layer and a NanoPro inner membrane for air permeability and waterproofing. On the downside, the Polyester material is not rip-resistance which may affect the durability of the jacket.
This ultralight rain jacket has full-length side zips covered with waterproof flaps. Its front and back pockets have an inner mesh lining for extra ventilation, and pit zips in the armpits keep you cool throughout. Some users have noted that the sizes run small, and getting a size up may give you a more comfortable fit. It is easy to carry around for emergencies and daily use.
Pros
- NanoPro technology makes it waterproof and breathable,
- The hood has two front cords with Velcro straps,
- Features pit zips for ventilation,
- High collars to protect the lower face and chin
Cons
- It is noisy and has a crinkly feel to it,
- Not rip resistant
5. FROGG TOGGS Men’s Ultralight Waterproof Breathable Rain Jacket
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.5 Pounds (0.2 kg) Material: 100% Polyethylene |
See it in your local store:
The FROGG TOGGS Men’s Ultralight waterproof and breathable rain jacket is a decent quality shell if you are looking to spend less on rain gear. It is lightweight at 10.3 ounces with a 2-layer polypropylene fabric to keep you dry and comfortable. However, it may not be the ideal option if you sweat a lot because it lacks pit zips for ventilation. The material also tears quickly, which makes it less durable.
The rain jacket features two zippered side pockets to keep keys, snacks, and phones. The front zipper closure has storm flaps for extra protection, while elastic cuffs and an adjustable hood ensure a snug fit on you. However, it also runs big, and you may need to get a size down. On the plus side, it comes with a stuff sack for easy portability.
Pros
- Sealed seams for wind resistance,
- Ideal size for layering,
- It comes with a free tote bag for carrying
Cons
- No pit zips for ventilation,
- Material is not durable
My top choice in this list is the North Face Women’s Venture 2 Hooded Ultralight Rain Jacket. It is the lightest shell on the list at 9.3oz while other ultralight jackets like the Columbia Watertight II weigh 13.0oz. Unlike other shells on the list, the North Face has a dryVent membrane that is windproof and breathable with durable water repellent finish to make it waterproof. Large pit zips in the underarms keep this ultralight jacket from being too sweaty and sticky inside while adjustable features provide a snug fit. It is ideal for outdoor excursions and everyday use.
What You Should Know Before Buying Ultralight Rain Jackets
Below are a few factors to consider before purchasing the best ultralight rain jacket.
Ultralight Rain Jacket Material
Nylon
Nylon is a durable option for ultralight rain jackets and it is also the most ideal option. Not only is it affordable and lightweight, but Nylon is more rip-resistant than Polyester. However, it is also naturally hydrophilic, which means it is more likely to absorb water when its water-resistant coating begins to wear off.
Polyester
Polyester is not an absorbent material, so it dries faster and is more breathable than Nylon. It is also UV-resistant, which is why Polyester rain jackets retain their colours better compared to Nylon. However, these rain jackets are not rip-resistant, so they might tear faster.
Gore-Tex
One of the popular materials for ultralight rain jackets is Gore-Tex. It is a lightweight and durable fabric. What puts Gore-Tex ahead of many materials is its ability to be both waterproof and breathable, made possible by a microporous polyurethane layer and DWR coating.
eVent
eVent is another fabric that uses a polyurethane layer for waterproofing and breathability. It is more breathable than Gore-Tex, which also means faster drying. However, you might find this material requires more care to last more than one season.
Pertex Shield
Pertex Shield is a lightweight and highly breathable fabric with a DWR finish to maintain its water-resistance ability. However, the coating wears off quickly and needs frequent reproofing. You might find this material not as effective during a heavy downpour.
Ventilations
Do you sweat a lot when engaging in outdoor activities? A well-ventilated rain jacket will allow sweat to evaporate and leave you comfortable and dry. Although most ultralight raincoats feature breathable construction, you will eventually sweat because the breathability is slower and will cause your layers to be wet and cold. To counter this, you may want to opt for jackets with pit zips on the underarms to prevent moisture from building up.
Layers
If you are interested in a high performing rain jacket, those with more than one layer perform better than a single layer shell. On the downside, layered raincoats are often heavier and costly than single-layered ones. When picking out the best rain jacket for you, consider the environment you will be in.
2-layered construction
A 2-layered ultralight raincoat features a waterproof membrane on the outer surface and a mesh layer to protect the membrane’s inner surface if you want a light rain jacket to go with this for hiking and running.
2.5-layer construction
Some 2.5-layered lightweight rain jackets feature a thin polyurethane inner layer instead of a mesh to prevent sweat and dirt from clogging the pores for better breathability. Although the 2.5 layers are lightweight, the inner layer may have an uncomfortable plastic feel.
3-layer construction
3-layered raincoats feature a rugged outer layer treated with a DWR coating and an inner protective lining to sandwich the polyurethane waterproof membrane in between them. These rain jackets are heavier, warmer, more expensive, and ideal for outdoor sports.
Shell
In extreme conditions, most hikers prefer hard shells due to their rugged outer layer. They are heavy and waterproof to protect you against harsh winds and rain. On the other hand, if you are interested in something lighter, softshell jackets are a good fit. They have a water repellent coating that beads up rainwater, so it slides off your rain jacket. Softshells are also more breathable and portable for excursions than hard shells. Consider a rain jacket with a softshell for areas with warm weather.
Waterproofing
When it comes to rain jackets, they are either water-resistant or waterproof, depending on their construction. Most hardshell rain jackets are waterproof and feature a built-in laminate layer such as Gore-Tex and eVent, an effective barrier in moderate to heavy rain. The polyurethane laminate shells are also coated with a durable water repellent coating that sheds water off the surface. The more layers, the better it might be at keeping you dry.
On the other hand, lightweight rain jackets that feature a softshell construction have a treatment like a durable water-repellent coating. Check out for sealed seams and plastic zippers with flaps that prevent water from leaking in.
Breathability
Some ultralight rain jackets are made from a mix of nylon and polyester, known as breathable fabrics. They come with inner mesh linings that increase airflow inside the jacket to release moisture. If you sweat a lot, these rain jackets are ideal for keeping you cool. However, to maintain the breathable membrane, you need to wash the raincoat often.
Durability
When trying to figure out the quality of the rain jacket’s fabric, check it’s denier value. High denier fabrics such as 50D ripstop Nylon have a thicker construction that makes them rip-resistant. However, it is also heavier and less packable. These fabrics last longer and are preferred for hikes and camping.
In comparison, low denier fabrics are softer because they are thinner. This allows them to be lightweight and portable. Although they are easy to pack and suitable for outdoor excursions and sports, they will rip quickly in dense hiking trails.
Size
Consider an ultralight rain jacket that will completely protect you from the wind and rain. Most rain jackets come in one size fits all that covers the body from rainwater. If you are venturing to harsh environments, opt for large rain jackets that are easy to layer with other warm clothing.
Most raincoats come with adjustable features like elastic cuffs and waistbands to ensure the shells fit and stay in place. A size chart will show the variety of sizes available so that you can measure your torso and sleeve length for the right fit.
Weight
If you want a rain jacket that does not get heavy when rained on, consider those made of materials like nylon, known to be super light. These are ideal for running since they do not put a strain on your back. Most ultralight rain jackets weigh under 11 ounces, while 3-layer construction raincoats can weigh up to 13 ounces. Despite heavy rain jackets being ideal for strong winds, they are not as portable compared to lighter jackets.
Features
When buying ultralight rain jackets, consider if they come with a minimalist or full feature. Minimalist jackets have a simple design that comes with a hood and one pocket to make them lightweight. On the other end, full feature rain jackets are fully packed with zippers and pockets plus some extras such as pit zips, zipper flaps, elastic cuffs, and adjustable hems. If you want a multi-functional raincoat, go with the rain jackets with multiple features.
Questions and Answers About Ultralight Rain Jackets
How do I clean and maintain my ultralight rain jacket in good condition?
Rain jackets come with washing instructions. Most ultralight coats can be wiped clean to remove dirt and stains. However, you can machine wash in the cold setting to deep clean and reactivate the waterproofing membrane after a few wears. To restore the waterproof coating when it wears out, apply a spray-on DWR treatment.
How do Ultralight rain jackets protect from harsh weather?
The Omni-shield coating of the Columbia raincoats helps prevent mud and water stains from sticking on your jacket while also repelling water. Ultralight jackets such as Marmot’s NanoPro tech and NorthFace DryVent features are both waterproof and breathable.
These raincoats also come with adjustable hoods and cuffs with elastic hems for a snug fit, while sealed seams provide waterproof and wind resistance protection.
Are ultralight rain jackets good for kids?
Ultralight rain jackets also come in small sizes for kids. They are suitable for layering on top of sweaters. They are ideal for kids because they are lightweight and allow for a wide range of movement and do not weigh them down while playing.
